Refuge

[EloquentPhoenix]

I was just thinking about all my different refuges, and decided it was nice to share. Because mine are so important to me and I really need my me and alone time else I don't function very well without it. And in my refuges I'm really happy just with my own thoughts. Or not with my thoughts as the case may be. So where is/are your refuge/s?

Mine are:

My bedroom - It's my space where I can just sit and stare out of the window if I want to where I can just have my own thoughts.

Here - expecially when other people are getting me down, I come on here because here everyone is generally nice, supportive and don't do pathetic things that can make other people feel like shit or annoy them.

Reading - Either a book or fanfiction in which I can lose myself in someone else's world.

Writing - Ever since I've started doing it I've found it very therapeutic to my moods as I can write different styles, or even just not being part of real life and creating something that isn't anyone elses. (Even if it is really Jo's.)

Music - Best refuge, sometimes, like if I'm feeling particularly annoyed by others it is nice to play Bon Jovi's It's My Life very loudly

Outside - Alone outside with my dog used to be a favourite, but I can enjoy it just as much by myself. Especially somewhere no one else at all is and the countryside is nice. I like the peace I get from that. It's best for me on a summer's evening, an early spring morning, an autumn afternoon but I'm not too keen on winter... Nice in the snow just before it goes dark I suppose.

So yeah, if yours are important too, share them. Since it's nice to think about them. And new refuges I can try would be cool

[emeraldeyes]

I really like this thread. It's a good one, and makes me think about my refuges.

Pentwater--I wrote about it in Of Rocks & Algae because it's a place that has a calming effect on me. I love it there, and I get a lot of ideas and relief from just seeing it. Shall I elaborate? On the boathouse, on the pier, on the dock, on the junglejim.. On the beach.

My room--It's soothing, and no one usually bothers me when I'm tucked on my bed with my computer.

This site--Does it need explaination?

Music--Mostly when I play my flute. Seeing the black ink against the paper is like coming home, and I can let out all my feelings through playing.

My Secret Xanga--Don't ask for it; you can't have it. It's almost like a journal for me, which is good, because I'm much better at being online and typing than keeping notes on paper. I can be my, without pretense, and without censure.

That's about it, I think.. Again, I really love this idea. It's a great one, and I'm glad to know I'm not the only one who finds that this site has a calming effect. FF.net, on the other hand... -eye roll-

[lessfudgit]

emeraldeyes said:

I really like this thread. It's a good one, and makes me think about my refuges.

Pentwater--I wrote about it in Of Rocks & Algae because it's a place that has a calming effect on me. I love it there, and I get a lot of ideas and relief from just seeing it. Shall I elaborate? On the boathouse, on the pier, on the dock, on the junglejim.. On the beach.

Me too.

Music is my only other refuge.

I have uh...hold on lemme check...

1018 songs on iTunes that I listen to. Puts me in different moods. Happy, sad, whatever.

[Stoneygem]

Nice thread

the house of my friends - hanging out, bitching, home made capuccino, neverending amount of food, them and their two year old son - bestest place on earth these days (I'm so glad i'm staying around)

chatting with my bestest buddy - losing ourselves in our own world, chatting, reading and writing

Ipod - definitely....a good 1400 songs and a few videos....happy, happy, happy place

Puter or Laptop - anywhere i can read fanfic

BED!!!!!!

Classroom - I'm happy with my classes...I love them and life is easy there, even if i they are little sods

There are more...but i think those are a lot already...

[alison]

Nice topic--it's a good thing to think about. I love art museums, especially the National Gallery and the High Museum. Also bookstores; it's nice to lose yourself in rows of books, especially in independent bookstores. My favourite is one that's an antebellum home turned bookstore. Every room is just wall-to-wall bookshelves, and you never know what you'll find. I also love walking along the water's edge. Music is also a good refuge, whether playing or listening. Of course my bedroom, when I want to be alone. Reading, dancing, or rowing are also good alone-time things.

[prodigyviolin101]

I really think this thread is a great idea as well.

Me refuges are:
Of course my room because well it's MINE!

My former neighbor's house (they were like grandparents to me)


My mind, I can refelect on things in there.


My music :Somehow I also end up playing a rock version of Greensleeves on the violin 'If any are able to picture it'

And those are my safety places.

[childminerva]

My room. My most vital refuge.
Books.
My fanfiction.
My cd player (soon to be ipod!)
Here-because i can discuss shipping ideas here that everyone else thinks is silly.

