I’m coming at you live from my bedroom at 8pm on a Saturday evening, freshly showered and plastered after a hard days’ work of doing #grown # up #stuff like fixing shelving units and coffee tables from scratch, and grouting the bathroom.
At the age of 31 (which was a couple of weeks ago), I *think* I officially feel like an adult. Moving into my own apartment almost feels like my ‘boss level’ of being my own person, after years of living at home and renting with flatmates. Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely loved every minute of it, but as someone who has always been alone and likes her own company, it just felt right that my next step would be to finally get my own place. The speed in which it all happened was immense too. I started looking for apartments online at the beginning of April and went through a few up and downs before settling on the one I’m in now, about 3 weeks ago.
From there, began the onslaught of contracts, referencing, bank account statements and waiting. Oh the waiting! The last three weeks have definitely been the most stressful weeks of my life, but as I lie on my bed with the evening sunlight pouring through my bay window, I realise that it was all worth it, and that – albeit the landlord – this place is mine. Mine to do as I please (within reason). Mine to decorate (within reason). Mine to look after and cherish.
I get to entertain, and have people round for drinks and fun and booty calls! LOL. I get to hang up huge pieces of art, and laugh loudly at Tik Tok videos at 2am, and cry when I’m sad without fearing that someone may hear. I get to organise the house and pamper myself, and walk around the place naked. There is such freedom in having your own space to create and flourish in, and honestly I feel like this is just the beginning for me!
One of the main tasks that I was anxious about was the actual *moving* bit. I’d somehow managed to store two years’ worth of RUBBISH in my room in plain sight without knowing, and so when it came time to organise and pack, I fretted. One thing that I suggest is before moving, have a HUGE clearout and get rid of any clutter you don’t need – in my case, I was able to throw away 13 black bags’ worth of old stuff.
I was also incredibly lucky to be able to work with Fantastic Services on moving out, which was serendipitous in itself as I had been already planning to book for them to help me with a move anyway! Fantastic Services are a one-stop-shop for anything you could possibly want done to your home. From packing and moving to cleaning, laundry, landscaping, gardening, waste removal and pest control, they literally do ALL THE THINGS.
For my move, I decided to get some packing materials included, as well as help packing on the day. I then had a post-tenancy clean of my room and my bathroom after I left, which I think is such a clever addition to the service. On the day, I was aided by two amazingly helpful gentlemen who packed up the rest of my items, transported them into the truck, and kindly brought them into my new place. The next day, a team of three members of staff got to work with cleaning my old room, bathroom and kitchen to almost-hotel standards.
me standing around feeling useless as the guys pack up my room!
Honestly, the whole process was incredible and I’d never felt more redundant as a human being then I did on moving day. I’m so used to doing everything myself and being a STRONG INDEPENDENT WOMAN WHO DON’T NEED NO MAN, that I found it incredibly difficult to sit still and do nothing!
The post-tenancy clean team at work. Such a useful service if you don’t have the time to clean your room thoroughly after moving!
Anyhoo, the whole process took around 3 hours which tbh is amazing, and I would definitely use them again as they made everything look so easy, and I’m someone who will always pay for peace of mind, especially when it comes to something as life-changing as moving!
Now, please excuse me as once again turn on Beyonce’s ‘Homecoming’ tour and dance erratically around MY living room!
May 26, 2020
Steph
New Beginnings
