Do you prefer being a big fish in a lake or a small fish in an ocean? Personally, I'd like to be a gull. While the pike fish is the local master, he would feel lost in the enormous ocean. For a clownfish fish that will never be able to see the whole ocean, landing in a lake would feel like a salt-free prison. It's time to wonder about what type of fish you are!
Master of the region
If your birthplace, schools, friends and jobs are all located within a 100km radius, you're probably a pike fish. You can name most of the streets, you have developed a list of the best restaurants, you know the best and worst regional sports clubs. Even though you are exposed to the world thanks to the internet, you easily put it aside to enjoy a deeper connection with your physical surroundings that you've known for years and that has known you back for years as well.
Wanderer of the world
Once you're starting to live outside of your original place, time shifts your attachment to your environment and its meaning to you. Given you've studied in another city for a few years then worked aboard as well, your home region gives you nostalgia more than it makes you feel at home. That's the clownfish syndrome, you're lucky enough to see the world at the cost of your connection to your origins, you'll become more of a stranger every year. Attachment dilutes.
Spread your wings
Even though you can't be get the upsides of both fishes, you can get pretty close by going for a gull-like lifestyle that can manifest itself in these two manners: slowly growing your definition of local from city to region to country to continent and having a fixed base spot and travel often with other gulls for short periods of time By doing so, you keep a strong local bond while still having the opportunity to explore the world. It requires intent and to chose your base well, otherwise travel becomes more of an escape than a pleasure.