What does home mean to you?

“Home” has many meanings and perspectives.

To some, home is simply a structure that provides comfort…and that comes with a hefty bill. To others, it's a feeling you experience in the most special places that life takes you, or with the special people you meet along the way.

In either scenario, it carries the weight of solace, belonging, and safety.

Home as a Place

Oftentimes, the house we grew up in, or the staple home of an extended family member is the place we call home. The size or style of this structure has no importance as the memories that the place carries is what makes it home. Walls, furniture, decorations, or smells play their part in establishing core memories that transform a space into a sanctuary.

Home as People & Feelings

The late-night talks with a loved one, the tail-wagging greeting at the door, or the feeling of being known and accepted are the things that breathe life into a place.

Home can also be intangible. It’s the sense of grounding you feel when you step through the door. It’s the relief of knowing you can rest, recharge, and simply be yourself. For some, home is peace. For others, it’s joy, creativity, or even the energy of movement and growth.

When Diana Ross…I mean Dorothy…needed to get back to Aunt Em’s in Harlem (or was it Brooklyn?) she sang:

When I think of home

I think of a place where there’s love overflowing

I wish I was home

I wish I was back there with the things I been knowing

There’s no doubt that in Dorothy’s mind, home was the place where the people she loved embraced one another and created a sense of peace and belonging.

Home as Freedom

Home can be found in travel, in starting over, or in building something new. It’s not always permanent, but it’s always personal.

An Invitation to You

Taking time to reflect on what home means to you can shape the way you live and the choices you make. It helps you create spaces that reflect your values, strengthen the relationships that matter most, and hold onto the rituals that bring comfort in times of change.

What’s your perspective?

When you close your eyes and think of “home,” what comes to mind first? Is it a place, a person, or a feeling? What little details make you feel most grounded?

Share your thoughts in the comments: What does home mean to you?