I had a complete panic the other day as I couldn’t remember when I’d last renewed the house insurance. What if it had expired? What if the house fell down? Considering my house is a terrace and has been standing for over 100 years this is pretty unlikely but still, what if? These are not the kind of things I used to worry about. I never used to see the point in saving for a rainy day let alone having breakdown cover, a central heating servicing plan and a decent pension.
I suppose it’s something to do with having nothing to lose in your twenties. Just out of university I was in a rented flat with a car that virtually doubled in value when I filled it up with petrol. Why worry about material possessions when your priorities for life are all about friendships and socialising? As time goes on though, you acquire ‘stuff’, buy a house that you want to keep standing, get a car that you’d actually resent someone stealing, pack your suitcase with more than five New Look vest tops and a bikini. I suppose we’re bound to get more attached to our things as we accumulate them.
It has occurred to me that I may be in danger of becoming too materialistic but now I start to think about it it’s not just about protecting my things. It goes further than that. It’s about ensuring our security, preparing for the worst so that life can go on. Actually, this new found caution isn’t about protecting my stuff at all, it’s about protecting my kids. Making sure that their life carries on smoothly regardless of what’s going on around them. Phew, what a relief! I’m not being horribly shallow, just a good parent. Well, a good parent that really loves my big TV anyway.
Notmyyearoff says
This is so true! I never bothered with anything till my late twenties and now everything is about bills or paying the mortgage off or being careful! Maybe we should just get a bit reckless for a month? 🙂