And here we are. The post I was most worried was going to paint me as a hypocrite. Oh, you’re a designer who wants to enter people’s intimate spaces but the thought of someone ringing your doorbell gives you a panic attack? SURE.
The truth is, we can’t deny the last five years of trying to navigate (on our own) new ways of connecting and living. I became deeply agoraphobic for a while, something I was ashamed of until I came to realize that most people did, too.
So, how do you let someone in—literally and figuratively—when you’ve spent years guarding your space, your energy, and, let’s be honest, your sanity? When your home isn’t just where you live but where you’ve survived?
This three-part series is for anyone who’s ever hesitated before opening their door, not just to a designer, but to change itself.
Part 1: The Emotional Weight of Inviting Someone In
- Why we feel the need to “fix” our space before letting someone see it
- The connection between home and identity—why it feels so personal
- How to shift from seeing your space as something to be judged to something full of potential
Part 2: What Actually Happens in a First Design Consultation?
- What designers really look at (spoiler: it’s not your mess)
- How to prepare for a first visit (and what you don’t need to stress over)
- Questions a designer asks and why they matter
Part 3: How to Let Go and Trust the Process
- Why letting go of old habits and clutter is so hard
- How to balance your personal vision with a designer’s expertise
- Real stories of how trusting the process led to unexpected, beautiful results
Because letting someone into your home isn’t just about design—it’s about allowing change, making space for something better, and seeing your home in a way you never have before.
Until next time, when we take that first, nerve-wracking step inside. (Literally and metaphorically, of course.) In the meantime, I’ll be psyching myself up to answer the door like a normal human wearing pants.
Stay weird, stay wonderful.
Steph
