Dwelling: Simple Ways to Nourish Your Home, Body, and Soul

Caring for oneself and one’s home go hand-in-hand, writes Michaels (Love the Home You Have), founder of decorating blog The Inspired Room, in her approachable, faith-based guide to home design. Being aware of the correlation between one’s spirit and one’s surrounding can help one simplify, balance, and find peace, she advises, providing tools for making changes—physical as well as mental—that can help create a home that is a refuge and haven instead of a source of stress and frustration. Topics include eliminating clutter, slowing down and prioritizing tasks, meditating on scripture for inspiration, and embracing nature. Michaels suggests starting a garden, rearranging furniture to maximize window space in dark rooms, drinking purified water, and homing in on a sensory experience of the home (as opposed to a purely functional one). Committing to happy, healthy choices will make a difference in spiritual and mental health, she suggests, and recommends keeping a written account of the process to track how one begins to think more clearly. Journaling prompts and “Dwelling Well” suggestions appear throughout to help readers stay on track. This is a great resource for Christians looking to rethink their home environment. [em](Apr.) [/em]