One might romantically (tragically or not, depending on the perspective) claim that roots will always remain independent of human will. These internal roots manifest externally—language use, cultural habits, family, memories... Does your history come to an end when you move to a foreign country, or does it keep growing regardless of where you are?
What does it mean to "sever ties"?
"To end a relationship definitively." "To turn the page for good." "To break off a relationship permanently." "To cease all contact." "To disappear from someone's life." All these definitions point to an act that seems irreversible. They also suggest a relationship. Severing ties is often about leaving someone considered harmful. The situation is not a happy one. The phrase typically refers to escaping a toxic situation or relationship.
Does this imply that one's home country can be a toxic environment? Does severing ties mean fleeing? Often associated with irresponsibility, fleeing is defined as "avoiding a difficulty." Commonly, people talk about "fleeing responsibilities." However, fleeing can be life-saving, such as for preserving mental health or saving one's life. It also allows for reflection on the reasons for leaving. Some people might feel close to home while being far away from it. Hence, the question: is it truly possible to sever ties forever with your home country?
Home country and family roots: Can you ever separate?
What aspects of your home country cause suffering? What extent of pain could prompt such a drastic decision? Digging into one's family environment often provides answers. Isn't the family essentially the first state? One's home country is often depicted through childhood memories, family stories, and personal anecdotes. In this sense, you're not actually leaving the country, but a specific environment. The suffering can be so intense that individuals prefer to cross continents and oceans and never return to their origins. Others sever ties to avoid repeating destructive family patterns—the infamous cycles that recur generation after generation. They are convinced that leaving the country might break these chains.
But are these chains truly broken forever? In some cases, geographical distance allows for reflection and awareness. Such necessary distance can facilitate the mending of family ties. However, this doesn't necessarily mean returning to one's home country. Sometimes, new bonds are only sustained by this geographical distance. Returning can reawaken past sufferings. A physical break (no more contacts, calls, etc.) isn't always sufficient. In other cases, restored bonds may allow for closer contact or even a return, temporarily or permanently, to the home country.
The weight of traditions
The traditions of one's home country can also prompt a definitive departure. Consider traditions that confine rather than liberate an individual, such as enforced marriages or career paths, or bans on pursuing education or employment. When all paths seem blocked, leaving might appear as the only option. But this doesn't necessarily mean cutting ties completely. The weight of traditions shouldn't always be linked to family. While it might manifest within the family, support may come from family members, but national laws may prevent personal fulfillment. In this scenario, one might detach from the framework (the home country) but not necessarily sever all ties with every aspect of it. One might still appreciate the culture and maintain family connections. One might even return to revisit loved ones.
Thus, it's not a definitive break that erases all ties with the home country. Nor is it a uniform hatred of the country that causes suffering. Ideally, people wish for laws and norms to change to encourage them to stay. The roots remain, even if one never returns to live in the home country.
Do we truly sever all ties forever with our home country?
"Forever" suggests no return. No one has seen the future, so it's hard to predict the steadfastness of such a declaration. Sometimes, as mentioned earlier, the pain associated with the home country may indeed prevent any return. In other cases, one might wish to confront the home country to heal buried wounds. There are no umbilical cords to the home country, but memories linger—in photos, family features, familiar neighborhoods, etc. It's impossible to definitively answer whether a "forever" break is possible. It's also impossible to answer for everyone. Leaving might solve the problem. But problems know no borders and might follow even after what was thought to be a final break. Leaving might also pave the way for a better return. That's why decisions to sever ties should not be made impulsively. Instead, they deserve deep reflection. After all, one can always change their mind.
