Utilit-ARIA-nism

“But love the one you hold,

and I will be your goal

to have and to hold–

lover of the light.”

“Lover of the Light” – Mumford & Sons

 

“Utilities included” might sound like a blessing. But be wary. It’s easy to dissociate from responsibility when your actions aren’t so closely connected to their consequences. Before you know it, you could be leaving electronics plugged in, the heat cranked up way higher than necessary, simply because you don’t feel the direct effects of your actions.

There are plenty of reasons why that’s not a sensible way to live, but I’ll give you three:

1. It’s inconsiderate: Your landlords receive the utility bills and, depending on the person, they might choose to shoulder the excess costs instead of raising rent. They’re already providing you with a place to live, so it’s not fair to take advantage of them. Respect their generosity, and don’t expect more.
2. It’s not environmentally friendly: Regardless of cost, leaving lights on or water running is wasteful, and, globally, our resources are limited. Just think about where your utilities are coming from, and you’ll soon realize they’re not bottomless.
3. Your future won’t look so bright: If any future housing situation will include fluctuating utility bills based on usage–as most do–you’ve set yourself up for failure. It’s best to learn now how to conserve, so that one day when you feel the direct effects of your expenditure, you’ll be neither surprised nor penniless.

In a few words, be conscious. “Utilities included” doesn’t mean you don’t have to care. You are an individual, one who interacts with both other people (including landlords) and the surrounding environment. There shouldn’t be no excuse to ignore that.

In the mean time, listen to this Mumford & Sons song lightheartedly. Do you love the light? Really? Try going outside. Switch off your lamps, unplug your TV, and open your blinds, at the very least. One is only a true lover of the light when they can acknowledge the original source.