You know, it's funny how we often search for our "soul's place" in far-off lands, when sometimes it's right under our noses. Maybe the real adventure is finding the magic in the mundane, the extraordinary in the ordinary.
I recognize myself so much in that need for a sancuary. I do find that sense of calm and connection and grounding in my home that I share with my love and our almost 5 year old daughter. It is just a 3 room apartment but here we are surrounded by books, art, and beautiful furniture that we have (mostly) found second hand throughout the years, and a large kitchen flooded with light where we spend most of our time. Outside is a busy road which reminds me we are not alone, but also lots of trees that I follow throughout the seasons.
But I am also lucky enough to feel grounded and connected in a lot of places. In my studio across the street from where we live where I design my jewellery but also explore other creative practices. That is my creative sanctuary where I am free to explore and let things take time, it is also completely just my own, here I can find solitude. At our allotment, that has ended up much more of a garden than a vegetable patch, here I find comfort and it has helped me though some of the most challenging times of my life. And in the summer house by the sea that me and my partner rent each summer, and have been for years and years, a house that is not ours but still feels like home.
I find that as I age it is much easier to feel grounded, comforted and connected wherever I am. If I bring my notebook, a good book to read, my computer and perhaps some art supplies, I can make many places feel like home. I guess it’s because I’m more grounded in myself. The important thing for me is that it is calm so I can think at my own pace, in crowded rooms and at social gatherings I almost always end up in the least busy room and quite soon find myself longing to leave, however much I love the people being there. I also prefer to have water nearby, I have almost always lived close to the ocean and when I haven’t I have almost felt trapped, less connected, less free. I don’t need to see the water, but I need to know that it’s there.
I do also dream of a house though. With a small garden of our own. But not in the country side, here, in the city, close to the people I love and where life is easy. No need for a car or long travel distances. Walking distance to the studio and to my daughters school. We cannot afford this now but I’m in no rush. I am happy where I am. And I love to be able to have dreams for what’s ahead.
I havn’t read Kingsolver, have to look her up! Right now I’m reading Richard Powers ’The Time of Our Singing’, his ’Overstory’ is one of my all-time favourite books. After that I am looking so much forward to reading the fourth part of Karl Ove Knausgårds series ’The Morning Star’. I’m also longing to revisit Maja Lundes’s series that starts with ’The History of Bees’.
Thank you for sharing Kateri, and thank you for always inspiring <3
What a gorgeous comment, Sara. I really feel at home in your descriptions of your life. You are creating the intimate world you want to live in, and I love that. I love the way you wrote about living in the city, I really get that. I can feel that if I had children still at home, or as I get older. I LOVE the idea you offer of how we can feel at home anywhere when our own personal comforts are with us. I am like that with my sweetheart nearby, my notebook and a few treasured books...but I always miss my cats. "Overstory" was an amazing novel. I do not know his other works! Will look into them. And I have not read Knausgard, and now I want to! Thank you xo
Your home, my home. To a point…I visit familiar land and your beautiful photos reflect my own. Yet, I love to look out my kitchen window, a few short miles away, see my bird feeders, raised bed gardens and the ridge where the creek flows. I know it so well, and it always brings me peace. I am grateful for many years of living in beautiful places, but now my home is most importantly a sanctuary. I definitely find myself in retreat, when the outside world seems too much for me. I have a small home now and yet my best comfort is found within this space. This kitchen, with a window over the sink, is all the home I need.
Hope you are feeling well soon.❤️Interesting you are reading Barbara Kingsolver, I just picked up ‘The Poisonwood Bible’, for Chris to read. I read it so many years ago and suggested it for his reading pile. 🕊️
We share our souls and hearts in this land, for sure. But you have found a new sanctuary in your home and in your life, and it makes all the difference. Makes me very happy. Comfort abounds for us these days xoxoxo Rick recently read Poisonwood Bible for the first time and he loved it! 🥰 thank you, Judy.
We are seriously considering a move having recently retired. We’ve lived in our current house for five years and it’s the only one we had built. We love every bit of it. But we are living six hours away from our child so we are considering relocating closer. We’ve spent a lot of time struggling with what defines home, but for sure for us, this home is a sanctuary. That sounds like what you’ve described as well.
That is such a big decision, to move from a sanctuary...but it feels like, to me, that you will create that a new no matter where you are. I am so happy to be near at least some of our children. It really would be so hard to be far from them all. Big hug. xoxo Thank you, Kathy.
My place… it’s the place I was baptized. Not by a priest, but by the forest. The Enchanted Mountains of Ohi:yio in Seneca lands near Salamanca, NY. I’ve traveled the world and still no other place holds such a magical and grounding resonance in my being. If I ever feel like I’m about to lose myself, I drive the hour to that forest and give it everything I can. I’m blessed to have a 49 year old relationship with the forest and mountains and streams and stones of that place. It’s my version of heaven on earth 💗
You know, it's funny how we often search for our "soul's place" in far-off lands, when sometimes it's right under our noses. Maybe the real adventure is finding the magic in the mundane, the extraordinary in the ordinary.
