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).
Zerique says
I love your new ideas. I thinks its more awesome to blog as you go because I am dying to know how you deal with reno – issues, especially since i always run into those. ALWAYS!!!
And on this side note… I would totally buy your house when you move out if I lived in your area. I love what youve done!!! :)
Thanks for responding to my kitchen design question a couple months ago. I really am taking your ideas and putting them to action. Kitchen redo is in effect. Thanks for being an awesome inspiration!!! Good luck with your goals!!!
Lucy says
I’m really glad you guys are going “back to basics” lol. I’d way rather quality over quantity. Some posts were beginning to seem like fillers…such as the burning questions posts. I don’t care too much if other people would rather have a big closet or big tub…I want to know what you projects or little switches you guys are doing. I do like reader redesign though :)
Beth says
You two totally rock, and I’ll love whatever and whenever you post. Also, I would totally buy your house if I didn’t a) live and work in Minnesota, b) really want two stories. :)
bridget b. says
i think the changes that you guys are making are great and will give the site a more organic feel. maintaining a blog is a task unto itself,in addition to actually completing the projects that you are documenting.
as a new blogger myself (and a new parent), i definitely have an appreciation for all of the hard work that you guys have put in to maintain such frequent posts.
Teresa says
whew! i am so relieved. so glad to know that you have not completely sold out! there is still some love for how it all began after all. hope that this is not deemed as snarky, just really glad the you are getting back to the heart and soul of it all.
Elaine says
Your goals sound great, but I think I’m in the minority with one criticism. I love knowing that I’ll get to see two posts a day from you. Maybe you could have a couple back ups on hand (maybe baby related) that you could stick in when there isn’t something “of the moment” going on. That’s really it. Otherwise, keep up the great work. Love your blog and can’t wait to see your future home (and hopefully go on the house hunt with you)!
Kate! says
I’m with your other readers — super in favor of moving back to a diary-esque feel on your blog! Will be far more genuine than cranked out
Emily says
I am totally excited about the changes… and your upcoming purchase. My hubby and I are waiting to close on our first house, and it would be nice to kind of share things in real time with one of my favorite blogs ever :)
Keep it up and happy Blogiversary!
Beth says
While I’ll certainly miss your two post/ day habit, I have often wondered if it put an unfair burden/expectation on you guys. I think the majority of your readers understand that you have a life to live , just like everyone else!
On the flip side I’m looking forward to the more real time posts! You’re totally right, it had become a little too formulaic. Great way to shake up the creative juices as always YHL! Best of luck!
Lindsey says
This make me so happy to hear!! As writers, I am sure you try your best to captivate your audience (I’m here everyday), but it hasn’t gone unnoticed that the site has begun to feel very pre-planned and overly re-worked. I can’t wait for short quirky posts again, and maybe a day where you just can’t help but scream about something (we’ve all been there)!!!
Misty says
Yay! Good for you guys. I have an odd question for you..or maybe it’s not – I dunno.
Do your personal friends and family bug you for design advice all the time? And when you go to family’s homes, do you look around and just dream of the many things YOU guys would do???
Maya says
Another thumbs up to being more real, natural, spontaneous, etc… it was also starting to feel like you guys were a bit defensive about what the “crowd” would want (and making this a professional business) rather than just posting your real, honest, not-always-perfect thoughts. I don’t like the “features” like Look and Learn, Reader Redesign, the polls, etc, nearly as much as I just like your honesty as you figure out challenging (and small) projects.
Lise says
Thanks for goal 3. I think it will make things more approachable. I know we’ve started projects, been frustrated gone to Lowes 3 times and still put off finishing them because something went wrong. Sure it looked great in the end, but man it was a process. More real sounds like a good goal.
jillian m. {coffee, light and sweet} says
you guys are truly an inspiration. i love the idea of the reinvention. and it will definitely be a refreshing change…not that it’s bad now!
looking forward to seeing your new home. best of luck in your search!
Melanie Beth says
While I love your blog now, I have a feeling that reverting back to the old ways (the blog that everyone fell in love with in the first place) will prove to be a good thing! Content quality is always more important than quantity… can’t wait to see what you guys come up with!
Kristen says
I love your idea of keeping it “diary” like and casual….makes us feel like we’re your best friend you gotta call up as soon as something fun or annoying happens, instead of “We will be sending out a memo at the end of the week regarding this subject” formal.
Good luck on the house hunt, and by the way, I laughed out loud on the “throwing money in the air at a parade, but even then someone could lose an eye”. Hilarious!!
Sara says
The change seems to make sense since you guys are getting a brand new house soon! I can’t wait for the new YHL house posts. No matter how you guys decide to work your site, I’ll be reading every day (even on weekends). I love it I love it I love it!!! Good luck on the new journey!
Jamie says
Oh, you guys … the Flames? Of all the teams you could have picked. Excuse me while I go politely vomit, lol.
