Every year when our blogiversary rolls around, we like to take a moment to outline our goals. So it’s time to officially state three things that we’re going to work really hard to accomplish over the next 365 days. After all, there’s nothing like a public proclamation to light a fire under the ol’ buns. So enough chit-chat. Here are the three biggest things on our list (speaking of big, check out my ridiculous calves).
Goal Numero Uno: Move On- As we recently shared, we’re saying peace out to our lovely and amazing casa. It’s definitely bittersweet, but we can’t wait to get our mitts on something new-to-us and shine it up like a lucky penny – both so our lovely readers can follow along and so we can create something amazing for our family. Dated wallpaper and wood paneling beware! This goal is all about tackling more projects, sharing more tutorials, and taking on inexpensive mini makeovers and bigger major makeovers as well. We definitely plan to blog in real time – so there won’t just be afters, there will be befores and durings and pitfalls and do-overs and everything else that real life DIYers encounter along the way. Many readers request that we share our process and want just as much info about the how and the why as they do when it comes to seeing the polished finished product. So we plan to share everything from our battles with selecting a whole house paint palette to the trials and tribulations of organizing our pantry- should we be lucky enough to end up with a real one of those. Oh the possibilities…
Goal Numero Dos: Loosen Up- Sometimes we find ourselves feeling a bit machine-like with our regimented post schedule. And we really want to get back to the days when we didn’t have two weeks of posts saved up (we fantasize about writing something and sharing it the next day instead of sticking it in line to be published a few weeks later). Of course this means that we might not always have two posts a day or a big reveal every Tuesday, since some projects take longer than expected, and the post just won’t be ready in time (which is why we started stockpiling things in the first place). But while it might mean that every once in a while we’ll post less than twice, it also means that something could pop up on a weekend or you might just find a 6:30am feeding post. Heck, you might even get a big reveal on a Friday instead of a Tuesday. Crazy, we know.
We also yearn for the simpler days when we occasionally wrote quick updates or shared something small as opposed to serving up 2000+ word counts on the daily. Sometimes short and sweet beats heavy and wordy, so we’d love to get back to a nice balance of both. The beauty of this looser real-time blogging goal is that it’s natural, fun, and how this whole blog began. Plus you can follow along with everything that we’re taking on in a more true to life way. We’re excited to get back to the spontaneity of posting about something when it’s on our mind or right after we’ve snapped the last after photo instead of waiting until our next open slot (which might not be for 14 agonizing can’t-wait-to-share-this days later). Especially as we gear up to sell our house and move into a new place there will be lots of little updates and what-we’re-doing-now posts (about everything from trying to sell out house, touring other potential homes, packing, etc). Some weeks we’ll be crazy busy, others might be a bit less hectic, but our goal has always been to portray our real life and share our real-time triumphs (and not-so-triumphs) so that’s exactly what we aim to do with this newfound free-as-a-bird blogging goal.
Goal Numero Tres: Get Real- Sure, HGTV’s 30 minute before and after shows are totally gratifying, but one reason that we love blogging is because you get to see all those little moments in between. Most home bloggers, both big and small, update everyone in diary form as they take on projects over the course of a few weeks or even months. And although we got into the habit of weekly updates on certain room makeovers, it was beginning to feel a little odd. See, back in the first year of this blog we shared updates as they occurred. One day our cabinets arrived, so we told you. Another day Lowe’s sold our washer and dryer to someone else by accident, so we told you. We didn’t wait for our whole kitchen to come together and write a post about it, or even craft finely tuned weekly synopses. Instead we literally wrote four months of posts about every cog that fell into place and every lesson that we learned along the way. But lately we feel like we wait until projects wrap up and tie themselves into a nice little bow (with a clear beginning, middle, and end) and it just feels less Real Deal Holyfield to us.
