On belonging, authenticity, and people who just f*king get it
Sooo… is anyone else missing the hardcore community vibes we started with? Somehow over the last few years, we've not necessarily lost that, but have definitely let other things take up the time we used to pour into fostering just a really chill, very sweary, slightly unhinged space of belonging. Yeah… no more. Let's get back to our roots and remember that at the end of the day, it's about connections. It's about how we make people feel, and it's about creating a space where people feel seen, heard, important, and fucking valued. So if you haven't heard that enough lately, YOU BELONG HERE.
Over the weekend, I had the chance to hang with one of my very favorite found families - the people who call themselves Bramily. (Any Brandi Carlile fans here?) Not only is Brandi crazy-talented, she represents all of the weirdos, outcasts, and underdogs so well. She has somehow built a community of the most kind, inclusive, creative, weird and wonderful people out there, and it reminded me how damn valuable that sense of belonging really is. When people feel comfortable being their most authentic selves, something really beautiful happens.
Anyone who's ever felt different, excluded, marginalized, or undervalued knows how exhausting it can be to be in a constant state of masking - of trying to just fit in as well as possible, second guessing the things you say, the way you present yourself. And (hopefully) they also know how absolutely freeing and affirming it can be to finally find a community of people who just fucking get it. Who say the hell with "normal" - let's be authentic instead, whatever that looks like for you. And when you free up all that wasted energy you've poured into masking, that's when the magic happens. Now you have all of that energy to pour into something else. Something that excites your soul and makes you feel MORE instead of less.
That's the goal here, pals. That's what we want for you. For all of us. A safe space to just be. To feel like people get it. Because WE DO. We've found that as scary as vulnerability can be, it's also empowering as hell, because you realize that other people RELATE. It breaks down barriers and helps us feel closer, more connected. It heals. And THAT is exactly what we need more of.
So buckle up, buttercups. We're bringing back the community vibes in a big way, and hope you know you're all welcome and wanted here.
"I know the darkness pulls on you
But it's just a point of view
When you're outside looking in
You belong to someone
And when you feel like giving in
Or the coming of the end
Like your heart could break in two
Someone loves you."
- lyrics from Looking Out by Brandi Carlile
