shaping a new home - first month in my new apartment
My first own apartment.
Since I moved out of my parents’ place at age 17, I went from student dorm, to shared apartments and all kinds of coliving arrangements, both in Germany and Portugal. Now, for the first time in my life I’m renting my own space.
My apartment hunt journey in Berlin was relatively short in comparison to what I’ve heard from others. Between July and September, I sent 89 applications, went to 10 viewings, and received 3 offers.
Still, needless to say, I’m relieved to finally be settling into a place I can call home.
week one — humble beginnings
I received my keys 10 days before my official move-in date, thus had plenty of time to take measurements of the apartment and prepare.
All my belongings could be transported with two car rides. With a car sharing app I paid around 20€ in total, which is unbelievable.
My friend N has been an angel and took half a day off to join me for some shopping at IKEA. I really can’t thank the universe enough for sending me kind souls like her. We got my mattress and lots of small essential items. I adopted a monstera plant I named Alfie and a Guiana chestnut who listens to the name Karl.
week two — end of survival mode
For the first time in my life, I own a fridge and a couch! Prioritising what to buy first in an empty apartment was quite a challenge. I decided for now that washing machine and curtains will have to wait. Next, I tackle the kitchen.
My heart keeps glowing from all the kindness and love I continuously receive from all directions.
I call my parents almost every day to update them about changes in my new home and to ask them questions about anything related to household. I’m grateful that this chapter of my life gives me plenty of opportunities to grow a stronger bond with them. They have been incredibly supportive. I don’t know how I would have managed everything without their advice and ideas.
I still had many boxes at their house, and my mom arranged the transport with a delivery driver from her company who was delivering goods to their Berlin clients a few times per month. Which meant I got all my belongings delivered at my doorstep for free. My mom showered the generous driver with snacks and drinks, before he came to my place, and he wouldn’t accept anything from me.
When we finished unloading, we chatted briefly about our connections to Portugal and our families. D grew up in a beach town, only several kms away from where I used to live for two years with my spiritual community. As a teenager, he moved to France, then ran away from home to Germany. He has lived here ever since, got married twice with three children and two grandchildren. His eyes glistened when he shared his relief that his youngest daughter had moved back home, after a year away for her studies.
There’s something so universal, pure and simple about a parent’s love for their child.
Recently, this awareness somehow has grown stronger and it touches me every time.
I don’t know if it’s because I’m entering a phase where family and kids are becoming an increasingly interesting reality, or because I’m growing closer to my parents.
