Why Dwelling Changed My Writing: The Book That Defined Me

TThis week we had a few unexpected snow days. Snow is rare here in Seattle, and when it arrives I love nothing more than curling up on the couch with a warm blanket and fuzzy slippers, watching the world turn white outside the window.

I’ve always enjoyed being at home on snowy days. As a homebody, I appreciate the comforts of home in every season. There’s something restorative about slowing down, staying inside, and savoring simple, cozy moments.

When weather keeps us at home—especially when the snow is uncommon—it reminds me how deeply our living spaces influence our well-being.

Have we created a home that lifts our spirits, even through life’s storms?

Do our rooms feel warm and safe, regardless of what’s going on outside?

Is our home a place we eagerly return to, or a place that too often brings stress, discontent, or unhappiness?

What daily habits help us create a more positive emotional state, even when we aren’t feeling our best?

Do the choices we make in our home support our physical health and overall well-being?

Are we giving ourselves what we need to thrive and feel our best each day?

For the past twelve years on The Inspired Room—and through my books—I’ve shared ideas that go beyond identifying a design style or organizing belongings. I love discussing design, but what truly motivates me is the deeper purpose: the why and the results of putting your heart into your home.

A few years ago, while developing the concept for my book Dwelling, I kept returning to what it takes to truly feel well where we live. I felt certain that Dwelling was the next book I needed to write because this message has been with me for decades.

I believe that when we learn to feel well where we dwell, everything shifts. Our dwellings—our homes and our bodies, including mind and spirit—are deeply connected. What we bring into our homes affects every part of our lives.

While I share personal stories in Dwelling, the book isn’t about me. It’s about discovering the many ways we can improve how we feel in our bodies, lives, and homes.

My experiences with anxiety, thyroid issues, and other life challenges may not match yours exactly. I haven’t faced every difficulty you’ve encountered. Still, we come together through a shared love of home.

This is where the journey of dwelling well begins—at home.

Opening my home and talking about well-being over the years has shown me how much we have in common. I don’t have all the answers, and I’m learning as I go, but I’ve discovered that small changes can help us and those around us feel better.

That’s the heart of Dwelling: cultivating hope, becoming more mindful about what we invite into our homes, and finding joy in turning our spaces into nurturing, healing places. It’s about recognizing how daily choices influence overall well-being and feeling empowered to improve the world around us bit by bit.

Thank you for your kindness and support through the years and across so many book launches. It means so much knowing you’re out there reading and that our paths cross in so many ways.