What does it take for a city to become part of your identity? Can you feel a connection with a place you barely visit of never even been?
Connection with the world
When a city becomes part of your identity it shapes your experiences, memories, and worldview. It’s not only about physical presence, a city can also seep into your soul and evoke so many emotions. Even if you barely visit or have never been, you can feel a connection through stories, images, and cultural influences. Sometimes, it’s the longing to explore its streets, taste its cuisine, and immerse yourself in its rhythm that forges the bond. It’s the feeling of familiarity even in unfamiliar surroundings. Whether through personal encounters or distant dreams, a city can etch itself onto your identity, becoming a part of who you are, no matter the miles that separate you.
longing through a window
Leaving a place where you felt like the best version of yourself can be heartbreaking. This picture by Nur Andi Ravsanjani Gusma captures the emotion I experienced when returning home, leaving behind a place where I truly felt like myself. The artwork symbolizes the bittersweet nature of such departures, highlighting the pain of leaving a place that brought out your true self. It resonates deeply with the sense of loss and longing, making it a powerful reminder of the profound impact that certain places can have on our sense of identity and well-being.
I don’t know why it is, but…
you feel like home,
and everywhere i’ve never been,
all at once.
it doesn’t make sense…or maybe it does?
maybe love is the safest place you could ever be,
and every new and undiscovered place
you have yet to go,
all at the same time.
yeah…
i think that’s perfectly how it’s
supposed to feel.
– butterflies rising
Maddie Ziegler’s solo, “Looking for a Place to Call Home,” embodies the sentiment of individuals who struggle to find a sense of belonging. Through her performance, she encapsulates the yearning and search for a place where one feels truly at home, resonating with those who grapple with similar feelings of displacement and longing for connection.
Anne
Coopman
For years, Anne felt an inexplicable connection to the United States. Explaining this to others seemed impossible, and her quest for answers inspired this project.
Anne has been fascinated by the U.S. for as long as she can remember, making numerous attempts to visit the country. Each time she visited, she felt more like herself, and upon returning home, she felt an undeniable sense of loss.
When you feel deeply connected to a place you don’t often visit, it can seem strange to others. Anne didn’t go to school there, nor does she have family in the U.S., so how can it feel like a part of her? She has explored various types of connections, such as spiritual links to her far away family and astrological alignments with the place.
On this site, you will discover different ways a place can become part of your identity, along with stories from others who have experienced similar feelings. Hopefully, this can help you find your own place to call home.