This post was 3,000 words long. They all felt overly complicated and heavy and weird. I clicked delete. Then I just typed what we’re really feeling, complete with things we’ve never said out loud and even a few things we’ve never fully admitted to ourselves before.
The truth is that we love you guys. Like for real. Even for the tough love. We know you say it because you care (or hopefully you did at some point), and we want you to know we care right back. We want to do a good job. We want to do this with joy and excitement. We want to inspire you. We know this is an incredible way to have made a living and we are full of gratitude for the experience to have shared the last seven years of our lives with you guys online.
We would NEVER be here without you, and not a day goes by that we don’t know that. It’s why we asked for your feedback last week and read every last comment. We appreciate the honesty and the passion you guys have on the topic of making this blog great. And we agree with a lot of what was being said. We have been feeling off for a while – like we have lost our rhythm and we’re somehow missing the mark for ourselves and for you guys. We too miss the good old days when we did this for the love and were full of such obvious joy and spontaneity. This felt like a place we all hung out and it just doesn’t have that vibe anymore.
Over the years many amazing opportunities popped up for us. Things we never dreamed of doing in a million years, and things we’re incredibly grateful to have had the chance to experience. A book deal, curating paint picks with Benjamin Moore, a line sold at Target, a showhouse, etc. But in hindsight those things also made this feel a lot more like a business than a personal blog to many of you, and to us as well. We have actually ramped those down behind the scenes in an attempt to get back to our roots (we no longer do the BM color collection, the second book is mostly written, our products at Target have completed their run, and we finished the showhouse) but we never really made a big announcement about that – so it’s completely understandable that some of you might think we’ve moved on to those greener pastures and left the blog in the dust, so to speak. The reality is that our site propels the success of any outside project like a product or book, so we could never turn our backs on the blog and expect those items to continue to sell as well.
Not only have we felt this shift from “John and Sherry” to “Young House Love: The Brand”, but the blogosphere as a whole has become increasingly sponsored/corporate lately. We can see from the outside prospective as a reader, or even a fellow blogger, that it’s hard to read a blog post without suspecting some ulterior motive or money-making system behind it. Last week a few of you mentioned that we might need to keep giveaways around because they pay us well, which surprised us since they’re never something we accept payment for (we like to pass free things along to you as a thank you for reading).
Along with the whole business/brand thing that’s going on, and the side gigs that felt like they muddied the water for some of you, there are certainly other things we wish we had handled differently in hindsight. Just to name a few, there’s: being too defensive, over-explaining, letting things get in our heads and change our lighthearted approach, and the internal struggle between being transparent and oversharing personal details like a vacant new house without an alarm system (looking back we wish we’d handled our third house announcement differently). We know many of you felt insulted that we didn’t share more freely about that house, and we truly apologize.
Anyway, back to that whole “we’re sexy stumbling and you know it” thing. It’s endlessly frustrating to do a job that you love poorly, especially when it’s a blog baby that you’ve birthed yourself and nurtured for seven years. And especially when it’s such an amazing job that we once felt so inspired and joyful to wake up and do each day. What’s wrong with us? We know this is a dream job. We acknowledge it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity. We know most people who have built something like this would be more inspired than ever. It’s not that we lost the gratitude, I think it’s that we feel like we’ve fallen out of our groove. We feel like we’re letting you guys down repeatedly. It got to the point that every time we pressed “publish” we braced ourselves.
So in an attempt to stop stumbling around and feeling like we just can’t get it back, we’re taking a break. We don’t know exactly how long we’ll be stepping away, but our guess would be at least a month. We will certainly be exploring other options for supporting our family (something we mentioned we were considering back in April). We had that fiery blog-spark back when we had day jobs and did this as a hobby, so we think it could be a good change. We’ll also be taking a break on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook, but the blog will stay public so you guys can access the archives whenever you’d like.
