When the Life You’ve Built Still Isn’t Enough and How to Restore What Actually Matters
Christian Living / Religion / Nonfiction
Date Published: August 4, 2026
Publisher: Lucid Books Publishing
You’ve worked hard, built a good life, and achieved what you set out to accomplish. So why does something still feel off?
On the surface, everything looks right. But underneath, something is beginning to crack—and no amount of success, performance, or achievement seems to fix it.
Josh Wintermute knows that feeling well. After walking through physical, mental, financial, and spiritual struggles, he came to a life-changing realization: the problem wasn’t just the circumstances—it was the foundation.
In this honest and practical book, Josh walks you through the three foundational areas every life is built on—your heart, your home, and your culture. He helps you uncover what’s broken beneath the surface, do the hard work of restoration, and rebuild on what truly matters.
Interview with Josh Wintermute
Author of Winning the Wrong Game
Do you have a routine or something you do to get you in the mood to write?
I have found I write best in a space with limited distractions, and in a location I don’t use for my regular work. So, while writing this book, I spent a large amount of time writing in coffee shops, different rooms in my house, and even used a friend's office where I could intentionally write and explore my ideas.
Do you have a special song, drink, or food you enjoy while you are writing?
I don’t have a specific food or drink, but I do listen to music while writing. I use noise-canceling headphones and find instrumental music without lyrics helps me the most. My go-to is an Apple Music playlist called “Peaceful Focus.”
How do you know what to write?
I write about experiences I have had and the lessons I have learned from my failures, victories, and difficult seasons. Basically, if I have not lived it, I don’t need to write about it.
What does a typical writing day look like for you?
Writing days typically start in the mid-morning, after I have had some coffee and time of prayer. I go to a place where I can focus and limit distractions. I set a 20-minute timer, and all I do is write. When the timer goes off, I stop writing, allow my mind to wander, and even check my phone for 5-10 minutes. Then I set another 20-minute timer and go back to writing. During these 20-minute sessions, I put my phone away and avoid distractions, like texts, emails, and social media. Most writing days last between 3-6 hours.
Do you do anything special to celebrate after writing “the end”?
Take a big breath of relief! When I wrote the final chapter, I felt a giant weight lifted off my shoulders, and that evening I celebrated with my family and a nice dinner.
How long does it take you to write a book?
It took me a little over a year to write this book. As a first-time author, I was fortunate to have a book-writing coach/editor who kept me on task and guided me through the process.
What is the most difficult part of writing a book?
The vulnerability of sharing with an unknown audience. I tried to be as open about my brokenness and healing as I could be. There were times when I was writing that I had written about hard things I had experienced or mistakes I had made and immediately deleted them because I was worried about how a reader would see me, only to rewrite the story, knowing my honesty and vulnerability would help the reader heal.
About the Author
Contact Links
Instagram: @joshwintermute @quiet_winters
