Designed To Thrive with Colleen Tobey

When was the last time you made a decision and just knew?

In this episode, Colleen explores what it really means to trust yourself—not as a mindset, but as a physiological, lived experience. If you’ve been second-guessing your decisions, outsourcing your authority, or feeling disconnected from your inner knowing, this conversation will help you understand why—and how to begin rebuilding that trust.

This episode bridges neuroscience, nervous system regulation, and intuitive decision-making to show you what’s actually happening in your body when you’re in alignment… and when you’re not.

Inside this episode, we explore:

• Why self-trust is a relationship (not just confidence)
• How your brain acts as a prediction machine—and what that means for intuition
• The role of “somatic markers” and why your body often knows before your mind does
• The difference between fear and misalignment (and how to tell them apart)
• What happens when you chronically override your instincts
• How your nervous system responds to misalignment—and why burnout often follows
• A simple, powerful question to reconnect with your inner compass: “What is your tummy telling you?”

Colleen also introduces the concept of decision-making through the body using Human Design “authority,” offering a grounded way to understand intuitive signals without dismissing them as irrational.

You’ll walk away with practical ways to begin rebuilding trust with yourself through small, everyday decisions—and an understanding that alignment isn’t about perfection, but about honesty and attunement.

Key Takeaway:

You don’t need more information—you need a stronger relationship with your own inner knowing.

Try This:

The next time you’re faced with a decision, pause and ask: What is my body telling me? Notice what comes up before your mind explains it away.

Your most aligned life isn’t something you figure out—it’s something you learn to listen into.

Connect

Connect with Colleen on Instagram ⁠@the_homecraftdesign⁠ or her website ⁠https://www.homecraftdesign.com

This episode is a real, behind-the-scenes conversation about entrepreneurship—what it actually looks like beyond the highlight reel.

No frameworks. No design tips. Just the truth.

Colleen shares what it means to build something from the ground up: the belief, the uncertainty, the creativity, and the emotional weight that comes with choosing a path that doesn’t exist yet.

If you’re in the middle of building something—whether it’s brand new, years in, or still just an idea—this episode is for you.

Inside this conversation:

• A grounded definition of entrepreneurship (beyond hustle culture and aesthetics)
• Why fear and self-doubt are not signs you’re doing it wrong—but signs you care
• The difference between being good at something and loving the work of building a business around it
• The real, honest challenges: loneliness, income inconsistency, decision fatigue, and identity
• The unexpected magic of entrepreneurship as a deeply creative act
• How alignment, autonomy, and compounding growth change the way you work and live

And most importantly, the core message of this episode:

You cannot mess up your art.

Every misstep, pivot, failed launch, or unexpected turn is not failure—it’s information. It’s part of the process. It’s what shapes the work into something real, layered, and fully yours.

If you’ve been questioning yourself…
If you’ve been holding back on something you want to build…
If you’re in the messy middle and wondering if you’ve lost your way…

This is your reminder:
You’re not lost. You’re creating.

And those two things can feel exactly the same.

Next Steps
Take a moment to reflect:
What are you holding back from—and what story are you telling yourself about why?

Because you are allowed to try, to evolve, and to build something that is entirely your own.

Connect

Connect with Colleen on Instagram @the_homecraftdesign or her website https://www.homecraftdesign.com/

Episode 20 feels like a milestone—and a moment to say thank you. What started as a place to share ideas has grown into a consistent, connected community. If you’ve been here listening, sharing, and engaging… this episode begins with deep gratitude for you.
From there, Colleen dives into something that’s been quietly reshaping her work as a designer and educator:
What if working with a designer didn’t have to leave you dependent on one?
This episode explores the gap in traditional interior design—the model where a designer creates a beautiful space for you, but leaves you without the tools, language, or confidence to recreate that feeling on your own. The result? A home you love… but no idea how to get there again.
Colleen shares a new vision for design:
One where you gain clarity, confidence, and design literacy—while still being supported by expert guidance.
She speaks directly to four types of people who may feel stuck in their homes:

• The one who doesn’t trust her eye
• The one who understands herself deeply (through Human Design or otherwise) but hasn’t reflected that in her space
• The one who’s worked with a designer but still feels disconnected from the result
• The one overwhelmed mid-renovation, making reactive decisions

At the core of this new approach is Human Design—not as something abstract, but as a practical framework for how you experience your environment.
In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why your home should reflect your energetic blueprint, not just your aesthetic preferences
• How your environment type (like Caves, Markets, Mountains, etc.) shapes what makes a space feel supportive or draining
• How your cognition type impacts how you make design decisions and process your surroundings
• Why you’re not “bad at design”—you’ve just never been taught in a way that aligns with how you work

This conversation reframes design as something learnable, personal, and deeply empowering.

