In Today’s Newsletter: My month in Italy with the program Boundless.life & Community building for people who are just learning what that means
Somewhere along the way, someone handed you a map. Why did they hand you this map? If you were to create the map yourself, would it look the same?
I’ve always been intent on doing my own thing.
Even as a mom, my values are the same - to create a life that is flexible and expansive.
Our month in Italy with Boundless.life was part of an experiment. We wanted to test what it looks like to raise a family immersed in different cultures, rhythms and value systems. Boundless provides a school for kids ages 1.5-14, a co-working space for adults, various excursions, and housing if you want it. Honestly like a kid and adult summer camp situation. I loved it.
Here’s why:
🟢 a sense of newness and inspiration
Our program was based in the medieval city Pistoia, about 30 minutes north of Florence. Walking medieval streets, shopping at local markets, and retreating to a mountain villa was IT - it reminded me that daily life can look many different ways.
Our kickass villa was about 20 minutes away from the program base (we found on Tuscan Houses.) We missed some of the day-to-day interactions with our friends but were happy to retreat into our spacious abode. Could I have built deeper relationships if we stayed nearby? Probably so but I am who I am.
🟢 expansive daytime activities for my kids
In the summer months, Boundless reads more like a camp. The kids explored art, history, and built Italian relationships. It’s inspiring that their “map” doesn’t have to be confined to the routines pushed in our particular American culture.
🟢 a group of adults that could become besties
We made unexpected friendships that we will have for many years. I haven’t gotten this close to people so quickly in a while. I think it helped that we were all outside of our typical routine and generally open for anything.
My takeaways:
We should a vision for ourselves, our relationships, our communities and overall society that can give us a new foundation. Perhaps one thats more fun and free?
Meaningful relationships can happen at anytime, they tend to come when you’re doing what you love to be doing.
I’m going to live abroad with my family.
“We need a vision of community that is relevant and future-facing. A vision that brings us closer to one another, allows us to be vulnerable and imperfect, to grieve and stumble, to be held accountable and loved deeply.”
Mia Birdsong
I read How We Show Up by Mia Birdsong and it really helped give language to what I’m wrestling with when it comes to communities that energize me. Some themes that stuck:
The nuclear family is not the only thing to prioritize. In many ways, the traditional family structure was created to support one specific way of life.
Feeling on the outside of any friend group is surprisingly common.
It’s rare to find people and spaces where you can be 100% yourself.
The lost art of dropping by.
Mia reflects on her ideal community setting that creates more meaningful connection but works for her particular neurosis. Here’s mine:
I imagine a bi-weekly Sunday Morning hangout. Anyone can bring friends, relatives or kids but only if they’re openminded and fun. No one is mad if you cancel, and you can decide last minute if you come or not. There is no expectation of a perfect meal or table setting. You can come as you are, whatever mood you are in will do. There will be music playing. Maybe the adults sneak away while the kids settle into a movie.
What’s yours?
Love ya,
Kara
PS - Thought this was interesting - Are organized sports hurting parents ability to build community? via
Thanks for mentioning my work! I’ve heard of boundless life and glad to see you had such a positive experience!
I love when my friends drop by. I also used to host a happy hour at my place on Fridays, which was essentially an open house, and it was a lot of fun.