Home Is Where You Park It

Over the last 10 years, I have lived in 10 different homes/apartments, traveled to over 30 countries (spending 1-4 weeks in each), and two RV’s (spending 1-14 nights in each RV park). I’ve had “permanent” residences in 5 states and have slept in more hotels and friend’s couches than I can count. And this was all after college.

So, the concept of home to me is a little foreign.

Recently, I’ve been thinking a lot about what home means and if I can even have “home” because of my traveling lifestyle. Many people would define it as the city/town/house where they grew-up or a physical dwelling place. Others would say it’s metaphorical, like “home is wherever I am.” Still, some would say it’s with a person or place.

A Life is Good T-shirt says, “home is where you park it.” I think that sums up my life right now. That I must create home where I am and that even goes beyond my RV. Home must be a place that’s safe and where I’m free to be myself and express myself. Where I can work out my issues and define my ideals. It’s an identity of belonging somewhere or with someone.

I used to think that I could be a child of the world and that home wasn’t important. That I didn’t need the concept of home or a physical place. And while I do think it’s possible to travel and still have a sense of home, I think it means you must be intentional about creating it. I don’t think it’s always a physical place, but home is what you carry around inside of you.

Pico Iyer gives a great Ted Talk about the concept of home. He says “Movement is a fantastic privilege, and it allows us to do so much that our grandparents could never have dreamed of doing. But movement, ultimately, only has a meaning if you have a home to go back to.”

https://www.ted.com/talks/pico_iyer_where_is_home/transcript?referrer=playlist-what_is_home

It’s important to have a place of rest, center, and home. A place to constantly go back to when you feel like you’re losing your way. A place where you can be still and reflect and feel grounded. Even if it’s not a physical location.

So, what is home to you? Do you have a sense of home? Is that important to you? Leave a note in the comments!