Being a woman and living alone can be a liberating experience because you have a lot of freedom. You can dance around in the kitchen, you can wear what you want, you can simply feel like you are allowed to do as you please in the comfort of your home. However, there are some downsides. It goes without saying that being a woman means having to be a little more cautious on your own than how a man would. This is an unfortunate reality but it is good to acknowledge it and what you can do to keep yourself safe on your own.

Check out these tips for living alone as a woman.

Keep Friends Updated While on Dates

If you plan on taking things home after a date, make sure to keep your friends informed. It is important that they know what your plans are just to air on the safe side of things. It never hurts to be cautious when it comes to meeting new people, especially if you plan on bringing them home to your private space. This applies to online dating because you are giving out a certain amount of information, and you are not entirely sure of who you are meeting. Keeping friends updated on the date, location, time, the person’s name, etc. are all good tips to ensuring that someone can check up on you.

Personal Protection

While it feels awful that women need to carry personal protection on their person or at their home, it is the reality that we live in that people have bad intentions. Again, it might feel upsetting to think about, but it is always better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it. The level of personal protection you can carry on you depends on where you live, but the folks at https://www.tbotech.com/ show that there is a variety of non-lethal choices that are legal nearly anywhere. Pepper spray and stun guns are among the most popular because, again, they are legal, but they are also highly effective while being discreet. Any woman who feels she needs the extra protection should consider these devices.

Getting a Dog

Having a dog serves a few purposes. First and foremost, you are providing a home for a new member of your little family. Dogs can help improve your mood, keep you company if you get lonely, and gives you a good purpose when it comes to taking care of them. They also help provide a form of home security. You do not need a big, scary dog to see they can benefit you if you live alone, although a German Shepherd would be a lot more intimidating than a Corgi. Dogs can be vocal when they feel like they, and you are in trouble, so they offer a free alarm system in that sense, and if they need to get physical, then they can. Dogs are an excellent way to feel even a little bit safer while living alone.

Learning a Self-Defense or Fighting Style

One of the best ways for a woman who lives alone to feel like she has her freedom and independence while maintaining her safety is by learning self-defense techniques or fighting styles. Providing yourself the techniques to defend yourself effectively is something we should all strive for, but as men have bigger frames and generally more strength, women need to learn some tricks to keep themselves protected. Taekwondo, Krav Maga, Jiu-Jitsu, and a whole host of self-defense and martial arts forms can help you get in shape and feel safe knowing you can defend yourself properly.

Home Security Systems

While a dog might work, sometimes, you need an actual security system. This can be as simple as a better lock for your door or a deadbolt, or it could mean cameras or some kind of alarm. In any case, it never hurts to be safe rather than sorry when it comes to your own home. It is supposed to be a place for you to feel comfortable and safe, and this is a good solution that can be simple to install and cost very little to own.

Being a woman can be a tough time because of the danger that is out there. While it is present for men too, women face some problems that are unique to them. It can be scary to live alone as a woman, but with these tips, you can feel comfortable while out and about or while hanging out at home.