Our internal struggle and the state of this blog is entirely of our making, and we completely own that. Please don’t get mad at anyone for being honest with their feedback last week or accuse them of sending us packing. We have been struggling with that “something is off” feeling for a while now, and after way too much denial and “we’ll turn it around” pep talks, we finally asked for your feedback because we truly wanted to hear what you were thinking. It was cathartic and helpful for us. It has allowed us to very clearly see that if we have any respect for this blog and our love of it, and for you guys and what you’d like to see, we need to take a break if we ever want any hope of getting back to that fun/real/spontaneous place it used to be when this was something we did for the love instead of the high stakes game of supporting a family.
In summary: we love you, we thank you, and we hope you understand.
Kristin says
I stumbled upon your blog over 5 years ago when purchasing my first home–shortly before getting married. I read through one PhD, 3 moves across the country, and 2 babies. You taught me about hanging curtains “high and wide,” cutting in while painting, using what you’ve got, cloth diapering, minimal clutter parenting, the beauty of grocery store flowers, disguising an ugly laundry room, building a paver patio, arranging built-ins, and so much more! It’s the down to earth nature that drew me in. I bought into the dream that is quaint and quiet Petersik life with pretty exciting opportunities that randomly sprung up along the way. People love YOU! They want to share in the ups, downs, joys, sorrows–Petersik way of life. I’d love to see you come back! Halloween costumes should be your next post. Please!!!
RachelT. says
You four (and now five) have sustained me through a lot of tough times. I always appreciate your candidness, and also have always wondered how you juggle your many responsibilities! I will miss your inspiration and witty posts, but also understand the need to reassess. I hope to see you all back in some capacity, but support you regardless! Please leave the blog up indefinitely for those of us who don’t have the innate creativity you do, we need it! Thanks again! And happy family time!
Steve says
Well crap.
Reading through your post made me sad. I’ve been a reader of this blog as long as I can remember regularly reading any blog. I was trying to remember how I stumbled upon yhl and I don’t remember. I think when I first started you guys were in the name battle with “they who shall not be named” (literally).
I’ve watched happily as you guys took on project after project and silently cursed myself for not being as motivated as the two of you, but you gave me hope it was possible :). Thank you for sharing your lives with us, letting us get to know you both and Clara, burger and now the t-man.
The internet is officially less fun without your jokes and trying to figure stuff out with us. Anyway, this is now officially longer than I intended, but I feel like I’m saying bye to some friends and I just wanted to be sure you know you never let me down, on the contrary I think your blog is awesome. I hope you come back in whatever form works for you; and if this is goodbye…thanks for all the fun and I hope you all have as much joy in your lives as you’ve given all of us.
Naomi says
Oh guys. I have been reading since Clara’s birth and have always enjoyed your blog. I have enjoyed watching you grow through the houses and into where you want to be. The blog has got more commercial but I just figured like other professional bloggers you need to make money, it’s your only income. I don’t mind. I’d love a little more Young House Life if anything but that’s your choice and I always accept that. Enjoy your break and I will see you when you come back. Just don’t leave us for ever…
Naomi says
Oh and just so you know when I had my baby, my heavily detailed blog went nah,nah for over a year and I basically just posted a sentence and a few pics when I could. It was all I had time for. Don’t worry things change, that’s good.
nic says
enjoy your break! i love reading this blog – you guys are such a huge inspiration. keep making beautiful things x
Bailey says
It hasn’t even been one week yet. I miss you guys. I imagine you are jamming out at the top of your lungs to some Tay-Tay “Haters gonna hate, hate, hate, hate. I’m just gonna shake, shake, shake, shake. Shake it off.”
Scream karaoke is good for the soul.
