When life gives you lemons….

 

Growing up, I interpreted this cliché saying to mean that life could possibly deal you hardship from time to time. With the knowledge that I have today, I understand that life is the lemon! Depending on one’s mindset, you can take that to mean that you are doomed for life or understand that there is so much beauty and sweetness to come out of the sourest circumstances. I choose the latter and I hope to inspire others to do the same. If you know my story, you understand that seeing life from an optimistic viewpoint has become a part of who I am.  If you do not know my story, I hope to share more of it with you starting today; first by telling you that life has not dealt me an easy hand. However, my hardship has never stopped me from achieving all that I set out to achieve, in my 32-years of living. Today I accept that my journey has not been the easiest because I grasp that it was not in the plan for it to be that way. From young, I knew that God/the universe had big plans for my life. Through some very beautiful experiences, some pain and some struggles (with the most recent being the loss of my beautiful husband Ilya on 12/24/19), my resilience always confirmed this.  Despite the broken heart that I now carry and the daily and uncomfortable challenge to understand the new me, I still somehow find the courage to march on through life, full of passion and purpose.

 

Since losing my dearest love Ilya, life has a different but greater meaning. As the person who was left behind to be the glue to hold our family together, I had to reassess many things in my life including my way of living. The weight of grief made me crave solitude, simplicity, nature, and greater spiritual connection that would restore my faith and hope. My grief journey also allowed me to reminisce on a dream that came to me while backpacking abroad with my dearest love, in places that brought us the greatest peace and freedom. That dream is the reason for my presence on this platform today; to share more about my story and my vision, to summons the support needed to bring this dream to life. For the last four years, it has been my wish to begin an intentional living commune where I and other residents could live in unity, prioritizing things such as a unique/tribal sense of community, balanced and healthier dieting, farming, gardening, a village approach in the rearing and education of children within the commune, and more. Through a minimalist way of living, residents within such a community would be better able to foster a deeper connection to self, soul, earth, and community. I daydreamed this community after being inspired in markets, parks, and communities around the world where life felt simple and free. I continued to daydream after years of witnessing how capitalist principles and societies create challenges to living balanced and healthy lives. I have since witnessed how the current economy and national state of affairs has created even greater challenges for people to live simple, happy, healthy lives; a realization that motivates me more than ever before to make an attempt to bring about change. Homelessness, unemployment, and compromised health due to stress are three significant problems and stressors in our country that weigh heavily on individuals and families. They are things that I hope to improve for people like me, friends, and family through this project while giving people around the nation a unique idea to replicate. I know that this project will not be easy, but I am committed to what it takes to see it through, and I pray for strength and patience daily. The Millennial Mom Intentional Living Community is my dedicated effort at an innovative solution to some of the hardships that impact people like me.

 

The Millennial Mom Intentional Living Community will be a place that prioritizes social cohesion, homeschooling, outdoor learning and exploration, spiritual elevation, holistic health, gardening, farming, meditation, yoga, and so much more. I have outlined a plan detailing how such a village would sustain itself; a plan that I continue to update regularly as I research and connect with individuals who are helping me to push this effort forward. I am currently in the fundraising phase for this project with an end goal of $300,000 which I hope to exceed. Funds raised from supporters will be used towards a 2023/2024 land purchase (I am greatly considering a farmland purchase which would help a local farmer who was negatively impacted by COVID), the development/purchase of 8-12 tiny home/mobile homes purchases for commune residents, the development of a community space to be used for homeschooling and events that can generate income for the village, resources for the community, and more. Through my website's email list, I am sending out information regarding this project to identify potential residents, funders, and other collaborators. I have outlined a 4-year plan to execute this project and based on the current timeline, my goal is to raise a minimum of $273 daily. I have jumpstarted fundraising two months early, giving me a good start to this venture.  Take a look at what my friends and I have raised thus far. I am excited for what is to come and know that through a collaborative effort, the MMILC can succeed. 

If what I have shared interests you, please consider sharing this fundraiser, donate to this cause, or connect with me if you have an interest to be a part of this collaboration in another way. When life gives us lemons, we can become hopeless because of the hand that we were dealt or find ways to rise above, get creative, and create something beautiful. I am doing my part through this project and seeking a powerful and supportive team to join me!

 

Visit my website www.amilimom.com to subscribe and receive future updates about this venture. Find information about donors, donation tiers, and gifts/awards for sponsors and donors, in the months ahead. Connect with me on social media and email me with questions, feedback, and well wishes.  Thank you for coming by to learn about this project that is near and dear to my heart.

All the best in these uncertain times,

Tea Pakanayeva

@amillennial_mom (Instagram)
Email: [email redacted]