Hi dear one,
I hope all is well your end of the world.
I have hijacked our Lightonconspiracies mail list, forgive me for that. But I thought why not and hubby Ole D. insisted. You can always unsubscribe below if you don’t like being here with me, it’s okay. I hope you stay.
“Shall I start writing? What would I write about and why? Will anyone be interested? Naahh… there are so many amazing writers and podcasts out there, I better stick to what I have done for the last decades.”
These have been the voices in my head for the last few years. I believe it’s called procrastination and nonsense to be honest.
So here I am, starting my weekly newsletter. It will be about anything that feels right in the moment. Mental health, the complexity of family and friends, health issues and the jabs, frustration on how to go forward, freedom, finance and crypto, human rights, natural law… and whatever inspires me to write about each week.
This one is about home.
At the moment I live in Bali with Ole D. and our 18-year old daughter. After 20 years in Spain we came here during the plandemic and packed to stay for two months. Over two years later, we are happily still here.
Bali is a true place of magic, where the beauty of nature, vibrant culture, and spiritual practices come together to create a unique and special way of life. It has shaped me in ways I could never imagined.
But being far away from family and friends can be very difficult. It has been challenging to navigate a new environment, find new friends, and build a new community around us.
At first, it was tough to adjust to a new country, a new culture, and a new way of life. I missed the familiarity of Spain and the comfort of my close friends. Indonesia is a very big country and Bali is an amazing bubble within it.
I made sure to stay connected with my close ones through regular WhatsApp-calls, and messages. After 20 years in Spain I know that staying in touch with loved ones, even if it is from a distance, is crucial to my emotional well-being.
Another thing that has helped me a lot, is to create a sense of home in Bali. I filled our home with things that brought me comfort, whether that was big plants, cosy furniture, or artwork. It made my new home feel more like a safe haven, where I could retreat, recharge and feel grounded. Having a cosy home is essential to me and has always been. It can sometime make me too lazy to go out anywhere, because it’s so nice to be at home. Lucky I work from home.
Being far away from my close ones can be hard, but it can also be an opportunity for growth and self-discovery. I see it as a chance to embrace a new culture, learn a new language, which is going great at the moment, having classes each week, and connect with people from diverse backgrounds. Bali has an abundance of amazing people from all corners of the world.
Home is a concept that is deeply personal and can mean different things to different people. It is not just a physical space or a place on a map, but a feeling of belonging and comfort, which is unique to each individual.
For some people, home is where they were born and raised, where they have deep roots and a strong connection to the community. Others may feel at home in a place they have only recently moved to, because of the people they have met and the experiences they have had.
Home can also be defined by the people we share it with. For many, home is where their family is, whether that is a traditional family or a chosen family of close friends. For others, home is a solo space where they can feel completely themselves and recharge their batteries.
The concept of home is fluid and can change over time. We may move to a new place, lose touch with loved ones, or simply grow and change as individuals. What felt like home at one point in our lives may no longer feel that way now, and we may need to search for a new sense of belonging.
Ultimately, home is where we feel safe, comfortable, and loved. It is a place which nurtures our souls and allows us to be our authentic selves. Whether it is a physical space, a community, or a feeling, we all have the need for a place we can call home. And for me at this moment in my life, it is Bali, Indonesia.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read my first newsletter and blog post. I really appreciate it! Until next week, take care and stay curious.
Love and joy,
Kim
Lovely words to read first thing in the morning. Thank you.
I moved to Thailand for a few years from the UK so your comment about creating home is somethig I am familiar with. Other expats would come and ask me "Pod, please make some scones" and when I returned to the UK for flying visits I carried a list of requests. Mainly teabags, bsdcuits, the occasional cheese.
Much later, after returing to the UK and losng all my money and most of my possessions, I had to learn to find home in my heart. Lady Isis said "Home is who you are not where you are"
I am hoping that I may have a chance to relocate to warmer climes for the last years of my life. I had my eye on Sri Lanka but you have brought Bali to my attention now. Thank you.
Let´s just share high and low, it´s needed now. Continue Kim we are all the same <3