Much love xo
Raquel says
Hi, Sherry and John. I thought I’d wait for things to quiet down after your big announcement. I hope you are doing well and are already feeling a little more in control of things. I think you’ve done a good thing in taking a short sabbatical to re-align and re-set your direction. So much has happened to you in the last few years–big, life altering events–and I for one absolutely understand and support your decision. It makes sense from a business perspective as well, though my initial reaction was that you could have just plugged along even as you re-calibrated and started to move in a different direction, but after thinking that through I realize it was better to just close shop for a little bit. I imagine you are seeking business advice, in addition to any other advice that anyone experiencing great success would/should do at this stage in your life and work. I enjoy your blog, your style, your writing, your commitment to family, and I know that you will continue to make an impact on the DIY and design community. I hope to see you back up and running soon–so excited about where you may be going. And for the record, I didn’t think it was all that obvious that you’d lost your excitement for your work; I just thought that with a new baby in the house and the demands on your time that your blog would also look different. But I respect your commitment to your readers for excellent content, and if you don’t think your heart was in it, then absolutely take the time to recharge, refocus, (look at all the re’s in this comment!) and restart! Looking forward to it! Blessings to you all!
TJ says
Just wanted to let you know that I’m thinking of you and I miss you!
I have been following your blog for 6 years and have read every single post.
No matter what you do I will always support you and I completely “get” that you need some time, but I can’t help but check every day to see if you’re back.
I hope whatever you are doing you’re having a blast!
Angie says
I don’t think one needs to be extraordinary for being special and inspirational.. the real catch is in being regular and ordinary. We are discussing about feelings and it is such a thought provoking subject. No denying from the fact, this blog is awesome, people who leave comments have hearts and everybody around is fantastic :)
Katy says
I’ve been reading for years but never commented before (or even participated in a giveaway!). Just wanted to leave some support. You don’t owe us any posts at all, but we owe you thanks for being so positive and inspirational all the time. You do you!
Huda says
John and Sherry,
You guys have been my inspiration for that perfect cozy look for years. Always looked forward reading your blog after a long day. I love your book and can’t wait to see the second one. All the best with everything.
Take care.
Lots of love from Sydney.
Sheridan says
What a hard decision for you guys.
But.
Burn out is Burn out. Doesn’t matter how you try and tell yourself you’re fine, if you dread what you used to love it’s time to have a break.
I hope to see you back.
But if not. You guys rocked it and I hope you find a new equally awesome groove.
Kelly says
OMGOSH my jaw just hit the floor. I am so disappointed that you feel that you haven’t been hitting the right rythm lately, because I always have. I think what you do is amazing and I so look forward to visiting you even for a few minutes, every day. I do however completely understand the need to vacate for a while but I really hope it isn’t permanent. You have an important voice, and it is one we all love to hear.
Wishing you all of the best in this, and ultimately do what you need to do. This is your life, your story. I appreciate for letting me come along for the ride!
Kristi says
I am late to the comment game – although I read this post about .5 seconds after you posted it. Just wanted to share my 2 cents as a long-time, daily reader (I joined you right around Clara’s birth.) I have learned SO much from you and just wanted to say THANK YOU for every.single.word you’ve posted!!
I am excited that you will have some time to spend with your family. Heck – I had a baby last December and I took 4 MONTHS off from work! Enjoy your break – even if it ends up being a forever break. And thank you for opening your home, life and hearts with us! XOXO – a forever, faithful fan!
Monique says
I keep checking back in to see if you have somehow changed your mind…but there is no movement.
The truth is, you all inspired me to begin my blogging journey. Every time I speak about why I want to blog, I always bring you all up. You are my not so real friends in the blog world. I will continue to learn from you all no matter what happens.
I wish you well.
Monique
Annelies says
Fellow readers, let’s all check the blog everyday during the break to let the Petersiks know we’re still here and keep their stats up !
Have a great blogbreak and see you soon !
Jeanie De Melo says
*I meant to post this here*
I’m so glad you said this! Now I can justify checking in every day *just in case* as support! Hehe :)
Elaine in Ark says
I’ve been doing that since this post appeared. J&S put a lot of work into this blog for the past seven years, and I want them to know how much I appreciate them.
Alison says
I have been doing the same! They get 4 weeks paid vacation right! Keep those stats up.
