Do you ever find yourself in a bit of a slump at home? Maybe you don’t have a creative project underway, you’re overwhelmed by distractions, or life is changing and you can’t invest much energy into your space right now.
It’s easy to feel inspired when you’re moving into a new house, tackling a home improvement project, or enjoying the fresh finish of a recent remodel. A healthy budget for updates can be motivating too. But in the quiet stretches between those moments, when nothing major is happening and creativity feels stalled, that’s when finding joy becomes a deliberate choice.
Can you notice the small, everyday pleasures right where you are, or do you only feel satisfied during dramatic improvements and highlight-reel moments? If you wait for the next big thing to feel content, you might miss the simple comforts that make home meaningful.
Sigh. Raise your hand if you’ve been in a slump at home before. {quietly raises hand}
I love the thrill of moving into a new place. Home projects energize me. Having money set aside to buy something new lifts my spirits. But when nothing exciting is happening, I have to take small, manageable steps to cultivate joy from what I already own and the ordinary routines around me.
Do I always feel like taking that first step when there’s nothing big motivating me?
Nope. I respond to excitement. But the everyday sameness can make life feel a bit dull. Perfectionism also gets in the way—waiting for the perfect set of conditions keeps me from starting at all. In real life, the ducks rarely line up neatly; they’re running in every direction, quacking loudly, and resisting any attempt to get them all facing the same way.
When I settle into a slump, days or even months can pass without much joy in my home. I talk to myself—sometimes sternly—encouraging myself to act: “SELF, YOU KNOW WHAT TO DO. Girl, DO IT!” I make excuses, the same way my child used to say a toy was “too heaby” to put away. My brain fog and lack of energy make it easy to postpone tasks, hoping inspiration will arrive tomorrow.
Here’s the truth: Pinterest-worthy moments and big developments don’t always appear on cue. Some people seem to live in a constant highlight reel, but most of us spend the majority of our time in ordinary living. Waiting for dramatic inspiration is a risky strategy if you want to enjoy your home now.
When I notice I’m stuck in the in-between, I stop waiting for the highlight reel and take matters into my own hands. The ordinary can be beautiful and inspiring if you choose to see it that way. It takes only small actions with what you already have to change how your home feels.
I’ve pulled myself out of slumps many times by doing the same simple things: I take a step, follow familiar routines, putter around the house, and show my home a little extra care. Those modest efforts add up and restore my sense of connection to the space.
If you want a starting point for cultivating joy in the everyday, try small challenges that focus on loving your home. I share 31 days of simple “Love Your Home” challenges in my book Love the Home You Have — practical prompts to help you notice and improve the little things that matter.
Thank you to everyone who has shared kind words about the book. It warms my heart to see photos and updates from people doing the 31-day challenges. If you’re trying them, enjoy the process and celebrate the small wins that make ordinary days more meaningful.