In this episode, we’re continuing the Summer Stories series. Today’s story is about gardens, growth, and learning to create with intention — not just in the home, but in life.

As we wrap up another great adventure — traveling six weeks through the Northwest Territories, Yukon, and Alaska in our travel trailer — I’m reflecting on the gardens we’ve tended over the years. From inherited blooms to gifted plants, to now intentionally planning my garden, this story is about setting intentions, planting seeds, and learning that creating beauty takes time, care, and a little curiosity.

This episode is for you if you’ve ever:

• Wanted to grow something beautiful but didn’t know where to start

• Felt like you were just “working with what you have” instead of creating intentionally

• Needed a reminder that learning, experimenting, and patience are part of growth

• Been inspired to bring more intentionality into your home
  

We’ll explore:

• How moving through different homes taught me to tend gardens — and life — with care

• The lessons I’ve learned from receiving plants, experimenting, and learning as I go

• Why intentionality matters, even in something as simple as planting tulips

• How gardening parallels creating a holistic, thriving home

• Ways to create a sense of home on the go, even while traveling

  
  

Whether you’re tending a garden, a home, or a season of life, this story is here to remind you that growth isn’t always instant, but with intention, attention and care, it’s always unfolding. Let’s celebrate the blooms — both big and small — along the way. And plant those seeds and tulips bulbs in your own life!

Let’s Connect!  If you loved this episode, I’d love to hear from you! Screenshot this episode, share it to your Instagram stories, and tag me @thecommonnest. 

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast—it helps us reach more people who need support in creating a home that feels good. 💛

Work with Christy:

Please reach out if you’d like to explore how we can work together to create a happier, healthier home with a holistic approach.

Find out more about 

The Holistic Home Method:  https://www.thecommonnest.com/holistichome

Looking for personalized support? Check out:

Love Your Home: https://www.thecommonnest.com/loveyourhome

Don't know where to start? 

Book a FREE Discovery Call https://calendly.com/tcn-christy/30min

Join our FREE private community, 

The Common Nest Collective: https://www.thecommonnest.com/collective

You can find more from The Common Nest here:

Website: https://www.thecommonnest.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecommonnest/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecommonnest/

In this episode of Summer Stories, I’m sharing a short story about something as ordinary as a city road, and how it led me to reflect on the ways we navigate our homes and lives. 

This week’s story is actually with a friend who resisted driving on a brand-new road near our city. Even though the highway was built to make travel faster and easier, she stuck to her familiar back routes - not because they were better, but because they were well known. 

That got me thinking: how often do we do the same thing in our homes and lives? How often do we stay comfortable with what’s familiar, even if it keeps us from a path that could be easier, lighter, or more aligned with what we really want?

This episode is for you if you’ve ever:

• Stuck with old habits even when you knew there might be a better way

• Let fear of the unknown keep you from trying something new

• Needed a reminder that small risks can bring big rewards

• Wanted encouragement to stretch yourself beyond your comfort zone
  

We’ll explore:

• Why my friend avoided the ring road for months — and what changed

• How fear and comfort can quietly hold us back

• The power of trying something new, even when it feels intimidating

• What “taking the ring road” might look like in your home and daily life
  

Whether it’s shifting routines, changing patterns, or simply trying a different way of doing things, this story is here to encourage you to take the leap — to step onto the new road, even if it feels a little scary at first.

Because sometimes the path you’ve been avoiding turns out to be the one that makes life lighter, simpler, and so much easier.

Let’s reflect together on what roads might be waiting for you — and how you can take that first drive toward something new.

Let’s Connect!  If you loved this episode, I’d love to hear from you! Screenshot this episode, share it to your Instagram stories, and tag me @thecommonnest. 

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast—it helps us reach more people who need support in creating a home that feels good. 💛

Work with Christy:

Please reach out if you’d like to explore how we can work together to create a happier, healthier home with a holistic approach.

Find out more about 

The Holistic Home Method: 

 https://www.thecommonnest.com/holistichome

Looking for personalized support? Check out:

Love Your Home: 

https://www.thecommonnest.com/loveyourhome

Don't know where to start? 

Book a FREE Discovery Call:

 https://calendly.com/tcn-christy/30min

Want to grow in a community?

Join the Holistic Home Membership:  

https://www.thecommonnest.com/membership

You can find more from The Common Nest here:

Website: https://www.thecommonnest.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecommonnest/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecommonnest/

In this episode, we’re continuing the Summer Stories series — a peek behind the scenes of how I create in my home and on the go. 

