Our discussions of sense of place during both lecture and lab have inspired me to think about my own sense of place, and how I interact with the places I live in or visit.
I’m from a mostly rural area in central New Jersey, with many farms and small towns. This relative closeness to nature, I believe, has very strongly influenced my passion for the environment. At the same time, I was still immersed in the human aspect of my hometown, because of my close proximity to friends and neighbors. I believe this provided a healthy balance of people and the environment that inspired me to appreciate and protect both.
I believe the fact that I’ve lived in the same place for my whole life has also influenced my sense of place there. This has allowed me to form a stronger connection with this place, because it’s the only home I’ve ever had before coming to Vermont. The fact that I’ve lived in the same house my whole life also means that I’ve never really had to consider my sense of place before, because that place has never changed, and I had never had to form a new sense of place before coming to Vermont.
As I’ve gotten older, I believe my sense of place has gotten stronger, especially after coming to UVM. I’ve also noticed that, since coming to Vermont, my sense of place has, in some ways, expanded. Before, my “place” was simply my hometown. Now, I’ve noticed that though my sense of place is still strongest in my hometown, I have a stronger connection to the state as a whole.
Through our discussions of sense of place, I’ve also noticed that my connection to my hometown is mostly due to my friends and family that live there and the experiences I’ve had there. People have had a large part in shaping my place-meaning in my hometown, and I believe that, for the most part, these people have helped foster a positive sense of place.
I believe that the fact that I have a positive sense of place in my hometown has benefitted me greatly. My positive connection to my hometown has provided a steady foundation for me to grow as a person. Because of the positive meaning and connection in my hometown, I never had to worry about finding my place or feeling like I didn’t fit in. Growing up, this benefitted me immensely, and allowed me to grow and find myself without this added stress.
