Lesli Marchese, Campus Carrier Managing Editor

I love travelling and meeting new people and putting myself in their shoes, but I don’t yet think I’ve spent enough time figuring out life in my shoes. 

My girlfriend often talks to me about the idea of having roots, or a sense of “place.” It’s an idea I’m familiar with – of people having memories or associations with a place, often where they have spent most of their lives. It is not limited to your home, but can encompass your feelings for a town, city or even region (like the South). She has discussed this in many of her classes and reached the conclusion that she associates herself with many parts of the South, despite believing that she was disconnected from many southern values previously.

I can’t remember ever having a sense of place – somewhere I can return to time and time again and feel rooted. I have liked many places, and loved parts of most. I enjoy experiencing life like a local wherever I travel, and I can name you dozens of places I feel welcome, but nowhere that feels like a place I have and always will “belong.” I feel at home among the mountains, but I don’t think that’s exactly the same thing, as my feelings aren’t specific to any one mountain range, I just like the feeling of safety and wonder the mountains bring.

I thought when I left home for college, I would have a magical sense of belonging. Don’t get me wrong, I love Berry and our little community. I have met so many wonderful people and had some incredible experiences. But it still doesn’t give me that sense of place that I crave.

I’ve been considering for quite a long time that my biggest issue in feeling a lack of belonging might be due to a lack of being vulnerable and allowing myself the space to put down roots. Just like a plant, it can be important for people to have deep roots. They can be established by being involved and being a part of your community, pursuing your passions and building a solid support system of loved ones. We need time to be in one place to absorb information, interact meaningfully and deeply with others and grow our support system. 

Although I have made many friends at Berry, and consider myself involved in the community, I don’t think I’ve truly opened myself up enough to deeply experience during the process.

My problem isn’t a lack of meeting neat people or enjoying where I am, but rather a lack of mindful introspection. I don’t yet know what I want out of life, or where I see myself in 10 years. For so long, I’ve only worked to make myself marketable – for college, for jobs, for friends. I forgot to ever spend time building the person I want to be.

So, my advice for soon-to-be graduates, incoming freshman and everyone in between – take the time to put roots down and belong in every place you go. Open yourself up to new experiences and be vulnerable. You owe it to yourself to really walk a mile in your shoes.