Today’s story is about groceries… but not in the way you might think. It’s a story about letting go of control and discovering what happens when we invite others to share the load — even if it doesn’t look exactly the way we would do it ourselves.

From the early days of my marriage to the toddler meltdowns in checkout lines, grocery shopping was “my task” for a long time. But as life got fuller (and busier), I reached a breaking point — and my husband stepped in. That’s when I learned that letting someone help isn’t just about handing over a task… it’s about loosening my grip on how it “should” be done.

This episode is for you if you’ve ever:

• Felt overwhelmed by the endless to-do list at home

• Struggled to let others take over a task because they do it differently

• Wanted to create more shared responsibility in your home

• Needed a reminder that done is often better than done your way
  

We’ll explore:

• How grocery shopping became my husband’s task (and why it was harder to let go than I expected)

• The sneaky ways control can keep us feeling overworked

• What diaper duty taught us about teamwork early in parenting

• Why letting go gives others the space to step up

• How kids (and partners) learn best when we stop doing it all for them
  

Whether it’s groceries, laundry, or mowing the lawn, this story is here to remind you that sometimes the best gift you can give your home — and yourself — is to let go of control, welcome the help, and trust that “different” can still be good.

Let’s trade perfection for partnership and find more ease in the everyday.

Let’s Connect!  If you loved this episode, I’d love to hear from you! Screenshot this episode, share it to your Instagram stories, and tag me @thecommonnest. 

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast—it helps us reach more people who need support in creating a home that feels good. 💛

Work with Christy:

Please reach out if you’d like to explore how we can work together to create a happier, healthier home with a holistic approach.

Find out more about 

The Holistic Home Method: 

 https://www.thecommonnest.com/holistichome

Looking for personalized support? Check out:

Love Your Home: 

https://www.thecommonnest.com/loveyourhome

Don't know where to start? 

Book a FREE Discovery Call:

 https://calendly.com/tcn-christy/30min

Want to grow in a community?

Join the Holistic Home Membership:  

https://www.thecommonnest.com/membership

You can find more from The Common Nest here:

Website: https://www.thecommonnest.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecommonnest/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecommonnest/

In this episode, we’re continuing the Summer Stories series, a seasonal peek behind the scenes of how I create home, even on the go. Today’s story is about the balance between pleasure and health, and what happens when we reflect on the choices we make in our lives, from sugar to self-care.

Our family recently had a doctor's appointment that sparked an interesting conversation about how we live, what we eat, and how we care for ourselves. My daughter’s take on the advice to limit sugar was a thought-provoking reminder that the "you only live once" mentality is often tied to instant gratification and pleasure.

This episode is for you if you’ve ever:

• Wondered what "you only live once" really means for your health and wellbeing

• Struggled with balancing joy and health in your daily choices

• Reflected on how to nourish your body and mind in a meaningful way

• Questioned the role of pleasure and self-care in your life
  

We’ll explore:

• The doctor's advice on sugar and what it means for our health

• How my daughter’s perspective of “you only live once” made me reflect

• What it really means to nourish your body for longevity, not just pleasure

• The balance between joy and health, and how to make mindful choices for the life you want to live
  

Whether you’re focused on health, pleasure, or both, this story is here to remind you that every choice you make is part of creating the home and life you desire. Sometimes, the choices that nourish you might look different than you expect, but they’re right for you — and they bring you closer to living intentionally.

Let’s dive into the conversation and remember: the life you live is made of the small choices you make every day. Let’s make them count.

Let’s Connect!  If you loved this episode, I’d love to hear from you! Screenshot this episode, share it to your Instagram stories, and tag me @thecommonnest. 

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast—it helps us reach more people who need support in creating a home that feels good. 💛

Work with Christy:

Please reach out if you’d like to explore how we can work together to create a happier, healthier home with a holistic approach.

Find out more about 

The Holistic Home Method: 

 https://www.thecommonnest.com/holistichome

Looking for personalized support? Check out:

Love Your Home: 

https://www.thecommonnest.com/loveyourhome

Don't know where to start? 

Book a FREE Discovery Call:

 https://calendly.com/tcn-christy/30min

Want to grow in a community?

