Staging an apartment

Its good to be back on vocal. I have not written here in ages. It's the end of the year.

What better way than to write. Thank you for those of you who read my thoughts and to those who are new:) I love a good read, and reading peoples experiences, as we are all so unique and have so much to share and learn from each other. Anyways, a concept today or idea that I thought of is, staging an apartment. Hiding things, making things appear a certain way?

What an interesting concept to wrap the mind around, that's also how I spent my saturday afternoon, staging my apartment. Or soon to be someone else's apartment. Yes, the amount of time I've spent manifesting this place and giving gratitude for it, has now come to a close for a different reasons, I will get into later. But nevertheless, it was heartbreaking to let go of this space, I've come to know as my safe haven. One where I could be myself, sing, dance loudly, cry, lie on the floor, smoke weed (outside on the balcony), amongst many other things of course.

At 15, I’ve imagined time and time again, what it would feel liked to have my own space, away from it all. And I did, and now its gone.

So today I had to stage my apartment for the second time.

But before I do, let me quickly try and explain why we chose to depart after 3 short years.

Two months ago (October 2024), we got the news that our owner, let's name her "D" of the unit, was “losing money" on the unit were renting out. It had been 3 years since we’ve rented. The owner is not one that is sketchy (maybe is some other ways), but she is one that is at times understanding and is actually really nice, as we had been on a texting basis.

So after hearing this news, my partner, had some options.

We could further ask questions, as to what she meant by "losing money" and figure out a plan from there (which we did). And what came from what was a solution to find a way to own the unit ie.) buy it and go to the bank and figure out how we get a down payment for it (in short). The other option, was simple. Move back in with the parents.

For that one, I had to swallow my pride. For me it meant, giving up a bit of privacy, and make adjustments. But after much crying and contemplation, I figured it wouldn't so bad to be around my family, especially my little brother, and especially for the holidays.

So for my weekend, I had to stage the apartment - which meant keeping it tidy and clean and making presentable for the new tenants who were going to occupy it. Hiding things, the weed, emptying the overflowing recycling.

Anyways, I staged it, I cleaned for two damn hours of my saturday. Room to room, song by song. Letting my mind run free. Breathing it out. Arting it out. I picked every clothes, vacuumed every corner, took out all the garbages.

It also made me think....over the past couple years...

Why did I go above and beyond to keep the place tidy. I'm relieved to be done, cleaning after him especially. It's exhausting. It got me thinking why (in a stereo typical heterosexual relationship) why is it, that he just sits and plays his video games, like 10 year old and needs to be, nay, adores & lives to be told what to do - when to eat, when to take a break, and makes me think "how come I'm not getting those nice reminders". The one I give to him, “dont smoke too much, drink water, take breaks”, are those annoying?

Versus, me going, “Babes, I don’t like when you smoke cigerettes in the car, or when it smells like cigarettes? Especially on my period!” the response, is “Sorry babes, sure, thank you for letting or me know, or will do, or love you”

Two days later, I get in for a ride from work, the car smells like cigarettes. He knows I hate it, I can't stand it. Anyways that's an article for another day.

So anyways, I cleaned and cleaned. The possible new tenants came and went, didn't seem too impressed with it, I mean they said little to no words, and owner "D" didn't have a good feeling about them either.

And then the rest of the evening, I chilled and did nothing.

How was your saturday?

With gratitude,

Priya