Meredith J says
I’m doing this as well! Just hoping when the window pops uo there’s something there! ;)
Ashley says
I’ve been coming back every day too, sometimes more than once. I’ve enjoyed reading all the positive comments and have even started reading back through the archives. I miss them already.
Melinda says
You guys deserve a break. Different seasons of our lives deserve the time and space to develop, and y’all have gone through so many changes since you started your blog. I am surely missing you and wish you the best with whatever you decide is the right direction for your future. Best of luck!
Lisa E says
http://www.elledecor.com/design-decorate/interiors/negative-comments-design-blog
N Shirley says
Thank you for posting this link. Very thoughtful article and worth reading.
Lisa E says
You are welcome!
Wendy says
Hello. I was sad to see your last post and although I only read the first few comments of the post which spurred so much conversation, I think I get the gist of it. I’m sure I can’t understand all that goes on behind the scenes (in your real life) since I only see the posts. But if you are discouraged, take heart! There are countless who love you and the higher those numbers soar, the more criticism you are bound to encounter. Of course you can’t please everyone and you have a delicate balance to consider with your family, working from home together, and all the extra projects your success has brought along. You seem like such a team and match made in heaven. If you still enjoy what you are doing then press on. Even though you said something has felt “off”, keep doing what you love and let the rest go. Yes, you got here because of the readers, but there is bound to be growth and change. I don’t know what format that will take for you, but I think you have many “open doors” because of the wild success that began with the blog. You don’t have to feel guilty about that. At least you have had countless opportunities to help you decide what’s what and how it should all fit together.
My husband has been in the Air Force for (almost) 15 years and he hates it. He basically sticks it out because it takes good care of our family, allowing me to stay home and care for the not yet school age kids, run the household, and be the constant since we move every few years. Plus, he doesn’t know what he will do when he gets out. We’ve internet searched our hearts out over the years and haven’t discovered “our thing” yet. We trust God will show us at the right time, but I just want to share this to show you how much broader your horizons are than being stuck in a job you hate, and away from the family before the kids go to school, and practically right up through dinner and bed time. Being worn out over something you don’t love is a depressing situation.
I don’t think you’ve lost a thing by pursuing the path that led you here, even if the road forks and the scenery changes.
If you want to pursue anything with making over client’s homes, we have a 1926 home in _________, FL that we could let you have at…but that isn’t why I wrote this note. That just popped into my mind as a closing thought.
Fond reader since house #2
Jeanie De Melo says
I’m so glad you said this! Now I can justify checking in every day *just in case* as support! Hehe :)
jen says
I miss you guys…
Ashley M says
I just have to say I am so sorry for all the nasty things people have said to you guys, people feel like they have the right to say things through the anonymity of the internet and it is just not right, so I’m sorry for all the things you guys have had to endure and I want to say thank you for pushing through all the negative to give this blog to those of us who are true fans that love and support you in whatever you do. I hope you guys are able to find something to do that makes you happy and you will once again feel the DIY passion and come back refreshed. I do hope that you guys will give us some updates sporadically whenever you can of just whatever y’all have going on, not doing tutorials and all but just the updates you make in quick post style! (i.e. dying to see what you do with the kitchen!!!!!!!) Will seriously be in YHL post withdraw for a while as it was part of my daily routine for years now to check what y’all had going on but somehow I’ll make it through ;) best wishes to you guys and hopefully we’ll hear from you again soon! So much love!
Rebecca M says
Waaahhhhhhhhh! I hate waking up on Mondays without you. :(
Well every morning actually. yes I know that sounds a little creepy.
I’ve already commented before. Just feeling especially pouty and deprived this morning. Support and love you all the same, which is why this morning is especially sucky without you. :)
Lindsay says
I love reading EVERY blog you publish. Enjoy your needed break and thanks for allowing us in your family, thanks for all your inspiration, and thanks for being honest. Until next time….
Amy says
Read this right after it was posted. Bummed. Still bummed. Wanted to post, but had to get it right first. Here goes.