Join the Holistic Home Membership:  

https://www.thecommonnest.com/membership

You can find more from The Common Nest here:

Website: https://www.thecommonnest.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecommonnest/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecommonnest/

In this episode of the Common Nest Podcast, we're continuing with our Summer Stories series — a seasonal peek behind the scenes of how I create home, even on the go. Today's story is about a close call on the road and the valuable lessons it taught me about our energy, our expectations, and our capacity for grace in different seasons.

This week, I’m sharing a story about the time we almost ran out of gas while traveling in our trailer. It was day one of our trip, and we were learning just how far we could go with our new set-up. But as we hit a dirt road and realized we weren’t getting the mileage we expected, we found ourselves in the middle of nowhere, hoping we'd make it to the next gas station. Thankfully, we did, and it made me reflect on how often we expect too much from ourselves — especially in seasons of change.

This episode is for you if you’ve ever:

• Felt like your energy was running low but kept pushing forward

• Struggled to balance expectations with reality in different seasons of life

• Needed a reminder to be kind to yourself and ask for help when you need it

• Wanted to better understand your energy flow and how to honor your natural rhythms
  

We’ll explore:

• The story behind almost running out of gas (and what it taught me)

• Why our expectations sometimes don’t align with our capacity in different life seasons

• How to honor your energy levels and adjust your expectations accordingly

• The importance of grace, self-compassion, and finding support when we need it

• Tips for navigating life’s ebbs and flows, especially when life is in transition
  

Whether you're in a season of full speed ahead or need a reminder to slow down, this episode will help you reframe how you approach your energy and capacity in everyday life.

Let’s dive into this week’s Summer Story and explore how we can travel further with a little grace and self-awareness.

Let’s Connect!  If you loved this episode, I’d love to hear from you! Screenshot this episode, share it to your Instagram stories, and tag me @thecommonnest. 

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast—it helps us reach more people who need support in creating a home that feels good. 💛

Work with Christy:

Please reach out if you’d like to explore how we can work together to create a happier, healthier home with a holistic approach.

Find out more about 

The Holistic Home Method: 

 https://www.thecommonnest.com/holistichome

Looking for personalized support? Check out:

Love Your Home: 

https://www.thecommonnest.com/loveyourhome

Don't know where to start? 

Book a FREE Discovery Call:

 https://calendly.com/tcn-christy/30min

Want to grow in a community?

Join the Holistic Home Membership:  

https://www.thecommonnest.com/membership

You can find more from The Common Nest here:

Website: https://www.thecommonnest.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecommonnest/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecommonnest/

In this episode of the Summer Stories series, I'm sharing a personal story about my son, his love for Warhammer, and a lesson about showing up with compassion — for him and for myself. As our family embarks on a northern adventure this summer, I’m reminded of how sometimes things don’t go according to plan — and that’s okay.

In today’s episode, we talk about:

• How my son’s Warhammer hobby led to an unexpected lesson in patience, resilience, and parenting.

• The importance of supporting our kids — and ourselves — through difficult emotions, without adding shame or guilt to the mix.

• The role of non-judgmental support in building resilience, both in our children and in ourselves.

• How our homes can become places of compassion and grace, especially when we’re navigating tough moments.

This episode is for you if you ever:

• Struggle with your child’s disappointment or frustration

• Find yourself jumping to shame, guilt, or frustration when things go wrong

• Need a reminder to show up for yourself and your home with compassion

• Want to create a more supportive environment at home, even when things don’t go as planned

Join me as I reflect on the importance of showing up for ourselves and our loved ones with kindness and understanding — even when things get messy. And remember, every moment is an opportunity to practice compassion and grace.

If you’ve ever had a “Warhammer moment” in your home, I hope this story inspires you to give yourself (and others) the support you need to move through those moments with love and understanding.

Catch you next week for another summer story!

Let’s Connect!  If you loved this episode, I’d love to hear from you! Screenshot this episode, share it to your Instagram stories, and tag me @thecommonnest. 

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast—it helps us reach more people who need support in creating a home that feels good. 💛

Work with Christy:

Please reach out if you’d like to explore how we can work together to create a happier, healthier home with a holistic approach.

Find out more about 

The Holistic Home Method: 

 https://www.thecommonnest.com/holistichome

Looking for personalized support? Check out:

Love Your Home: 

https://www.thecommonnest.com/loveyourhome

Don't know where to start? 

Book a FREE Discovery Call:

 https://calendly.com/tcn-christy/30min

Want to grow in a community?

