A Sense of Place

 A Sense of Place

For a large part of my life, I have never really felt like I have belonged somewhere. I have been dealing with anxiety problems ever since I was a kid, so it is hard to find a physical location for my sense of place.

To figure out and discern what could be my sense of place I decided to go on a meditative walk down FGCU's North Lake lake-side path. During this time I came up with several observations.

My Room

The view from my room
Within these four walls, there are technically seven because of the closet, I feel a sense of place. When my mom was diagnosed with cancer I entered a depressive period in my life. I moved to the dorms here at FGCU after she had surgery. My move to my college dorm was essential for me as it let me escape the dark aura of depression that had developed in my room at home. My dorm room has everything I need and so much of what I am. I have my computer with several monitors, my fridge, and for the first time in my life some posters representing the things I like. 
I genuinely feel like this is my own space. It provides me with "a feeling of peace or a sense of security" which I desperately need (Sense of Place Field Trip Experience, 1). My current dorm also has a great view of the lakefront and the foliage outside. Although I have no exact proof, I think the view I have and my closeness to nature had improved concentration and my satisfaction which similar to what the Kaplan's discovered when researching workers with access to green spaces (Nature Deficiency Disorder, 6).

My Family and Friends

As a result of my anxiety, I can often feel worthless and an annoyance to everyone in my life. If I add on the arrogance I carry to the picture, it does not make sense in my mind why people would want to be around me. Yet, I have close friends, mentors, and family members who display their unconditional love and patience towards me. Being around my spiritual mentor, my best friends, my parents, and my brother gives me so much peace. I know that I can rely on them always, and thus being around them makes me feel a sense of place.

Wiggins Pass

On several occasions, I've been to Wiggins Pass to relax by the beach. I realized while doing my walk meditation how peaceful those days were. If I was not swimming in the water I'd be sitting beneath the leaves of the tall trees hearing the waves crash against the beach shore. In those moments I did not focus on my anxieties but I just lived in the moment. For the time I was there, I did not need to force my attention onto something. William James stated that there were "two kinds of attention: directed attention and fascination," which of the two I definitely felt fascinated with Wiggins Pass (Nature Deficiency Disorder, 5). Hopefully, when Covid passes I will be able to visit Wiggins Pass again with my family and friends.





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