Let's be honest: college can suck sometimes. While we can all agree that Colgate is an incredible school, I'm willing to bet that at some point we all have felt trapped in a small liberal arts bubble or stressed out about academics, relationships and other things that probably will not matter in one weeks time. To cope, some exercise excessively, some consume more alcohol than the normal college student and I even have a friend who goes around petting stray dogs. For me, I sketch, write and just scream into my pillow. However, there comes a time when the stress is too great that it feels like the only way to escape is to actually escape.
Everyone knows the old saying, "There's no place like home." Whoever said these words (Judy Garland, may she rest in peace) is a genius. Your home is filled with comfort, your family, and a nostalgia that no where else in the world can provide. Going home does something for your psyche that other solutions like screaming into a pillow or petting stray dogs cannot even begin to solve.
Last weekend, I went home to see my parents. Driving home was long, the sky was gray and the usually leafy trees were starting to become bare. I was exhausted and stressed, but upon seeing the sign for my exit, it felt like all the negative energy in my body evaporated. The sky was blue and filled with white clouds you usually only see in Pixar movies. The trees were full of color and the air a little lighter. Knowing that I was only five minutes away from my house filled me with bliss.
I pulled up to my home--it was decorated for fall with pumpkins sitting on either side of the door and a small scarecrow hanging from the mailbox. I could see my puppy waiting for me in the door, wagging her tail a mile a minute, and barking in excitement of seeing me.
Walking into my house, I saw things that were "mine." My favorite couch to nap, my favorite toy from when I was younger and of course, my parents. The familiarity of my home brought immediate comfort and brought me a sense of peace and stability. Going home may feel like an escape from reality, but to me, going home is the reality. Home reminds you of the things that matter in life and helps you ignore those dumb college problems.
One of the reasons I get stressed out is that I feel like I do not belong or just feel lost. Going home, I know I belong, and it helps me regain my mental balance. You always see those rom-coms and sitcoms about people lost in life and moving back home to figure it all out. Hollywood may have made the idea of going home for therapeutic reasons a cliche, but there is truth behind it. So the next time you feel really, really, really stressed out, just click your ruby slippers three times and head home for the weekend.