Yes, burn out is burn out, but isn’t this your job? I honestly don’t get it, and like it or not, your blog IS a brand, and as an avid reader I feel wronged. I know I’m not the only one, and I can’t help but wonder how your publisher, Shades of Light, etc. all feel about this break. This has been your full time job for a few years now, and I’ve read since the This Young House days. Things are still good. I promise. Laundry room? Awesome. I personally would rather have nothing but big posts. More random if necessary (not a set posting schedule). I could care less about plants in a pot, but again, not every post has to appeal to me. I’m not going to leave, stop coming here, or throw a big tantrum because every post isn’t exactly what I want. I like the stuff that appeals to me. I ignore what doesn’t. Easy.
As for feeling inspired or in your groove or whatever – I’m sorry your’e struggling with this, but if you really want to know my opinion….YOU ARE LISTENING TOO CAREFULLY TO THE TROLLS. Seriously. Stop asking everyone what they want and just do what feels right to you. The fact that there is an entire forum that exists for people to go and bash blogs and their owners is just sad and pathetic. Especially since these people STILL COME TO YOUR BLOG EVERYDAY to then go bash stuff. Nonsense. Sad, sad people with sad, sad lives. Ignore them. PLEASE. And you just had a baby. Give yourself some grace and lower the expectations a bit. But come back and do your job before too many readers stop coming.
Allison says
Missing you guys today, but totally understand the need to take a break! I’m taking a leave from teaching to be home with my boys this year, and it’s AMAZING!! We’ll be thinking of you often, and hoping you come back rested and refreshed!!
Maureen in Maryland says
I have been a reader for years, since before you moved into your second house. My daughter has her jewelry hanging off your blue octopus in her room. I check into your blog most weekdays, bought your book, and am now looking forward to your second book. I think you should be very proud of what you’ve created–blog, products, book, etc. Everyone deserves a break and I’m really hoping you come back with your ideas, energy, and sense of humor intact. Comments can be helpful in some ways, I imagine, but keep in mind that you will never be able to please everyone and that for every negative commenter who feels it’s their life’s work to “correct,” there are multiple quiet folks like myself who come here often and will continue to do so. It’s so, so much easier to criticize than to create. Looking forward to what you’ll come up with next. Best to you all.
Nancie says
LETTER WRITING/POSITIVE AFFIRMATION DAY 4 (only day 4 because I was busy with work and family this weekend #keepingitreal)
Monday morning – I am usually looking forward to a new YHL post around this time. Wow – I really miss your posts. I will read anything you write, because I enjoy it all. No, I will probably never drywall a new room in my house, but I still enjoy hearing about your process and seeing the progress and final product.
Looking forward to your return. Come back soon!
Laurel says
Thank you! Good luck as you figure out the next adventure. I have thoroughly enjoyed watching you work on your homes and grow as a family.
Brittney S says
Good for you!
I hope this is a break and not good bye. I hope you find rest and rejuvenation to tackle whatever is next for you, whether that is the blog or a new job venture. Thank you for all of the hard work, honesty, and inspiration you have given us all over the years. It has been a joy to be “part” of your family these 7 years!
Blessings!
Brittney
Jen says
Thank you for the years. I’ve never commented before, but hope you’ll read all of the wonderful comments here and know you’ve touched so many. Not an avid DIY’er, I’ve followed because I enjoy YOU. I love seeing the new ideas and the spirit it takes to DO. I’ve took inspiration from so much of what you’ve done and just wanted to say THANK YOU!
Christi says
Enjoy your time. Hope to read you again soon.
April says
I have to say, I loved getting the chance to meet both of you when your book tour landed in Toronto, I’m a daily reader of your blog and though I felt lately that you were losing your spark for it, I commended you for somehow keeping up with it with two young ones vying for your attention.
When I say I felt you were losing your spark, I don’t mean that I wasn’t still loving your content though, just that your excitement didn’t read as strongly as in the past. I have been ‘evolving’ at about the same pace as your blog for years, so it has always been right on base for me. I love the detailed house remodel stuff because that’s where I find myself right now.
