Monday was my birthday. This January, I actually do feel one year older. People jokingly say that life experiences have aged them. Now, I can really see the truth behind this. While we document and celebrate our age by the calendar, our actual experience of aging is not determined by the time we've been alive, but rather by the combination of random and choice events that we encounter and their affect on us. I came across a quote that speaks to this: "What age would you be if you didn't know how old you are?" This question shows the silliness of categorizing people based on how many "years old" they are. It also makes me think about what I've done so far and what I still want to do. What experiences have I had that make me older, and what about me is still young? One experience that has aged me in the last year has been the house. From the financial side of home ownership, to the planning and labour of renovating, I definitely identify as being older than I was before the house. That being said, there are still days when I feel very naive and unaware of the ways of the world. For instance, I am still getting used to paying a mortgage and prioritizing how I spend my time off work. Sometimes I struggle to choose work over play, particularly this last month with Kyle doing overtime night shifts. But while hanging out with friends or a relaxing night in are obviously more appealing, Kyle and I have had to make the adult decision to spend free time at the house and get things done. These not-so-fun tasks are responsibilities that age us in the best way. What I mean is that shovelling the driveway, paying bills, and constructing our own house are challenges that are making us into more developed and self-aware individuals. I have a much greater appreciation of money, of the quality time I do have to spend with the people I love, and a more grateful heart for what I am learning. I am aging with this house project, but it is a good thing. If you took all of what you've seen and done, your challenges, the people you've encountered, the places you've visited, and the goals you've made for yourself and strived to meet, how many candles would you stick into your birthday cake? Are you a youthful 19, or a worldly 45? It is interesting when you give yourself the power to decide what life stage you most identify with.
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About MeKyle and I just became new homeowners. The house we purchased is not what one would classify as "move in ready"; in fact, it is quite the opposite. Built at the turn of the 20th century, our Victorian style house is both beautiful and terrifying in its ancient status and will be a project in renovation. This is a documentation of our triumphs and lessons learned, as we deconstruct and reconstruct this house. The end result? A space that we can proudly say we created. Archives
December 2016
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