Joanna Gaines of Fixer Upper fame says she is often ‘too serious’

Fixer Upper vet Joanna Gaines is ready for summer with a new attitude.

The 44-year-old home improvement specialist shared in Magnolia Journal’s new summer issue that she is trying to take life less seriously and say yes to ‘lightness and joy’ more often.

The Texas resident was seen living out her new attitude as she wore roller skates for the cover of her magazine.

The summer issue of Magnolia Journal is available on newsstands and online starting May 20. 

‘It’s easy for me to take life too seriously sometimes,’ said the wife of Chip Gaines.

‘Fun doesn’t seem to run in my blood the way it does for others. But even I can sense when it’s time to cut loose. So I kicked this year off with all the hope of living it out loud.’

And she added that life is flourishing. 

‘For you, it may seem only natural to get in on the fun. But for me, it often looks like a slow yes. I can take life so seriously sometimes that I forget to enjoy the moments staring back at me. 

Lightening up: ‘It’s easy for me to take life too seriously sometimes,’ said the wife of Chip Gaines. ‘Fun doesn’t seem to run in my blood the way it does for others. But even I can sense when it’s time to cut loose. So I kicked this year off with all the hope of living it out loud’

‘To let something stir my spirit or stop me in my tracks. To look around and truly take note of the growth of all that I have nurtured. But this issue is prompting me to savor with abandon. 

‘To take nature’s cue and grow wildly. To take in every breath, every sound, every taste. To let the sunnier moments stretch and soften and steady my life in motion for the next 90 days. And then, to see what still remains long after summer’s reign.’

And the skates, which she bought on a whim, go wherever she goes. 

‘Days when things feel heavy or hard, I lace them up and stroll around,’ said the design wiz.

‘I’ve worn them while filming the cooking show and around the office.’

Early days: The star is seen in a shop with her husband Chip Gaines

Turns out her mother also reminds her to slow down and ‘have a fun.’

‘Every December, I spend some time thinking about a word that I want to define the next year. Something I can hold tight to, that will help me navigate where and how I want to show up in my life. That sort of thing. 

‘As last year drew to a close, I found myself in that familiar place of contemplating big, meaningful words. The kind of words that catch your attention. That sound so beautiful when you roll them around in your mind—words I’ve chosen before, like savor, abundance, presence. Words too gorgeous to forget. 

‘But this year, the deeper I thought, the louder I could hear my mom’s words—have a fun!—her signature sign-off whenever we talk on the phone.’

She added that they were simple words, but weighty in truth.

‘And it was made even more beautiful by her Korean accent… My mom is such a playful person, always has been—and she knows I’m naturally wired to be more serious.’

New TV show coming: Joanna, right, is working with her sister Mikey, left, for the series The Retro Plant Shop