Colleen also introduces her newest offering: The Be Well Home Edit—a guided, collaborative design experience that helps you transform your space while building your own design language along the way. You can learn more about The Be Well Home Edit here: https://www.homecraftdesign.com/be-well-home-edit-virtual-interior-design-support
Because the goal isn’t just a beautiful home.
It’s a home that feels like you—and the confidence to keep creating that, again and again.

If this episode resonates, share your thoughts, leave a review, or connect with Colleen on Instagram @the_homecraftdesign

In this episode of the Designed to Thrive Podcast, Colleen Tobey explores a powerful idea:
Your home isn’t just where you live—it directly impacts how your Human Design functions.
Focusing on three essential spaces—the bedroom, bathroom, and kitchen—Colleen breaks down how these rooms either support your energy, decision-making, and nourishment… or quietly work against them every single day.
This episode invites you to see your home not as a backdrop, but as an active participant in your wellbeing.
What We Cover in This Episode

• Why the bedroom, bathroom, and kitchen are the most impactful rooms in your home
• How your Human Design type, environment, cognition, and digestion show up in your space
• The connection between your physical environment and your ability to rest, reset, and receive nourishment
• Why “good design” is personal—and must be aligned with your body

The Bedroom: Where Your Energy Restores

Your bedroom is where your system resets—and your needs here are deeply tied to your Human Design.

• Projectors require deep, intentional rest to discharge absorbed energy
• Generators & MGs need space to fully wind down and transition out of doing
• Manifestors benefit from a sense of sovereignty and energetic separation
• Reflectors need a highly protected, intentional sleep environment

Your environment variable also plays a key role:

• Caves thrive in enclosed, cocoon-like spaces
• Markets, Mountains, and others each require different spatial qualities

This isn’t just aesthetic—it’s biological.

Your bedroom should support how your body is designed to restore.

The Bathroom: Where You Return to Yourself

Often overlooked, the bathroom is one of the only spaces where you are fully alone with yourself.

For body-based authorities (Splenic, Sacral, Emotional), this space becomes a reset point—a place to reconnect, regulate, and listen inward.

Design elements here matter more than you think:

• Visual calm and beauty can support nervous system regulation
• Warmth (like heated floors or baths) can help you access inner knowing
• Art and intentional details can shift how you start and end your day

Different types need different things:

• Projectors need permission to simply be
• Generators benefit from physical release (showers, baths)
• Manifestors need privacy and ownership of space
• Reflectors need energetic clarity and cleansing

A well-designed bathroom doesn’t just look good—it helps you feel like yourself again.

The Kitchen: Where Nourishment Becomes Personal

Your kitchen is where Human Design becomes incredibly specific.

Your digestion (Determination) doesn’t just tell you what to eat—it reveals:

How your body processes food

When you’re best nourished

The conditions your body needs to receive nourishment

Colleen walks through all six digestion variables and their design implications:

• Appetite (Consecutive vs. Alternating): Structure vs. variety
• Thirst (Open vs. Closed): Drinking with meals vs. separately
• Taste (Wet vs. Dry): Moist, slow foods vs. dry, crisp textures
• Smell (Pheromones vs. Chemoreception): Aroma-rich environments vs. clean, simple inputs
• Sound (Calm vs. Anxious): Quiet meals vs. social, activated environments
• Light (Consecutive vs. Alternating): Fixed vs. flexible eating rhythms

Your kitchen’s layout, lighting, materials, and energy all influence how well your body can actually receive nourishment.

Where to Start

If this feels overwhelming, start simple:

Choose one room—the one that feels the most off.

Then ask:

Is this space supporting how I’m designed to live… or working against it?

Small, intentional shifts can change everything.

