Trisha Yearwood had a long and successful career before marrying Garth Brooks, but she’s content to let it take a backseat, at least some of the time, for the sake of their marriage. The Grand Ole Opry member hints she is working on new music, but is making time with her husband her first priority.

“We got married almost 18 years ago to be together, to not be apart,” Yearwood explains (via WSMV). “So, whoever’s touring the other one is there, whether they’re on stage or not. So, we work together all the time.”

The couple both put their music careers aside this week to focus on something else, Habitat for Humanity, a cause they became passionate about after Hurricane Katrina. Brooks and Yearwood are hosting the organization’s annual Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Week Project, where they ditch their celebrity status and work with other dedicated volunteers.

“You learn several things when working alongside the Carters,” Yearwood says. “You learn that you better be working all the time — if you look like you’re standing there idle, President Carter will ask you if you need a job, if you need something to do.”

The Georgia native previously revealed that she was, for the first time, writing songs for her next project. Early in her career, Yearwood was praised for her singing, but told her songwriting wasn’t as good — a fallacy she held onto for decades.

“I’ve let it be true, but not anymore,” Yearwood told CMT.  “It’s still hard for me, but I’m doing it. I’m always nervous when I go, but I get a little less nervous every time. It’s just been really good. I’m so excited about it.”

Now, Yearwood is fortunately ready to push past her anxiety and refute what she was told as a 19-year-old.

“I’ve let it be true, but not anymore,” the 59-year-old said.  “It’s still hard for me, but I’m doing it. I’m always nervous when I go, but I get a little less nervous every time. It’s just been really good. I’m so excited about it.

One of the songs Yearwood helped write is about her mother, Gwen, who passed away in 2011, but whose influence still permeates everything she does.

“We wrote a song about my mom,” Yearwood shared. “I just started booking appointments, and I’m just writing, and whatever comes of it – great. It’s bringing me joy, and I’m getting ready to go in the studio.”

Yearwood’s last album, Every Girl, was released in 2019. Find all of Yearwood’s music at TrishaYearwood.com.