So from now on, we’d like to re-embrace the whole home makeover diary concept. If something we try to tackle sucks, we’ll laugh about how it sucks (like this). If we find ourselves at Lowe’s before the sun’s up in the name of baseboard, you’ll know (like this). If something is looking a bit less lovely than it used to, we’ll share that too (like this). If we’re geeking out over some new purchase, we’ll gush (like this and this). We realize that we have fun sharing those ordinary, in-progress moments in our life too. To some readers, it might feel like “filler” to share the new faucet that we found on eBay or to talk about our great paint debate, but those are actually things that we’ve shared on this blog from the very beginning, and we can’t wait to get back to them.
In the end, we know these good-ol’-days-inspired, off-the-cuff tweaks might make some people like our blog less while others may enjoy it more. But after three years of blogging we’ve learned that it’s impossible to please 100% of the people 100% of the time (unless you toss money into the air at a parade, but even then someone can lose an eye). So we just have to trust ourselves and allow YHL to grow and evolve and change in the next few years just as it has for the last few. This blog has always been about following our instincts, doing what we love, and sharing our lives with anyone who’s interested. So we plan to continue to serve up a nice heaping portion of our hammer-and-paint-brush-wielding existence with anyone who’d like to drop in and see what we’re up to. Our virtual door is always open.
Psst- First image found here and second image found here (without our heads on them of course, we added those).
Cait @ Hernando House says
The goals sound great, guys! I’m excited to tag along as you search for the new digs, and a looser schedule and small updates sound like a good diretion!
Chrissi says
Sounds like fun!
Lindsay@ A Design Story says
Hi Guys,
Loved this post! I agree blogging is hard sometimes when you plan in advance etc. In addtition to my interior design business, blogging itself is a full time job! Balance is super hard! I am excited to see what’s coming for you guys!
Lindsay @ A Design Story
Allison says
I trust you guys and have no fear that this will still be a blog I’ll be loving on. Thanks for sharing your goals with us!
Karen says
I haven’t even finished reading your post yet, but being a Calgary girl, loving the homage to our goalie… :) Loving the updates, and the goals…very excited to read more about your happenings… as they happen.
JMB says
I have been devoted (obsessed is probably more accurate!)to your blog for a couple of years now and truly commend you for what you’ve built together through this blog. All the best as you continue striving to satisfy your readers’ voracious appretite for all things YHL while still keeping it fresh for yourselves! Thank you for sharing your lives with us.
Christina M. says
I think these goals are great. A little spontenaiety will add just the right spice! I will be following you guys on your journey whether you post 0 times a day or 5 – to me it’s the content that counts.
Katie says
I am SO excited for what is to come! Your new goals are exactly what I’ve been hoping to see from your blog, or missing from when I first started following you. This is going to be GRRReat!!! Congrats to you guys for staying true to your hearts (and ours!).
Cara says
I am excited about your new goal setting and know that no matter how you guys go about your blog, it will be super entertaining and informative at the same time. You always manage to pull this off, and with the plethora of new tasks coming your way I have confidence your blog will do nothing but improve. I, for one, am super pumped about hearing all the “little” things as you start the new journey of making another house your home! Can’t wait!
Mary M. says
Love that you’re gonna mix it up! I’m super excited to see u guys move, too. My husband and I are renovating our house room by room (2 yrs so far….), and then we are going to move & start all over. Looking forward to all of your transitions & getting even more idea inspirations from u guys!
Shauna says
Hi, Sherry and John!
This is the first time I’ve responded on any blog ever, probably because I’m part of that 3% of your reader population that wasn’t really born into it. But you guys are amazing me every day I read your blog and, well, you asked for us to respond! I just want to urge you–please enjoy your move, please make time for yourselves and protect yourselves (I know it must be glorious to be popular, good-looking and read about, but I also know that private family time is a must to build your lives wholesomely), your beautiful baby and your puppy, and please be true to yourselves. Your goals sound very on-target.
