Getting to Know Barbara

We’re so excited to share another Lulalu Lady of the Month. Every month, we get to know a special Lulalu Lady and learn about the impact she’s making in her community...

Today, we’d like to introduce you to Barbara!

"I’m Barbara, mom, beekeeper, tiny house dweller, novelist and author of The Locust Crown. I’ve been single for 20 years. Today, I’m content with my life, but it wasn’t always this way. I married at 23, followed by motherhood and two kids. The marriage ended badly after 15 years. 

Divorced, two kids and terrified to be alone. It didn’t officially hit me until my kids grew up and left the nest that the house became an isolated wasteland. It became real. I was alone. Terrified and alone. 

I haphazardly made a vow to LOVE MYSELF. It thrust me into a journey of self-discovery that would completely upend and alter the landscape of my life, body, soul, mind and spirit. 

Fast forward, 20 years. I love the woman I am today. Every flaw, every scar, every battle I’ve fought to get here. It’s been 15 years since I’ve went on a date. Back then, I thought for sure I’d be married by now. I remember saying, “If the right man comes along—it will happen but if it doesn’t, I’ll wear my crown of content.” Not really believing it would be 15 years later. But I still believe if it happens, so be it. Until then, I’m busy loving myself and growing. 

This way of thinking has opened up my life to experiences I wouldn’t have had otherwise. I learned to journal and write. I learned photography and herbalism and became a beekeeper. I took a leap of faith, confronted my fears of traveling solo by booking two trips, Iceland and Ireland. What a ride! 

I decided to downsize in order to have more money, time, and space in my life to do the things I love; which was to live simple, write my novels and travel the world. I gave away half the stuff I owned, clothing, furniture, household items. I sold my home and learned carpentry from my father. With his help, and others, we built a 500 square foot tiny farmhouse from rough cut sawmill pine and old pieces I’ve collected over the years. I repurposed everything I had to fit inside the farmhouse to avoid waste. It features an open living area, kitchen and wood stove. A writing room which leads to an outdoor screened porch. A bathroom which also functions as a dressing room, closet and laundry. There is an upstairs sleeping loft and library with a staircase that also functions as bookshelves for my reading habit. The whole build costs less than 40k. Inside and out. I’m so proud of it. What started as scribbles on scrap paper and a vision in my head, is now a living reality. I’m living my dream of being a writer inside my little farmhouse while beehives hum in the yard surrounded by a garden of green leafy herbs and billowing flowers. 

I’m living proof you can overcome your struggles, find purpose, maintain good mental health and live a life of balance and simplicity. Put on your crown ladies. Be content. The light will come. It's possible for everyone no matter where you are in life. 

Adding to the simplicity of my life is my newfound obsession, LulaLu bras. Being a petite woman with small breasts, I found it almost impossible to find a bra that fit me. Until now. My favorite of the collection is the Delilah Cotton Wireless T-Shirt bra. It’s soft, comfortable and like wearing nothing at all. It doesn’t dig or bind and the fit is like it was made for me. It’s my go-to bra for just about everything."

Do you, or someone you know, have a story to tell? Send us message, we want to hear from you!

stories@lulalu.com