A Year of Gratitude: 132 Blogs and Counting

A Year of Gratitude: 132 Blogs and Counting

When I pressed “publish” on my very first blog on August 25, 2024, I had no idea the journey it would spark. What began as a simple effort to share the vision of Gratitude Village has blossomed into a year-long exploration of our cohousing community in Colorado. Today, with this post, we reach Blog #132—a milestone that feels worth celebrating. Over the past twelve months, we’ve written about intentional community living, eco-friendly cohousing design, and affordable housing solutions. Each blog has reflected our mission while connecting with readers who are searching for something more—a place to belong, live sustainably, and thrive together.

Looking back, one of the strongest threads has been the idea of belonging. Early on, I wrote about the loneliness epidemic and how intentional community living can be a remedy, offering not just proximity but genuine connection. From there, we explored what it means to play together, share meals, celebrate holidays, and raise children side by side. Families like the Millers and Williamses stepped into our storytelling, showing how cohousing for families in Colorado can nurture both kids and parents. These stories reminded us that Gratitude Village isn’t only about buildings or green design—it’s about the bonds that make life richer and more joyful.

Another recurring theme has been sustainability—a pillar of Gratitude Village from day one. We’ve taken deep dives into permaculture and edible landscaping, composting, xeriscaping, greywater systems, and green roofs. We’ve highlighted how eco-friendly cohousing can make Net Zero housing possible, even near Denver’s busy west corridor. Our “Sustainable Dreamer” series offered readers practical steps, from reusable bags to community composting, while showing how an entire neighborhood can live lighter on the planet. Sustainability has never been a side note in these posts—it’s been central to our vision of building a community that respects both people and the earth.

We’ve also talked often about affordability—because community living must be accessible to people across income levels if it’s going to fulfill its promise. We’ve explored mixed-income housing models like Community Land Trusts and deed-restricted homes, and we’ve looked at cooperative financing that reduces barriers to homeownership. Our blogs on affordable sustainable housing also examined the economics of belonging—where sharing resources like cars, childcare, and tools helps households save thousands each year while living more abundantly. We even wrote about rental options that bridge the gap between renting and buying, showing that cohousing can welcome long-term renters as full participants in the village.

Another rich set of conversations has centered on shared spaces. From the very beginning, we invited readers to imagine a cohousing neighborhood where the Common House kitchen bustles with laughter, the hearth room fills with books and conversation, and the makerspace hums with creativity. These blogs highlighted eco-friendly neighborhood designs that include playgrounds, teen lounges, coworking spaces, guest suites, gardens, and even the possibility of a natural swimming pool. They weren’t just descriptions of architecture—they were invitations to dream about what daily life could feel like in a community designed with intention. The enthusiastic responses confirmed that shared spaces resonate deeply with people longing for connection.

Of course, governance and collaboration became another recurring theme. We explored consensus and sociocracy in cohousing, not as abstract systems but as practical ways to co-create clarity and trust. We showed how collaborative governance can reduce conflict, amplify every voice, and turn decision-making into an act of belonging. These posts reminded readers that cohousing is more than shared meals—it’s shared responsibility and shared power. As one reader put it, “You made governance sound like an act of connection, not bureaucracy.” That insight reflects exactly what we hope to live out in Gratitude Village.

Beyond these themes, the blog has also become a space for storytelling. We’ve celebrated holidays like Halloween, shared what a day in the life of cohousing might look like in Jefferson County, and lifted up the voices of future members. We’ve introduced families, couples, and individuals who are excited about moving into a multigenerational cohousing community and highlighted how each person brings unique gifts. We’ve also written about the ripple effects cohousing can have on surrounding neighborhoods—how affordable housing in Colorado can be paired with sustainability, creating models that benefit the broader community. These stories made Gratitude Village feel less like a future project and more like a living, breathing reality.

What has surprised me most is how these blogs have built momentum. Each post sparked conversations at info sessions, over coffee, in emails, and on social media. They became doorways for people to find Gratitude Village, for sponsors to step forward, and for families to say, “Yes, this could be our home.” Our blogs on affordable housing in Colorado, sustainability, and intentional community living have drawn in new readers who are curious about cohousing developments in Colorado in 2025 and beyond. Writing consistently has been both a discipline and a joy, because each post strengthens the circle of people who believe in this vision.

And so here we are: 132 blogs later. Looking back, I see not just a list of topics but a tapestry of values—connection, sustainability, affordability, creativity, and care. Looking forward, I know there are countless more stories to tell, updates to share, and questions to explore. This blog has become both a heartbeat and a compass, reminding us where we’ve been and pointing us toward where we’re going. To everyone who has read, commented, shared, or joined our journey: thank you. Your engagement makes this more than writing—it makes it community.

Here’s to another year of storytelling, learning, and creating together. Gratitude Village is still in the making, but through these blogs, it already lives and breathes. The adventure is just beginning.