The storage room was a world specifically for me. It was a graveyard of old hobbies and past versions of myself—things I once loved and couldn't bring myself to discard. I had this persistent habit of hoarding; every trinket felt like a piece of my soul I wasn't ready to throw away.
"Let's get some music going while I tackle this," I murmured to the empty room.I swiped my phone and picked a playlist. As the melody filled the dusty air, I started humming along, finding my rhythm. Cleaning was always more bearable with a soundtrack.
I began digging through the boxes, each one acting like a time capsule. Some memories brought a smile to my face; others left a bittersweet ache in my chest.
The sheer volume of "stuff" was overwhelming, a chaotic puzzle that seemed impossible to solve. Eventually, my motivation waned, and I started shoving related items into the same large boxes just to clear the floor.That's when I saw it.
Tucked behind a stack of old textbooks was a mirror. It was old, certainly, but not nearly worn enough to be trash. I paused, tilting my head.
Did someone give this to me? Or did I buy it during one of my impulsive shopping trips? I couldn't remember.
"I don't think I've ever actually used this," I whispered, wiping a layer of dust off the glass.
"But the design... it's too good to just leave in a box."
It was a beautiful oval piece with intricate, vintage carvings along the edges. It looked exactly like the aesthetic decor pieces you'd see trending on a Pinterest board.I decided then and there to keep it. I'd wash it, polish it, and give it a place of honor in my room.
By the time I finally finished the storage room, nearly two hours had passed. The house was quiet; my mom and grandma were still out.
"They're taking forever," I muttered, glancing at the clock.
"They'll probably be late for dinner at this rate."
Exhausted, I prepared a light snack and headed to my room to wash up. I was halfway through, when I remembered the mirror. I fetched it, carefully cleaned the glass until it sparkled, and propped it up on my vanity next to my makeup."What a long day," I sighed, collapsing onto my bed.The sun was only just beginning to set, but I felt like I'd run a marathon.
As the evening shadows lengthened, the vintage mirror sat silently on my desk, reflecting the dim light of my room.