Although I live in Europe, my husband and I have bought land in the Pacific Northwest (for when we retire) and are building a mountain home there. All of your intelligent and common sense ideas are percolating inside of me, and hopefully the end result will be a fraction as beautiful as what you have consistently come up with over the months and years.
Take care and bonne continuation!!
Christin says
I look forward to many more years of reading your blog, being inspired and using your tutorials and how-tos. Following your hearts got you this far, I’m sure it will only continue to take you even farther! Continue to be true to yourselves. You guys are awesome! :)
katie says
your goals sound very well balanced and honestly as a reader, the more real the better. i say do what feels natural because you definitely have a following!
Kari says
You mean no more teasing on Facebook?! SOLD!
Meghan says
I thought this would interest you once you get to the packing up stage…
http://earthfriendlymoving.com/greenbox/
Maybe you could find something like it in your area?
I look forward to seeing a new house with new projects!
Meghan
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks for the link Meghan! Love it!
xo,
s
Holly H says
So excited to see how the blog will evolve with the sale of your current home and purchase of a new one. I also love your goals about mixing it up and keeping it real!
Patti says
At this point, I totally trust whatever you guys think will be good for your blog … I’m excited to see the changes (and definitely excited to read less 2000+ word posts! Not that they aren’t great, just don’t always have the time!)
Mike @HA says
You look so happy to be playing soccer! We’ve been trying to figure out the balance between having posts in-queue and being spontaneous. It’s a nice feeling to know tomorrows post is done, but totally lame when you want to say something and have to wait a week. We recently decided to pre-write 3 posts for a week, write one creative-writing style story, and throw in how ever many off the cuff posts as we feel like. That way we still have the comfort of knowing things will keep on going even if we’re super busy and don’t get a chance to write anything. I’m sure you’ll figure out a balance, you guys are pros!
Hannah says
I have to say, that I am so glad that you are going back to a more freestyle approach. Not that I don’t love your blog now (love you guys!), but I actually really, really enjoyed your first couple of years of blogging. Plus, none of us want you to get burned out!
Rachel @ The Avid Appetite says
Love this update. I think that’s what people love about your blog in the first place – being honest, genuine and tackling lots of projects, be it big or small! Can’t wait to see what’s next on tap for you guys!
fd says
good luck with your goals. I like number 3 best!
Jennie says
I love the goals. Love that you’ll be keepin’ it real and showing more process than all finished projects. Keep up the great work!
Laura says
I finally chose my paint colors (eloquent ivory and gentle tide) and now I’m afraid after I paint my house I’ll love the color palette in your new house more than the old one.
LauraC says
Your goals sound great and I’m especially excited about #2. I must admit things were so predictable I would skip my least favorite (Mon. PM=givaways; Thurs=winners, etc). And kudos to keeping it short, though I love long and meaty posts from my favorite bloggers, I know it is A LOT of work, so it’s good for your own selves to lighten up (and enjoy it more!). Looking forward to next year. Thanks for all you do, John and Sherry!
Kerri says
I have to say I’m really looking forward to more spontaneous posts! I enjoyed that about the early YHL blogging days, and while I totally understand having to schedule posts weeks ahead of time (especially with a new baby!), I feel like a spontaneous and more casual approach to blogging seems more personable and less “businessy.” Looking forward to all of your new house adventures, S & J!
Meghan says
Love your new goals. I love short little posts—pics, a few words–so great for me to quickly read. I think I’ll also be drawn to the “real time/real life” aspect of it all. I admit, you guys are one of the most (if not THE most) formal and organized blogs I read. I still LOVE it, and read it 2x a day, but I think I”ll really enjoy a new twist on the blog. It’s funny, the “real life” aspect of a blog is (I think) the most desirable part for a reader. So keep up the good work guys. You rock my socks off.
Kelsey says
Sounds great! I love the idea of more spontaneity. I still love your blog, but as a long-time reader I find some of the posts now a bit long and a bit too formal. Very excited to see your house-selling and house-hunting process documented on your blog as well.
