Finding home

Having a sense of home is something I've struggled with for some time. We have moved a lot. Five cities in three different countries and countless houses since my early twenties. So knowing what home feels like and means to me has become somewhat clouded over time. 

And I know I'm not alone. I have this conversation with those around me who move often. 

What is home? How do we find it? Or feel it? 

A little while ago I listened to a podcast episode called 'Finding Home' by Jonathan Fields from Good Life Project.  And what he says within the episode resonates. 

When it comes to finding home Jonathan asks himself "Do I feel at peace? Is there a sense of ease? Like I can just be".

He first mentions geography. Do we geographically live in a place where we get a sense of peace and ease? Does where we are living in the world give us these feelings? Do we love the climate? 

Perhaps not. And that's not something we can necessarily control due to work or family commitments. 

So what are the qualities of places where we feel at ease? And how can we bring them into our daily life? 

Water has always been my place of calm. Where I can sit and stare endlessly. Where I exhale and feel a sense of ease. But the reality of affording a home by the water (right at the minute) is a little unrealistic for our situation. So I try to visit areas like beaches or rivers when I can. 

For others it's forest. Vast farm land. Or being amongst historical buildings. It varies for each of us. 

Jonathan then discusses our immediate physical environment as we work. What are the qualities of it that give us a sense of home? Where we can feel inspired and do our work more productively. 

Being a mum of two I spend a lot of my time at home. So having a space that is functional, organised, and clean helps me go about my day more productively. And with an appreciation for aesthetics surrounding myself in beauty helps me to feel inspired and in harmony with my physical environment.  

I also have a small space set by a window looking out onto trees where I do my work. It's calming and helps me get into a zone. 

Home is also about connection. Establishing relationships with those who provide love, who appreciate us, and help us feel a sense of belonging. Community. People who get us and see the world the way that we do. Who uplift us rather than weigh us down. When we invite them into our homes we are sharing our lives with others. That in itself is a beautiful thing and can help us feel more connected to something greater than ourselves. 

Finding home and feeling it can take some time. Time to establish those connections which grow into beautiful friendships. And time to create roots and feel settled. 

As Jonathan says, notice those geographical and environmental elements that help us feel at peace and ease. And bring them into our lives in any way we can.

Perhaps then we find home.

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Would you like to learn more about how to create a calm and nurturing home?

I created an eBook called The Art of Creating Home which shares how.

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