Healthy Life Creative Life - A cozy study

Inside The Upper Room

The Upper Room is where we pull it all together. My own journey has taught me that true wellness isn’t found in a single habit, but in the harmony of Mind, Body, and Spirit. This space is a living record of that integration—a place for journey, instruction, and the creative tools we need to thrive.

  • Mind: This is our center for learning, focus, and the creative problem-solving that helps us design a life we love.

  • Body: Dedicated to the physical journey—healthy eating, toxin-free living, and the simple joy of feeling good in your own skin.

  • Spirit: The foundation of it all. Staying close to God, finding inner happiness, and living in the abundance of knowing there is more than enough to go around.

Whether through a video in my kitchen or a downloadable reference list, everything here is designed to help you connect these three pillars in your own home.

Healthy Life Creative Life - Creative mind: image of art tools: A pencil, a paint brush, a feather, and a palette knife.

Mind: The Creative Architect

Wellness starts with how we think. This section is about cultivating a focused, creative mind that can solve problems and design a peaceful environment. When your mind is clear and engaged, you have the vision to lead your home with intention rather than reacting to the chaos of the day.

  • Focus: Creativity, Learning, Problem Solving.

Healthy Life Creative Life - Kitchen tools: illustration of a spoon, a spatula, and a whisk.

Body: The Living Temple

Your physical health is the engine that allows you to carry out your purpose. Here, we focus on nourishing the body through healthy eating, toxin-free living, and natural home management. By treating your body and home as a sanctuary, you gain the energy and vitality needed to show up fully for your family and your God.

  • Focus: Healthy Eating, Toxin-Free Living, Feeling Good.

Healthy Life Creative Life - An illustration of an open book showing lines as text and an outline of a dove with a cross over it.

Spirit: The Foundational Anchor

This is the “why” behind everything we do. Staying close to God reminds us that we aren’t doing this alone and that happiness starts from within. When your spirit is grounded in faith and abundance, you realize there is always enough to go around, allowing you to lead your home with a heart of peace and generosity.

  • Focus: Faith, Inner Happiness, Spiritual Abundance.

How to Start Moving When You Don’t See the Whole Staircase

I reached a profound realization about the limits of human effort. There is a certain humility in admitting that willpower has a “ceiling,” and for many, hitting that ceiling is exactly what opens the door to spiritual growth.

We often think of our “home” as the four walls around us, but the truth is far more intimate.

Latest Features

Expert advice and in-depth features for a healthy life

Ask The Researcher

Let’s bring it all together.

A: Generally, spring is best after the last frost has passed. Hardy perennials (like rosemary and thyme) can go in early, while tender annuals (like basil) need warm soil and stable overnight temperatures to thrive.A: Generally, spring is best after the last frost has passed. Hardy perennials (like rosemary and thyme) can go in early, while tender annuals (like basil) need warm soil and stable overnight temperatures to thrive.A: Generally, spring is best after the last frost has passed. Hardy perennials (like rosemary and thyme) can go in early, while tender annuals (like basil) need warm soil and stable overnight temperatures to thrive.

A: Yellow leaves (chlorosis) are usually a plant’s way of signaling a watering issue—either too much or too little. Other common culprits include nutrient deficiencies (like a lack of nitrogen), insufficient sunlight, or natural aging as the plant sheds older foliage.

A: The best way to decorate is to prioritize personal storytelling over trends. Focus on how you want a room to feel, then use the 60-30-10 color rule (60% main color, 30% secondary, 10% accent) and layered lighting to create a space that is both functional and uniquely yours.

A: For a clean, modern look, curtains should just graze the floor (about 1/2 inch above). If you prefer a more formal or romantic feel, you can “puddle” them by adding 2-4 inches of length. They should generally only fall short if they are placed over a radiator or a deep windowsill.

A: The best way to manage interior storage is to optimize the space you already have using the “Active Zone” principle: keep daily essentials between knee and shoulder height for easy access. Focus on decluttering first, then use vertical space and multi-functional furniture to keep items organized and off the floor.

A: Yes, a budget is highly recommended. Costs for soil, tools, and seeds add up quickly, and a plan helps you prioritize your “must-haves” while avoiding mid-season sticker shock. Starting with a clear financial path ensures your garden grows sustainably without overwhelming your wallet.

A: Since 1950, family life has shifted from a standardized nuclear model to a diverse landscape of single-parent, blended, and dual-income households. While technology has changed how we connect, there is a growing movement to reclaim traditional values like self-sufficiency, scratch-cooking, and intentional, holistic living.

A: Choosing to focus on the home offers unique advantages: you provide a consistent emotional anchor for your family, gain greater sovereignty over your daily schedule, and have the opportunity to cultivate a purposeful, non-toxic environment. It allows you to transform “housework” into the meaningful art of home-making.

A: Based on 2026 data, the estimated market replacement value for the various roles a housewife or mother fulfills—including childcare, household management, and culinary services—averages approximately $184,820 per year. This figure reflects the true economic cost of outsourcing the specialized labor required to run a home efficiently.

Finding joy when your environment feels chaotic is about shifting your focus from the perfection of the space to the presence of the people (or yourself) within it.

Here is a short perspective:

  • Practice “Micro-Gratitude”: Find one small corner—a favorite chair, a windowsill, or a clean mug—and let that be your temporary sanctuary. You don’t need the whole house to be perfect to enjoy one small spot.

  • Release the “Performance”: Remind yourself that a home is a place for living, not a showroom. A messy house often means life is actually happening.

  • The 10-Minute Reset: Set a timer and move with intention. Often, the act of reclaiming even a tiny bit of order provides a sense of agency that restores internal calm.

  • Choose People over Projects: If the house is out of control because you were spending time with family or creating art, honor that choice. The mess is just the “packaging” of a memory.

Perspective Shift: Your worth is not measured by the state of your kitchen sink. Peace is an internal rhythm, not an external condition.

A: Lasting change is built on the right tools. To stay organized, focus on a mix of digital apps for planning, physical journals for reflection, and environmental tools—like labeled storage or dedicated garden zones—that reduce friction and keep your journey on track.

A: Making changes on a shoestring budget is all about perspective: start with what you have, refurbish or repurpose existing items, and replace essentials with higher-quality, non-toxic versions only as they run out. By using household staples and creative problem-solving, you can transform your space and lifestyle for pennies.

A: The secret is to start small. You don’t have to overhaul your entire life, your diet, or your home in a single day. In fact, lasting change usually happens in the “quiet corners.” Pick one small thing—clearing a single shelf, swapping one cleaning product for a natural alternative, or spending five minutes in morning reflection—and let the peace from that small victory fuel your next step.

A: Absolutely. Creativity isn’t just about paint and canvas; it’s about how you solve problems, how you cook a meal, or how you nurture a garden. A “Creative Life” is simply one lived with intention and curiosity.

A: While the world has moved toward a faster, more digital pace since the mid-20th century, we are seeing a beautiful “return to the roots.” We can learn a lot from the traditional focus on the home as a sanctuary—prioritizing shared meals, handmade goods, and a slower rhythm. It isn’t about going backward, but about carrying forward the values of connection, presence, and stewardship into our modern lives.

A: A holistic lifestyle means recognizing that everything is connected. When we remove synthetic toxins from our homes, we aren’t just helping our lungs; we are clearing our minds. When we garden, we aren’t just growing food; we are grounding our spirits. The benefit is a sense of “wholeness”—where your home, your health, and your creative spirit are finally working together instead of pulling you in different directions.

A: Start with the basics: hydrate, step into the sunlight, and breathe deeply. When you feel overwhelmed, choose one small “win”—like clearing a single surface or swapping a synthetic scent for a natural one—to reclaim your environment and your peace.

A: We are whole beings. When we nourish our bodies with clean food and a non-toxic environment, we clear the path for our spirit to breathe and our creativity to flourish. By honoring the “vessel,” we create the mental clarity needed for a truly purposeful life.

“If you have health, you probably will be happy, and if you have health and happiness, you have all the wealth you need, even if it is not all you want. “
Anonymous • Quote of the Day
“Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, worn or consumed. Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace, and gratitude.”
Anonymous • Quote of the Day
Stylized illustration of a woman in an art studio looking out the window at a sunny backyard garden.

How to Support Healthy Life Creative Life

I hope the stories and resources here bring inspiration and practical value to your life. I’m not here to hand down rigid rules or lecture anyone on “what to do.” Instead, I’m sharing my own life experiences—the victories, the struggles, and what has truly worked for me on this journey. Living a happy, healthy life shouldn’t be an overwhelming uphill battle. When we know better, we do better. We all face challenges, but by looking back to ancient, time-tested wisdom, we can reclaim a healthier way of living together.

Building and maintaining this platform takes a significant investment of time, energy, and technical resources. If you find value in the content here and would like to help keep this independent project growing, there are a few meaningful ways you can support my work:

  1. Invest in Your Home’s Wellness via Young Living

One of the most impactful ways to support this site is by investing in your own family’s wellness. Transitioning to a non-toxic home can feel daunting, but high-quality essential oils and plant-based products make the journey simple and intentional.

  • Explore & Order on Your Own Terms: You can browse the complete line of pure essential oils and wellness products using my Young Living Personal Referral Link. Order exactly what you need, whenever you need it, to support your home transformation.
  • Kickstart Your Transition with a Curated Kit: If you aren’t sure where to start, these two foundational kits are designed to replace everyday chemical stressors with natural alternatives. Use promo code SHAREYL at checkout to save 10% on your first order of 50 PV or more:
    • Make a Shift Home Kit: Features the plant-based, legendary Thieves home protection products to clean and purify your living spaces safely.
    • Make a Shift Daily Wellness Kit: Offers a straightforward daily wellness routine centered around targeted nutritional support and vitality.

Sharing the Journey (Customers vs. Brand Partners): When you set up an account, you have two flexible paths depending on how you want to share these products with others:

  • As a Customer: If you love the products and share them with a friend, you can earn 25% of their first order’s PV value back in product credits to spend on your own future wellness orders.
  • As a Brand Partner: If you want to turn your passion into a stream of income, you can become a Brand Partner. By sharing your custom link and the SHAREYL discount code, you can give your friends 10% off their first order while earning a 25% Fast Start cash bonus on their PV purchases during their first calendar month.
  1. Send a Direct Contribution

If you prefer to support the creation of this content directly without purchasing products, simple financial gifts are deeply appreciated and go directly toward covering website expenses and research time. You can find me on Venmo at @Debra-Brading.

  1. Visit The Marketplace (Coming Soon!)

Keep an eye out for the upcoming launch of our digital storefront. We are currently developing original merchandise, printables, guides, and books designed to give you hands-on tools for your homesteading, gardening, and creative projects.

Thank you so much for being a part of this community and for supporting a handcrafted path to wellness.