Won't Stop Movin'
London-life changes are afoot
A chapter of my London life is closing this year. I’m emotionally preparing for a new challenge / adventure / destination. The destination could be another flat in East London, could be on another continent. I dunno the details yet, but Damon Albarn’s lyric on “Clint Eastwood” rings true:
my future is comin’ on
I’ve lived in the same flat in Wapping for 4.5 years, my second longest residence in London. I wrote about my 5.5 years in a converted church in Whitechapel here:
My Wapping abode is the first flat that I’ve decorated and furnished entirely. It’s the most comfortable and peaceful place I’ve ever lived in. Prior to living here — ignoring the pandemic lockdown periods — I never stayed home consecutively. I can’t sit still, in general, and I’m constantly seeking social and cultural stimulation. This flat has instilled in me a contentment and ability to relax that was previously absent. Filled with my records and instruments, colourful art and furniture, plus west-facing windows for afternoon sunlight, I don’t feel the need to be anywhere else.
In my 43 years, I’ve had 16 different homes; this is my favourite.
A couple months ago, I learned that my landlord was planning to sell the flat, which wasn’t hugely surprising given that new legislation, the Renters’ Rights Act, comes into effect on 1 May. Apparently, lots of UK landlords are selling up before May.
This week I received an update on the sale: buyers have been found and, assuming it all goes through, I’ll have to move in the autumn sometime. I was considering leaving when my lease runs out in December anyway, but the impending sale puts me on a six month (give-or-take) timeline to relocate. I always prefer to be the master of my own destiny, but this deadline forces me to figure out what’s next now, rather than put it off, so I’m embracing it.
In fact, I’m taking the sale of my beloved home as a bigger sign, a catalyst for a major life change.
Whilst I love London, and it’s my home city more than any other, I have increasingly wondered what and where else is out there to discover. I’m not unhappy here, but my inner voice whispering “the grass might be greener” is getting louder with each year. To be specific, I suppose my reasons for leaving are:
a) restlessness
b) fears that life is short and my adventurous years are already behind me
c) my predilection for risk has been dormant for a while — in a big-life-move way, that is
Home is where my feet are, but my feet are itchy and these shoes no longer fit right.
I don’t have answers or a plan yet. Right now, I am more certain of what I don’t want than what I should do. Writing and talking about it helps. Research will be essential. And music inspires, of course. I have made a playlist to soundtrack my upcoming planning phase, with a couple tunes to remind me where I live: the greatest place in the world, London.
Probably my favourite song on this playlist is Elton John’s “Honky Cat”. I always find the lyrics hilarious because Elton’s singing about being an American redneck, which neither he nor lyricist Bernie Taupin was. The message of the song is what matters most:
a change is gonna do me good
Perhaps I won’t leave London after all, and a new flat will be a sufficient change of scenery. I’m okay with not knowing just yet… which is uncharacteristically patient of me. How grown up, innit.
Stay tuned for updates.