This weekend one of my best friends came to visit overnight. I hadn’t realized how few times I have guests in my place: outside my children, the number of times is NEVER. I was excited because I love my home.
It felt great to have my home neat and tidy. It is always neat and tidy, but when there is someone to see it I am happier getting it looking great. I looked forward to having someone actually see where I live because I love it and I’m proud of it and I wanted to show it to my friend. So, I was happy with anticipation. We had a great time together.
Fast forward to her heading home this morning. We had a wonderful 24 hours, as always. And I figured out what felt so good about showing her my new home: I got to show one of my lifelong friends who I am now, by way of my home.
As lifelong friends, she had seen my homes over the years and how I lived with my family. Then, she came to see me on the day after I moved out of my marital home and into a one-room loft apartment, it did not feel like a happy moment. And she saw this place for a moment when it was under construction before I moved in. It had been nearly two years since Z had been to my home.
My New Lifestyle
This time, for the first time in more than five years, I had the chance to show my life to someone who has known me in every stage. I am proud of who I am now and my home reflects this girl. I honestly didn’t know why I love my home so much and now I do: it’s me. It’s me right now, not who I used to be.
So, thank you Z. I was so excited for you to see my new life and now I get why it was so important for me to show it to you: it isn’t just a home, it is a reflection of the changes in my life.
If you aren’t living in a way that reflects who you are now, rather than who you were 10, 20 or 30 years ago, make some changes. You don’t have to spend lots of money or completely start over, but just make your home feel like you.
Having Struggled over the past two years to find post retirement
balance, I find your article very useful in making me aware of the necessity of letting go of past working, married, raising kids self. Maybe a new place is not so scary but can rather help reveal the now new self. Thank you, its always very interesting to read your articles, makes one feel understood.
Marie, you are absolutely understood! As hard as it is to let go, it is also so freeing. I was just thinking this morning that I only have three pieces of furniture left from my family: there were many things that I just had to leave behind. I had a moment of regret, then realized that the pieces I have are all I need to be reminded of Happy times. It’s not the things, it’s the memories that they create in your mind. So let go all you want, it’s your life. Thank you for reading Starting Over at Sixty.
Thank you Paula and bonjour from France. I surely will keep on reading your articles.
Merci, Marie.
Dear Paula D…I love your home.
Honestly I have loved all your homes but this one certainly the cream of the crop.
You have created a home full of love…
comfort and all you.
It was a beautiful weekend with many more to share at your home. ?