Join the Holistic Home Membership:  

https://www.thecommonnest.com/membership

You can find more from The Common Nest here:

Website: https://www.thecommonnest.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecommonnest/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecommonnest/

In this episode, we’re continuing the Summer Stories series, which is a seasonal peek behind the scenes of how I create home, even on the go. Today’s story is about the journey versus the destination, and how focusing on the end goal can keep us from embracing the moments along the way.

This summer, we’re hitting the road again — this time, traveling to the Northwest Territories, Yukon, and Alaska. I’m reflecting on the lessons learned from our Cross Canada trip a couple of years ago, and how those experiences taught me about the importance of the journey — not just the destination.

This episode is for you if you’ve ever:

• Focused too much on the destination and missed the beauty of the journey

• Found yourself so fixated on the end goal that you didn’t celebrate the little wins along the way

• Needed a reminder that every step, no matter how small, brings you closer to where you're meant to be

• Tried to find peace in your home and life, even when things aren’t going according to plan

We’ll explore:

• How focusing on the journey can shift your perspective and bring more fulfillment

• The power of embracing the little moments and not just waiting for the “big arrival”

Whether you’re on your own adventure or navigating a season of waiting, this story is a reminder to celebrate the journey and embrace all the little moments along the way.

Let’s Connect!  If you loved this episode, I’d love to hear from you! Screenshot this episode, share it to your Instagram stories, and tag me @thecommonnest. 

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast—it helps us reach more people who need support in creating a home that feels good. 💛

Work with Christy:

Please reach out if you’d like to explore how we can work together to create a happier, healthier home with a holistic approach.

Find out more about 

The Holistic Home Method: 

 https://www.thecommonnest.com/holistichome

Looking for personalized support? Check out:

Love Your Home: 

https://www.thecommonnest.com/loveyourhome

Don't know where to start? 

Book a FREE Discovery Call:

 https://calendly.com/tcn-christy/30min

Want to grow in a community?

Join the Holistic Home Membership:  

https://www.thecommonnest.com/membership

You can find more from The Common Nest here:

Website: https://www.thecommonnest.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecommonnest/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecommonnest/

In this episode, we’re continuing the Summer Stories series — a seasonal peek behind the scenes of how I create home, even while on the road. Today’s story takes us to the Maritimes and the top of Mount Carlton, the highest peak in Eastern Canada, where a family hike turned into a powerful metaphor for change, challenge, and choosing the less-traveled path.

It wasn’t the most obvious route — in fact, we questioned if we were even going the right way. But what looked unclear ended up being the exact path we needed.

This episode is for you if you’ve ever:

• Faced a fork in the road and didn’t know which way to go

• Tried to make a change in your life, but the new way felt uncertain

• Needed encouragement to stay the course when it felt like you were going “the long way around”

• Wanted a reminder that the less-worn path might still be the right one
  

We’ll explore:

• The unexpected lessons from a rainy, rocky family hike up Mount Carlton

• Why we didn’t take the obvious route — and what happened when we followed the signs instead

• How this experience mirrors mindset work, brain plasticity, and personal growth

• What it means to trust the direction you're going, even when the path isn’t clear

• How to find your own signs, maps, and inner compass to guide your next steps
  

Whether you’re navigating change, trying something new, or just walking through a season of life that feels a little unfamiliar, this story is here to remind you: the clear path isn’t always the best path — and you don’t have to take the shortcut to make it to the top.

Let’s celebrate the long way around, the steady steps, and the strength we build along the way. You’re doing better than you think, my friend.

Let’s Connect!  If you loved this episode, I’d love to hear from you! Screenshot this episode, share it to your Instagram stories, and tag me @thecommonnest. 

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast—it helps us reach more people who need support in creating a home that feels good. 💛

Work with Christy:

Please reach out if you’d like to explore how we can work together to create a happier, healthier home with a holistic approach.

Find out more about 

The Holistic Home Method: 

 https://www.thecommonnest.com/holistichome

Looking for personalized support? Check out:

Love Your Home: 

https://www.thecommonnest.com/loveyourhome

Don't know where to start? 

Book a FREE Discovery Call:

 https://calendly.com/tcn-christy/30min

Want to grow in a community?

