Close your eyes and imagine your dream home. What do you see? Most of us picture a calm, welcoming space—not piles of clutter or dishes scattered across the sink. Deep down we know our surroundings affect how we feel. While people matter most, the look and atmosphere of our home influence our mood, energy, and sense of well-being. When our reality drifts far from our ideal, it’s easy to feel discouraged or overwhelmed.
We want our homes to be sanctuaries—comfortable, nurturing, and honest reflections of who we are. A home should be a place to relax, recharge, and welcome friends and family. How we care for and relate to our space has a direct impact on our contentment and even our ability to make a positive difference in the world.
Do you relate?
Our homes matter.
Many of us who love homes wrestle with a familiar tension:
We live here—so the house gets messy.
We live here—so we don’t want it to be messy.
This tug-of-war between our dream and our daily reality often leads to unhelpful habits: shame, avoidance, perfectionism, or giving up. To find lasting contentment, we must change our approach.
We need fresh habits and a kinder perspective to truly love the home we have.
I know that struggle personally. The answer is not resignation—accepting a messy home and feeling defeated—nor is it chasing unattainable perfection. Over years of trial and error, I discovered where contentment doesn’t come from and, more importantly, what actually helps us find it.
This book was written for everyone—from dream-house seekers and apartment dwellers to homeowners, renters, perfectionists, and the happily imperfect. It offers encouragement, practical steps, and a softer way to view the place you live. My aim is to help you act on what you can change without demanding a massive budget or a new house.
If you’re looking around your space and feeling anything like the list below, this book is for you:
- You feel discouraged by the state of your home.
- You like your home but still wrestle with discontent.
- You enjoy your space but can’t meet your own expectations.
- Your home feels out of control.
- You want your home to feel like a sanctuary.
- You wish your home felt cleaner or more intentional.
- You just moved in, or you’ve lived in many places and want to reconnect with the joy of dreaming.
- You avoid inviting people over because you’re embarrassed by the mess.
- You need a friend to cheer you on and help you see your home in a new light.
- You want to balance the beautiful parts of life with its everyday messes.
- You’re wondering whether you’re in the right house.
- You want to build a meaningful, intentional life within your own four walls.
- You need encouragement to love what you have and find contentment where you are.
This is my first book and the starting point for learning to love the home you have. It’s full of encouragement, practical ideas, and gentle motivation—not a technical decorating manual, but a guide to help you take meaningful steps. Small changes in perspective and action can transform how you experience your home and, in turn, your life.
I’m deeply grateful for the community that encouraged this book into being. Your comments, “me too” moments, and support helped this project come alive. Seeing readers respond and change how they relate to their homes has been incredibly rewarding.
Our designer at Harvest House, Nicole, created beautiful hand-drawn quotes and details that bring warmth and character to the pages. Those little touches add to the book’s charm and its invitation to slow down and care for your space with intention.
Thank you for joining me on this journey. XOXO
Order information: The book is widely available through major retailers.
Update in 2024: I’ve launched a welcoming community for home-lovers where I teach and share courses, workshops, and printable resources to help you love the home you have. If you’re seeking a supportive place to learn practical skills and find inspiration, consider joining the HomeBody Gathering Place.
