We finally found a new flat. It's exactly the way we wanted it to be. Small, efficient, cozy and comfortable. I'm over the moon.
Deciding to move to another country sometimes puts you into a very different mindset. You postpone so many things.
- Oh we'll get nice furniture when I move to Taiwan.
- Nice decorations? That's for when we move !
- A better mattress? Who needs a better mattress when we're only going to stay for a year?
- Oh we can eat out when we move to Taiwan since it's much cheaper there.
- Who needs new clothes ! I can totally go to Taiwan and buy that stuff for so much cheaper !
The list goes on, you get the point.
To some extent it's true. We have to save up and we really don't want to splurge on things we don't need. But I've decided not to guilt myself into every single purchase I make. Especially when it comes to the essentials.
We are going to move, and yes, we need to be careful about our expenses. But what's more important than anything is to enjoy the day, live in the present, and treat ourselves better.
Since our flat is small, we will save up a lot on rent, electricity and heating. We will need much less furniture and appliances, and I'm extremely excited about it. Luckily I took a summer job in my university which had a decent pay, so we're going to buy furniture with the bonus I earned :) It was definitely worth all the effort after all. Our parents are pooling in and helping us out too. They will buy the mattress and appliances for us, which actually costs so much less than an average wedding reception, or the wedding ring itself, or even a wedding gown (none of which we have purchased since we refuse to spend so much money on something which will be useful for only a day).
It's hard to live in such a corrupt, impolite and relatively dangerous place. But I think I need to relax, chill, enjoy the good life. We will be living right at the bay towards the north of the city, away from conflict. I guess although we will be staying here only for another year, we might as well spend some quality time and rethink our priorities.
In my opinion both Doruk and I did a great job the past two years. We were super careful about our priorities, about our expenses. I'm 100% positive that this is going to continue, but I guess we deserve the life we earned the past two years. I'm ready to welcome my new life, and new apartment, new furniture, new flowerpots and all the objects that surround me even if the duration of them is only a year. I mean, when one thinks rationally, you don't have to live in a shack and stick with half broken appliances for an entire year just because you'll be leaving. I think we worked hard for a good life in Istanbul, and I'm ok with spending money for the year ahead, although it's only for a year. It's a short term investment worth every single penny. I'm so happy. So my mantra is this. ENJOY SPENDING YOUR HARD EARNED MONEY IN A SMART WAY. It's ok, it's ok to buy new stuff, since we deserve to live in decent conditions. Then we're going to reconstruct everything in Taiwan, all over again this time in a more permanent fashion. I'm so happy and excited ! Life's good.
