I just left the Amish.
Now what?
You've taken the hardest step already. What comes next is a set of ordinary, learnable things — paperwork, money, a job, a place among new people. Here's where to start, one piece at a time.
Your papers, in order
Each one unlocks the next. Start at the beginning and the rest falls into place.
Birth certificate
A certified copy proves who you are. It's the document almost everything else is built on.
Read the guideSocial Security number
Bring your birth certificate and proof of identity to your local Social Security office to apply for a card.
Read the guideDriver's license
Most states will ask to see your certified birth certificate and Social Security card before they issue one.
Read the guideStanding on your own feet
Work, money, and the systems that keep both steady.
How to get a job
Newspapers, online listings, and local temp agencies are all solid places to see who's hiring near you.
Read the guideHow to set up a bank account
Banks are about as plentiful as restaurants. Ask friends where they bank and why — it's the fastest way to choose.
Read the guideHow to set a budget
A budget keeps your payments on time and makes sure you've got enough to live on from one day to the next.
Read the guideHow to do your taxes
Once you're earning, you'll file a return by April 15th each year. Here's what that actually involves.
Read the guideEveryday life out here
The unwritten rules of a world you didn't grow up in.
Education
Study for your GED — the equivalent of a high school diploma, and a requirement for most jobs.
Read the guideManners
Manners are more than rules. How you treat others shows what's really in your heart.
Read the guideDating
Practical, grounded advice for keeping a new relationship steady and godly.
Read the guidePersonal hygiene
Straightforward guidance for keeping up good, consistent hygiene habits.
Read the guideLiving with others
What it takes to share space and daily life with roommates or family, successfully.
Read the guideWhen to use your cell phone
A fast way to reach the people you care about — and a habit worth learning when to set down.
Read the guide