It’s hard to read that line and not sing it, right? Who doesn’t love the famous rock to the beat song Should I Stay Or Should I Go, by The Clash? But there is a great reason I chose the specific lyric that adds the word “now.” Let me explain…
I’m one of those people who paces through my apartment while on a conference call questioning the longevity of my furnishings. Always looking to edit things that no longer bring me joy, I like a clean looking space with colorful accents. But during my travel over the last few years, I’ve gotten into the habit of adding a visitor memento to be displayed somewhere in my home. A framed picture, knickknack, you get the idea. But I think my collection has crossed the tipping point. And as I look around, it’s possible that collecting has become clutter.
Which is perfect timing for me to make this monumental announcement that I did quietly leak in a recent post. Did you catch it? If not here is the actual news… I am MOVING! Yep, I’m packing up my crib and getting out of dodge. I made a similar claim five years ago at the tail-ish end of the pandemic. Actually it was about the time I started this blog. I had my house photographed and put online to sell with plans to move out of state. And the waterworks started almost immediately. How could I even think of ever leaving NYC? But soon thereafter I landed a new job that benefitted greatly from being based locally, so I reversed course, pulled it off the market and calmed my nerves. Florida was not to be in my future. Whew!
But this time it’s a bit different because although I’ve sent myself packing, I have not been voted off the island. I’m staying right here in Manhattan, even in my neighborhood. So there will be no tears, and no long goodbye. Only the thrill and excitement to start the next chapter.
So now as I pace, with big plans to purify, shrink, edit and consolidate, I am filled with so much incentive to look at each item and ask, “Should you stay or should you go NOW?” Because time is of the essence. And the purge has begun. I’ve lived in this apartment for almost nineteen years. Nineteen! This is the longest I’ve lived in any one residence. And every single thing I own in the universe is here. I don’t have my childhood bedroom still intact at my parents’ home. I don’t own a storage unit. I don’t keep luggage in the basement and I have not commandeered space in Michael’s attic. It’s alllll here. And now I get to play the game, who’s with me and who doesn’t make the cut. Thrilling!
And if you know me, you know I’m planning a full-scale, exhaustive, unrestrained, unhampered, comprehensive, systematic sweep of every single belonging in my home to begin the grueling elimination process (she whispers with a smile). And I say let the games begin!
Darling, you got to let me know
Should I stay, or should I go?
If you say that you are mine
I’ll be here till the end of time
So you got to let me know
Should I stay, or should I go?
I’m actually trying out the Swedish Death Cleaning Method. I know it sounds morbid, but have you heard of it? Basically it is a famous decluttering approach that suggests a strict review all of your belongings. It involves proactively organizing and reducing personal possessions to spare family members the burden of sorting through a lifetime of clutter after one’s death. The primary goal is to curate your home to reflect your life story and make sifting/sorting/saving easier to manage, rather than just throwing everything away. This method was totally for me and I embraced the challenge with a full heart and several empty garbage bags.
Regarding moving in general, it was really time to make the decision. Although I have replaced the gigantic and costly air conditioning room units more than once (ugh!), the major appliances are original. And the oven, bless her heart, has a hot spot and doesn’t love convection mode. B*tch! The workhorse dishwasher lost her springs after two successful replacement ops. The micro? Her handle is cracked and to add insult to kitchen injury the recessed florescent kitchen lighting blinks and flashes like a disco. (I might need to post a disclaimer for those who have an issue with flashing lights when would-be buyers tour the space.) The floorboards have separated in spots. The paint is due for a refresher. And the window shears need a good dry cleaning. So yeah, it was either stay and do a major refurb or find a new space to hang my hat(s). And there is one other thing… the factor that made moving a no brainer. I might be losing my view.
I’ve spent so much time marveling at my unobstructed City view. Staring out the window each and every day appreciating NYC is one of my greatest joys, especially while I’m writing. But I heard whispers that the developer who purchased the plot two blocks behind my building has future plans to construct a residential skyscraper which may compromise my beloved vistas. It might not be for another five years but if it happens, I’d have to live though several years of the most incredible noise and dust… to be left with a cold shiny exterior and limited visible sky left to marvel. So yeah, with this looming possibility I’m pushed into the decision that it’s time to pack and bolt before the backhoe arrives.
My dear friend and mentor Nick Winton once said to me, “If you separate the decision making from the implementation, you’ll never make a bad choice.” And of course Nick is spot on here. So I’ve made the decision already. Now I’m looking forward to a cavalcade of homeowners to trample the space and put their own stake in my old claim as the exhilarating search for my next home takes shape!
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