Quarantine Journals - Day 11
So I am back in Canada but have to sustain self-quarantine in a hotel for 14 days. That being said, what a great day to start a daily journal. I signed up to Isolation Journals where everyday it sends out a journal prompt. I decided to give it a try and I am writing these not in any order that was sent to me but based on random.
Prompt: Write about a time when you felt a shift in your relationship to your home. This could be your present home, your childhood home, or a temporary shelter. Think not only about the physical structure but the people there with you, or those who are not. Was there an event that led to this shift, like a major life change or extended time away? How do you feel about home now? Are there any revisions you’d like to make to how you define home?
There has been a few milestones in my life that I reflected on the meaning of home.
The first time was from China to Canada - I was young enough to not understand the nuances of leaving the culture and environment you known for all your life behind and trying to embrace something completely new. But also old enough to understand that I need to adapt to in order to belong in this new culture and environment.
The next time was really from high school to college. I chose a program that was far from home and none of my friends was going to. I once again left everyone I knew behind. University was such an interesting time, it was one of the first times that I met people and ultimately friends who has very different upbringing than me - home was a dorm. I didn’t get homesick but I still go home at least once a month to see my parents, good old engrained filial piety.
The following episode was I officially moved out of my parents house after staying with them for a few years after college. Home was a collection of things I want, that I can make the decisions on. Of course, with great independence comes with great responsibilities. It was one of the first time I felt ownership and responsibility for something else (other than work), something so deeply personal. My emotional attachment is still with my parents, whom I visit once a week.
Then I went abroad, the concept of home for 2 years was a room. Different rooms, but still restrained to one room as that was what I was renting while in Paris, Singapore, Thailand or Taiwan. I no longer could associate home with a physical place because I moved so often and lived out of suitcases - I can only limit the items that gives me the same feeling of security in these suitcases. I still call my parents once a week.
Currently, I am back in Canada and living with my parents for a bit. My childhood bedroom remain decorated with the posters I have during my high school days (full of DBSK, Harry Potter, anime and Gackt posters). I flipped through some of my high school projects and both had a good laugh and remanence my childhood naivety. Meanwhile 70% of my belongings are stuck in Singapore (because of the lockdown). When I was trying to manage the suitcase situation in Singapore, I realize I can do away with most of these physical belongings. Maybe home isn’t even in these suitcases but in the people that stayed constantly there throughout your life. My friends and my family who was always one call away whenever I needed it.
Who knows what home would mean in a few years? 🤷🏻♀️