Somehow got a kidney infection this week - it hurts and I'm constantly falling asleep. Sad thing is I've had to go 'cold turkey' and avoid coffee which definitely doesn't help!
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I received 3 wedding invitations this week - eurgh. Some days it feels like everyone around me is settling down and getting married... No, I'm happy for these people but it makes me wonder whether it is normal to not feel that 'burning desire' to 'settle down'. I personally like my own space and imagining someone tinkering with my schedules and belongings unsettles me.
I went to a party last week at a bar - acquaintances. Conversation was lighthearted - some people were talking about their upcoming wedding; others upcoming holidays; others about new rented apartments.
One guy was saying "Oh my god! There's this guy I know and he lived with his parents for 10 years and now he's just bought an apartment without a mortgage at 30 years old! What an idiot!" This annoyed me. All the twenty-year olds nodded and were saying "What a loser!" As the token 30-year old of the night, I just thought "That guy in the story sounds pretty smart to me. He has a property - no mortgage. Good investment! He probably worked really hard for it and it's no mean feat living with your parents for all that time!"
I riled me up a bit when they started talking about drinking; holidays, but couldn't afford a deposit on a house/apartment or a new car. I just kept thinking "Frivolous little things."
Sometimes I wonder whether I should be like them - throw caution to the wind and not worry about all the 'adult things' that you should worry about. I should stop worrying about doing my job well - just do the minimum as so many of my colleagues seem to do; stop saving for that retirement fund because who knows what will happen tomorrow. And just stop worrying whether it's normal about my lack of desire to 'settle down'. Who knows?
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I remember as a child visiting a nature reserve with school. Whilst the other kids were screaming, climbing up trees and rocks, throwing sticks and stones, I just sat quietly observing. When we went for a walk with the teachers, the other kids were jumping off things or on things, I remembering sniffing and saying "I would rather be safe than sorry!" This shocked the teachers because I remember them whispering about it and asking me where I had heard that phrase.
Ha! Maybe I was always an old lady at heart? Who knows?
Not wanting to settle down is hardly "old lady" thinking :) I find that I spend money on the things that are important to me (healthy food, gym, fitness accessories, travel, travel, travel). I'm aggressive about my retirement savings too. I'm not into fancy clothes or shoes, and don't own a car. So I admit I pass judgement when I see friends splurge on $400 heel, or waste money on parking a car they rarely drive. But to each their own! I'd like to think that my 65 yr old will thank my younger self some day. But who knows?
ReplyDeleteWow, that guy is impressive! Saving for 10 years and buying property in full, that's what I'm talking about. You should have just turned to those people and said "wow, that's impressive, is your friend single?" I feel like when most people are younger, it's spend to impress, and as you age that need fades away. Some people are not like that. I would much rather save, although I do love to shop (if it's a good deal). Security, financial and otherwise, gives me the warm fuzzies.
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