02/19/2026
I’ve gone back and forth on posting this, but I’ve always believed honesty matters..especially in spaces built on stories.
Running Heart of the South has been one of the most meaningful things I’ve ever done… and right now, it’s also one of the hardest. 💔
The world feels heavy lately. 🌎
The news. The economy. The constant noise. It feels like everyone is carrying something and small businesses are carrying it too. Foot traffic is slower. Online sales are quieter. And behind the scenes, I’ve been trying to hold hope and anxiety in the same hands.
The first photo is comfort in chaos. 🐾🧶
Creating cozy spaces. Finding small pockets of softness when everything feels overwhelming. That’s what I try to make the bookstore feel like a warm blanket in a loud world. 🤎
The second photo is what the hard days look like. Wrapped up. Tired eyes. Still showing up, even when it would be easier to shut down. 🫶 Mental health isn’t separate from business ownership, it lives right alongside it.
And the ocean photo? 🌊
That’s perspective. A reminder that seasons change. That waves come and go. That even when everything feels uncertain, there is still something bigger than this moment. ☁️✨
I started Heart of the South because I believe books are more than products. They’re lifelines. They’re escape. They’re understanding. They’re connection. 📖🤍 In a world that feels divided and exhausted, stories still bring us together.
But I also need to say this plainly: small businesses are struggling right now. And if you’ve ever thought about supporting local “soon,” soon truly matters. 🏡
If you’ve shopped with us, shared a post, told a friend, or recommended a book, thank you. You are keeping this dream alive. 🥹🤍
If you’ve been meaning to stop in, place an order, grab a gift card, or share this page it makes a real difference. Not just financially, but emotionally. 📚💌
And if you’re feeling the heaviness too… you’re not alone. 🤍 We’re all carrying more than we let on.
Heart of the South is still here. Still believing in stories. Still choosing hope even on the hard days. ✨
With honesty and gratitude,
Kaitlin 🤍📚