Threaded Between Two Worlds

I recently read a piece on long-term homesickness. It was about more than missing a place — it spoke to missing a version of yourself, of your life, that lives far away now.

Not homesick in the traditional sense. But still, a quiet ache.

I’m not homesick exactly. Life here is full. But sometimes I find myself longing — not just for a place, but for my younger self, for the rhythm of life back home, for accents I don’t have to explain.

I think the word 'community' is one that I feel gravitated to. They say it takes a village to raise a child. That is true. But the village also gently helps the young woman or young man become a parent, and not only that, the best possible parents for that child.

Whether you have children or not it's hard to be the best version of yourself without a village to steer you in the right direction. Humans are wired to be connected to others. Sometimes they'll chew you up and spit you out. Sometimes all you need is a smile from someone who cares.

Maybe that’s why I built North South Stewart. A way to bring the texture of home into my present life. A corner of New Zealand, here in Japan — in wool, in scent, in shared stories. A village of people who care about the same things and about each other. Really just an excuse to bring my people together!

Maybe you feel something like that too — not quite homesick, but carrying a small echo of another life. If so, I hope The Southern Thread feels like a place you can pause and feel it fully — quietly, warmly, and without apology. And if you are local then I warmly welcome you to join the village that we are building around our little shop.

And if your heart tugs toward a different homeland, or a former version of yourself, you’re not alone. This space isn’t only stitched with threads of New Zealand — it’s for anyone who carries a soft ache for elsewhere, for another time, or a place that shaped them. May you find warmth and recognition here, too.

In case you are interested in reading more about homesickness find the six-part series here on The Wellcome Collection.