What is “Home” to You?
Tips & Quips—QUIP
My longest writing gig as a professional lasted over 10 years. I wrote a weekly newsletter, among other things, for a local business that focused on everything home-related. As a result, I learned a lot about houses, decoration, moving, organization, and decluttering. Over the years, what struck me the most, however, was how people define what “home” means.
It’s an interesting concept, because for most people a house only becomes a home when the homeowner makes it their own… and that’s what can change from person to person. For some, it’s about color palettes, decor, and furnishings. For others, it may be family heirlooms and photos, while for some people it’s about mementos from their travels and life.
Whatever it is, making a house a home is about a feeling that is deeply personal, and that’s my point.
Last month, I was in a bookstore and saw a bookmark about music being a balm for the soul. I bought it to send it to a musician I know who recently had some struggles. The note I attached said something simple like: “when things are hard, remember that with music you will always find your way back home.”
Similarly, writing has become a home for me.
When I feel stressed, overextended, fearful, or anything that takes me out of standing in my boots, I have found that writing brings me home.
So, what is home for you? What activity can you engage in that takes you back to your heart—to who you are? Do you know? If you don’t know, it might be a good question to ask yourself. Knowing what home is for you can really make a difference in your life.
When we know what “home” is for us, we essentially have a VIP pass that allows us to skip the line and fast-track the process back to who we are at our core. It’s kind of like a magic wand, or at least it’s as close to one as I’ve ever found.