Anyway, as much as I enjoy knowing there’ll be two posts a day, I like your new plans better. So, yay!
Whitney says
So excited that you guys will be returning to your old ways. That’s when I first fell in love with your blog. It’s fitting as you move on to a new home!
Cat@BudgetBlonde says
This is great guys! Y’all definitely seem perfect all the time, and I feel like loosening up will help us all get to know you better. Love y’all to death and will be checking back every day to see what you’re up to! This has been such a fun week! Thanks for everything you do!
Jenny says
Hey! That’s my hockey team! Well, you know, not MINE, but my city’s:) Goals sound great guys. Gettin’ back to your roots. I like it. Looking forward to continuing the journey with you!
Amanda says
I’m really happy that you’re moving on to better (read: dumpier) digs! The room makeovers of late haven’t had as much meat as some good ol’ tear down the walls, get new cabinets, refinish the floors, tear out our bathroom and start pretty much from scratch posts! Also, the “like clockwork” posting that has been a YHL staple for a while does lack the freshness of YHL of yore, and I am THRILLED you’re going to strive to do more “stream of consciousness” posts. I think part of what that “new YHL” embraces is all the different elements of “growing up”. I never thought I’d leave my cozy RVA ranch home to move to Phili and a year later be in Chicago, but with the economy the way it is it’s really difficult to have a set plan. And, well, life happens!! I’m glad you’re embracing it and look forward to all the down and dirty details!
Cheers!
Amanda
Cheri@IHeartOldHouses says
Sweet! I’m excited to see some less regimented, more true-to-life posts, even if it means fewer overall. That said, your 2,000-word posts never FEEL that long to me, since your writing is always conversational and informative, never rambling (like, cough, mine).
Nancy J says
You guys are so cute, we will love anything you do! I love that you’re so goal oriented, it’s awesome. I also think you should add more road tripping videos, I loved it when you did that! Or maybe a road trip to my house and some DIY in readers’ homes, now that would be awesome! You’re always welcome in Utah! Just keep doing what you’re doing because it works.
Newlyweds on a Budget says
I’m glad to hear about your new goals. It seems like you guys know that sometimes sticking with simple tried-and-true posts work the best!
Jen says
I am so happy that you guys are venturing back to your old format!!! My step-sister told me all about your blog, as she and her friends are all fans and she knows that I am a DIY dork. I have to admit – I was missing all of the “little things” that you had before. I still love the blog, but it had changed a little.
PS – I barely find time to buy groceries and I am shockingly single. Props to you guys for doing all of this with a baby and a Burger!! Keep up the great work.
Kayakgirl73 says
I think the new old posting style should be fun. I only started reading a month or two before Clara was born. I do like the Reader Redesigns and the Look and Learn’s are cool too, especially when your explaining how to get something that is more high end for less.
Dana says
“I don’t know the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everybody.” —— Bill Cosby
YoungHouseLove says
Ain’t that the truth!
xo,
s
Erin T. says
Can’t wait to see the more “organic” vibe come back to the blog! It’s exciting as a reader to watch a project come to life (whether at six in the morning, lunch time, or ten at night). I think you’ve successfully trusted your guts so far. :-)
Jen @ The Decor Scene says
I love these goals….all three of them.
So do tell, are you guys looking for a house that you will have to completely redo so there are lots of projects or just a house that you want to put your stamp on….the YHL Stamp? ;)
Can’t wait to see the next 365 days of YHL’s life. :)
YoungHouseLove says
Yes, we’re definitely looking for an old dated house that could use some love!
xo,
s
Staci says
I absolutely love your photoshop pics. Especially this soccer one and the Duggar one in your other post. Keep up the cheese!
tamra S says
Oh! i’m so glad to hear this! I’ve been missing the old YHL! i’m excited for the new house and the move back to less structured stuff and the real make overs! Keep up the great work!
Carolyn says
These goals are great. Especially the idea of blogging in ‘real time’. I enjoy seeing a big, dramatic makeover, but I think it will help your readers see that an amazing makeover doesn’t happen overnight. I think seeing the step-by-step process will be helpful to all diy-ers out there who need help planning, prioritizing and finishing one project at a time.
P.S love the funny, photoshopped pictures. Especially the first one!
Kay says
What made you choose the Calgary Flames!? That would be my hometown!
YoungHouseLove says
We just came across that image on google and thought it needed our heads on it!
xo,
s
Kelly says
I’m so glad to hear you’re going to try to do more “real time” posts and be a bit less structured about it. I don’t mean this as criticism (bc I still love y’all), but I did like the way it was before when you talked about stuff as it was happening and the excitement was all brand new.
Excellent photoshopping skills, btw. The Duggars one really freaked me out :-)
George says
I think these are great goals! I also think it is a smart move to move, I’m not sure there’s much you could do with your house by now! I hope you find something soon so you can start getting your hands dirty.
