“Another music reference?” Yes, this is how I like to communicate my emotions.
Within days of telling my family I was moving out, I heard Mom singing “She’s Leaving Home” by The Beatles, a heartbreaking masterpiece. I am not leaving on the as sad of terms as the girl in the song, but it still stirs up some poignancy.
For context, I have lived in the same bedroom for my entire life. Before me, the home was occupied by my newlywed parents, and before that, my great-grandparents lived there. My grandparents still live on the other side of our duplex, which has been so amazing.
I have a deep connection with my home, not ever being anywhere else for more than a couple weeks. The space holds so many memories, and finding old books or even noticing a scratch on the wall can stir them up.
When I can’t sleep, or I am feeling stressed, or both, I sometimes remind myself how amazing it is to have a solid, safe roof over my head. It is a basic necessity that so many are not afforded.
Having a stable home has allowed me to complete a university degree, build friendships, learn to cook, bond with my family, and to appreciate the natural environment. I will miss the view of the Coast Mountains.
I am moving out of this house at the end of the week. It is something I have been wanting for a couple years, and in recent months it has been a strong itch. Having 5 others (plus a feisty dog) in the house while working full-time remotely has not been easy, but I am sure in retrospect the chaos will be sentimental to me.
It is my time. And after months of setting a new job up for myself, working, and applying to graduate, I am ready to go. The last few weeks of apartment searching, learning what cleaning supplies to buy, and how to set up home internet has put me in hard-core “adulting” mode.
Something I wasn’t sure of until just a couple weeks ago was whether I wanted roommates. I know that I love being around people at home. But the many many instances where I find myself needing privacy and space tells me I should try living alone – so I am!
Living alone will surely pose challenges that I can’t even think of right now, but I know my ability to be independent in other ways will help guide me. Plus, I won’t be far away.
It was important for me to stay in my neighbourhood, because I love it so much, and I managed to find a place only a walk away from my parents. I have grown with the city, and now we are both ready to make our big-city debuts.
Once my very own studio apartment (eek!) is set up, I will surely share some photos. I have a specific design style brewing…
marina miller 