Lykkå Cohabitation

03/18/2026

This weekend I went to Toronto with my friend Vanessa to a conference on co-ownership and shared housing.
.. and I came home with a full notebook and a lot to think about.

A little full circle moment… years ago Vanessa opened her home to me when I first moved to Montreal. That “temporary stay” became the beginning of a whole new life. So sitting next to her talking about shared living felt very special.

A few things that stayed with me: housing is changing. We all know that more and more people can’t afford to buy alone, and many homes are either underused or not allowed to house multiple people or families because of outdated rules.

There are people.
There are homes.
But they don’t easily meet.

The main focus of the conference was to explore the idea: what if buying a home didn’t have to mean buying alone?

And also this: “clear is kind - good friends have good contracts & sweat the small stuff up front"

If we want to live together, we need to learn how to talk about money, expectations, boundaries, and differences. Not always easy… but totally learnable.

P.S.... You might have heard that Lykkå Village now have a non-profit wing called Lykkå Cohabitation. As we enters this new chapter, we really want to hear from you, so we can build this next phase together!

We’ve created a short survey to help us better understand your needs, hopes, and how you’d like to engage with and support this slow cultural shift toward community-led shared living and deeper belonging


Your voice will directly shape what happenes next...

👉 Link to the survey here in English
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSelwZuFZBrLEkdd-7c08zWr_BLPd1dGk-4s7yg4-Q9H8G9kyA/viewform

👉 Lien vers le sondage ici
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf8qteClz9a2PnHPHbMjDxTpTugiEJcJdR3RLrKMevehmJ4Xw/viewform

07/12/2025

09/07/2024

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"I need my family around me right now."

Just watched Moonstruck, and the whole story, the character development, is brought to a delicious and fraught final scene where all the characters find themselves together in a kitchen. The air is thick with tension, rife with so many intermingled, deeply human, and even mundane issues. It’s one of those "sh*t-hit-the-fan" moments that feels both larger-than-life and utterly relatable. Cher’s character, Loretta Castorini, says it best when her own revelation is about to unravel: "I need my family around me right now."

There are these terrific silent moments—everyone sitting around the kitchen table in their discomfort, staring down at their hands (or lack of hand, if you’ve seen this movie), or glancing awkwardly at each other. It’s the kind of moment we've all known at some point, that strange privilege of being at the table, feeling part of the belonging, even when the energy is thick with tension and everything feels just a bit off-kilter.

That scene—it embodies what we do in our own home, and what we’re creating with Lykkå Village. Our co-living community is about being part of that kitchen table, that gathering of lives, where even in the most awkward, heavy moments, you know you’re not alone. You might find yourself in someone else’s kitchen, the smell of coffee filling the room, sitting at a worn wooden table with mismatched chairs. You might not be with your own family, but you feel that sense of belonging anyway, accepted into the mix, part of the unfolding story. And I’ve been blessed to experience that many times myself—being welcomed into someone else’s kitchen, witnessing their lives, sharing in their highs and lows. There’s something quietly profound about being invited into that space.

Likewise, in our own kitchen, we’ve had so-called, extended life witnesses—people who were there with us during turbulent times. We absolutely wanted them by our side, and through those shared experiences, we've formed bonds that are irreplaceable, born out of all the rawness and realness that life throws at us.

Like in Moonstruck, where everyone’s together, grappling with their own messes and yet still connected, we know that real connection happens in those unvarnished moments. It’s when life feels messy, maybe even broken, but you’re still held by the people around you. Here, we’re building something just like that—an everyday kitchen table where you can show up, as you are, and know that you’ll be seen, accepted, and cared for. Sometimes that means finding family among strangers, sometimes it’s the people you know best, but it’s always about belonging.

Because in this space, we're creating something special: a community where we witness each other’s lives, where trust and shared moments—big and small—create something that feels like family, even when it isn’t. And whether we’re sitting in the quiet after a long day, washing dishes side by side, or navigating the chaos together, this is where the bonds are forged. Sometimes messy, sometimes awkward, but always real.
lykka.org

05/07/2024

I would love to share my thoughts, insights and stuck places with anyone here who are systems thinkers and breakers, social enterprise mixed with NFP mentors, community builders and shakers.

Come over for coffee and help me get clarity around how we move forward with Lykkå in a sustainable way for everyone! 🦋

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How do we create resilient, sustainable, self managed and equal future ready people and communities?

How do we learn the balance between caring for ourselves and each other at the same time?

I think about this all the time, yet I can never seem to find the time I feel I would need to get any real headway towards solid answers and models.

I so often find myself stuck in the weeds, spending my days responding to immediate but often small needs around me and within me.

This is how day-to-day life is for most of us, especially if we are lucky enough to live in the beautiful, and crazy making chaos, of living with others, be it family, friends or any form of community living.

So the only way I know how to find time and space to dig deeper and think longer about how to tackle the bigger needs of our social make up, is by giving myself time alone…. And for this I also use my community.

This week I have spent 4 days at a friend's home, while she is away. (Thank you M.M. 🙏🏼💕)

Allowing myself time to eat when I need to and what I need, sleep when I need to (full on ⭐️ position), with no interruptions, and work when I am in flow for as long as the inspirations and insights are coming to me is absolutely 💯 amazing and brings me out of the weeds and into much needed clarity.

Systems change, done with a community takes time, a ton of energy, willingness to listen and sit with complexity.

And at times, it takes being really alone! 🛌💨🪴

04/09/2024

Wow 🤩 yesterday’s eclipse was other worldly, yet it brought such a sense of being connected to everyone and everything 💫

We were a group of Lykkå families who came together in one of Montreal’s large parks to experience this once in a lifetime moment together.