I think it’s great that you want to move away from scheduled blogging to what I think of as “real time” blogging…makes it easier to relate to.
George
Handy Man, Crafty Woman says
Like your goals! I think you could do a few less posts a week and still be fine, it would take the pressure off you guys a bit.
I almost *wish* I had 2 weeks worth of posts saved up!! I want to get to that point, but I just wing it by writing, editing, then posting within an hour or two, eeek!
Kate @ another donkey design says
Love your goals. Can’t wait to follow you guys for the next 365 days (that makes me sound like a stalker!!!)
Bethany says
Looking forward to a more current play-by-play of your DIYing adventures/misadventures. It interests me to know how making someone else’s home my dream home will actually be when we finally settle in one place.
Here’s dreaming of my forever house!
Love the blog and think you’re both fab.
Emily says
Good for you guys! I was really surprised at the negative comments when you announced the big move decision earlier this week. Wow, people are mean when they can write anonymously on a blog! Did they expect you to ask their permission before making any big decisions? (On a side note, I had always kind of gathered that Sherry was the one who dreamed of staying in one house [mostly pre-baby] while John was in the background going, “We’ll see…”) I think your new goals are really great. Lives change and evolve, and you have to adjust to your needs. Good luck to you guys in this new year, can’t wait to see what adventures life brings you.
Ashley says
I’m so excited you guys are thinking of going back to your old blogging roots! That is what really got me into your blog in the first place – the step by step process you shared.
Ashli M says
I’ve been loving blog-anniversary week! It’s been great!!!
I like the idea of going back to your “roots” but honestly I’ve also loved what you are doing now! I guess I just plain love YHL so do what ever feels right to you guys, because you can definitely please, 100% of me 100% of the time :)
Just don’t stop posting!!! hehe
~Ashli
http://www.maillardvillemanor.com
Steph says
You know, this post made me really happy. Its been really sad to read negative comments about what you guys have been putting out lately, which I don’t really get! Like you say in this post, the blog started with you tracking all the little steps of your renovations/decor adventures and a few personal bits and pieces thrown in for interest. I loved that, and I haven’t stopped loving what you’ve been doing, so if you’re going ‘back to basics’ more power to you!! I admit, its reeeaaalllyy hard to wait for Tuesday for a new post (I’m in Australia) but I have never been disappointed with the content even if its a small one like the Vanilla Ice update! Keep doing what you’re doing because you two (four?!) are so inspiring and hilarious :)
JoDi says
Almost caught up on reading posts for this week!
Woohoo! LOVE LOVE LOVE your goals for the coming year!
Ange says
You go Youngsters! I love your blog, I love that you share so much of yourselves(Sherry’s excitement over an unexpected bargain or cabinet delivery in a bread van). I am really looking forward to reading about this stuff in real time. I love your style, it’s open and familiar (I feel like you are close friends and my BFF & I talk about you like you are!”Did you see what John & Sherry blah blah”)I feel the excitement of your recent announcements via your writing and I’m excited with you. I have my personal reservations about some decisions you have announced and am equally really happy about others – that’s all part of the fun. Ultimately though, my request is…please don’t ever stop blogging! Good Karma coming at you from Australia. X
Steph says
Fantastic goals and LOVE seeing you in my teams’s (Calgary) jerseys ;).
Britt says
I’m so glad you’re going back to how you used to post. I’ve been following you guys since 2007 and I became obsessed with ya’ll! I felt like you were my neighbor or one of my friends and reading those posts for me was like an update from family members, but sadly I have to admit that I have slowly stopped reading your blog and after a year and a half of not reading, I just happened upon your post! I wasn’t sure what changed exactly, but I did start to feel a little bored with posts and now I know it was because they lack your wonderful spontaneity that made you feel like friends and not a website or magazine. I didn’t realize that I was missing the ‘you’. So glad you are adding a little more of that back in. I love the ‘YOU’ in your website! so please never stop adding your wonderful personalities.
So I am back to reading your blog again and my husband is back to dealing with me comparing our house to yours and YH this and YH that… haha.
Jen @ New Shade of Green says
I’m a bit late in reading this, I’m catching up on Reader… but… I LOVE this post! Partially because I like seeing how you are building your blog business and make decisions on how to run it, and also because I’m just excited to see what will come in the next year. I love diary style blogging… random short posts sharing whatever great find, victory, or disaster of the moment – along with your more serious package deal posts.
We’ve been living in our house for a year, and we thought we’d have a lot of projects completed already. Well, we haven’t done anything yet mainly because we can’t seem to make up our minds. Now that summer fun is over, I’m getting antsy to get started. Not sure what will be able to accomplish over the winter (painting when it’s snowing outside doesn’t sound so much fun with windows open), but I’m hoping for changing hardware, updating fixtures, etc. Can not wait to follow along as you tackle your new house projects!