You know I agree :) With years that pass...wisdom. I am all about the magic in the mundane . Thank you, Alex!
I recognize myself so much in that need for a sancuary. I do find that sense of calm and connection and grounding in my home that I share with my love and our almost 5 year old daughter. It is just a 3 room apartment but here we are surrounded by books, art, and beautiful furniture that we have (mostly) found second hand throughout the years, and a large kitchen flooded with light where we spend most of our time. Outside is a busy road which reminds me we are not alone, but also lots of trees that I follow throughout the seasons.
But I am also lucky enough to feel grounded and connected in a lot of places. In my studio across the street from where we live where I design my jewellery but also explore other creative practices. That is my creative sanctuary where I am free to explore and let things take time, it is also completely just my own, here I can find solitude. At our allotment, that has ended up much more of a garden than a vegetable patch, here I find comfort and it has helped me though some of the most challenging times of my life. And in the summer house by the sea that me and my partner rent each summer, and have been for years and years, a house that is not ours but still feels like home.
I find that as I age it is much easier to feel grounded, comforted and connected wherever I am. If I bring my notebook, a good book to read, my computer and perhaps some art supplies, I can make many places feel like home. I guess it’s because I’m more grounded in myself. The important thing for me is that it is calm so I can think at my own pace, in crowded rooms and at social gatherings I almost always end up in the least busy room and quite soon find myself longing to leave, however much I love the people being there. I also prefer to have water nearby, I have almost always lived close to the ocean and when I haven’t I have almost felt trapped, less connected, less free. I don’t need to see the water, but I need to know that it’s there.
I do also dream of a house though. With a small garden of our own. But not in the country side, here, in the city, close to the people I love and where life is easy. No need for a car or long travel distances. Walking distance to the studio and to my daughters school. We cannot afford this now but I’m in no rush. I am happy where I am. And I love to be able to have dreams for what’s ahead.
I havn’t read Kingsolver, have to look her up! Right now I’m reading Richard Powers ’The Time of Our Singing’, his ’Overstory’ is one of my all-time favourite books. After that I am looking so much forward to reading the fourth part of Karl Ove Knausgårds series ’The Morning Star’. I’m also longing to revisit Maja Lundes’s series that starts with ’The History of Bees’.
Thank you for sharing Kateri, and thank you for always inspiring <3
What a gorgeous comment, Sara. I really feel at home in your descriptions of your life. You are creating the intimate world you want to live in, and I love that. I love the way you wrote about living in the city, I really get that. I can feel that if I had children still at home, or as I get older. I LOVE the idea you offer of how we can feel at home anywhere when our own personal comforts are with us. I am like that with my sweetheart nearby, my notebook and a few treasured books...but I always miss my cats. "Overstory" was an amazing novel. I do not know his other works! Will look into them. And I have not read Knausgard, and now I want to! Thank you xo
Thank you Kateri <3 <3
Your home, my home. To a point…I visit familiar land and your beautiful photos reflect my own. Yet, I love to look out my kitchen window, a few short miles away, see my bird feeders, raised bed gardens and the ridge where the creek flows. I know it so well, and it always brings me peace. I am grateful for many years of living in beautiful places, but now my home is most importantly a sanctuary. I definitely find myself in retreat, when the outside world seems too much for me. I have a small home now and yet my best comfort is found within this space. This kitchen, with a window over the sink, is all the home I need.
Hope you are feeling well soon.❤️Interesting you are reading Barbara Kingsolver, I just picked up ‘The Poisonwood Bible’, for Chris to read. I read it so many years ago and suggested it for his reading pile. 🕊️
We share our souls and hearts in this land, for sure. But you have found a new sanctuary in your home and in your life, and it makes all the difference. Makes me very happy. Comfort abounds for us these days xoxoxo Rick recently read Poisonwood Bible for the first time and he loved it! 🥰 thank you, Judy.
We are seriously considering a move having recently retired. We’ve lived in our current house for five years and it’s the only one we had built. We love every bit of it. But we are living six hours away from our child so we are considering relocating closer. We’ve spent a lot of time struggling with what defines home, but for sure for us, this home is a sanctuary. That sounds like what you’ve described as well.
That is such a big decision, to move from a sanctuary...but it feels like, to me, that you will create that a new no matter where you are. I am so happy to be near at least some of our children. It really would be so hard to be far from them all. Big hug. xoxo Thank you, Kathy.
My place… it’s the place I was baptized. Not by a priest, but by the forest. The Enchanted Mountains of Ohi:yio in Seneca lands near Salamanca, NY. I’ve traveled the world and still no other place holds such a magical and grounding resonance in my being. If I ever feel like I’m about to lose myself, I drive the hour to that forest and give it everything I can. I’m blessed to have a 49 year old relationship with the forest and mountains and streams and stones of that place. It’s my version of heaven on earth 💗
This is so beautiful, and I know deeply true. I am so glad your place is within your reach again. I love this. 🥰