Very much enjoyed your exploration of home. I think our culture has changed the definition of this connection which is why it's confusing. People used to belong to the land and had ancestral roots. Now most are nomads. We choose where home is. We are disconnected from our origins. Not arguing good or bad. Just a shift in our perceptions.
Lovely essay. I have a similar experience, but I did move countless times and to 3 different countries besides my country of birth. I kept looking for that elusive feeling of home... in places, in people, in rituals, in the elements of nature. I sometimes feel homeless and homesick at once, because I miss a home I never had.
I know exactly what you mean by 'feeling homeless'. It is such a weird feeling to chase. Glad you enjoyed the essay and were able to relate to it. It means a lot!
I resolved to think of it lightly, as 'home is where your makeup brushes are' (a twist on the old 'hat' saying). which means anywhere where you can find yourself in small rituals and ground yourself can be home: travelling, family house, new country, multiple cities, where your people are, all of it can be home... but I think you need to make this a multi-part series because it's such a fascinating concept!
I completely agree with your 'definition' of home, all of this can be a home for me too. But somehow the word, this feeling should mean more than just this. And if I ever have more ideas on it, then yes, it will be a multi-part series.
This was so achingly beautiful. I grew up in a town and state where I never felt like I belonged. I’ve been gone for my entire adult life. When I go back, even though it feels familiar, it never feels like home. Rather than feel comfort, I feel out of place and can’t wait to go back home. I’ve traveled a lot. Even though I’ve never been to a place, it can feel like home immediately. The geography or continent doesn’t matter, I’ve felt as home in Laos, Morocco or London as I do in New York where I live now. Other places feel foreign and off even if they’re in my own country. It’s helped me learn that for me, home is a visceral feeling of belonging. Thanks for the gorgeous and thoughtful essay.
Thank you 🧡 I am so happy that you enjoyed reading it and were able to relate. Home truly is what you make it, but I'm not going to lie: sometimes I wish someone else would have done that for me.
I loved this, Annika, and I relate to it so much. I've moved so many times in search of home, and ironically feel like I've found it near my hometown. It was small and close minded, but I feel like it's very slowly evolving, and I found a little liberal college town near it to live. I also think I needed to leave for a long time and find myself and who I really am in order for it to feel like home again. Like I'm steadfast in who I am which makes it possible for me to be here without feeling like I'm losing my identity. Definitely not something everyone can do, and I still don't know if it's forever, but it's home for now!
Thank you Liv 🧡 I am really happy for you that you were able to make yourself a home so close to 'home'. And the 'needing to leave to figure yourself out' is so relatable and something I feel everyone can benefit from.
Very much enjoyed your exploration of home. I think our culture has changed the definition of this connection which is why it's confusing. People used to belong to the land and had ancestral roots. Now most are nomads. We choose where home is. We are disconnected from our origins. Not arguing good or bad. Just a shift in our perceptions.
That is an interesting perspective, I never thought about it that way. Thank you for sharing.
Lovely essay. I have a similar experience, but I did move countless times and to 3 different countries besides my country of birth. I kept looking for that elusive feeling of home... in places, in people, in rituals, in the elements of nature. I sometimes feel homeless and homesick at once, because I miss a home I never had.
I know exactly what you mean by 'feeling homeless'. It is such a weird feeling to chase. Glad you enjoyed the essay and were able to relate to it. It means a lot!
I resolved to think of it lightly, as 'home is where your makeup brushes are' (a twist on the old 'hat' saying). which means anywhere where you can find yourself in small rituals and ground yourself can be home: travelling, family house, new country, multiple cities, where your people are, all of it can be home... but I think you need to make this a multi-part series because it's such a fascinating concept!
I completely agree with your 'definition' of home, all of this can be a home for me too. But somehow the word, this feeling should mean more than just this. And if I ever have more ideas on it, then yes, it will be a multi-part series.
This was so achingly beautiful. I grew up in a town and state where I never felt like I belonged. I’ve been gone for my entire adult life. When I go back, even though it feels familiar, it never feels like home. Rather than feel comfort, I feel out of place and can’t wait to go back home. I’ve traveled a lot. Even though I’ve never been to a place, it can feel like home immediately. The geography or continent doesn’t matter, I’ve felt as home in Laos, Morocco or London as I do in New York where I live now. Other places feel foreign and off even if they’re in my own country. It’s helped me learn that for me, home is a visceral feeling of belonging. Thanks for the gorgeous and thoughtful essay.
Thank you 🧡 I am so happy that you enjoyed reading it and were able to relate. Home truly is what you make it, but I'm not going to lie: sometimes I wish someone else would have done that for me.
I loved this, Annika, and I relate to it so much. I've moved so many times in search of home, and ironically feel like I've found it near my hometown. It was small and close minded, but I feel like it's very slowly evolving, and I found a little liberal college town near it to live. I also think I needed to leave for a long time and find myself and who I really am in order for it to feel like home again. Like I'm steadfast in who I am which makes it possible for me to be here without feeling like I'm losing my identity. Definitely not something everyone can do, and I still don't know if it's forever, but it's home for now!
Thank you Liv 🧡 I am really happy for you that you were able to make yourself a home so close to 'home'. And the 'needing to leave to figure yourself out' is so relatable and something I feel everyone can benefit from.