Where is Home?

• May 2024: A quick update after 10 years. I still don't have a good definition of home. My life is still as (semi) nomadic as before.

• I often ponder the concept of "home." The more I reflect on it, the more intricate it becomes, especially for individuals like me who were born in one place, lived in different locations, and are constantly on the move.

• Is home defined by:

  • Your place of birth?

  • Your eventual place of death?

  • Where your family resides?

  • Where you pay your taxes?

  • Your parents' birthplace?

  • Where you've spent the majority of your life?

  • Your most recent place of residence?

  • Where you desire to spend the majority of your time?

  • Where you have loved the most?

  • Where you've formed the strongest connections with people?

  • Where most of your friends live?

  • Where you have the most/best memories?

  • Where you've experienced the most happiness?

• Traveling and living all over the world have taught me that home is not a physical location. It's wherever I feel happy and at peace, whether that's in a specific place or with certain people.

• Recently, I watched a TED talk entitled "Where is Home?" and was captivated by the presenter's definition of home:

  • "Home is less to do with a piece of soil than a piece of soul."

  • "Home is a work in progress."

  • "Where you come from now is much less important than where you're going."

• I highly recommend this touching, poetic TED talk by Pico Iyer: