Permission to Love Your Home: Podcast Episode 3

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Episode 3: Show notes

Old farmhouse exterior

Do we need to wait until we finally reach our “forever home” before we take meaningful steps to make where we live now work better and feel more like home for our families?

My answer is a clear no. Give yourself permission to love the house you live in today. Small changes—whether functional, decorative, or mindset shifts—can make a big difference in how your home feels and how your family experiences everyday life.

This episode encourages you to stop waiting and start making the most of your current home. You don’t have to overhaul everything to create comfort, joy, and lasting memories where you are now.

Listen to Episode:

Episode Title: Give Yourself Permission to Love the Home You Have

If you prefer streaming, listen on your favorite platform or use the embedded player on the original podcast page.

Or listen on:

Apple Podcasts | Spotify

Introduction to this podcast episode:

I trace my affection for older fixer-upper homes back to the big white farmhouse where I grew up in Montana. The house is well over a century old and full of charming quirks that made everyday life interesting and, at times, hilarious.

In this episode I share funny and memorable stories about that childhood farmhouse—especially an odd bathroom that taught me early on to appreciate character, work with challenges, and see beauty in imperfections. Those lessons shaped how I approach homes as an adult and help explain why I’m drawn to older houses that need love.

Parts of this podcast episode:

  • The place where our homemaking journey began and the unusual circumstances that shaped it.
  • A most memorable apartment that taught our family the value of creativity and making small spaces work for four people.
  • Our very first fixer-upper house and the lessons learned renovating, budgeting, and prioritizing projects.
  • Our second fixer-upper: what we did differently and what we would do the same if we had to start over.
  • The ongoing challenge of balancing contentment with the desire for change—how to appreciate the present while planning for a better future home.

Links mentioned in this show:

  • Farmhouse by the Sea Tour
Go ahead and love the home you have

More about our Podcast

The Harbour Breeze Home podcast is hosted by Rita Joy, the voice behind the Harbour Breeze Home blog. With a lighthearted and storytelling approach, Rita shares practical tips, renovation lessons, and approachable ideas to help you make your home look and feel its best. Whether you’re in a rental, a starter home, or a fixer-upper, the show offers encouragement and actionable steps to improve function and beauty.

New episodes are released on Mondays. Each episode mixes personal stories with helpful takeaways so you can apply small, realistic changes at home without feeling overwhelmed.

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More episodes you might enjoy:

Podcast Trailer

A short trailer introducing the Harbour Breeze Home podcast: what to expect from the show, the host’s background, and the kinds of stories and home projects that inspire each episode.

Extra “u”s and Other Canadian Quirks

A light and entertaining episode about language differences, cultural little quirks, and the small familiar things that make a place feel like home. This one is full of fun observations that celebrate the everyday details.

Why Wait? Give Yourself Permission to Be Grateful For Your House Now.

This episode expands on the theme of appreciating your current home: practical ideas to create comfort, simple styling changes to lift your mood, and mindset tips to cultivate gratitude while you plan for future improvements.