Close your eyes and picture your ideal home. What do you see? Probably not cluttered counters, dirty dishes, or items scattered across every surface. Deep down we know how a home looks and feels matters. While people are more important than possessions, a gap between our vision and reality can leave us discouraged or overwhelmed.
We want our homes to be true sanctuaries—comfortable, nurturing, and reflective of who we are. We want spaces that welcome family and friends. How we care for and experience our home affects our sense of contentment and can influence the way we show up in life.
Do you relate?
Our homes matter.
Many of us who love our homes face a familiar inner conflict:
We live here—so the house gets messy.
We live here—so we don’t want the house to be messy.
It becomes a tug-of-war between the sanctuary we imagine and the day-to-day reality. Often we try to bridge that gap with temporary fixes that don’t bring lasting satisfaction.
We need a new approach to find lasting contentment and really love the home we have.
I understand the struggle—I’ve been there. The solution isn’t to resign ourselves to disorder (which leaves us defeated and uninspired), nor is it to chase perfection (which is unattainable). After years of trial and error, I discovered where contentment isn’t found and, more importantly, what actually brings it.
This book is written for everyone: homeowners and renters, perfectionists and those who embrace imperfection, first-time movers and people who’ve lived in many homes. It offers encouragement, practical steps, and ideas to help you see and care for your home in a more sustainable, joyful way.
Inside you’ll find inspiration and doable actions if any of the following ring true:
…you feel discouraged by what you see around you.
…you love parts of your home but still wrestle with discontent.
…you enjoy your space yet can’t meet your own expectations to keep it that way.
…your house feels out of control.
…you want your home to feel like a sanctuary.
…you wish your space were cleaner or more beautiful.
…you just moved into your first place or you’ve been around the block and want to reconnect with the joy of dreaming.
…you avoid inviting people over because you’re embarrassed by the mess.
…you want a friend to cheer you on and help you see your home in a new light.
…you need to find balance between embracing everyday beauty and accepting inevitable mess.
…you’re wondering whether you’re in the right house.
…you want to create a meaningful, intentional life within your own four walls.
…you seek encouragement to love what you have and find contentment where you are.
This was my first book and a starting point for learning to love the home you have. It’s a compact, encouraging guide filled with practical ideas and motivation to take action—without requiring a big budget or a move to a different house. It’s not a decorating manual, though it can help jump-start your decorating decisions and mindset.
I’m deeply grateful to everyone who encouraged me and helped shape this book. It reached readers in unexpected ways and became a New York Times bestseller—an outcome I couldn’t have imagined without your support. Thank you for every comment, high five, and “me too” along the way.
You can order the book through major retailers and digital platforms.
PS. Our designer at Harvest House, Nicole, created the lovely hand-drawn quotes and many other small details found throughout the book.
Thanks for joining me on this journey. XOXO
Order at: Amazon or Barnes and Noble.
Update: In 2024 I launched a community where I teach how to love the home you have and provide courses and printable resources. You’re invited to join a welcoming group of home-lovers and access those resources through the community.
