What makes a house a home?
I just got back from a few days in Belgium, my first time there since we moved away so yes, it had been a while.
It was more of a workation than an actual holiday, but still lovely to be back home.
Or wait… was it really home?
Because despite the familiar scents and sights, the delicious food and the charming mix of Bruges and Ghents dialects, I was genuinely happy to return home.
Feeling at home
To my home.
How to feel at home
And that got me thinking: what actually makes a place feel like home?
- Is it where your bed is? For me, maybe! Our bed is pretty much the only large piece of furniture we brought with us when we moved.
- Is it where your laptop is? Hmm no, I’m not that much of a workaholic.
- Is it where your partner is? Ideally yes, but when your partner travels a lot for work, that isn’t always applicable.
Work-life balance
After those few days in Belgium it became clear to me:
Home for me is the place where I can fully be myself.
- Where I can take a break between tasks and enjoy the view from the terrace, surrounded by palm trees.
- Where I can walk barefoot at the beach after work.
- Where the temperature stays pleasantly consistent all year round.
- Where I don’t have to worry about how I come across but can simply be.
Freedom and simplicity
Home isn’t a location on a map, it’s a feeling.
A sense of freedom, simplicity, peace, and for me that means:
- Autonomy over my day and rhythm
- Connection with nature and my environment
- A workplace where I enjoy working
- Time and space to breathe
Living abroad
So I realise now that a ‘feeling of home’ does not mean that you grew up in a particular street, or that you have lived there for years. It can come from a lifestyle that matches who you really are.
In my case: simplicity, sun, peace and quiet and the occasional mountain hike.
Remote work lifestyle
Since moving to Tenerife, I feel freer, calmer, closer to myself.
And that has nothing to do with four walls, but everything to do with how I spend my days.
Where do you really feel at home? And what does that mean to you?
