The Start
For the last 12 years, I have worked tirelessly to get ahead in life, and I finally reached a point where I thought I could relax. However, I discovered that comfort alone doesn't guarantee happiness; sometimes, change is necessary. On August 1st, 2024, I decided to leave my full-time engineering job at Meta to pursue a dream and a different way of life.
As you get to know me and my soul partner Amber, you'll learn about our move to Washington to seek new opportunities and immerse ourselves deeper into nature. Together, we tirelessly scramble over rocky shoals to see starfish, wade in the sound's edge at night to catch bioluminescence, and meander through backwoods farm valleys to see the livestock and crops.
Motivation partly stems from travels across the United States, where witnessing the impact of mass development on local ecosystems has been eye-opening. Open land converted into developments, trees replaced with river rock, and lawns watered daily in desert climates highlight the need for change. Conversations with farmers have deepened our appreciation for their hard work and dedication to the land. There have been unique opportunities to educate and inspire adults who had never experienced natural events due to living far from such environments. A world where nature is appreciated in all its forms is a shared vision.
Aspiring to change our lifestyle to live harmoniously with the land, the goal is to utilize it in natural ways to create a closed-loop, self-sustaining ecosystem. Developing this homestead on a small acreage involves sharing findings and teaching those who are interested. This is a great concept, but is it achievable? Time will tell.
Plans have manifested into reality, and the search for suitable properties has been ongoing. It's surprising how few properties can provide all the necessary resources. Engaging with realtors, examining easements, water setbacks, conservation agreements, water rights, well flow rates, soil samples, and more has been part of the process. Reading the terrain has become easier by observing the silhouette of tree tops through the forest and the diversity of plant life. The slope of the terrain, the surrounding trees, and the presence of plentiful water have been crucial criteria for narrowing down options.
Although the perfect property has been elusive, today presented an opportunity that Amber and I see real potential for as the flagship site. Fingers are crossed that this will work out, and if not, it wasn’t meant to be this time!
Best,
Sean Braxton
Founder