Sense of place
This week I’ve been spending some time thinking about where I belong, where I feel happy, where I feel comfortable. I’m considering whether I can be happy here in my hometown, whether living here is a challenge I can really face, or whether I’m better elsewhere. I don’t think I have done very well adjusting to being back, and I feel like I’m wasting time with trivial worries. I’m letting the past take up too much space in my present.
And I’m preoccupied with place.
Places where I DON’T feel comfortable:
Doctors’ offices
Checkout lines — People in front of you, people behind. It’s just… claustrophobic.
Gyms
Houses or stores where there are lots of things that could break. I don’t consider myself particularly clumsy, but that might be because I’m preoccupied with NOT being clumsy.
Hair salons. All that pressure to be pretty.
The DMV. Duh.
Children’s clothing sections
Most other people’s houses (nothing personal)
Clubs
Elevators
High altitudes. But I don’t mind flying. It’s a sea level thing.
Deserts
Places where I DO feel comfortable:
Libraries
Office supply stores
Bookstores
Museums
Hotel rooms
Amsterdam
My house
My mom’s house
The beach
Restaurants of all kinds
Dive bars (well, not too dive-y)
Nice grocery stores
Outlet malls (hello, mecca)
Movie theaters
On my back
What about you? What are your places?
Uncomfortable: in church, someone’s else’s car, or on ice
Comfortable: most everywhere else
Oh, god, yes!! Church and someone else’s car. Good call. — Gypsy
1. your list
2. church
3. any place fancy or that has such things as high tea
Comfortable
1. Your list
2. my office
3. Ireland
4. NOLA
krista’s last blog post..Out of control
Comfortable:
In front of a computer
My house
Church
The Beach
Uncomfortable:
Places where I don’t fee in control (i.e. crowds)
Heights
Elevators
Fancy clothing stores
I can almost mirror your post. I don’t mind children’s clothing sections, and I’ve never been to Amsterdam.
I’m more comfortable in wooded places than the beach. I absolutely hate hair salons, and I adore any store that sells paper, pens, and office gadgets of any kind.
My in-laws’ home. I love them, and they do NOTHING to make me uncomfortable, but I always am when I’m there.
I’m terribly uncomfortable at an indoor swimming pool.
I’m completely comfortable in a doctor’s office or hospital if I’m the family member doing the talking and decision making.
And my hometown… I came back about four years ago with my tail between my legs and going through a divorce. I was fine at first. Lately, though, there’s just too many expectations.
hmm….feel comfortable : library, grocery store, YMCA, beauty salon, my home, my car, certain parks, by the ocean, canoeing down a river, all the bars i used to go to in Michigan, vet office, zoo, dentist or orthodontist office, SHOE STORES…
uncomfortable: cell phone stores, Sam’s club, animal shelters (can’t stand to see unadopted pets), anyplace where i would get my blood drawn, cleaning supply aisle, at the eye doctor, ELEVATORS…
mary’s last blog post..D.U.M.B.
comfortable:
my house
my office
on a cruise ship
Wow! I really can’t think of any other.
uncomfortable:
I’m normally uncomfortable everywhere but what is worse:
airplanes
dentist
nail salon
monster truck shows
concerts
Dive bars as in, “Damn, this place is such a dive!” or dive bars as in, “Scuba diving – dive bars, baby!”
Just curious.
I might have to steal this idea. You’re inspiring me!
Coal Miner’s Granddaughter’s last blog post..Dialog, Part 8
comfortable….my chair with a book, the chaise. The hammock in the summer. libraries.
uncomfortable – dentist chair. boss’ office. formal dinners
Rae’s last blog post..I dream of Eno?
I hear you regarding living back in your home town. Im not sure I could go back either, even though my parents are there, and I suppose a few old friends I could reconnect with. That doesn’t negate the fact that I would feel (and more than likely act) like i was purpetually 15.
Your list is pretty damn good, and I could easily just paste your list here, but I thought of a few more.
Uncomfortable Places
Large parties where I don’t know anyone. ( I suck and small talk)
Anyplace Im in the presence of overly religious folks. (Me being a tree huggin’ pagan)
Anywhere it’s over 82 degrees and humid. (Im basically screwed in the summer around here)
My web design classes where everyone is like 12 and have been programming since they were 4.
Comfortable Places.
My couch on a rainy sunday with a cup of coffee and a good book.
My best friend’s house. (Luckily for me it’s 5 doors down)
My Parent’s house (as long as my sister in law isn’t there (does that make me a bad person?))
Anyplace near a large body of water.
A blog site comment box where I can abuse the use of ((parenthesis)).
Chanda’s last blog post..Dirt Therapy
Hmm… there are few places I don’t feel comfortable. Downtown San Juan was one of them. Which pretty much leaves everywhere else that I feel comfortable. Apparently I’m weird like that.
Finn’s last blog post..But Will It Keep Me Warm On A Cold Winter’s Night?
Good list – I’m trying to think of something that isn’t already on it!
Uncomfortable Places-
1) churches, 2) tupperware parties, 3) playdates (god, I just broke out in a rash, thinking of it!), 4) large parties where I know no one (except Bea, and we hang out by the wall together), 5) really clean and perfect houses, 6) anywhere its hot, 7) animal shelters, because I can’t take everyone home.
Comfort Zones-
near water, 9) anywhere I’m with my peeps, 10) road trips, 11) historical societies with little old ladies (I’m going to be one, one of these days), 12) Bea’s house, 13) Bea’s parents museum – um, house, 14) local potteries.
1) the mountains, 2) the beach, 3) the UK, esp. Wales (it felt like home), 4) little mom and pop restaurants, 5) bookstores, 6) antiques stores, 7) the woods,
we_be_toys’s last blog post..Ludicrous Beauty
I am fascinated about where other people feel comfortable/uncomfortable. I live in the Ocean State, where some insane percentage of the population either cannot swim or is terrified of the water. And all I can think is “Aren’t you curious about what’s under the surface?” and “How can you possibly feel uncomfortable in the water, when I find it so soothing?”
As for where I feel uncomfortable, I guess I would have to say it depends less on what is actually in the location, but how others make me feel in that location. For example, my sister’s house has a very comfy/homey appearance that would make anyone want to take off their shoes and put up their feet. But I feel uncomfortable there because of past events that took place there that ended up making me feel uncomfortable at that particular moment.
I’ve heard about RI and all the non-swimming. It’s an island people! Learn to dog paddle at least.
— Gypsy