What does it mean to "feel at home"? To me, it means I can exist, speak and act, without fear of judgement or ridicule. I feel safe; shielded from the worries and pressures the world has to offer. I can relax, sigh out loud, sit down, put my feet up, shut my eyes and smile. I can sing wrong lyrics, brazenly and off key, simply for the fun of it. I can be honest about my struggles and concerns, and be heard with empathy and intrigue. I can choose to stay silent and have my silence be accepted. I can speak without worrying about my natural tone of voice sounding rude, dull or cold. I don’t have to smile if I don’t want to, and I can cry out in the open. I don’t have to pretend to enjoy anything I don’t. I always feel welcome and never question if I am. I feel free and can just be me.
