We Played House
📍Sacramento and San Francisco
We were house sitting for your aunt. I was fired from my office job. We had slow morning drinking coffee by your aunt’s pool and garden. You logged in for work while I was applying for state jobs. We made lunch and dinner together. We walked the dogs in the early evening. We played pickleball. Then I got an offer to work in SF and I took it.
House sitting can often serve as a unique backdrop for reflecting on life changes and personal growth. In my experience, staying in a new environment like your aunt’s home in Sacramento creates a peaceful atmosphere that lets you slow down and appreciate small daily rituals. Mornings spent drinking coffee by the pool or walking dogs in the early evening become moments of calm and connection. Losing a job can be daunting, but combining it with shared household tasks — cooking meals together, playing games like pickleball, and supporting each other’s work plans — greatly eases the pressure. It also encourages nurturing bonds and adapting to change with resilience. Moving between cities, like from Sacramento to San Francisco for new job opportunities, brings excitement alongside challenges. The contrast between a laid-back suburban setting and a bustling city life often motivates personal growth and fresh perspectives. If you ever find yourself in a similar house sitting situation, I recommend embracing the slow rhythms and simple joys, like tending to a garden or enjoying outdoor activities. These moments provide mental clarity and remind us that even amid uncertainty, every day holds small victories and happiness.