At the tender age of 23, I held the keys to my home with validation that dreams, hard work, determination, sacrifice, prayers, and a touch of patience could do wonders!
A Nomadic Childhood
You might think that I came from a well-off family, so it's easy for me to get a house. NOPE! I grew up in...at...ugh... I don't exactly know. I am just sure that I am from the Philippines.
My family was nomadic in my childhood days. Imagine leaving a place you've just called home, uncertain if your friends from today will still be your friends tomorrow. When the landlord increased the rent, it was time to make new friends, new school, and call another house a home.
This situation fueled my desire to have my own house. It doesn’t need to be a luxurious estate—just a real home.
No More Landlords, No More Rent
At 23, I secured a stable job—a job that I knew could take care of me up to retirement age. In my third month of service, when my colleagues and friends of the same age invited me and went on an Asian tour, I decided not to give in.
I knew in my heart that it was time. I made a bold decision. I took a loan, checked the Facebook marketplace, messaged a man, and scheduled a meeting with him the next day for an ocular visit. After two days, we met again with a lawyer to officially transfer the property to my name.
And just like that, I possessed something to call my own. It wasn’t the cozy home I had envisioned, but it was mine. No landlords, No rents.
Turning a House into a Home
Reality kicked in after the thrill of ownership—I had a house, but making it livable was another challenge. The overwhelming joy started fading, and I realized I needed to plan how to make it comfortable enough to live in. It was difficult as I was challenged again financially.
This time, I accepted my parents’ help, which I politely declined at first. I reaffirmed my commitment when I secured a position as a part-time college instructor. I’m just so glad my parents respected my decisions and cheered me so loudly that I couldn’t hear those murmurs of doubt around me throughout the renovation process. They helped me decide which restoration and transformation to prioritize.
Built with Grit
The house is now a home, and I have learned valuable lessons in patience, perseverance, financial discipline, resourcefulness, and independence. It was a rollercoaster journey of hardships and successes that made the entire process more rewarding.
At 23, having made a house my own was not merely about acquiring property but proving to myself that nothing can deny reality to a robust dream powered by resilience and determination.
Every great journey starts with a single decision. What’s one choice you’ve made that helped you grow, learn, or move forward? Comment down below, and let’s celebrate progress together! I’d love to hear your story!
Note:
All photos are personally owned by the author.
Collaged images were created using Canva.