Granted I moved out of my parents’ house a few months ago, but today marks the day where I completely stripped my old room from being my old room. It’s now my parents’ room in my parents’ house.
All my years of journaling about boys that I wish would have noticed me (or others who I wish had not) and odd pictures of awkward high school dances–boxed up or thrown away like a life stage complete.
My walls, where I once put novelty cards on for decoration, are now bare; and my bathroom officially looks like a guest bathroom. Mainly because I never cleaned it when I lived there.
It’s no longer mine. I live by myself. I am independent. I am an adult. And I am a visitor in my parents’ home. Because my home isn’t quite found. It’s a feeling that hasn’t quite turned to reality.
And even though this should have probably hit me when I moved out of my parents’ house into my new apartment or hit me when I got my adult job, it instead hit me when I packed away all my little ceramic knickknacks that I can bring back out when I’m fifty-five and crazy.
While picking up all the loose pennies on the floor, and throwing away all the earrings I found without pairs, I realized that I was throwing away little pieces of me. In the sense that I am unnaturally attached to pennies and trash.
Officially moving out of your parents’ house is like being a leaf that has finally separated from the tree.
The wind has caught me, and I’m gone.
-The Boxcar Children
Congrats, Katie.
I moved straight from undergrad into my parents real estate investment. Within two weeks I had to move everything out of my old room because my mom wanted it to be setup for a guest coming in a month. There was no time to think about it. It was weird going back and not be comfortable in the same room and furniture that I grew up with forever. The funny thing is my parent’s house is still listed as “Home” on my cell.
I stumbled upon your blog yesterday and I thought I’d stop being a lurker and tell you thank you for your blog. Not only is it humorous and honest, but it is so darn accurate with the whole life after college. Thanks for making me feel like I’m not alone and crazy.
As for moving out, I’ve been “out” of my parent’s house since college. My room’s still pretty intact. My clothes are minimal there though. But the Harry Potter posters, glow in the dark stars on the ceiling, and yearbooks under my bed are still all there. When I go back though, it has no feeling of me. It’s a reminder of how I was, but in a way, I’ve been detached to it.
In short, moving out is a must. It’s the only way we are truly grown.
I love your post. You sound like me. Congrats and good luck!
Thanks for your post. Even though I don’t know you, it’s nice to read someone else’s thoughts about this. I’m having a hard time dealing with moving out. Well I wouldn’t say HARD time, I’ve just been emotional the last couple of days. I’m 23 years old and finally getting an apartment with my boyfriend of 5 years which is something both of us have been wanting for a long time now. And I’ve been excited for the last couple of weeks thinking about moving into it and furnishing it etc…But now the last couple of days I have just been sad when I think about leaving my parents. You’d have to know my parents to know where I’m coming from. My parents have always been those caring, loving and supportive type of parents. They have always been there for me and we have lived in this house all of my life (23 years). As I was talking to my dad earlier tonight about moving out, I couldn’t help holding back the tears. I don’t know why this such an emotional thing for me.
Any thoughts/advice?
Thanks! :- )
Thoughts? Living on your own is like jumping into a cold pool for the first time…at first you freak out, but then you get used to it, tread water, and learn how to swim. Just go with what works for you. And thanks for reading!
I just moved out recently and it’s the best decision I’ve made. It feels good to be on your own and become a man. I love my family but I needed to find myself and be on my own. Finally I did it and I am not looking back. I miss my small ugly room though hehe. Great blog.