If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to be Joanna Gaines, the beloved home renovation expert, she’s giving us a peek into her world in her latest book, The Stories We Tell. Writing this book wasn’t just about putting words on paper for Joanna—it was a deep dive into self-reflection. In the winter issue of Magnolia Journal, available on newsstands and online starting November 11, Joanna reveals that looking back at her life was a mix of “equal parts gratitude and exhaustion.”
In a candid personal essay published on Magnolia.com, Joanna opens up about how much she loves her life and her family. But she also admits that the qualities that got her to where she is today—the relentless drive, the productivity, and the constant need to be running at full speed—are starting to take their toll. “I’ve always prided myself on being efficient and productive,” she writes. “But lately, those same traits that once fueled my success have begun to feel like they’re working against me.”
Life in the Spotlight: A Journey of Reflection
Joanna Gaines, the star of Magnolia Network, has been in the spotlight for years, but fame hasn’t always been a walk in the park. She first became a household name in 2013 with HGTV’s Fixer Upper, alongside her husband, Chip Gaines. Since then, she’s achieved incredible success, but it hasn’t come without its challenges. In her essay, Joanna reflects on the past two decades of her life, acknowledging the whirlwind journey she’s been on. “The past 20 years have been a heck of a ride,” she writes. “But I knew I couldn’t keep going the way I had been. It’s hard to put into words how I was feeling. I was grateful beyond measure but exhausted. Loved, but feeling unworthy. Full, but running on empty.”
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Rediscovering What Matters Most
At 44 years old, Joanna admits that writing another memoir helped her reconnect with the moments that truly matter. Life had become so busy that some of the greatest memories started to blur together. Through the process of writing, she was able to relive some of the best chapters of her life. “Things had gotten blurry,” she explains. “But through this book, I was able to recall some of the most incredible moments I’ve shared with my husband and our five children—Drake, Ella Rose, Duke, Emmie Kay, and Crew. These are the moments that ground me and remind me of what truly matters.”
Preparing for the Next Chapter
As Joanna looks to the future, she’s preparing for another big milestone—her eldest child, Drake, heading off to college. It’s a bittersweet moment for any parent, and Joanna is no exception. “In the grand scheme of heartbreaking things, this one comes with a lot of gratitude and excitement,” she writes in an August issue of Magnolia Journal. “But still, my first child is moving away, and our family dynamic will change because of it. It’s a natural part of life, but it can still feel like a loss in its own way.”
Lessons in Fortitude
Over the years, Joanna and Chip have faced their share of ups and downs, learning valuable lessons along the way. One of the most important takeaways for Joanna has been the power of fortitude. “Whatever you might be carrying this year, this season, this very moment—remember that fortitude comes to us in the inches forward,” she reflects. “It’s not about one big break or a sudden change. It’s about clinging to what grounds us, even when life feels overwhelming. It’s about sweating out the last days of our personal summers and finding strength in the smallest steps forward.”
