The Final Root

this piece was constructed from notes people left at the roots launch party. some are where we find our roots, some are people who root us, some are how we root ourselves. all are words. because it’s the words that root us. it’s the words that connect us. it’s your words that connect us. you gave us your words and here we give them back to you. separately your words mean something. together, they mean something else.

creativity. connection. collaboration.

roots.

  where do you feel most at home?
 
 
 my bedroom
  home is within you
 it doesn’t matter where i am,
  but it matters who i’m with!
 or anywhere in nature…preferably with music
  in my kitchen
  with my mum
  where i can put potatoes?
 surrounded by people i love
  with my boyfriend
  in her arms
 with my family in the living room
  anywhere i am truly alone
  and no one is watching me
 
  in bed
  in paris
  with the cats
 meow
  reading a book
  in my bed
  co – op
 my living room
  in london,
  watching strictly with mum
  with my friends
  in a field
  with my mum + sister
  (+ the dog)
  with friends + family,
  wherever we are
  in the arms of
 my best friend
 genuinely when i am surrounded by people i love
  not feeling worried about how i’m being perceived
  but existing
  home is where the heart is
  swansea!!!
  by the sea
  watching a TV show
 with my mates in their bedrooms
  scotland
  halifax
 
 
 basement
  listening to music
 outdoors
  leeds
  when i’m mixing my friend circles
  … or my dog

 
  who do you most admire?
  my dad
  keith richards
  michelle obama
  viv westwood 4 lyfe
  my mum
  shrek
  (get outa my swap)
  my parents
  kurt cobain
 my nana
 early anti-colonialists
 in the global south
 my boyfriend
 also, my bf
 my mum,
  for doing the things no one else is willing to do.
  people with confidence
 my beautiful insanely
 hot
  and talented
  friends! (
 my mum
 bringing up me
  + my sister
  on her own
 my dad
  – for beating cancer and still being his funniest self throughout it all.
 my mother,
  who moved from iran to england at the age of 16
 without her parents
  and just her two brothers
  and established herself as a computer science graduate turned self employed boss lady
  and is the strongest person I know
  i admire so many people.
 my mum has been a rock to me
  & her determination,
  passion
  and drive inspires me daily.
 on another note my partner
  in what they have faced
  & the optimism
  & love they show
 all my friends for how they tackle life’s challenges.
 the people around me because they inspire me to be my best self
 artists who do something new

and my dad
 your mum

  what do you like most about yourself?
 my resilience to change
 my creativity
  jeremy corbyn
 my loyalty and my hair
  i like going out of my way to make friends happy
 my drive
  my smile
  my legs
 my humour
 my creative mind
  my fashion sense
  / music taste
  my instagram
  forgiving
 my smile
  + warmth
  my friends
  sense of adventure
 my sensitivity
  shoulder blades
  and
  collarbones
 i’m really funny when i’m around people i’m truly comfortable with
  i love 2 read
 my positivity
  i think I’m kind
  and make people feel comfortable
  and comforted.
 i think i’m quite patient
 my warmth
  – my ability to make a person feel like they belong.
 i love my ability to give advice
  i love smiling, like a proper teeth out grin.
  my fat fanny xx
  everything !!
 my open-mindedness
  my body
 and my convo
  my boobs
 my fucking resilience
  in this spiral we call life
 i love how my brain works
  like how i process info
  specifically how i give advice to people i love most.
 always try my best
 i am v adaptable

and warm hearted
  my eyes
 my will + determination

Opening words: Julia Brookes

Image credit: Grace Norman