The Weight of Things

The Weight of Things

Apr 19 , 2025. By Kidist Yidnekachew ( Kidist Yidnekachew is interested in art, human nature and behaviour. She has studied psychology, journalism and communications and can be reached at (kaymina21@gmail.com) )

That sudden, almost irrational urge to deep clean the house always seems to arrive unannounced. Everything is calm one moment; the next, there is a compulsion to haul out mops and buckets like a military operation. That was the mood the other day – driven by the kind of motivation that vanishes if not acted upon quickly. The mission was clear: dive into the mess, restore order, and bask in the glow of a spotless home.

However, that burst of energy, that initial "let's do this!” quickly collided with reality. Deep cleaning, at least in this house, has never been about light dusting. It means dragging heavy furniture, lifting awkward objects, and most notably, relocating the water tanker stationed outside. This is not a minor container. It is a massive, unwieldy bucket. In a place where water access is not guaranteed, the tanker is a lifesaver, even if it makes every clean-up session a logistical pain.

Everything felt heavier than expected. With help from the housemaid, furniture and containers, heavyweight, were wrestled out of their usual spots, sweat flowing and patience thinning. But the relief of clearing space was short-lived. As soon as things were moved, the next question loomed: where would all of it go afterwards? That brief satisfaction of a clean floor quickly gave way to the mental clutter of reassembly.

There is a curious contrast in how cleaning habits differ within the same household. For some, there is real comfort in knowing things are right where they belong – unchanged and orderly. Moving stuff around feels like a minor earthquake.

Others thrive on spontaneous rearrangements. Sometimes, switching the position of a couch or table offers the illusion of transformation; a way to refresh the space without making any real change at all. Maybe it is boredom, a desire for a change of scenery, or just curiosity about how the couch might look on the other side of the room.

Recently, daydreams have taken on a more radical flavour: the idea of moving into a fully furnished apartment has been especially appealing. There is something liberating about the thought of walking into a space that already has everything in place. And when it’s time to move on, no backbreaking labour, no moving trucks, no endless deliberation over where things should go. Just a suitcase, a clean slate, and the freedom to move on without attachments.

It is a tempting fantasy, particularly for someone who often feels overwhelmed by accumulated belongings. And yet, the weight of objects is not just physical. Over time, items gather meaning. That old chair, the chipped vase, and the rarely used dishes – all carry stories. They are not just things; they are small fragments of personal history. They are heirlooms passed down through generations. They might have outlived their function but not their meaning. Discarding them feels like erasing moments.

There is wisdom in staying put, too. Remaining in the same space over time teaches patience. It is a quiet resistance against the temptation to change everything the moment it feels inconvenient. Sometimes, change is not what’s needed. Sometimes, growth comes from sitting with the discomfort long enough to understand it.

Still, it is hard not to imagine how different things might feel if the furniture were designed for flexibility: super light and easy to move around. Imagine if every sofa came with hidden wheels and wardrobes could fold like paper. Rearranging would not feel like a chore, it would be a thrill. Change could be enacted on a whim – no sweat, no planning, no arguments.

It is also striking how often a proper deep clean only happens under pressure. Guests, renovations, big moves – these are the triggers. That is when the dust bunnies and layers of grime that are usually ignored are finally faced. Outside of those moments, it is easy to settle for surface-level tidiness.

And perhaps that reluctance stems from the sheer physical strain of it all. When every piece of furniture feels like it weighs a ton, cleaning becomes a herculean task. It just feels like too much effort to move everything just to clean underneath.

Thankfully, there is a shift happening. More apartments are built with ease and adaptability in mind. Modern living is all about convenience, and furniture that is easy to move around is becoming more and more common. It is a smart evolution. Cleaning properly and keeping things tidy is so much easier when it does not involve wrestling with couches that weigh a ton.

Then there is the world of transformable furniture—things like cushions that turn into beds or tables that can become shelves. This kind of furniture is incredibly versatile, making a home feel modern and adaptable. It is a smart investment, offering multiple uses from a single piece, which is ideal for smaller spaces or those who enjoy changing things up without the need to buy new furniture.

Perhaps the future is not about abandoning possessions or chasing minimalism. Perhaps it is about reimagining how things are arranged, physically and emotionally. And maybe, just maybe, the feeling of a fresh, clean space won’t require a crisis or a backache, but just a quiet afternoon and the freedom to move things with ease.

PUBLISHED ON Apr 19,2025 [ VOL 26 , NO 1303]

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