In younger years I used to move a lot. It came with the territory. In college I moved every semester. After college there were more moves. I bounced from my parents' place to a shabby little apartment, to a nicer apartment, to my very own condo.
That's about the time moving went from a 'mere nuisance' to a 'monumental nightmare.' Suddenly I had furniture, electronics, appliances, linens, knick-knacks, and too many clothes. Three years ago everything I owned fit into half a room. Suddenly every closet, cupboard, and cranny in a large apartment was... full?
From there it got worse. I moved from the condo to a house. Wheee! Decorating! More furniture! Bigger furniture!
I must have tempted fate too much when I settled into that house. The moment the last accent piece was placed in the alcove, I got promoted to a 1-year traveling job. I'd get another promotion then, in another city! I had to sell the house and move the stuff to storage. It was beyond painful. When it was over I said to my friends, "Here's my advice to you. Buy nothing, and have the money."
It was excellent advice. If I'd followed it, I would have money in my pocket and we'd have room today to move around in this house. We could even relocate to some charming bungalow that's within walking distance to everything we need. But I didn't listen to my younger (but wiser) self so I'll be forever burdened with all this crap.
Don't cry for me imaginary reader! (But if you do, take a handkerchief. Please? I have a drawerful and I could use the space for somthing else.) There's still hope for me to lighten this load, because I want to. I won't have the money I spent, but paying less for space, paying less to move, having less to maintain, and having less to protect? Almost as good.
No comments:
Post a Comment