Many of us go so surprised by the wave of emotions which the eclipse brought to the surface within us and between us.

It felt as if the whole city got goosebumps all at the same time!

One parent brought amazing pink moon tea and treats, and created an arts space with fun activities for our little once to learn about the eclipse. Another parent brought hula hoops and fun snacks too. And we had a kid read us a beautiful eclipse story.

I loved how we all came together and made an unforgettable day for not just the kids but for ourselves too!

Many arrived not knowing each other… and left with new friends.

04/08/2024

Some personal thoughts and feelings which today big event is bringing up in me…

Morning moon 🌙 and sun ☀️ lovers, parents, holders of the magical 💜 and all the other things!

Today the moon is new 🌑 and yet it’s a very big day for our beloved moon.

It is reminding me that most of the amazing work that we all do is in the unseen.

I have been hosting a moon group for the past 6 years. I love following the cycles of the year with the ☀️ and the cycles of the month with the 🌕. It grounds me, connects me to all that is larger than me, it holds me and gives me a sense of routine and ritual. It reminds me that there is a wisdom in moving slow and still get all that is important done.

So many beautiful stories, rituals and myths have been unearthed over the last few weeks from all around the word, and from all times leading up to today.

I hope you all find your way to follow what your energy is naturally drawn to. I hope you find a moment within all the different needs of people and business to connect to you, to feel the 🌍 beneath your feel, and feel your own body aligning with Earth, Moon and Sun!

I snug out early this morning to be in nature, be by myself, with myself before the big event.

So much is happening with in me, and I am deeply aware that this afternoon I will be trying to weave together being a mom wanting her child to have a special connection, with being a community connector and at the same time holding my own deep need for connecting with me with in this very sacred energy and moment which will be happening.

Today is such a symbol of the life I am living right now, how I am in a space and time of trying to hold it all while not loosing me.

For me this eclipse is about finding my own authentic balance between my inner and outer work. It’s a time to look at what needs to be eclipsed in my life to make space for what really matters, for what is most important, for where there is the most impact!

What is today about for you? What is the energy emerging asking of you? Showing you?

03/20/2024

Today's Lykkå Lunch Ask & Give session was very special.

We shared how we were each doing, and reflected on how we liked to honour or celebrate the Spring Equinox in our homes. 🌸

It sparked a discussion on how to better create balance in our lives between action and deep rest, transitioning out of "Freeze mode," especially during tough transitions like moving or separation. We also discussed the significance of the unseen work we do in life, emphasizing the importance of still celebrating it both internally and externally. 🌱

During our asking round, the prevailing feeling was that what was needed had already been offered simply by being together, with each other as witnesses, and not feeling alone. 🤝

As we closed, the feelings shared were "Ease, Confidence, Less Fear, and Clarity" ❤

Every week, I'm amazed at how just 45 minutes (while gobbling down our lunches) can make such a difference. 🕒🥗

Did the Spring Equinox bring forth any special actions or reflection for you?

03/18/2024

Lykkå Village sharing circles are coming to your part of the Island!


Here is our latest Lykkå newsletter all about monthly gatherings coming to you in East, West and Central Montreal.
We want this to a place where you can be yourself, share your daily stories, and connect with people from your village, and time for YOU to drop what ever you are holding, even just for a little bit.

It's a safe and hosted space where trust, courage, humour and genuine connections can flourish. Think of it as a "Stitch & Bitch" without you having to know any needlework, paired with opportunities for you to connect with yourself, be held, and guided.

During these sessions, you'll learn and practice simple tools from my toolbox, gathered over 2 decades for self-care. Additionally, you'll receive support in integrating these tools into your day-to-day life.

As we get to know each other, we might cook up ideas for community dinners, play-dates, and other fun stuff. Plus, it's a stepping stone for building a supportive village where we can rely on each other.

See more information in the link below.

East Montreal
Last Sunday of the month 3 - 4.30 pm
Starting March 31st, then April 30th, May 31st, and June 30th

West Montreal
Last Wednesday evening of the month 8 - 9.30 pm
Stating March 27th, April 24th, May 22nd, June 26th

Central Montreal
First Monday of the month 9.30 till 11 am
Starting April 1st, May 6th, June 3rd

And to remind you....
Ask & Give Lunch hang-out (with the lovely Jenna McNeil)
Is every Wednesday from 12.15 till 1 pm

I hope there will be a time which will work for everyone 🙂

Expect a monthly gathering where you can be yourself, share your daily stories, and connect with people from your village. This is your space and time for YOU to drop what ever you are holding, even just for a little bit. It's a safe and hosted space where trust, courage, humour and genuine connecti...

03/04/2024

Lykkå Newsletter... 🤫

OK, this is a bit like a diary entry of a person being alone for the first time in months and months....

Alright, here goes—think of this as an entry from someone revelling in solitude after months of constant busyness. Picture me, attempting a calm and focused moment, all while grappling with that persistent inner to-do list. And then, in the midst of this epic slowdown, thoughts and feelings began bubbling up, demanding attention...

It all ends well. The battle brought to the surface a longing that I've neglected for months and months. Lesson learned: Get ready to put your own oxygen mask on first!

If you're not already on our newsletter and want to join, please visit lykkavillage.com and join in on the journey.🙂

A few weeks ago, I found myself doing something that felt almost impossible, something that made me feel like the most selfish person --something I almost never allow myself. I departed from the comforts of home and family to temporarily stay at a friend's house while she was away. Though I was only...