Michelle G says
love it! love the goal proclamation and love the “getting back to your roots” theme! you guys are my faves. :o)
Kate (and Ben) says
I think your goals sound perfect–I especially love the loosening up on the format bit! Good for you! The only thing I would ever change about this blog would the the constant barrage of “some people do things differently; this is the best way that works for us” stuff. It just seems like you feel the need to preface so much of what you do to keep the general public from telling you you’re doing it wrong. I understand you’ve got a highly public blog, and perhaps you’ve seen your share of meanies, I just don’t think it’s necessary.
Of course, this is me, being all sorts of negative and critical of your personal blog and that’s probably the number one reason for the wordy “this is our way” bits in nearly every post.
So…past that…your blog is quite lovely.
-K
Jessica @ How Sweet says
I think these goals are great!
Elizabeth says
Sounds like some perfect goals to me!! keep it real John and Sherry!!
Katie says
So, I feel slightly ashamed in admitting this, considering I check your blog daily. But until this post, I had no idea how regimented your post schedule was – reveals on Tuesdays, etc. I mean, I don’t come here on Tuesdays to see a reveal – I just come here on Tuesdays not knowing what to expect! But if that’s any motivation to go with your loosen up goal full force – some of us might not have even noticed your schedule in the first place, so yes! Please loosen up for the sake of your sanity :)
I can’t wait to see what’s coming in the future. You guys have the best ideas! And I’ve caught my dog Waffle peering over my shoulder when watching some of the Burger videos, so I think he’s a fan too. ;)
Amy S says
I’m generally a lurker and don’t comment much, but I wanted to give a hearty thumbs up to your goals. As a busy mom of two young kids, I find the “smaller” posts more inspirational in a way, because those are the ideas I am more likely to have the time and energy to incorporate into my own decorating and home improvement. Like, your post about adusting the closet shelf for Burger’s cage totally inspired me to finally install two half shelves in my bathroom closet. This improvement has thrilled me to no end! Don’t get me wrong, I love a dramatic before and after picture as much as anyone else, but I welcome more posts about the smaller steps along the way. And I want to add that I can’t imagine how challenging it must be sometimes to have a job that opens you up to so much commentary from the public. I’m sure it is both a blessing and a curse, but you are smart to take the time to figure our what works best for you, because at the end of the day the best success any of us can have is by doing things our own way with our own style. It applies to blogging as well as home decorating! All the best in the coming year!!
Katie @ Domestiphobia.net says
I cannot WAIT until you start house hunting! I love that process, and I know you will pick something absolutely phenomenal. I also think you’re smart to loosen up the schedule – now that you’re both doing this full-time, it seems like you don’t have to be on such a tight schedule anymore. Way to shake things up!
Katie
Kasey says
Isn’t the whole purpose of keeping a blog, to be ‘Real’? I like all of your goals and look forward to reading what’s to come. I did not find your blog until last winter; however I did a lot of back tracking. Looking at older posts and basically trying to find out where you guys ‘came from’. I must say, just in recent months your posting was starting to seem a bit more ‘commercialized’ than the posts that I had [backtracked] and read from the past. In the end it’s y’alls Blog anyways, so if you can’t write two posts a day than who cares right? It’s not up to the readers how many posts you put out there and I’m sure with the massive amount of following you have, in the end your readers will be happy with any content you throw at them [no matter what time of day it happens to be] and will continue to love how real you are.
I wish you guys the best of luck with all of the big changes ahead of you!
Ali says
I miss the old blog. Before this was full time income….The moodboards and decorating. Now you can tell you are in advertising. I would guess you have no choice but to renovate another place, what else would you right about? Do more advertising? Other people’s projects? Oh, let’s not forget your sponsors and giveaways. And how to re-arrange an end table, with dental floss included. Everyone has a right to their views and those are mine.
