This is my first post on the Weekend Coffee Share which is a weekly feature by Part-Time Monster.
If we were having coffee, it would probably be at my place, and I would have brewed it myself. No, I’d rather not take you out to a fancy place, this week, primarily because I want to spend all the time I have, every minute, at home.
After we’ve picked a cozy spot here, I’d want to know what’s new in your life, and want to start from where we left off the last time we met, or start afresh if we haven’t done this before. I’d ask questions that don’t just tell me about what’s up in your life, but also how you feel about where you are, but you’d answer those if only you’d like to let me in, just a bit.
When you’d ask me what’s on my mind this week, I’d tell you how its’s so hard to believe that school, even college is over, and it’s time to step into a whole new phase, again. I can’t believe I’m going to start working now! I’d tell you about how I’ve started packing this week, trying to condition myself for the next step in life. It’s not the first time things are changing so much, and it’s not even going to be the last, but there’s this part of me just doesn’t want to leave – not because I’m scared of what lies ahead, but because I don’t know when I’ll be back home for such a long time, again.
I want to bundle up all my memories and take those with me, and also leave things behind, so that home feels like home when I’m back. But, I don’t know how to pack, or what to pack and what to leave out! Today, I put a few of my choicest books, like Matilda by Roald Dahl and the first of the Harry Potter series into my “Going” box, just a bit of childhood travelling with me. Yes, decided to leave out the other 6 from the Harry Potter series (including Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, my favourite-est), just trying to find a middle path. There’s also this diary I have from school, which all my friends had filled with anecdotes and incidents and silly jokes, in the last few days. That’s really close to my heart, it brings back so many memories, and also reminds me about the version of myself I was at school.
As far as the fresh college memories are concerned, I can’t seem to be able to leave behind all those gifts people have given me on my birthday for the past 3 years, I also have scraps of the gift wrapping paper and little scribbled notes friends gave me from each year! I’m a hoarder, yes I am, and a very proud one at that. I’ve decided to continue using a few things, like the lock to my hostel room, my college coffee mug and bits of stationary. And, I found all these videos from the first year in college, those are gold, so many memories gushing back!
When’s the last time you entered into a new stage of life? Did you feel the bouts of excitement, nervousness and fear of uncertainty like I am now? How did you decide what to take, and what to leave behind, what’s worth hoarding and what you should just let go of?
As you grow older and wiser you will realize that the physical object is not necessary to remember certain times of your life. Good luck with the next stage.
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Ah, that’s beautifully said! Here’s hoping I learn to reminisce about the good times even in the absence of the ‘physical object’, as you put it. I just love how some things just bring back so many memories!
And, thank you! 🙂
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“I want to bundle up all my memories and take those with me, and also leave things behind, so that home feels like home when I’m back.” I like this.
I’m the type to keep a lot to remind me of birthdays, events, places I’ve been. I don’t have anything from my childhood (my mother didn’t believe in saving anything), and now I keep too much. I don’t think it’s necessary, though. It is only a comfort to know we do have those things should we need them. Take a few things with you, but not too many. You won’t need it all I promise.
Good luck in the next stage of your life 🙂
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Ah, yes! I end up keeping a lot of little things too, they’re really comforting, as you say! I’ll take your word for it and take fewer things, yes 🙂
And, thank you so much!
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You are very welcome 🙂
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I remember that feeling just before leaving home (to college, in my case). It was like standing at the edge of the cliff, not sure whether I will fall or fly with the next step. it sounds cliche, but just follow your heart 🙂 All the best with everything!
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That’s not cliche! It’s the best advice, always. 🙂
Thank you!
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It’s so beautifully written! And i relate to it completely. I want to take everything with me but also leave behind a part of me here. Packing always brings back so many memories.
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Ah, I’m glad your thoughts resonate with mine!
I think packing is not only about putting the physical objects in boxes, it’s also about tucking in memories and experiences 🙂
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I am very sentimental and like to keep bits and pieces and I have such strong attachments to the people I love and are part of my life and I don’t like letting go.
One of the keys to keeping that sentimental stuff is organization. I know people who photographed their kids’ special artwork rather than keeping the lot. Rather than keeping piles of card, you could cut the messages out and put them together.
However, I am not exactly what you would call a role model in this area. We haven’t moved for 15 years and have had two kids so you could say we’ve put down roots.
Hope you’ve had a great week.
xx Rowena
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