Life Chapter: Testing My Wings

Last week I started to look for an apartment. I found one that I liked, or so I thought. I was looking on several websites and found one located near work and with nice perks. It looked very nice, payable, and in the city center of Mechelen. So I asked for a half day at work, got it, and without hesitation called the agency and told them I wanted to come and visit it on Friday.

As I walked towards the apartment with my parents and sister, I got more and more excited. I knew the neighborhood well. I spent some years there when I was going to college. The building looked very nice. I was greeted by the person from the agency, and as I entered the apartment, still excited, something slowly started to feel off. As I walked around exploring the apartment and was done in less than fifteen minutes, I felt disappointed. “Is this it?”

I took another tour and looked at the details this time. I worked as a carpenter and have seen a lot of buildings in my lifetime. Everything was damaged and worn out. The shower had mold and water damage. Luckily, I wasn’t the only one visiting, others were also looking around. I glanced in the direction of my parents, made eye contact, shook my head, and we exited the apartment quietly.

When we were outside of the building, my parents told me the same thing I was thinking. Too damaged, most likely an old hotel room by the look of the layout and the cabinets that were present. Also, the phone on the small desk screamed hotel room.

Which is not bad, but a hotel room is designed to be a room for a short stay and not for long term. There was no room for my art books or my gaming setup. The desk I mentioned was tiny. There wasn’t even room to put down a sofa. I think that the mentioned square meters might have been exaggerated.

On Sunday I visited another one. Slightly better, still not it. I guess apartment hunting is going to take some time. Starting early was a little accident, but that little accident might actually be something that was necessary. It was a good learning experience. Now I have a better understanding of what I want and need. I sent an email to visit another one soon, not in the city center this time and with a yard. I would like to adopt a dog, since my dog Viggo is staying with my parents. He is the family dog and he’s a big mommy’s boy. Well, I am too, hahaha. I am also still debating if taking a dog at this point in my life is a smart choice.

But having visited those two apartments this weekend, I realized. I am more than ready to move out. I wonder why that is. I was always anxious about this, and now I am excited. Well, only time will tell, I guess.

Viggo high fived my face after i took this pic the little gremlin.