8 Things We Realize We Took For Granted When We Move Away From Home

For me, home will always be where my mum is.

While living with my mum is incredible simply because I worship the ground she walks on, I know it can also be a detrimental experience.

Why? Because she’s always there.

Since I'm with her all of the time, I take for granted the things she does for me and the support she gives me.

Her presence is so constant that I don't think about what life would be like without her.

Moving away from home — away from the woman who gave birth to me and raised me — is nothing short of bittersweet.

Despite the unkind words exchanged, different opinions shared and questionable choices presented, I know she will always be there for me.

She’ll be there because she loves me with every inch of her body; she cares for me more than she’s able to comprehend and she’d do absolutely anything for me, regardless of distance.

Living by myself has been invaluable, and I have a newfound sense of appreciation for the amazing woman my mum is and always will be.

Aside from the enjoyment of going out without having to offer explanation and eating cereal for dinner without judgment, the time I spend away from her just makes me realize how precious she truly is to me.

More than anything, it’s the little things I long for.

So, here are eight reasons why living away from home makes me — and probably a lot of other people — appreciate my mum a little bit more.

1. The Advice

I don’t know what it is about my mum, but she always knows what to say. While I may not agree with her opinion 100 percent of the time, she somehow has a way of always being right. And I hate it.

Whether I’m stressed about a trivial situation or even something of a little more weight, she's always there to offer a fresh perspective and a few words of wisdom.

I trust my mum more than any other person in the entire world, and I know that despite what I may think, she has my best interests at heart.

2. Cooking

I actually quite enjoy cooking for myself, but whenever I attempt to recreate one of my mum’s recipes, I can never quite do it justice.

I miss coming home and dinner being on the table and my mum cooking my favorite dish without notice.

I can have the same thing at someone else’s house, but it just doesn't beat the classic recipe at home. Ever.

3. Cuddles

I’m sorry, but nothing can beat a cuddle from my mum. Whether I’m happy, or I just need a pick-me-up cuddle, it's literally all I want.

The familiarity of her scent reassures me and gives me the boost I need to put a smile back on my face.

And, to be honest, a cuddle from her can pretty much solve anything.

4. Answering Silly Questions

I've lost count of the number of times I've called my mum to ask her if I can defrost something or if my chicken has gone bad.

Texting or calling her to ask a silly question to which I know she’ll have the answer is a daily occurrence in my life.

Being away makes me fully appreciate what she does for me because no ask is too big, and no question is too silly.

5. Making My Bed

Single-handedly attempting to make my double bed is a legitimate struggle in the morning.

When my mum does it, the sheets seem to glide up with ease, and the pillows seem to automatically fluff to perfection.

So, returning home to a freshly made bed by my one and only is one of life’s simpler pleasures.

6. How Much She Does

When I’m at home, the plate I put down magically vanishes, and the dirty laundry in the basket somehow gets washed.

The things I actively have to think about and do for myself when living away from home always seem to be done without asking.

It’s pretty much the equivalent of being a guest.

7. Girly Days

One of my favorite things to do when I’m living at home, or even if I'm away from home, is to spend the day with my mum, just the two of us.

It doesn't matter what we do; there’s just nothing more comforting than spending quality time with her.

I always feel so much calmer and refreshed after we hang out, and I'm sure it's good for my soul.

8. The Unbreakable Bond

My mum's commitment to our relationship is irreplaceable because I know she'll always be honest, even if she doesn't tell me what I want to hear.

She believes in me like nobody else ever has, and she supports me in everything I do. She's there to catch me when I fall and to pick up the pieces when I break, each and every time.

We share a bond that, despite what happens, will never break. They say home is where mum is, and truer words have never been spoken.