If this episode resonated, share it with someone who’s ready to rethink their space in a deeper way. And if you’re enjoying the Designed to Thrive Podcast, leaving a five-star review helps grow this community and reach more people.

Connect

Connect with Colleen on Instagram @the_homecraftdesign or her website https://www.homecraftdesign.com/

In this episode of the Designed to Thrive Podcast, Colleen Tobey introduces a perspective that has the power to completely shift how you see your home—and yourself: You are not meant to see a space the same way as everyone else.
What if the reason you and someone else walk into the same room and have completely different reactions… isn’t about taste, training, or having a “good eye”?
What if it’s how you’re wired?
Drawing from Human Design, Colleen explores the concept of cognition—your brain’s natural way of taking in and processing the world—and how it directly shapes your experience of design.

What We Cover in This Episode

• Why people perceive the same space in completely different ways
• What cognition means in Human Design
• The six different cognition types and how they process environments
• The key differences between Outer Vision and Inner Vision
• How your cognition influences your design instincts
• Why your natural way of seeing is something to trust—not fix

What Is Cognition?
In Human Design, cognition refers to your optimal sensory processing style—the way your brain is designed to take in and interpret information.
It’s part of a section of your chart called the Variables (or “Four Arrows”) and represents your brain’s native language of perception.
This isn’t just conceptual—there’s real science behind it.
Our brains prioritize different sensory channels, meaning:

• Some people process through sight
• Others through feeling, touch, taste, or smell

And when you’re aligned with your natural way of perceiving, you:

• Think more clearly
• Make better decisions
• Feel more grounded and like yourself

The Six Cognition Types

Colleen walks through all six cognition types and how they show up in real life—and in your home:

Smell: An intuitive sense for what feels “off” in a space—often without being able to explain why.

Taste: Deep discernment around what feels nourishing vs. overwhelming—especially in terms of visual “saturation.”

Feeling: A somatic, body-based awareness of comfort—temperature, texture, and physical environment matter deeply.

Touch: An active, hands-on processor—needs to interact with a space physically to understand it.

Outer Vision: Wide-angle, big-picture perception—sees the overall composition and harmony of a room.

Inner Vision: Detail-oriented, close-range focus—sees the nuances, craftsmanship, and fine details others miss.

How This Shows Up in Your Home

Once you understand your cognition, you can start designing with your instincts instead of questioning them.

If You’re Outer Vision:

• Trust your immediate sense of whether a room “works”
• Focus on overall composition first
• Practice zooming in on details to add depth

If You’re Inner Vision:

• Trust the details that catch your attention
• Focus on quality and refinement
• Practice zooming out to assess the full space

If You’re a Non-Visual Cognition Type:

• Your intelligence may come through your body or intuition
• You may feel a space before you see it
• Your instincts are just as valid—they’re simply coming through a different channel

Your cognition isn’t a limitation.

It’s a compass.

A New Way to Approach Your Space

Instead of asking: “What’s wrong with this room?”

Try asking: “What is my cognition type telling me about this room right now?”

Want to Find Your Cognition Type?

You’ll need your Human Design chart (look under the “Variables” or “Four Arrows” section).

You can explore your chart using tools like:

• Genetic Matrix
• Jovian Archive
• Jenna Zoe’s MyHumanDesign

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If This Episode Resonated
Take a moment to stand in a room in your home—the one that feels the most unresolved—and listen differently.
Your answer might already be there.
You’re not meant to see like everyone else.
And that might just be your greatest strength.

Connect

Connect with Colleen on Instagram @the_homecraftdesign or her website https://www.homecraftdesign.com/

In this episode of the Designed to Thrive Podcast, Colleen Tobey challenges a belief so many mothers carry: “I’ll get back to my creative self someday.”

Someday when life slows down.
Someday when there’s more time.
Someday when things feel easier.

But what if that version of creative time you’re waiting for… isn’t coming back?

And more importantly—what if you don’t need it to?

This episode is an invitation to redefine creativity, reconnect with your creative self, and find flow within the life you have right now—not by resisting this season, but by learning to work with it.

