10 Comments

“I’m most interested in building a life that balances both: one in which roots don’t restrain; they stabilize.” These might be the words I’ve been in search of for a very long time. Enjoyed reading this so much.

Expand full comment

Lori, thank you! So happy these words resonated with you. Before they hit me, I think I’d been looking for the same idea for a long time too. 💗

Expand full comment

❤️❤️❤️

Expand full comment

Are you in Nash? We are birthdaying this weekend.

Expand full comment

You know I’ll be there! Party of the century.

Expand full comment

Great piece! Loved the term “desire paths.” And the idea of changing your identity to make it easier on others — and the consequence of that — is really nuanced and interesting.

Expand full comment

Thank you, Amy! I spent many hours down the "desire path" Wikipedia rabbit hole after learning that term and now I notice them everywhere.

Expand full comment

Thalia taught me the term “desire paths” a few months ago (I forget where she picked it up) and I thought it was so cool. What a beautiful descriptor! I loved seeing it surface here.

Expand full comment

I love when you find out there's an official name for something you've seen *everywhere* like that. Highly satisfying!

Expand full comment

I realized when reading your essay that I do this as well re. My hometown of Philadelphia. Now I say I’m from San Diego since it’s the last place I’ve lived and I don’t want to be asked about cheesesteaks and rude football fans.

Expand full comment