Jenny says
Yay! I’m all for smaller updates, and sharing the thoughts of the moment. Sometimes the before/after view has more in common with hiring someone to do the work than with doing it yourself!
Looking forward to the next 365 — thanks!
Blair says
I’m wondering why some people think that a good portion of your blog shouldn’t be driven by income and advertising. I mean, really. If this were a side gig that didn’t get you any cash flow, those same people would be bitching that you don’t post enough.
Leann says
Sherry and John,
I can definitely tell that you put a ton of thought into your goals, and WELL DONE! The real-time blogging of your adventures and mis-adventures will not only be extremely interesting but hugely informative to your blog readers that want step-by-step, super-detailed instructions of minor and major makeovers, like me! Although I’ve been reading for just a few months and have loved the format, thank you for “getting back to your roots” and becoming more spur-of-the-moment bloggers. It will be a lot of fun to read some stream of consciousness entries of how you’re really feeling and what you’re really doing as it happens. Your blog is certainly one of the highlights of my work day:)
liz @ btb says
I like your new goals! Sometimes I feel like you two are Superman/woman and I could never do what y’all get done in such a short period of time… especially with the big renovation stuff. When my husband and I renovated our bathroom it took MONTHS (and months and months)because of major plumbing issues. Y’all seemed to get yours done in a week!
Here’s our nightmare:
http://bontempsbeignet.blogspot.com/2010/04/hall-bath-nightmare.html
PS… you shoulda had John catching Clara in the first picture. hehehe
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Liz,
Haha, that would have been awesome.
xo,
s
Abode Love says
I can’t wait for the move- and am really looking forward to seeing the projects in real time. I also love the very “real” attitude… pointing out that something sucks is just what I need sometimes! Also- it’s nice to know that other DIY-ers sometimes run into issues too!
Thanks YHL! LOVE YOUR BLOG!
abodelove.blogspot.com
marianne says
So glad you are doing this! The scheduled posts were kind of getting boring to me. Look forward to more random posts and topics!
Kristi says
I know exactly what you mean! I went through a phase with my own blog where I was trying to line up posts for each day. Then if something cool happened, I had to wait to post it until the other things went live. It really does take the fun and spontaneity out of things. I’m glad you guys are going back to a more organic approach. Can’t wait to follow along your home buying process!
http://www.chateauwhitman.com/
mke says
Great points we all can follow!
Sarah says
I totally like the idea of short updates! While I think your long posts on a big reveal are helpful – sometimes I just want a quick and dirty update. Your 1st ugly stamp on the floor in the sunroom – totally quick and dirty update would have been great. Besides, then the rest of us DIY’er whose projects sometimes fail miserably wouldn’t feel so bad about how gorgeous your “after” photos are!
Samantha says
I really appreciate the direction you are headed. Always loved your blog, but this sounds less automatic and more real. Congrats on 3 yrs!
Carolyn H. says
My best friend and I both read your blog daily. (She introduced me to it.) Before you announced that you’re buying a house, we actually had a conversation about what the heck you were going to blog about now that your current house is so picture perfect. Little projects are okay. But what we’re really interested in is those big makeovers. We’re excited that you’re going to be tackling something new and doing it in real time. It makes the blog so much more compelling — and keeps us reading.
Kristen says
Those seem like great goals and I’m always excited to see any changes you guys make!
P.S. Whatever happened with the videos? Too many complaints?
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Kristen,
I got bloated and prego. Haha. We also just couldn’t always figure out something that was worth video taping each week, so now we like to use the camera when it makes sense instead of on a regimented weekly basis. We do have a fun video planned for next week that’s waaaay overdue!
xo,
s
Leah says
Couldn’t be happier to read all of this!! Love the goals and the chance to get back to how it all started … !
Jen K says
YOu guys are great and your blog will always be great too! I’m excited t hear about your projects more real time. As a wife,mom, employee, and creative person, I know it’s hard to get everything done well and quickly. Maybe your new style will make some of us feel less inadequate. : )