You did it! You took the plunge and moved out of home, only to realise this ‘adulting’ thing is way harder than you expected.

You’re broke. You didn’t end up with the roomies you wanted. Your local Maccas staff know you by name, and you’re starting to suspect moving out is not all its cracked up to be. If you’re thinking of throwing in the towel, you’re not alone – over half of Australians under 30 are doing the same thing.

Here’s why there’s no shame in moving back in with your parents.

It’s A Smart Financial Decision

Ever since you moved out, your wallet has been taking a hit. Paying rent takes up a huge chunk of your (minimum wage) income already so you’re under a lot more financial pressure than you ever were at home. Between decking out your new place with furniture and appliances, and then dealing with less obvious costs like internet and transport, there isn’t much left over for a social life. Before you know it, you’re staring down the barrel of cup noodles by candlelight for the foreseeable future.

If money is a big issue for you, it might make sense to move back home for a while. You can massively reduce your costs and, even better, you’ll have some breathing room to start saving again. All that energy you spent stressing about money? Now it can go toward that big assignment or working your way up the corporate ladder. Whatever you decide, moving back home for a while can really help you out financially.

Nothing More Than A Generational Shift

Another reason to ditch the shame about moving back home is that so many other people are doing it. It’s practically the new normal. McCrindle reports that Gen Y are staying at home longer, and even moving back home at a much higher rate than previous generations.

Regardless of those grouchy talkback radio types, it’s not about being lazy or entitled. It’s about being practical. We know that the world is changing: houses are way more expensive, cost of living has gone up, jobs are harder to get, and with so many people living alone nowadays, society is becoming a lonelier place.

But it’s not all bad. The benefits of moving back home hugely outweigh any negative media stereotypes. Where else could you get the kind of financial and emotional support you find at home? Living with your folks might be the best thing for you right now, and it doesn’t have to define you.

There’s No One Right Way To ‘Adult’ 

Let’s get one thing straight: there is no ‘correct’ path. Most of what we take for granted about adulthood is cultural expectations. In many countries, adult children still don’t leave the family home until they marry. In Australia, we have this narrative about how our lives should look: finishing school, going to uni, finding a partner, getting married, buying a house, having a baby, and living happily ever after.

When anyone strays from this weirdly specific plan, it’s somehow interpreted as a failure. But that’s not how life works. Sometimes things go off-course. We might fail a unit and have to graduate later than we expected. We might break up with the partner we thought was ‘the one.’ That doesn’t mean we’re failures, it means we’re navigating life the best way we can. That’s all any of us can do.

So if you’re thinking it’s time to cut your losses and move back home, it’s not the end of the world. It might even be the best thing for you in the long run. My advice? Don’t sweat the small stuff – you can always move out again when you’re ready.

Casey Barber is a freelance writer based in Brisbane.  She’s trying to make sense of what it means to be a millennial in Australia.  You can follow her on Twitter at @CaseyBarberAU.

(Lead image: Stepbrothers/Columbia)