Join the Holistic Home Membership:  

https://www.thecommonnest.com/membership

You can find more from The Common Nest here:

Website: https://www.thecommonnest.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecommonnest/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecommonnest/

In this episode, we’re continuing the Summer Stories series — a seasonal peek behind the scenes of how I create home, even on the go. Today’s story is about dreams delayed, plans postponed, and what happens when life doesn't go the way we hoped… but maybe the way we needed.

We’re heading north this summer — all the way to the Northwest Territories, Yukon, and Alaska — and I’m reflecting on how this trip almost didn’t happen again. Last year’s cancelled plans, family circumstances, and shifting work schedules felt like setbacks at the time. But in hindsight, those delays brought clarity, preparation, and better timing.

This episode is for you if you’ve ever:

• Faced a change in plans that felt like failure

• Wondered if “delayed” means “denied”

• Needed a reminder that growth can happen in the waiting

• Tried to create peace in your home — even when your plans fall apart
  

We’ll explore:

• Why our big northern adventure got postponed (and what changed since)

• How unexpected delays gave us better tools, timing, and perspective

• What it means to create “home on the go” — even from a trailer in the wilderness

• The power of second chances and choosing to try again

• Why your timeline might be different than expected… and better for it
  

Whether you’re dreaming up your own adventure or navigating a season of waiting, this story is here to remind you that it’s okay to start again — and that sometimes, the “right time” arrives later than planned… but right on time for you.

Let’s embrace the take twos, celebrate the progress, and remember: even in the delay, you’re still moving forward.

Let’s Connect!  If you loved this episode, I’d love to hear from you! Screenshot this episode, share it to your Instagram stories, and tag me @thecommonnest. 

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast—it helps us reach more people who need support in creating a home that feels good. 💛

Work with Christy:

Please reach out if you’d like to explore how we can work together to create a happier, healthier home with a holistic approach.

Find out more about 

The Holistic Home Method: 

 https://www.thecommonnest.com/holistichome

Looking for personalized support? Check out:

Love Your Home: 

https://www.thecommonnest.com/loveyourhome

Don't know where to start? 

Book a FREE Discovery Call:

 https://calendly.com/tcn-christy/30min

Want to grow in a community?

Join the Holistic Home Membership:  

https://www.thecommonnest.com/membership

You can find more from The Common Nest here:

Website: https://www.thecommonnest.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecommonnest/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecommonnest/

In this episode, we’re kicking off the Summer Stories series — a seasonal collection of personal reflections, travel tales, and gentle lessons about home, life, and intentional living.

This week, I am sharing the backstory of our family’s Cross-Canada road trip — a dream that began with a pair of souvenir mugs and took years, a pandemic, and a little rainstorm in Jasper to finally come true.

But this isn’t just a story about travel. It’s a story about second chances, delayed dreams, and what it really means to create home — on the road, and in your heart.

This episode is for you if you’ve ever:

• Had a dream that got postponed, canceled, or seemed just out of reach

• Needed encouragement to keep going after a goal — even when the first attempt didn’t work out

• Wondered how to make travel feel like home (especially with kids!)

• Longed to hear a real-life example of resilience, flexibility, and hope
  

We’ll explore:

• Why some dreams take more than one try — and how that can be a blessing

• How small symbols (like a coffee mug) can become powerful anchors for your dreams

• What it looks like to create a sense of home while traveling

• The beauty of a Plan B (and even Plan C) when life throws curveballs

• How to keep believing in your vision, even when the path is uncertain
  

Whether you’re packing for your own summer adventures or simply soaking up the season at home, this episode is a reminder that sometimes the best stories — and the best outcomes — come from the take twos.

Let’s begin the journey.

Let’s Connect!  If you loved this episode, I’d love to hear from you! Screenshot this episode, share it to your Instagram stories, and tag me @thecommonnest. 

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast—it helps us reach more people who need support in creating a home that feels good. 💛

Work with Christy:

Please reach out if you’d like to explore how we can work together to create a happier, healthier home with a holistic approach.

Find out more about 

The Holistic Home Method: 

 https://www.thecommonnest.com/holistichome

Looking for personalized support? Check out:

Love Your Home: 

https://www.thecommonnest.com/loveyourhome

Don't know where to start? 

Book a FREE Discovery Call:

 https://calendly.com/tcn-christy/30min

Want to grow in a community?

Join the Holistic Home Membership:  

https://www.thecommonnest.com/membership

You can find more from The Common Nest here:

Website: https://www.thecommonnest.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecommonnest/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecommonnest/