Every time you get to Twitter, or any other social media platform, you come across the conversation about when is the best time to move out of your parents' house.
Some argue as soon as you hit the age limit, others when you get your first job and others argue when you feel ready to move out.
The question on everyone's mind is whether there is a right time to leave the nest?
Everyone is born into a different family and societal setting.
Based on these two aspects alone, facts that affect moving out such as finances and rental options vary from one person to another.
On average, young adults in Kenya leave for college or university at 18 years.
Depending on where they go, many of them leave their homes into student living quarters or apartments.
The journey starts here for some and the paths diverge.
For those who cannot afford standalone apartments, hostels get the job done and even those have classes.
Some end up living in basic places that offer just enough to survive and others are essentially luxury hotels.
The basic ones offer bedding and meals.
You probably have to share the room with a few others.
In this setting, privacy is just a rumour.
The other group gets to enjoy air-conditioned rooms with stainless steel appliances, stocked fridges and allowances the size of salaries.
At the moment, in Kenya, the consumer price index stands at 6.47 per cent, which is 0.71 per cent higher than it was last year.
Basic things such as milk and bread are more expensive today than they were 5 years ago. Let us not even get into the liquid gold that is cooking oil.
The prices at the gas pump are making more people turn towards public transport. Economic forces are making life unaffordable.
In case you have grown up with financial difficulty, then it is okay to hold on a little before you move out.
When staying with your parents, you can be assured of food, a bed, great company and love. Unless you come from a battlefield of a home, these are not bad things to have around.
However, moving out helps with forming who you are as an individual.
You get to discover certain things, learn how to network and connect with people to get opportunities and get ahead in life.
You get to experience the highs and lows in life and this forms our life perspectives.
Moving out exposes you to different lifestyles and helps you shape your path. You leave the comfort of your home and venture out into the unknown.
It is expensive and hard but you get to forge your future. There is space to explore relationships, both platonic and romantic and see the world for yourself from a different perspective.
There is no manual on how to operate around life, so there is never a right or wrong time to leave the nest and venture out on your own.
Social media has made it look like a sin to stay with your parents even in your 20s or past that.
It is very much okay to sit it out as you gather yourself and as you scout your options.
Build up some savings and explore your investment options and buy some essentials.
This will help you set yourself up and focus your energies elsewhere once you move out.
Move out when you deem fit. Don’t follow the crowd, there is no reward for this.
Communication students at Rongo University.
Edited by Kiilu Damaris
