Welcome to The Home Joy Journal, a place for the stories behind the stuff, the homes we love, the things we’re learning to let go of, and figuring out what we want this next chapter of life to look like.
You’ll find a little home, a little life, some downsizing and decorating, and probably a few lessons I learned the hard way. Because creating a home you love isn’t about keeping up with everybody else. It’s about figuring out what brings you joy now.
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Pretty Storage, Less Clutter: Home Organization That Fits Your Life
Read more: Pretty Storage, Less Clutter: Home Organization That Fits Your LifeWhether you live in a small house or a large home, there always seems to be something that needs a place. Extra throw pillows, seasonal decorations, the grandkids’ toys, craft supplies, and that remote that somehow disappears every evening. You want your home to feel warm and welcoming, but you also want to find what…
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10 Cozy Fall Decorating Ideas Without the Halloween
Read more: 10 Cozy Fall Decorating Ideas Without the HalloweenI love the cozy feeling of fall, but that doesn’t mean I want ghosts, skeletons, and spiderwebs in every corner. Sometimes, a soft throw, warm lighting, and a welcoming front porch are all you need to enjoy the season. And let’s be honest: not everyone has time to gather pinecones, dry flowers, or spend an…
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10 Halloween Party Essentials for a Spooky-Good Night
Read more: 10 Halloween Party Essentials for a Spooky-Good NightYou don’t need to turn your house into a haunted mansion to throw a great Halloween party. A few well-chosen decorations, plenty of easy-to-grab food, something fun to drink, and a cozy place for everyone to gather can completely change the mood. Whether you’re planning a full Halloween party, having a few friends over, or…
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Spooky Season: Sometimes It’s Fun to Be a Kid Again
Read more: Spooky Season: Sometimes It’s Fun to Be a Kid AgainYesterday I drove past a house that was completely decked out for Halloween. There was a skeleton taller than the house itself, a huge spiderweb stretched across the yard, and a giant black widow that looked like she was ready to take over the whole neighborhood. My first thought was, well, Halloween sure has changed.…
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Love Your Home: Small Maintenance Tasks That Can Save You Money
Read more: Love Your Home: Small Maintenance Tasks That Can Save You MoneyPart of loving your home is simply taking care of it. Whether you rent or own, keeping your home warm and cozy when the weather cools down, cool and comfortable when summer heats up, and running efficiently throughout the year doesn’t always require big projects or expensive upgrades. Sometimes it’s the little things that make…
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Downsizing Isn’t Always About Choosing a Smaller Home
Read more: Downsizing Isn’t Always About Choosing a Smaller HomeDownsizing is not about forcing yourself into the smallest home possible or getting rid of everything you love. It is about creating a home and lifestyle that fit the chapter you are entering now. You may want fewer stairs but the same amount of living space. You might prefer a smaller yard, access to a…
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Keeping the Memory Without Keeping Everything
Read more: Keeping the Memory Without Keeping EverythingThere’s a little Little Red Riding Hood cookie jar that has been in my family for decades. It originally belonged to my great-grandmother. She passed it down to my mother, and eventually my mother passed it down to my daughter. Think about that for a minute. One little cookie jar has been loved by generations…
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Maybe We Need to Rethink What “Downsizing” Really Means
Read more: Maybe We Need to Rethink What “Downsizing” Really MeansWhen we get to this next chapter of life, everybody seems to start using the same word: downsizing. But what does downsizing actually mean? Does it automatically mean you need a smaller house because the kids have grown up and moved out? I don’t think it’s that simple. Maybe you don’t want a smaller home…
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Before You Get Rid of the Family China, Tell the Story
Read more: Before You Get Rid of the Family China, Tell the StoryThere comes a point when many of us look around our homes and realize we have a lot of stuff. Some of it is easy to let go of. And then there are the things that stop us in our tracks, Grandma’s china, Mom’s serving dish, an old piece of furniture, or something that may…