I LOVE the fact that I have this amazing trusted FREE resource with a tone of voice that I am excited to load up every day. The fact that you are taking some time off after the birth of your son makes complete sense to me, and it made me frustrated to see some others EXPECT consistent FREE content. I don’t care that you make an income from it, that’s amazing. The fact is that WE don’t have to pay a dime, and if you are willing to take a paycut to spend more time on your family, then we should still be happy with whatever amazing tidbits you are willing to dish out to us. If not, there’s plenty of other fish in the sea, know what I mean? We’ve been spoiled by this blogs existence and are greedy buggers for it.
I am Canadian, and in Canada when a parent has a child, they are entitled to a full year of maternity leave, which can be split however between male/female parent. Take all the time you need for your family, you know what is best for you. I hope hope hope that as I reload the blog every couple of days, eventually you will come on back with renewed passion. But hey, maybe you wont! Lives change, families change, and perhaps you will decide you need a change too. Best of luck in whatever you do for yourselves and your kids.
Huimin says
John and Sherry, I miss you so much! I keep visiting your website everyday, hoping for a new post that says You are BACK! Sob sob
Fred @ OPC says
Hi J+S,
After 3,900 comments, you probably already have enough to think about. I just wanted to stop by and add my encouragement to the voices who have appreciated what you’ve done with YHL.
We’ve had the joy of watching you all since the TYH days, before the brand, the mags, the books, and the fame. I remember the days where 20 comments on a post would be considered a success.
OPC was never as big as YHL. We did manage to bring in enough to keep E employed full time for 3 years. But the stresses of being self-employed along with the rockiness in the DIY blogging market ultimately made life more miserable than exciting. Ethan’s glad he’s not dependent on the site for his family’s livelihood anymore. The miracle of internet search means that our posts still bring in some income, even without a full time driver.
Kids change things. I’m going to bet that with your DIY inclinations you’re not too keen on contracting out your childcare. That means time, time, and more time. Most situations where both couples work 40 hrs/week results in the kids being in school or daycare for around 45 hours per week. If you’re trying to keep them home with you, working through projects and balancing their ever-increasing curiosity, that’s just going to be hard.
You’ve probably heard the Jar of Life proverb about putting the big things in first.
(http://balancedaction.wordpress.com/2012/10/17/the-jar-of-life-first-things-first/)
My prayer for you all is that your month off helps you figure out what those big things are… And that you have the courage to put those things first. Sometimes that’s really, really hard to do.
Fred
P.S. *I* hope that that YHL ends up sticking around – because I really enjoy seeing what you all do. But, I hope moreso that your lives are filled with joy.
sherry says
6 days in and I miss you already. terribly :) But I know your wee littles are getting tons of your time and that, is a fair trade off.
wishing you lots of hugs, baby kisses and a successful first year of kindergarten,
sherry
Alison says
WOW! that’s huge news. Figures – I take a break from reading your blog for a few months and come back to find you guys are taking a break from your blog, too! But it sounds like what you need to do, and I welcome your return, whenever that may be!
Louise says
Miss you tons but take all the time you need. Know that there is a crowd of people sending lovely thoughts your way.
kathleen says
Enjoy the break. I bet if you get back to posting for the love of it and not the number of clicks/comments/$ coming in, you will find you love it again. And we will all still be here reading!
Carly says
Missing you guys terribly but find comfort in visiting the blog multiple times throughout each day to read other’s comments and just be on the site. I feel like I’ve lost great friends in you guys. :( enjoy your break but please come back to us!
Cheryl says
I am one who doesn’t comment very often, and now I regret that I haven’t taken the time to tell you how much I LOVE your blog. I feel almost as if you are much loved cousins, that I keep up with, and am proud of. I love how positive you are, and hope that taking a break helps you get back to what YOU want this blog to be. I have enjoyed watching you grow as people and as a young family. There has never been a time when I didn’t look forward to your posts. They have been a highlight of my day for such a long time. Prayering for you!
