Since I moved away from my home state of Zurich a year ago, where I’d lived all my life (except for my year in San Francisco) I’ve been thinking a lot about what „having roots“ means to me.
Leaving Zurich meant letting go of my „outer“ roots – but I have a lot of „inner roots“ too that I’ve been able to take along with me. I had to leave behind my old apartment, my neighborhood, people I used to see on an almost daily basis – and at the same time I took along all the connections I’ve grown within.
Friendships, people who are close to me, my relationship with myself – these are all roots that I have stayed with me.
Sure, the logistics of it all has to be rethought. But true connections stay with us, even when we move physically.
That said: I really appreciate that I am feeling more at home where I live now.
Moving here was a big step into literally the unknown, as I hadn’t even heard the name of the village I live in now before and, subsequently, didn’t know anybody here.
Cut to a few weeks ago when I went on vacation and knew my sunflowers and other plants were in safe hands with my lovely neighbors, and when I ran into a couple of neighbors on my way to the bus who asked whether I was going on vacation and wished me happy travels.
Or the other day, on my way back from our local supermarket, I heard someone call my name – it was another neighbor – and we walked back home together.
We never know how things will turn out when we start anew. But we can be open, have visions, and talk to people. Sometimes – probably more often than not – our openness will be reciprocated – and other times not. And that’s okay.
We can’t push or force things – that’s how I prefer to navigate anyway – but we can be present, follow our intuition and our (sometimes changing) vision, and trust that time and circumstances will help new roots grow.
Of course I don’t have the roots yet that I had in Zurich – how could I after just a year? – but I have found lovely connections with my neighbors, enjoy going to the local stores, and absolutely love going for walks in the awesome nature around here. And that’s a lot already.
I think some of the luckiest people are the ones who have found a home within themselves, who have befriended themselves to such a degree that they feel totally at ease with who they are.
The deeply peaceful practice of Qi Gong & Stillness helps us grow inner roots, helps us connect deeply with ourselves and find a home within.
Grounding within ourselves helps us discern between what is ours and what isn’t. This is especially important for highly sensitive people who have a tendency to absorb energies around them. If you know who you are you’ll be able to notice more easily when something enters that is not you.
Come and join me on this beautiful path!
Talking about roots:
My wonderful Shiatsu practitioner, Daniela Zehnder, who is also a physical therapist and Spiraldynamik practitioner, and I have teamed up for a workshop.
It’s called “Meine Füsse – Meine Basis” (“My Feet – My Foundation”) and will take place in her practice in Richterswil by the beautiful Lake Zurich on September 19, 2026.
This afternoon workshop will be held in Swiss German or German, depending on the participants.
Please click here for more details.
We would love to welcome you!