As you survey your new living space in pristine condition for the first (and very possibly last) time, bare wall to bare wall the rooms should be brimming full of one thing: Potential. Yes, the potential for greatness surrounds you. However, the everyday hustle and bustle of your normal life will resume in due time. Why not let your new pad marinate for a proverbial minute or two before throwing it on the barbie? You may be tired of the entire moving process by this point, but don’t let your weary arms defeat your kindred spirit. Rushing into getting your new place up and running will cut short a rare loophole in male living, referred to from here on as simply, the “Grace Period.” From as little as a day to as long as a month, the Grace Period is exactly what you make of it. A properly executed Grace Period will require a carefully prioritized “to-do” list, and yes, a “to-do” list is necessary, if only for appearances’ sake. Remember, the Grace Period is an excuse to shirk unwelcome tasks and duties, but only serves as an effective alibi when you are perceived as busy, not lazy.

1. First Things First: You are now privy to an enclosed arena of which you are the authority figure. Our suggestion: a fun & games day. Beer Olympics, New-Home Run Derby, whatever your heart’s wildest desire. With no valuables in sight, or at least unpacked, the propensity for property damage commonly associated with such activities is suddenly mitigated. Don’t throw caution completely to the wind, as depending on the size of your security deposit, it may still be necessary to take some precautions. Indoor paintball could make for an epic hour or so, but the long term repercussions will leave much larger marks in your bank account.
2. Second Tier: Once you’ve had your inaugural romp, it’s time to lay groundwork for the survival and entertainment basics. Hit the grocery store, unload a few key boxes (including the Emergency Survival Box if you’ve been paying attention), call the Direct TV guy, but don’t by any means set up your internet yet. Think about it, television provides diversion you don’t have to answer to; meanwhile, in today’s online era, computer access is synonymous with responsibility. Not to mention, a lack of internet can always be blamed on the internet company or your new landlord. Rarely would an authority figure consider that you chose to delay your own internet. For those terribly concerned with what their Facebook friends might think, just use your phone. Still, the beauty of the Grace Period is a little time off the grid, with no uninvited supervision. If you truly want to take advantage, repeat the golden phrase, “My phone charger is in some box somewhere.” This will allow you to hurry off the phone (then ignore subsequent texts) in an effort to “save battery,” without offending inbound callers.
3. Face the Music: All good things must come to an end. Eventually you will have to rejoin the productive members of society. The Grace Period is simply meant to be a brief reprieve, a hard earned break after the stresses of moving. Enjoy it, savor it, but don’t get lost in it.