I grew up in a fishing village in Catalonia. A year and a half ago I went back, after nearly three decades of not having visited. This time the visit struck me. I felt like a voice inside was saying to me "there are still things you need to do here." I've been back several times since. There is much for me to do there, most importantly, to sit and stare at the sea.
Alison, that’s such a powerful experience! It’s like the place was calling you back, not just to revisit, but to reconnect with something deeper...unfinished business, maybe even with yourself.
Sitting and staring at the sea? That’s not nothing. That’s where clarity, reflection, and sometimes even answers show up.
What’s shifted for you since you started going back?
The house where I grew up has been razed to make way for a new apartment building. Like the house, I plan to reinvent myself completely. We decided to retire there. We bought an apt about 100 feet from where my old house was. When we retire I will write full time. Everything I’m doing now is to gear up for that.
Alison, that’s incredible, and talk about full-circle moments...
Reinventing yourself right where your story began and retiring to write full-time? That’s the dream. BTW, my plans are similar. So, I'm naturally curious to what’s the first thing you’ll write when you’re there, staring at that sea every day?
It depends. My agent has a book out on submission. Fingers crossed that sells and I have to rework it for the publisher, then write the sequel. Noir mystery/police procedural.
I’m also re-publishing my first novel, which was indie-published 11 years ago. Trying to get the hang of KDP and get a good cover. Once that’s out I’ll write the sequel for it. YA Historical mystery.
Alison, that’s awesome to hear you’re diving into so many creative projects. I’ve been down the KDP route myself with my first book, and it’s such a powerful way to own your process and share your work.
And yeah, Germany is a big part of my writing plan. It’s where I grew up, and it’s such a well of inspiration for me, even though I write in English. There’s something about reconnecting with those roots that fuels the creative process. And revisiting those places and memories really fuels my storytelling.
I'm with you. I'm showing up for me. At home in the UK right now after a breakup/breakthrough and changes coming... It's a beautiful way to reflect and release what no longer serves me plus dip into nostalgia and make space for newness
Grace, that’s such a powerful place to be, showing up for yourself. Breakup, breakthrough, and all the changes...it’s like you’re clearing out the clutter to make space for what’s next.
Nostalgia can be such a grounding force, too, like a reminder of who you are at your core. Here’s to reflecting, releasing, and welcoming the newness. 🌟
I am going to my 50th high school reunion. Most of us didn't graduate from that school, but people all around the area where I grew up did. It's in May. I can't believe that my friends and I, some of whom I've known since I was 10, have grown so old.
Karen, a 50th reunion...wow, that’s incredible! The fact that you’ve known some of your friends since you were 10 is a gift. I bet revisiting those connections will bring back some amazing stories and maybe even a few surprises.
Thank you for your comments. Its really a couple of neighborhoods a lot of did not graduate from the highschool but there are people who I have known since kindergarten. I person has been in charge for all these years and shes kept up on the info.. We have had a lot of deaths. Some unbelievable. Its been an interesting road.
Karen, it sounds like such a tight-knit community. Those lifelong connections are rare and special. Having someone who keeps everyone informed is a gift, especially through the tough times. It’s bittersweet, isn’t it? The shared history, the losses—it all weaves together into this complex, beautiful story of your neighborhood.
Yes, Bronce, showing up for the kid I was. Being there for him when he needed it most. That’s exactly it. And cafes? They’re like little time capsules, aren’t they? A good cafe can feel like stepping into a memory. Glad this resonated with you! ☕🍰
I really like this idea and I agree. Connecting with your past is a good way to reflect on what mattered to you then. You might want to add this to your future life.
Silke, that is exactly what I'm doing. Reflecting on what mattered then and weaving it into my future is the magic. It’s like taking the best parts of who you were and letting them guide who you’re becoming.
Nice one Andreas!! Yes, I can really relate. There is a magic in these places, where the stories reside of our upbringing and our becoming..I like to just even go back and find the smell's of certain plants, how the light falls into the forest you knew so well. It's like a suitcase of memories. What is hard however, is to see that it has all changed and the soul of that time is gone..
Yes Clau, a suitcase of memories! That’s a beautiful way to put it. And yeah, the change can be tough to see, but maybe it’s less about the soul being gone and more about how we carry it forward, you know? Those smells, that light, they’re still a part of you, and always will be.
And hey, now that you’re back in the country of your birth, it’s like you’ve got time to unpack that suitcase once more and have the chance to rub up against those old, familiar beech trees again. What a gift to reconnect like that. Happy homecoming!🌳❤️
I grew up in a fishing village in Catalonia. A year and a half ago I went back, after nearly three decades of not having visited. This time the visit struck me. I felt like a voice inside was saying to me "there are still things you need to do here." I've been back several times since. There is much for me to do there, most importantly, to sit and stare at the sea.
