But first, a welcome message from me, Brooke, your Behere (pronounced “Be Here”) cofounder…
When I was little, I used to get very attached to our family cars. When my family would sell a vehicle, I would definitely grieve the loss for a hot minute. As a modern society, we spend a lot of times in cars. While car time is something I try to limit, it’s still an ever-present part of life today. Like me, my kids are sad to see our van go. Freeda, the van, has provided a real sense of home the last couple of months.
There is something comforting about hopping into the family car, full of its things and tuned to the radio stations that bring us joy. It feels like home. And because our vehicle doubles as a temporary abode, it really feels like home.
But the time has come to say goodbye to Freeda (listing here) to liquidate the funds we need to hire help, purchase appliances and finish the tiny home. We just can’t YouTube our way through some of these final tasks. Our landlord called my husband “Slomo” regarding his progress on the tiny home. But in his defense, you can’t judge a fish on its ability to fly. Our gifts are best utilized in other ways. But this experience has taught me the value of teaching our kids the importance of trade skills and making sure they’re as much good thinkers and writers, as resourceful, hands-on builders and makers.
I rest in the peace that our needs are always covered day by day. We will have our home. We’re closer than we’ve ever been, but we’re also incredibly humbled and SO ready for some help! Come on by, grab a tool. I’ll give you healthy food and clean-crafted wine, or take your kids for a day of nature fun! Let’s barter.
But alas, places and structures aren’t homes, and I’ll go further to say, “home is not just where the heart is.” Heart implies love and warmth. Sometimes home is also a place where we grow and deal with pain and hardship, but mostly, home is a place where things feel familiar and expected. When people say “feels like home.” I think they’re really saying, “this feels familiar.”
At home, your brain doesn’t have to work so hard to process your surroundings. While I love to be inspired and challenged, there is so much value in going on autopilot. Home gives you the capacity to move in an unthinking flow and build a reserve to take on the outside world or less-familiar territories. When at its best, home is a sanctuary and place to fill up your tanks.
Home is a place where peace and chaos can co-exist within minutes of each other. For us, sibling rivalry is at its most high when we’re trapped inside four walls, and it always dissipates when we get outside in nature.
Home is a state of being, not just a space.
As we journey on our “homeless-ish” summer of living in vans, parent’s guest rooms, airstreams, we’re finding our “home” more than ever in other rituals and rhythms; the importance of those morning cuddles, drinking coffee slow and ending days with our nighttime mud and fireside chats whenever we can. It’s been a special time with a lot of friends, camping vibes (and dirt).
Speaking of dirt, thank God for the full re-opening of the YMCA. My kids are currently in the kid zone while I write this. We will be taking full advantage of the pools (and showers) here! I’m sure we’re exactly the caliber of members the Westlake Y was expecting - (cue The Beverly Hillbillies theme song as we roll through the entrance doors). But what a wonderful opportunity to participate and learn from all of the YMCA’s services and amenities so we can bring another YMCA-like, open air solution to the community via BeHere.
While we’re making the best of our situation and creating the comforts of home in many unique ways, I’m also looking forward to having a physical space to call home again, one place to store all our things, to sleep, cook, and bathe all under the same roof and pivot from task to task with ease. That’s why I love Tiny living, everything is within arms reach and things clean up fast. I am a master at single-room and camper van/airsteam living!
I know many of you reading this don’t “feel at home” right now and perhaps you are aching for community. Maybe your blood family doesn’t understand you, or you’ve grown in different directions from old friends. Everywhere you go, you’re surrounded by this said “Community” via your neighborhoods, schools, churches, sports teams, etc, all of them full of people but most void of true community. Community doesn’t just happen. It gets created.
If you’re an entrepreneur or an independent worker, you know how lonely this life path can be. Compound that with the decision to raise and educate your kids unconventionally and you may feel even more isolated. But when you do find your people, it’s the most beautiful tribe.
At Behere, we’re on a mission to help people live less hurried lives supported by community and nature. If the mission of Behere calls to you, come join our tribe. We need you here!
Calling all founding family members, alternative educators, investors, and other wellness service providers…. your new home away from home awaits!
Love,
-Brooke
Brooke Lawler is a co-founder of Behere, a co-working space meets outdoor enrichment solution for independent workers and learners, launching Summer 2023. Contact Brooke at Brooke@behere.re