What We Cover in This Episode

• Why the belief that you “don’t have time” for creativity isn’t actually true
• How to shift your relationship with time as a mother
• A powerful redefinition of what creativity really is
• The science behind creativity, stress reduction, and brain function
• How to access creative flow in short, realistic windows
• Simple, practical ways to start creating again—this week

Redefining Creativity
One of the biggest barriers to creativity is how narrowly we define it.

Colleen expands the definition beyond art or talent: "Creativity is the act of bringing your inner world into contact with the outer world."

It’s not just painting or writing—it’s:

• Rearranging a space
• Cooking a meal with intention
• Building a business
• Telling a story
• Designing a life that feels like you

Creativity isn’t about being “good at something.”
It’s about expression, translation, and engagement with what’s inside you.

And it’s not a limited resource—it’s generative. The more you use it, the more it grows.

The Science of Creativity (and Why It Matters)
This isn’t just a “nice-to-have.”

Creativity has real, measurable effects on your brain and body:

• Activates the default mode network (where insight and idea-making happen)
• Releases dopamine, boosting mood and motivation
• Reduces cortisol, lowering stress
• Enhances neuroplasticity, making your brain more adaptable and resilient

In other words:
Creating isn’t indulgent—it’s regulating, restorative, and essential.

Rethinking Time as a Mom
The problem isn’t that you don’t have time.

It’s that you’re measuring your time against an outdated standard.

Creative time doesn’t need to be:
Long
Quiet
Uninterrupted

It just needs to be intentional.

Your creative windows might look like:

• 20 minutes while dinner is in the oven
• A quiet pocket before the house wakes up
• A voice memo on the way to school pickup

These moments count. And when you start treating them like they count—everything shifts.

Practical Ways to Start Creating Again
Colleen shares simple, grounded ways to reconnect with your creativity in real life:

1. Do a Time Audit
Look for natural pockets in your day—without judgment.
Where is there already space you’re not using intentionally?

2. Lower the Bar
Creative time doesn’t need to produce something impressive.
A sketch, a paragraph, a small shift in your space—it all counts.

3. Schedule It
What gets scheduled gets protected.
Even a small block of time becomes meaningful when it’s intentional.

4. Design Your Environment
Your space shapes your behavior.
Create a small, inviting area that signals: this is where I create.

A Powerful Reframe: Creativity as Motherhood
Being creative isn’t something you do in addition to being a good mom.

It’s part of it.

When you nurture your creative self:

• You feel more energized and alive
• You show up more fully for your family
• You model what it looks like to have an inner life and honor it

Your children don’t need you to be everything for them.
They need to see you being fully yourself.

If This Episode Resonated
Share it with someone who might need this reminder.
And if you’re enjoying the Designed to Thrive Podcast, leaving a five-star review helps grow this community and reach more women who need it.

You don’t have to wait to begin again.

Connect

Connect with Colleen on Instagram @the_homecraftdesign or her website https://www.homecraftdesign.com/

In this episode of the Designed to Thrive Podcast, Colleen Tobey explores something many women are quietly experiencing but rarely naming out loud: the absence of real, nourishing community—even in lives that look full from the outside.
She opens with a powerful question: When is the last time you felt truly held? Not just supported in a surface-level way, but deeply seen, known, and understood.
For many, the answer is uncomfortable.
This episode dives into why that gap exists—and how to begin closing it—by looking at three core areas where women most often feel the disconnect: motherhood, entrepreneurship, and friendship.
Because community isn’t a bonus to your life.
It’s the structure that holds everything else together.
What We Cover in This Episode

• Why we’re experiencing a quiet epidemic of disconnection
• The difference between being busy vs. truly connected
• Why community often stays surface-level—and how to deepen it
• How to stop waiting for connection and start building it intentionally
• Practical ways to cultivate meaningful relationships this week

