When you go from being a homeowner for nine years to being a tenant in a rental, some interesting stuff starts to bubble up. Here are three things we’re discovering about renting:
1) You adopt the N.O.P. (Not Our Problem) mentality. Don’t get me wrong – we’re good tenants. But big things like the aging roof or the drafty windows, just aren’t in our realm of responsibility. We redid just about everything in our last house. We’re used to getting stuff done. There’s a beautiful, but dying, tree in our backyard that is also growing into the roof. Kevin likes to look up there and talk about trimming it back until he sees me giving him the look that says, “Not our problem.”
2) You get what you get and you make it work. This is what I say to myself as I spoon soggy cereal into the garbage can, because we don’t have a garbage disposal. This is what I say to myself when it’s pouring rain, and I’m lugging groceries from my parking spot on the street. But those little inconveniences haven’t kept us from making this place our home. It feels like us. We’re making these white walls and uninspired window treatments our own. As tempting as it is to buy new things, we’re using the furniture and decor that we already have. And I channel Tim Gunn. Frequently.
3) The day gets longer. When you’re not worrying or planning or shopping or saving for the next thing for your house, you free up more time in your day. There’s more downtime and less running to Home Depot. There’s no angst about the lack of counter space or the discolored grout in the bathroom. You just live. You learn to accept your current situation. And there’s more time to just be. At first, I think we were worried that going from owning to renting would seem like a step backwards, but we’re enjoying this break while we can. Because who knows how long it will last?
Here’s how the first floor of our new home is shaping up…try to ignore the Halloween decorations and lackluster photography.
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I was JUST saying to myself about three seconds ago (not kidding either) “jeesh- maybe we should just sell the damn house and rent.” Wouldn’t that be so much easier? Might save some dough too, ya know? Your new pad looks awesome and keep up the awesome blogs, Kaly. I love them!!!
I’m not going to lie. It’s been a nice break. But for now I’m not letting myself look at what’s on the market!!! I might be tempted.
Kales, your place looks great!! I think you have it decorated more than the house I have been living in for 7 years! I’m jealous. You do it effortlessly.
Thanks Kelly – I’m just that kind of girl I guess. I do think it’s easier when you’re renting in some ways because it doesn’t have to be perfect. When you own the place you’re so much more invested in finding the perfect thing that you freeze up. And then you never do anything.
Your place looks great! I think you should consider a career (or, at the very least, a low-key side gig) as a decorator/designer. Seriously–I’d pay you right now to do my house. Jealous over here!
Thanks Stef – I’ve really enjoyed putting together this place and finding new uses for old things. I’ve notices that I’m pretty good at arranging and editing things down. I just helped Kevin with his office which was fun. It was really overcrowded with stuff that he inherited and was just really blah and boring. Just moving furniture and rearranging what he already had made a huge difference. That reminds me I need to send him my bill….