I recently moved and I’m struggling to say goodbye to my previous home, my grandpa’s house. It was home for most of my life. I’ve created so much of my life growing up there: made so much art, strengthened friendships over many birthday parties and it’s the place where most of my memories of my grandpa live. Detaching the idea of
I love sentimental Elizabeth Edwards, this was such a touching piece. It has a beautiful mixture of being reflective and optimistic. And it made me feel that way too.
It brought up a lot of thoughts on the different places I’ve encountered, that weren’t my home, but became in some sense, my home, or carried that feeling of “home.” But also reminded me of how hard it is to let go of those “homes” because they were never mine to begin with but so much meaning was attached to them.
And I think part of the meaning that we attach to places, especially those we transition away from, includes past versions of ourselves. And it can feel like saying goodbye to those past versions. That’s not easy.
I want to say that what’s so wonderful about it all is that we get to choose what we attach meaning to or don’t, but because “home” is such an emotional thing and that isn’t something we have control over, I don’t think it’s entirely accurate.
I’m happy you explored this in writing and shared it with us! Wonderful essay, as always. Our relationships to physical spaces and life transitions are always worth examining. I look forward to hearing about how you choose to morph this new place into a home over time.
Looking forward to reading many more essays written in your new home. Hopefully not while trapped in Kelly’s mirror dimension. :)
Beautiful and tender. Thank you for sharing your story, Liz. It made me reflect on what it means to build a home, to ground our selves in our psychologically safe space.
I was already excited for this and you overdelivered! You just gave me a whole new meaning and distinction between "place" and "home". It's so true that a place becomes home when there is emotion attached to it, it's in our head, and it's
I also loved the specific distinctions only an architect would notice and appreciate "The arched portals, original built-in cabinetry, and high ceilings", and then make us mortals appreciate it them.
And the gem "I notice that it's natural for people to outgrow the places they live" is beautiful and true, what a great and accurate analogy to compare it to a nest. Thinking about that makes the process less difficult when it happens.
Hope you get to call "home" your new "place" sooner than later, and tell us about new insights and learnings when you do :)
Ah you really captured a feeling here Elizabeth! I can't even imagine having to leave a home that has been in a family for generations.
"Home is meant to be a psychologically safe place, and that security comes from within." Wow such a great observations here! Something I need to remind myself. Great essay!
I love sentimental Elizabeth Edwards, this was such a touching piece. It has a beautiful mixture of being reflective and optimistic. And it made me feel that way too.
It brought up a lot of thoughts on the different places I’ve encountered, that weren’t my home, but became in some sense, my home, or carried that feeling of “home.” But also reminded me of how hard it is to let go of those “homes” because they were never mine to begin with but so much meaning was attached to them.
And I think part of the meaning that we attach to places, especially those we transition away from, includes past versions of ourselves. And it can feel like saying goodbye to those past versions. That’s not easy.
I want to say that what’s so wonderful about it all is that we get to choose what we attach meaning to or don’t, but because “home” is such an emotional thing and that isn’t something we have control over, I don’t think it’s entirely accurate.
I’m happy you explored this in writing and shared it with us! Wonderful essay, as always. Our relationships to physical spaces and life transitions are always worth examining. I look forward to hearing about how you choose to morph this new place into a home over time.
Looking forward to reading many more essays written in your new home. Hopefully not while trapped in Kelly’s mirror dimension. :)
P.S. I like “twiggy little donut.”
Beautiful and tender. Thank you for sharing your story, Liz. It made me reflect on what it means to build a home, to ground our selves in our psychologically safe space.
I was already excited for this and you overdelivered! You just gave me a whole new meaning and distinction between "place" and "home". It's so true that a place becomes home when there is emotion attached to it, it's in our head, and it's
I also loved the specific distinctions only an architect would notice and appreciate "The arched portals, original built-in cabinetry, and high ceilings", and then make us mortals appreciate it them.
And the gem "I notice that it's natural for people to outgrow the places they live" is beautiful and true, what a great and accurate analogy to compare it to a nest. Thinking about that makes the process less difficult when it happens.
Hope you get to call "home" your new "place" sooner than later, and tell us about new insights and learnings when you do :)
Ah you really captured a feeling here Elizabeth! I can't even imagine having to leave a home that has been in a family for generations.
"Home is meant to be a psychologically safe place, and that security comes from within." Wow such a great observations here! Something I need to remind myself. Great essay!