As an avid fan of Roald Dahl ever since I was a little girl, I was absolutely enchanted by the home in which Ms. Honey lived in the book Matilda. Since it’s been almost a decade since I last read the book, I cannot remember the exact wording involved, but the general gist of Ms. Honey’s home stayed with me till this day. It was the tiniest little cottage situated by the country-side, with bare walls, a little stove whereby Ms. Honey warmed her tea and a stack of her favourite books nearby. It was painfully underfurnished, but to her, it was the best place in the world because it meant freedom and independence. As much as it impressed Matilda, I too was enamoured by such an idea. Not only was I able to empathise due to serious financial hardships in my family at that time of my childhood, but such powerfully simplistic happiness really struck a chord.

At the time of writing, I’ve got about three years before I finish my double degree at University, including the half a year practical training before I could start practicing as a lawyer. Until then, it is probably wisest if I continued to live at home if I weren’t to have some sort of stable and relatively significant income. However, after recently speaking to a few people whom already have started living independently, I’ve come to wistfully think what living independently myself would be like.

While I might not need to have as a frugal a living as Ms. Honey, I have absolutely no reservations that my first own place of residence would be pretty minimialistic. I imagine renting a small apartment, one bedroom if by myself or two bedroom if I was to live with my significant other (we’ve agreed that if money allows, having a small bedroom each is probably most practical in the long-run in keeping the relationship healthy so that we each can have alone time when we wish, while being with each other would be just as easy). The emphasis is on small because I have no high hopes that my starting salary would be anything impressive. A priority would be close to our work if possible given the high expenses involved in travelling far.

Inside the house, furniture would be minimal. Perhaps in the dining and/or living space, there’d be a table, a few chairs maybe a cabinet with a TV on it. Nothing fancy, I doubt even a sofa would be necessary at the start. The kitchen would be equally minimistic with enough cutlery and cookware to cook for ourselves and if a few guests come over. Bedrooms would probably be the same as my current bedroom; if expenses allow, a double bed instead of a single, with my big computer desk and all-important computer. Possibly the only stately thing in the whole house would be my current bookcase which is very tall and heavy and just barely holds all my books.

Having spoken to a few friends who have moved out, keeping the house clean is not an ardous a task as some may envision. I’m not one to worry too much about dust, so as long as the bathroom and kitchen is clean then I’m pretty much happy. And clean utilities is best achieved with hygienic habits. Hopefully the floor would be wooden/tiled rather than carpet which would make mopping up spills easy.

As for cooking, well no doubt the first months or even years would be filled with “boring” food. But hey, I have no qualms with eating simple. Boiled vegies with rice, cooked meats, and if feeling inventive, then following a more complex recipe ever once in a while. I’m not too fussy about eating, I certainly don’t need to have cusines and complex dishes in order to be satisfied. And fruit, well that doesn’t require cooking at all!

The first few months at least would be hard no doubt, both adjusting physically and financially. However, as I said, I don’t mind living an austere lifestyle, Ms. Honey has shown that it’s not the worth material goods that matter but your perspective on what you have. If I’m with my loved one, have a comfortable shelter, have a stable job, and regular access to my parents and friends, I don’t see how I can be any happier.