Part 1: Community in Motherhood
Motherhood is one of the most paradoxical experiences: you are constantly needed, yet often feel deeply unseen.
Colleen speaks to the invisible weight mothers carry—the mental load, emotional labor, and constant presence required—and how that can lead to profound loneliness, even in a life that looks full.
Part 2: Community in Entrepreneurship
Building a business can be incredibly isolating—especially when the people in your life don’t fully understand what you’re creating.
Colleen highlights the emotional disconnect many entrepreneurs feel: being supported, but not truly seen in their work.
Part 3: Community in Friendship
Adult friendship is often the most overlooked—and the most quietly painful.
Without the built-in proximity of earlier life stages, many women find themselves with full lives but thin connections.
A Question to Take With You
What is one thing you can do this week to build community in your life?
Send the text
Make the invitation
Tell the truth
Start there.
If This Episode Resonated
Share it with someone you’ve been thinking about.
That simple act might be the beginning of deeper connection.
And if you’re enjoying the Designed to Thrive Podcast, leaving a five-star review helps grow this community and reach more women who need this message.
You were never meant to do this alone.ConnectConnect with Colleen on Instagram @the_homecraftdesign or her website https://www.homecraftdesign.com/

In this episode of the Designed to Thrive Podcast, Colleen dives into the fascinating intersection of interior design, psychology, and neuroscience.
Have you ever walked into a room and immediately felt calm… or uneasy… without knowing why? It turns out your brain is doing an incredible amount of processing the moment you enter a space—analyzing light, layout, color, scent, and visual information before you’ve consciously noticed any of it.
In this episode, Colleen breaks down the science behind how environments shape our mood, focus, stress levels, and even sleep, and shares practical ways to use that knowledge to make your home feel better—without needing a renovation or a big budget.
Because your home isn’t just a backdrop to your life.
It’s an active participant in your wellbeing.
In this episode, you’ll learn:

• What environmental psychology reveals about how spaces influence thoughts, emotions, and behavior
• Why your brain performs a subconscious safety scan every time you enter a room
• The evolutionary concept of prospect and refuge—and how furniture placement affects your nervous system
• How lighting and color impact your circadian rhythm, mood, and focus
• Why muted, low-saturation colors tend to feel calmer than highly saturated ones
• The science behind biophilia and why incorporating natural elements reduces stress
• How visual clutter drains cognitive resources and increases cortisol
• Why scent has a uniquely powerful influence on memory, mood, and emotional regulation
• The Brain-Friendly Design Principles to Start Using Today

Colleen walks listeners through simple, high-impact adjustments you can make throughout your home:

Bedroom

• Use warm-toned lighting (2700K or lower) to support sleep
• Reduce visual clutter near the bed
• Consider blackout curtains to minimize nighttime light exposure
• Charge your phone away from the nightstand to improve sleep quality

Living Room

• Arrange seating with a wall or solid surface behind you and a view of the room or entry
• Anchor the space with a rug to create visual stability
• Add warm evening lighting through floor or table lamps
• Introduce natural materials like wood, linen, or woven textures

Kitchen & Home Office

• Use brighter, cooler light during the day to support energy and focus
• Keep work surfaces visually clear to reduce cognitive load
• Position desks near natural light or a view if possible
• Consider energizing scents like citrus or peppermint

Why Small Changes Matter
Research shows that even subtle environmental adjustments can reduce stress, improve concentration, support sleep, and elevate mood.
Adding a plant.
Switching a lightbulb.
Moving a couch.
Clearing a countertop.
These small shifts signal safety and calm to your nervous system—helping your brain move out of constant vigilance and into creativity, focus, and rest.
The Bigger Takeaway
Your home is never neutral.

The spaces you inhabit are constantly shaping your mental and physical state—often in ways you don’t consciously notice.

But the empowering part is this: you can shape those spaces in return.
When your home supports your brain, everything else in your life becomes easier—your focus, your sleep, your creativity, and the way you feel when you walk through your front door.
If this episode resonated with you, consider sharing it with someone who’s been struggling to feel comfortable or settled in their home.
And if you’re enjoying the Designed to Thrive Podcast, leaving a five-star review helps the show reach more people who are looking to create spaces—and lives—that truly support them.

