The first time I left home overnight was in sixth grade for my class’s annual Disney trip. It was both exciting and equally terrifying. I had never left home by myself before, and I spent a lot of time contemplating how my family would handle themselves without me. They would be just fine. I was twelve.
Credit: Architectural Digest
That trip was short, just four days, but I felt as though I came back a different person. I almost didn’t want to come home. I would have been perfectly happy to stay a few more days.
The next trip I took was a month long. This one was harder, and I cried both leaving home and going back. It’s always hard for me to leave a place where I’ve adjusted, and I’ve begun to wonder what it means to be at home.
I’ve developed the ability to make “home” anywhere— I could be somewhere for a year or just a couple hours, and I’ve figured out how to make myself comfortable. I know how to make myself feel at home. But, I’ve also developed the ability to easily leave that place of contentment and shift into a state of mind where I’m okay. But, I do eventually need a home base to feel properly contented.
Credit: Creative United
So what constitutes home? It’s a safe space, as far as I know. It’s a place for me to unwind and feel safe, at least for a little while.
In Part 2, I will explore more psychological aspects of the term “home” so stay tuned!
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