[Jessabelle]

My Cottage
Chatting with my confidante
Swimming in the lake at my cottage or sitting on the dock after dinner
Reading
Music
This Site

[mcgonagallrocks]

This site
My sites
My cousions house
Reading
Music

(Stoneygem I love that banner.)

[childminerva]

Speaking of retreats-I will be 18 in October and my mom told me that as a birthday present she would rent a small cottage near our house for a few days around my birthday so that I could have time to read and be alone. She said the cottage would also be a great place to write. I've been inside and I think it would be the perfect place for me to get away and think. There's a tiny loft that would be perfect for me to sit and write in. That would be the ideal gift for me-the gift of a retreat.

[osusprinks]

That sounds like an amazing birthday present!

My refuges:

~My Church Camp. I went there as a camper when I was 12 until I was 18, and I have been back every summer for a week as a counselor. Where I live is only about 20 miles away from the camp, which is in the middle of no where in the woods. I love to go there when no one else is around and relax. It's beautiful.

~My best girl friend's house. She lives with her little sister and brother and they are all like family to me. We always have so much fun together and at the same time can really discuss anything openly and honestly. I love to pop in while they aren't there and do the dishes. I don't know why but it is very therapeutic for me.

~Reading. I love to learn so I read all the time. I love nonfiction, but I love fiction as well. Within the last couple years I have become addicted to fan fiction also. I don't write well or often, so I am all the more amazed at how you all write so well, so quickly, and have the courage to share!

~Campus. I go to The Ohio State University and I absolutely love to sit on campus on a bench anywhere and read, pray, daydream, or just people watch. It's such a big campus (2nd largest in the USA) that it is very easy to not run into people and to find places to be by yourself and watch the world run by.

~Music. I love music of all kinds. Country, Christian, Rap, Rock, Alternative, Hip Hop, R&B, Funk, Blues, Jazz, Big Band, Soul. You name it and I probably will love it. I'm also really big into musicals. I love the power music has to change your mood and your outlook.

~My boyfriend. Adam and I started dating in high school 7 years ago and we were friends before that. He is my best friend. I literally tell him everything. I have never felt so special or loved as I do when I am with him. When I am feeling down or screw up I know that he will always be there to lift me up. It's a wonderful feeling.

~God. I believe that God has my whole life in His hands, which doesn't stop me from crying out thinking 'WHAT THE HECK IS GOING ON HERE???' lol I believe that no matter what is going on in my life, good or bad, God is there for me. It's also a wonderful feeling.

[Tabby67]

Oh, you asked a big question. I got a big answer. Bare with me people, I live in the middle of nowhere. I have lots of options.

Behind the wheel - I LOVE grabbing the keys to my Le Sabre (Well, my sister's and mine. Have to share. ) and driving around our property. I can go however fast I want and scream as loud as I want.

In my bedroom - My bedroom holds good memories. (Not THAT kind!) And I can always lock the world out when I need to.

My laptop - Anything to do with me laptop is peaceful for me. Writing, reading, listening to music, or watching my screensaver slide show. It calms me.

My guitar - I love to be able to grab my Gibson-Ephiphone electric and my amp, and lock myself in my room, playing as loud as I want. I've written a few songs that way.

My piano - Well, technically it's a keyboard, but it's one of the really nice ones. I can play her like there's no tomorrow and feel so much better.

Listening to music - Most music will calm me, but give me a good book , a cup of coffee, and a classical CD and I'll be asleep in 10 minutes flat. That's very calming. ;D

This site - I can come here and say what I need to say to yall, and get emotional support for it. It helps me a lot. Thank yall. ;D

Crying - Just letting it all out helps me a lot too. I'll go in a room, all alone, pop a CD in and cry. I almost always feel better after I do.

God - Well...God and I have a very rocky past. He stole my father's voice, his way of praise, and crushed him. I hated God for a few weeks for doing this to him. I'll explain in another thread.

Singing - Singing has always helped me pull through things. I'll walk up and down my driveway, singing with whatever CD I happen to have in my player at the moment. It helps calm me.

My boyfriend - He...wow...He makes me feel like no other has. I feel so comfortable around him and so wanted and loved. He holds me when I cry and kisses the pain away. Just being in his presence make me feel better. He in general makes me feel good about myself and my being. He is phenominal. I don't have to impress him, but just be myself and act normal around him. He doesn't care.

Ok, I think that's all for me. If I have more, I will certainly add them when they come to mind. ;D

~Branda~