What feels like home to you?

What makes a place a home? This is a very personal question, as in unique to the individual.

Home isn’t important to everyone. It can be a transitory state for some, changeable on a regular basis with no anchorage required. For others it is essential, the ballast that keeps them steady despite the buffeting of the storms of life. For me it is the latter.

Life stage can also have an impact. Are you starting out, travelling in the pursuit of work, experiences or relationships? Do you prefer to have the support of family or friends nearby? Or is solo more your style? Would you consider moving to a location where you had no ties, a clean slate to start from? Or do you prefer the familiarity of friends, family, acquaintances?

What you might look for in a home also changes over time. Quite apart from the physical state of a home, be it a house, unit, bedsit or share house, there is the social space, the cultural environment and atmosphere around where you live to take into consideration. It might be sporting facilities or galleries or live music venues that you seek. Or it could be medical facilities, childcare and educational options.

I’ve been traveling in the past week, and it is enjoyable to head through different towns and to get a feel for a place. Of course this is only a passing experience. Staying in a place for a few days is completely different to relocating your life or spending a longer period of time in an area, but I do like to play a bit of ‘what if’. What if I did live here, or had the opportunity to move to a different place – what impact would that have on me and my life? There are some places where there is something that captures my interest and I can imagine spending more time there. Other places have no appeal whatsoever and I know that it wouldn’t be a good fit for me at this time.

Right now, I am very happy where I live. As I returned home today, seeing the familiar landmarks, feeling my heart lift as I looked out and glimpsed the valleys and rugged sandstone cliffs, getting out of the car and smelling the eucalyptus tang underfoot, I know I am in the right place for now. It was a beautiful winter afternoon with blue skies and sunshine and it just felt so good to be home.

What does home look like for you?

[Photo of an old home in the Hartley Valley]

8 responses to “What feels like home to you?”

Barbara

August 1, 2016 at 2:35 pm

Home is my favourite place to be in all the world. Currently it’s in Croydon, Victoria, Australia but it has been many places in the past. I like to move, but I’ve been in this place longer than any others and I’m still loving it. I miss family and friends in UK but that’s life for me.

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1. jml297
  
  August 2, 2016 at 1:26 pm
  
  Thanks Barbara, and how lovely that you too are happy where you are right now. I guess no place is perfect – or forever – but there is a special kind of comfort with being in the right place for now.
  
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Ann Coleman

August 2, 2016 at 4:38 am

Home, for me, is an emotional connection rather than a visual one. I’ve lived in many different places, but each other eventually felt like home.

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1. jml297
  
  August 2, 2016 at 1:28 pm
  
  Thanks, Ann, for an interesting take on home. Being happy in an emotional sense is so important, and as you have moved about it is great that you have been able to have that constant despite the changes in location. Thank you for sharing.
  
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  1. Ann Coleman
    
    August 3, 2016 at 12:45 am
    
    Sorry, I meant “each one eventually felt like home.” Sometimes I type to fast and don’t pay attention to what autocorrect is doing to my words!
    
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  2. jml297
    
    August 3, 2016 at 10:12 pm
    
    I know the feeling! It can be odd to read something back which you didn’t write or intend. Thanks for clarifying.
    
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Gail

August 2, 2016 at 4:08 pm

My home is my refuge, my anchor and my center. Walking around the farms and the quaint town is comfortable and refreshing. But with family and close friends far away, it feels empty sometimes. One of the reasons I like blogging is the ability to connect with people regardless of distance.

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1. jml297
  
  August 3, 2016 at 10:27 pm
  
  Thank you, Gail. Your home environment sounds inviting and being comfortable where you live is so important. It’s a shame that friends and family are further afield and I agree that blogging helps to shrink physical distances which is a great thing. I appreciate you sharing your thoughts.
  
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