Heart is Where the Home is

Among alterhumans, a common feeling seems to be that certain places, imagery, objects, and music evoke a sensation not unlike heartedness. As with heartedness, these places and items feel familiar and integral, but are not things one identifies as. They may not even feel like places that one is from.
 
Nevertheless, such imagery resonates with such familiarity that it can be considered an aspect of one’s identity. @vagabondwyrm suggested the term ‘hearthome’ for this phenomenon in the Alt + H Discord server; the term was broadly agreed upon as a good descriptor.

The feeling of hearthome can vary widely. For some, it is a fictional universe that reminds one of home, but which one has never lived in. For others, real places may evoke a similar feeling; something about them resonates with one’s sense of self.

For a personal example, I feel a strong connection with Skyrim of the Elder Scrolls series. It feels like somewhere I could be from, but to my knowledge I have no kin- or hearttypes from that universe. Nevertheless, it is somewhere that feels like home. I therefore consider it a hearthome.

As we learn more about others’ experiences with feelings of hearthomes, our understanding will likely evolve, and a more solid definition be given. If you have any questions, clarifications, or experiences of your own that you’d like to share, please reach out to us!