Love how you've walked with those questions and the questions you developed. (And thank you for the shout out to my Substack!) You've answered so beautifully the question of whether it is possible to walk yourself into love with a place! Really does seem like the land there is calling you. Wishing you much happiness in your new old home and look forward to hearing more about your explorations there. And on my next walk I'll walk with the prompt 'Home, to me, is...'
The immediate thought that came to mind was about walking. In the book, Hiking Zen by Zen monks Pham Xa and Phap Lou, there is a walking practice - As you walk, repeat phrases, including this one 'Breathing in, I arrive fully with my left step. Breathing out, I feel at home with my right step. In, arrived/Out, at home.'
Thanks Olivia! Im so happy the prompt has inspired you. Please let me know how it goes when you take it for a walk. And thanks for sharing the walking practice from Hiking Zen. I’ve added the book to my list!
I really enjoyed reading this, especially as I found myself in my home county during Covid and walked and walked (and wrote about it) and didn't move back. Not yet anyway! You have beautiful photos and your concise words are real tasters! Thanks
Loved this piece. I am fascínated by home and place and identity. Torn between living in the UK or Spain. I moved to Cadiz 3 years ago, after Covid , after my mum passed away, after selling the family home, after feeling a bit lost, bereft, grieving for all manner of things, longing for a home but not knowing what or where it was. On Christmas Day I walked through an empty old quarter of the city.
Eventually this ended up with this piece of writing:
We’ve led almost parallel lives. I moved down to London about 25 years ago too, but from the other side of the Humber in Grimsby (after Uni in York). I’m not planning to leave London anytime soon, however. It feels more like home than anywhere else ever did. Good luck back in Yorkshire - it is, I’m sure, a stupendously rewarding region to walk, explore and ponder.
I love the piece and the prompt, thankl u! You've made me think about Martin Shaw "Scattelings" book, particularly when he says that some places one day claim you, and that's when you have found a true home :)
Thanks, Letizia, I’m so glad you like the prompt. And thanks for telling me about the book. I hadn’t heard of it and I’m adding it to my list of books to get.
I returned to my childhood hometown after my first child was born (now 27 years ago!). What I loved then, and still love, is the sense of living in the past, present, and future all at once. I take regular walks along the ocean bluffs, a place I explored as a child, brought my own children to, and still love deeply. Thank you for your wonderful inspiration to both walk and write more.
Love how you've walked with those questions and the questions you developed. (And thank you for the shout out to my Substack!) You've answered so beautifully the question of whether it is possible to walk yourself into love with a place! Really does seem like the land there is calling you. Wishing you much happiness in your new old home and look forward to hearing more about your explorations there. And on my next walk I'll walk with the prompt 'Home, to me, is...'
The immediate thought that came to mind was about walking. In the book, Hiking Zen by Zen monks Pham Xa and Phap Lou, there is a walking practice - As you walk, repeat phrases, including this one 'Breathing in, I arrive fully with my left step. Breathing out, I feel at home with my right step. In, arrived/Out, at home.'
Thanks Olivia! Im so happy the prompt has inspired you. Please let me know how it goes when you take it for a walk. And thanks for sharing the walking practice from Hiking Zen. I’ve added the book to my list!
I really enjoyed reading this, especially as I found myself in my home county during Covid and walked and walked (and wrote about it) and didn't move back. Not yet anyway! You have beautiful photos and your concise words are real tasters! Thanks
Thanks for such lovely feedback, Tamsin. I’m glad you enjoyed the post. Thanks for sharing your walking and writing experience 💚
Sarah
Loved this piece. I am fascínated by home and place and identity. Torn between living in the UK or Spain. I moved to Cadiz 3 years ago, after Covid , after my mum passed away, after selling the family home, after feeling a bit lost, bereft, grieving for all manner of things, longing for a home but not knowing what or where it was. On Christmas Day I walked through an empty old quarter of the city.
Eventually this ended up with this piece of writing:
https://thelittlesummerofthequince.wordpress.com/
Paul Murphy
Thanks so much, Paul. I remember that you were moving between the UK and Spain. I enjoyed reading your reflections on Cadiz. Thanks for sharing.
We’ve led almost parallel lives. I moved down to London about 25 years ago too, but from the other side of the Humber in Grimsby (after Uni in York). I’m not planning to leave London anytime soon, however. It feels more like home than anywhere else ever did. Good luck back in Yorkshire - it is, I’m sure, a stupendously rewarding region to walk, explore and ponder.
Hiya Matt, what a small world indeed. Shouldn’t we be mortal enemies if you’re from Grimsby and I’m from Hull?! 😂
Yorkshire is brilliant for walking. I love North Yorkshire and the dales, but the Wolds are new to me and there’s some stunning corners to explore.
I love the piece and the prompt, thankl u! You've made me think about Martin Shaw "Scattelings" book, particularly when he says that some places one day claim you, and that's when you have found a true home :)
Thanks, Letizia, I’m so glad you like the prompt. And thanks for telling me about the book. I hadn’t heard of it and I’m adding it to my list of books to get.
I returned to my childhood hometown after my first child was born (now 27 years ago!). What I loved then, and still love, is the sense of living in the past, present, and future all at once. I take regular walks along the ocean bluffs, a place I explored as a child, brought my own children to, and still love deeply. Thank you for your wonderful inspiration to both walk and write more.
I love the idea of living in the past, present and future all at once. What a wonderful way to look at it. Thanks for sharing, Charla.
That is so encouraging as I'm about to move to a 'new' town... I'm now full of optimism rather than pessimism dressed up as realism! Thank you!
That’s exciting news, Mike. I remember you were house hunting and taking your time to find the right place. Best of luck with it!
That’s a wonderful piece of personal writing, Sarah. I’m glad that you have chosen to go ‘home’ with fresh eyes to explore again.
Best wishes, Sandy
Thanks, Sandy, I’m glad you enjoyed it.