Elaine Patterson’s HOMECOMINGS: 52 Ways Back to Ourselves is a valuable resource for anyone seeking balance in today’s hectic world. Originally conceived as personal journal entries during the COVID lockdowns in the UK, Patterson has transformed her work into a series of reflections—each offering a unique path back to what matters most. This journey, as Patterson notes in her forward foreword, “can be as frustrating and elusive as it is enriching,” but HOMECOMINGS is less about a definitive destination and all about embracing the open-ended process.
Patterson notes that HOMECOMINGS is “not a fast book but one to feast on.” There are no quick-fix solutions and overnight transformation promises to be found here. Instead, the book offers something way more valuable: a companion. Organized into three thematic sections, with each chapter focusing on a vital word “for living that began with the letter S,” the format works equally well as a cover-to-cover read or as a selective resource for addressing specific needs in the moment. Where many self-help books tend to deal in vague platitudes or overly rigid prescriptions, Patterson manages to find a good middle ground—balancing accessibility with insight: “We are rarely one extreme or another, but a mixed bag of both. To befriend our shadow is to understand how to live on the shifting frontier of light and dark and learn how to inhabit both.”
The major selling point here is the practical application. For instance, when discussing creativity and imagination in “Symbols—and Sideways Thinking,” Patterson offers a pearl of wisdom that any artist will find helpful: “Often, our imaginations are best approached gently and obliquely, invited to play rather than be clumsily commanded into action.” The “Songlines” exercises concluding each chapter translate philosophical ideas into concrete actions through journaling prompts and questions for reflection. From contemporary issues like getting enough sleep in the smart-phone era to the lifelong challenge of aging with grace, these exercises help bridge the gap between daily routine and abstract concepts.
It’s also worth noting that HOMECOMINGS is a beautiful package in practically every way. Every component, from the cover art to the font choice, screams attention to detail. Of course, it all comes down to the content inside, and Patterson delivers with substance that matches style. Famous (as well as not-so-famous) quotes and numerous citations abound, adding an air of credibility to the author’s approach and demonstrating the depth of research behind her insights.
With its blend of philosophical depth and practical application, Elaine Patterson’s HOMECOMINGS: 52 Ways Back to Ourselves is an essential resource for anyone seeking to live more authentically in an increasingly disconnected world.
~James Weiskittel for IndieReader