Thank you for listening to the Designed to Thrive Podcast. Colleen invites you to share your thoughts or take one small step today toward creating a bedroom that truly holds you. Connect with Colleen on Instagram @the_homecraftdesign or her website https://www.homecraftdesign.com/

In this episode of the Designed to Thrive Podcast, Colleen breaks down one of the most common struggles she sees in homes today: overwhelm.
Too many ideas. Too many options. Too many pieces that don’t quite relate.
If you’ve ever stood in the middle of a room wondering why it still doesn’t feel finished—despite trying new décor, rearranging furniture, or saving endless inspiration online—this episode is for you.
Colleen introduces a simple, repeatable 5-step framework you can use in any space to transform a room from chaotic and unfinished to calm, intentional, and curated—without renovating or buying an entirely new set of furniture.
Because curated design isn’t about perfection, trends, or spending more money.
It’s about editing with intention.
In this episode, you’ll learn:

• What “curated” actually means in design (and what it doesn’t)
• Why cluttered spaces keep your brain in a constant state of scanning
• How visual noise contributes to feelings of overwhelm at home
• Why every room needs a single anchor piece to create direction
• How to build a cohesive color and metal palette without overcomplicating it
• The simple rule of repetition that makes mixed finishes feel intentional
• Why curated rooms rely on balance rather than matching
• The often-overlooked power of restraint when finishing a space

The 5-Step Framework to Move From Overwhelmed to Curated
1. Clear the Visual Noise
Before adding anything new, remove what isn’t working. Overwhelm is often just unedited decisions.
2. Choose One Anchor
Every curated room has a focal point—whether it’s art, a rug, lighting, or a statement piece of furniture.
3. Commit to a Tight Color Story
Keep colors and metal finishes within the same family and repeat them intentionally throughout the space.
4. Balance the Room
Focus on visual weight, texture, and rhythm instead of trying to make everything match.
5. Practice Restraint
Curated spaces feel elevated because they’re edited. Often the most luxurious choice is what you don’t add.
Why This Matters
A curated home doesn’t just look better—it feels better.
When a space is cohesive and intentional:

• Your eyes relax
• Your brain stops scanning
• Your nervous system softens

But when a room feels random or unfinished, your mind keeps searching for what’s “off,” adding subtle stress to your environment.
And for women juggling careers, families, and big visions for their lives, your home should be supporting you—not draining you.
The Bigger Shift
This episode goes beyond decorating tips. It’s about shifting from collecting inspiration to building confidence in your decisions.
Because when you have a clear framework:

• You stop second-guessing every choice
• You stop chasing trends
• You start creating a home that actually reflects you

Curated living isn’t about impressing the internet.
It’s about creating spaces that feel calm, intentional, and aligned with the life you’re building.
If this episode resonated with you, share it with someone who’s feeling overwhelmed by their space—or leave a comment sharing which step you’re going to try first.

Thank you for listening to the Designed to Thrive Podcast. Connect with Colleen on Instagram @the_homecraftdesign or her website https://www.homecraftdesign.com/

In today’s episode of the Designed to Thrive Podcast, Colleen shares a real-time reflection on what it means to grow in a world that refuses to slow down.
We’re living in an era of constant change—new trends, new platforms, new expectations, and an endless stream of pressure to pivot, scale, optimize, and reinvent. And while growth is often celebrated, it can quietly pull us into reaction instead of intention.
This episode explores a powerful question:
How do you stay rooted while you grow?
Colleen invites listeners into an honest conversation about the difference between reacting and evolving—and why not all growth needs to be loud, fast, or expansive to be meaningful.
In this episode, we explore:

• Why constant reinvention can feel exhausting—and when it’s actually a signal to slow down
• The difference between growth driven by pressure versus growth guided by desire
• How reacting feels in the body versus how intentional evolution feels
• Why refinement, depth, and precision are forms of growth (even when they don’t look like expansion)
• How a design lens—white space, flow, and structure—can help you rethink personal and professional growth
• Why seasons matter, and how honoring quieter phases leads to clarity and longevity
• How to stop designing your life and business from urgency and start anchoring into values instead

This episode is for you if:

• You feel overwhelmed by how fast everything is moving
• You’re questioning whether your desire to slow down means you’re falling behind
• You’re navigating a season of refinement instead of expansion
• You want to grow without sacrificing your peace, nervous system, or values

Colleen offers a gentle but powerful reframe:
Maybe you don’t need to keep up. Maybe you need to anchor.

Anchor into what matters. Anchor into what feels true. And let growth happen—room by room.

Thank you for listening to the Designed to Thrive Podcast. If this episode resonated, Colleen invites you to share your thoughts. Connect with Colleen on Instagram @the_homecraftdesign or her website https://www.homecraftdesign.com/