Pam the Goatherd says
Missing you, Sherry and John! My days are a little less bright without an update on the latest goings-on in the Petersik world. This break seemed to come on so abruptly that it leaves me wondering if something cataclysmic happened in your lives to make it necessary (not that it’s any of our business!). I hope all is well with you – that you are enjoying this break and getting some time to just be a family without the world looking over your shoulder and second-guessing all your choices. My fingers and toes are crossed that this break will refresh you and bring you back to us full of renewed enthusiasm to inspire our quest for good quality DIY.
Elizabeth says
Hi guys! I just wanted to pop in to tell you about a funny dream I had last night. And no, you don’t know me, though we did meet at a book signing in NYC. And yes, you read that right, I did have a dream about Sherry last night (sorry John). In my dream Sherry and I were picking out tile for my kitchen back splash. It was amazing and funny and there was a lot of tile petting happening on my living room floor. Hope you guys are well and enjoying lots of hugs from your sweet little ones.
Amy Koepley says
I’ve been off here for a week, so this post came as a huge surprise for me. I’ve been reading your blog the past three years and will admit that lately I’ve just been scanning your entries because they were too technical for me to follow and be interested. I love, love your work, and started reading when my fourth baby was born. Every day after lunch I would nurse him while reading your day’s entry. I anticipated it and thought about reading your blog all morning. It was my mini break from the world of endless diaper changes and nursing sessions. I would say that your blog helped me get my groove back. You see, I am a creative person, and bring creative with my hands makes me feel alive. I hadn’t done anything creative for at least 18 months when one of your posts got me thinking. You see, my house was a hell hole, my oldest child was rebelling and getting counseling, my body was a milk machine, and I was so sleep-deprived that I could hardly keep my eyes open. Yet, bingo!–your blog made me realize I needed to be creative and make something that day. So I did. With my baby suckling at my breast and my idle kids at school, I sat down and make a beautiful wreath out of pretty fabric scraps. Suddenly I felt alive. I was operating off five hours of broken sleep and my world was kind suffering fr a natural diaster, but I could smile again. I could breathe again. That was when I knew everything was going to be ok. And to think it all stemmed from something you had posted that day.
Your blog has made me aware that I need time for myself–time to be creative–in order to be the best wife, mom and friend I can be.
Regardless of what you decide to do with blogging, you have made a difference in more lives than you’ll ever know. I’m not gonna lie…if you quit entirely, I will miss you tons. But I will understand.
After all, you need to find what makes the two of you feel alive again.
JW says
I have really enjoyed your blog and writing style. Sometimes it is best to take a step back and regroup and you are lucky to have that freedom. Enjoy time with your babies and each other and then come back to us!!! :)
Priscilla says
I can’t believe it, but I’m very happy for you. You have been a part of my daily routine as I have read every post since you began your blog. Even though you are “famous” bloggers, you always answered any questions I asked. I appreciated that so much. I hope your break allows you to feel renewed. For selfish reasons, I hope you will return. Thanks for inspiring me to tackle projects that I never even thought I could do. You two are an inspiration. Enjoy!
Andrea says
Reading your blog was part of my daily routine and I am so sad to see you stop blogging although I think everyone understands your family must come first. I am hopeful that you will come back soon. Until then I will check back periodically and continue to read the archive when needed. :) xoxo
JK says
Just checking in because it’s my habit to do so. We miss you! Come back to us when you are ready.
Ola says
Just to say I love your blog, your professionalism, your humour, your dedication. I thought many times ‘Gosh, they work really hard! When do they take a break??’, so now just keep my fingers crossed that everything goes well in your life. I don’t know why some people feel you owe them for reading your posts… honestly.. I’m happy that there is a way for you to make leaving out of it, but I always consider your posts some kind of undeserved gifts, a blessing, a highlight of the day. I’ve never felt something changed in your blog. I really hope you feel the support of everyone that loves you whatever you do, and that if you decide to move on, you will feel only good about it. Although I do hope you come back! :)
Lots of love xxx