When I first saw the TV series "Sex in the City" I
immediately fell in love with the idea of being this young and independent
career woman in the big city. And so I said to myself, "before I hit my 30s, I will be like Carrie
Bradshaw... Yes, and with my own Mr. Big!" And alas! The opportunity
to finally be the independent woman that I have always wanted to be surfaced
and I grabbed it like the last bread on the shelf.
Of course, it was still a tough decision. I wasn't fully
prepared for it, to tell you quite frankly. This opportunity came along with
the fact that our organization had to undergo a corporate dispute because of an
unfortunate internal conflict with the incorporators and those claiming to be
our organization's "board of trustees" before, but I'm glad we have
almost moved on and our organization is coping up well with the changes.
The Great Move to San
Fernando, Pampanga
When I said city, I don't mean just about any city. I was
hoping somewhere in Makati, Ortigas or Quezon City; but no... The opportunity
was in a provincial city - San Fernando City of Pampanga. When my work moved
here, I didn't immediately looked for my own place but rather lived at the
provided staff house. It was fun to be roommates with your office girlfriends
but I did find it a bit stressful. You would kind of want a different
environment after work and seeing your officemates even after office hours just
isn't the way I'd want things to be.
Getting an Apartment
and Starting From Square One
And so after two months of living in the staff house, I
decided to rent an apartment with one of my best buddies at work, Ros. We got a
two bedroom, one bathroom, and a big enough living room apartment that could
give us enough space and privacy. The idea of having your own place is really elating
and I felt like I was the big girl I've always wanted to be; although it isn't
a walk in the park at all. I have priorities and I wasn't promoted then yet. The
living room was empty only having a table, my parents' old TV, and a pair of
monoblock chairs. My room was big enough but it only had my bed cushion a pair
of pillows and a blanket. I had privacy
and the place was my own but I do not feel at home, still. I just sleep as soon
as I get home because there is nothing much to do. I kind of felt like having a
place of my own sucks. I miss my parents' place.
And Everything Was
Starting to Fall Into Place
There was a time when I almost gave up. This isn't how I
pictured things to be. My parents were proud of me because I was so strong and
hard working. My mom would constantly send me text messages reminding me to
have breakfast, greeting me a good morning, and just helping me get through
things. She encouraged me and helped me cope up with things.
And so after a few months, my place was starting to look
like a home. Furniture and appliances were arriving one by one. It started with
an electric stove, then a fridge, a coffee maker/toaster, a microwave, an extra
shelf for my kitchen, and now a real bed, a dresser, a center table and a sofa
set for my living room! That's when I
find myself getting excited to go home. I felt so comfortable and at ease to
even bring work home. I can be myself and I can be free at last.
Not Perfect But I'm
Doing Just Fine
Living on my own had its own ups and downs. There would be
times when I feel alone (literally I am alone so WTF), I had to schedule when
I'd pay my bills, go home early to have the drinking water delivered, wake up
earlier because I needed to prepare my breakfast, do the dishes, clean the
house... As much as I look so grown up, it was never all fun and games. But I'd
have to tell you, I love having my own place because of the privacy, I can be
myself, I learned how to be more responsible, and I feel proud and accomplished
because at 25, I do not rely on my parents anymore.
When I turned 24, I was quite scared. I remember my mom
telling me that she got married at 25. And what was I doing? I was single,
living with my parents, and was still quite unsure about my job. But soon as
2014 sets in, things changed in a snap. At 25, I now live on my own, I was
promoted, and I am in a committed relationship with a man who is as ambitious
and hardworking as I am plus he understands and supports my life choices.
I am happy with where I am right now, but I know that is just
the start of greater things to come in my life. Cheers to being an awesome and
independent woman. True enough, we can be whatever we want to be.
Happy Women's Month!
Love this post! :) And yes, I totally agree -- "Everything is not perfect but we'll do just fine!"
ReplyDeletexx
www.jhanzey.net
Thank you Jhanz <3
DeleteI actually want to move out of Metro Manila! It's cheaper elsewhere and less stressful.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the promotion and yay for living on your own! :)
Thanks Helga! Kaso I need a social life here in San Fernando soon. I'm going crazy. LOL
DeleteI am in love with this post, Gellie! You go, girl! :D
ReplyDeleteLike I always say, I believe in any 'struggle' because at the end of it, something good is surely going to happen as long as I continue to work hard.
About the living on your own thing--good job! I did it right after college and it was one of the best decisions that I've made in my life :D
Sometimes it can still be a bit scary but it's a step closer to being the woman I have always wanted to be... I'm just gonna keep on moving forward :)
DeleteYou go girl. I have come to accept that I will never live on my own because I can't imagine leaving my Mom and sister on their own but I know how that feels. For a time, I played house for about 4 years :) Be proud but aim for more. Kayang kaya mo yan!
ReplyDeleteThanks sis! <3
DeleteAwesome and congrats on your success! This is something I never experienced, as I moved directly from living in my parents' house to living in a house with my husband. There's never that time of self-discovery by living alone, and that is something I will always wonder about. I am quite happy in my current life state though, and never regret starting a family early (in many people's standards), but I do believe women will be much stronger in the long run by having a time in their lives when they're taking care of no one but themselves.
ReplyDeleteI believe to each his own. I guess this is the path I needed to take to help me become that strong woman I desire to be. :D
DeleteCongrats! I'm 19 and starting to live on my own, and I'm so nervous! This surely gave me some peace of mind that everything will work out. :) Thank you.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Nessa :D
Delete