House in Topanga Hills

Nestled in the hills of Topanga, CA right above Malibu, I found solace in a little tiny home off a windy street. I was on a flight from Redding, CA to Los Angeles early that morning to attend a class at Pepperdine University, where I’m currently studying for my Masters degree. I set up the trip as almost a retreat for myself. The hustle and bustle of life was overwhelming me, and I wanted to find some fresh inspiration. There’s nothing like a beautiful space to accomplish just that. I scoured Airbnb for the right fit for a trip for one, and other than choosing a room by the beach, I chose a tiny home in the mountains. Little did I know what that trip would hold, and how much I would need those three days in that tiny house.

Upon my plane landing, I turned my phone off airplane mode and a text came through. My grandpa had fallen and hit his head. He passed away. I was in shock. He was a healthy person, and although he had a few health issues simply from age, he was doing well. I arrived slightly earlier than planned, so I grabbed my rental car at LAX and drove straight out of the city to Malibu.

Isn’t that just like life? Tragedy and grief is a pair that can’t be planned or prepared for, they sneak up on you, and the timing is never convenient. My drive was quiet, I didn’t put on any music. I googled coffee and went straight to Blue Bottle, took it to the ocean and let the salty air blow through my hair and dry my tears.

I hadn’t said a word until I got a call from a good friend. I told him what happened, and just talking to someone helped. I knew I was going to be alone for the next few days, and that I needed to pass the class I was enrolled to take. It was a pass / fail situation, so I had to focus as best as I could so I could pass and not have to retake it. I had to figure out how to compartmentalize my thoughts and my emotions so I could learn what I needed to learn. Once it was time for check in at my Airbnb, I made my way back to my car, parked somewhere down the Pacific Coast Highway. I didn’t realize how far I had walked.

I got my navigation set, and made my way up into the mountains. I could tell these hills were going to be a haven for this moment. It was going to be a retreat, I just didn’t realize what kind. I finally arrived and walked through the gate and let out a deep sigh as I saw home for the coming days. It was like seeing an old friend you hadn’t seen in a long time, and you didn’t realize how much you missed them until you saw them again.

I walked inside and felt instant relief. I was safe in this little house. It reached out, embraced me and pulled me in, giving me room to finally exhale. I pulled out my cheese, crackers and wine purchased from a local market down in Malibu, and sat in quiet. The hills are so quiet. I didn’t even feel close to the noise of LA. The details of the design and the curation of goods, books and linens made my heart relax. I could see intention and thought. I could feel the personality of the people who sowed into its creation. It was exactly what I needed.

It was a true moment in time. The kind of experience where you know you’re right where you’re supposed to be. It’s not what you expect, or happened the way you planned — but its beautiful in its way. It’s inspiring nonetheless, accepting you right where you’re at. Embrace those moments, let it not go to plan. It might just be exactly what you need.

Stay here: The Topanga Bungalows: The Tiny House.