back to my home

[diegoami]

Extract from "Girl with a Pearl Earring" by Tracy Chevalier

I had walked along that street all my life, but had never been so aware that my back was to my home.

What does the expression "that my back was to my home" actually means here ? I cannot make any sense of it


thanks

[Anglika]

Owing to events that are happening now, I was leavinig my past and the world in which I grew up.

[konungursvia]

I was facing away from my home, and leaving behind what I know.