Hi folks, today I want to share some thoughts about home and what it means. I’ll share some of the different perspectives of the idea of home and what it means to me too.
I’ve been living in a Kimbo camper for many months now, March to December. I’ve been able to make it sustainable by having a dehumidifier going consistently on low, by keeping it clean and organized, and by implementing new features like an over-the-bed fan and an air purifier and a mini radiator heater that I mounted to the wall. I’ve added little things that make it more comfortable and custom to my preferences. Those little projects also help in letting me dream of what the space could become, even if it’s in a small way.
There have been times when I’ve been pretty sick of it and want to stay in a normal house with a couch or a kitchen. This is a season where being closer to work is the right thing to do.
It’s all brought up the idea of what home is. It seems like home can mean something different in different seasons of our lives. Today I want to share three perspectives and what home might mean to those three perspectives.
“self preservation” is a way of prioritizing life and the way we navigate it. Someone who makes decisions through a lens of self-preservation first might look for comfort and protection and safety as their priority over everything. It might mean someone choosing a Hummer over a Subaru Outback or choosing a large house over a small one because they want to be home most often. This type of person likes to “nest” and set up a sustainable space for where they can spend most of their time. They might chose to watch a movie or read a book vs go for a hike or spend time around lots of people.
“expansive” is a way of prioritizing life and the way we navigate it. Someone who makes decisions through a lens of expansiveness first might look for adventure and experiences and pushing the boundaries of their comfort. It might mean that they chose active wear as their clothes most often instead dressing for style or cozy warmth. They might chose to go on a 5 AM run or chose to go sledding vs watch a movie or play a board game.
“social” is a way of prioritizing life and the way we navigate it. Someone who makes decisions through a social lens may look for how the people they surround themselves with every day is their sense of significance or safety. This type of person thinks about their “tribe” and how they can take care of those people. They might chose to go from group to group to group of friends vs stay home on a Friday night. They might chose buying a bigger house vs a smaller one because deep down they envision how many people the house can bring together and that that’s where the good memories are made.
We actually have all three of these perspectives within us. It’s just that they’re weighted with one is a primary and the other two as secondary. And different seasons of life bring one to the surface for a time. These different seasons might shake up our sense of home or get us into the place of searching for it again. But one thing seems to stay consistent, no matter how far we search.
Home is where our friends are. Home is where our family is. Home is where we’re seen and known and invited and accepted. Home is where we’re heard and sought to be understood. Home is where the sense of significance we feel from our responsibilities can coexist with our consistency. Home is where there’s the right ratio of distance and independence from the people we know will always be there, where we become closer in times of need and a little further when that’s needed too.
Right now my home is a Kimbo. I’m proud of the guys at work and I’m grateful to be close to friends and family. I’m grateful for the opportunity to go see the world with my Kimbo on a moments notice. Life has some rough seasons, and it has some amazing ones too. Whatever season you’re coming from and whatever season you’re coming into I hope this message helps you see that it isn’t the vessel (the house) it’s the support (the family, the friends, the sense of security) that build a home. That’s what makes the difference.
I hope you have a great week. I hope you’re feeling well and looking forward to something new. I hope you’re working hard and feeling fulfilled and healthy.
Talk to you next time,
-M