Alison, that’s such a powerful experience! It’s like the place was calling you back, not just to revisit, but to reconnect with something deeper...unfinished business, maybe even with yourself.
Sitting and staring at the sea? That’s not nothing. That’s where clarity, reflection, and sometimes even answers show up.
What’s shifted for you since you started going back?
The house where I grew up has been razed to make way for a new apartment building. Like the house, I plan to reinvent myself completely. We decided to retire there. We bought an apt about 100 feet from where my old house was. When we retire I will write full time. Everything I’m doing now is to gear up for that.
Alison, that’s incredible, and talk about full-circle moments...
Reinventing yourself right where your story began and retiring to write full-time? That’s the dream. BTW, my plans are similar. So, I'm naturally curious to what’s the first thing you’ll write when you’re there, staring at that sea every day?
It depends. My agent has a book out on submission. Fingers crossed that sells and I have to rework it for the publisher, then write the sequel. Noir mystery/police procedural.
I’m also re-publishing my first novel, which was indie-published 11 years ago. Trying to get the hang of KDP and get a good cover. Once that’s out I’ll write the sequel for it. YA Historical mystery.
Tell me about your writing plans. And is Germany a part of the plan?
Alison, that’s awesome to hear you’re diving into so many creative projects. I’ve been down the KDP route myself with my first book, and it’s such a powerful way to own your process and share your work.
And yeah, Germany is a big part of my writing plan. It’s where I grew up, and it’s such a well of inspiration for me, even though I write in English. There’s something about reconnecting with those roots that fuels the creative process. And revisiting those places and memories really fuels my storytelling.
I'm with you. I'm showing up for me. At home in the UK right now after a breakup/breakthrough and changes coming... It's a beautiful way to reflect and release what no longer serves me plus dip into nostalgia and make space for newness
Grace, that’s such a powerful place to be, showing up for yourself. Breakup, breakthrough, and all the changes...it’s like you’re clearing out the clutter to make space for what’s next.
Nostalgia can be such a grounding force, too, like a reminder of who you are at your core. Here’s to reflecting, releasing, and welcoming the newness. 🌟
I am going to my 50th high school reunion. Most of us didn't graduate from that school, but people all around the area where I grew up did. It's in May. I can't believe that my friends and I, some of whom I've known since I was 10, have grown so old.
Karen, a 50th reunion...wow, that’s incredible! The fact that you’ve known some of your friends since you were 10 is a gift. I bet revisiting those connections will bring back some amazing stories and maybe even a few surprises.
Thank you for your comments. Its really a couple of neighborhoods a lot of did not graduate from the highschool but there are people who I have known since kindergarten. I person has been in charge for all these years and shes kept up on the info.. We have had a lot of deaths. Some unbelievable. Its been an interesting road.
Karen, it sounds like such a tight-knit community. Those lifelong connections are rare and special. Having someone who keeps everyone informed is a gift, especially through the tough times. It’s bittersweet, isn’t it? The shared history, the losses—it all weaves together into this complex, beautiful story of your neighborhood.
it is a very nice thing especially since i live in Los Angeles and we are not great with community. i appreciate site your kind words
Thank you Karen!
Andy - Showing up for the kid you were! I love this! :)
And boy do I have a soft spot for cafe's. Thank you for sharing this!
Yes, Bronce, showing up for the kid I was. Being there for him when he needed it most. That’s exactly it. And cafes? They’re like little time capsules, aren’t they? A good cafe can feel like stepping into a memory. Glad this resonated with you! ☕🍰
I really like this idea and I agree. Connecting with your past is a good way to reflect on what mattered to you then. You might want to add this to your future life.
Silke, that is exactly what I'm doing. Reflecting on what mattered then and weaving it into my future is the magic. It’s like taking the best parts of who you were and letting them guide who you’re becoming.
Nice one Andreas!! Yes, I can really relate. There is a magic in these places, where the stories reside of our upbringing and our becoming..I like to just even go back and find the smell's of certain plants, how the light falls into the forest you knew so well. It's like a suitcase of memories. What is hard however, is to see that it has all changed and the soul of that time is gone..
Yes Clau, a suitcase of memories! That’s a beautiful way to put it. And yeah, the change can be tough to see, but maybe it’s less about the soul being gone and more about how we carry it forward, you know? Those smells, that light, they’re still a part of you, and always will be.
And hey, now that you’re back in the country of your birth, it’s like you’ve got time to unpack that suitcase once more and have the chance to rub up against those old, familiar beech trees again. What a gift to reconnect like that. Happy homecoming!🌳❤️