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.
Jeannette says
I miss you guys! #yhlwithdrawalsymptons
Leslie C says
I still miss you guys! I’ve gone back to your very first post and have been rereading all of your posts to keep me entertained when I should be working. You’re like a good book that I just can’t get enough of.(or like binge watching 5 seasons in a row of True Blood on HBOGO). I love your first house. Life was simple and it was the little things that brought excitement and appreciation. Your skillz weren’t what they are now, making it very relatable to someone like me who doesn’t have a lot of experience doing home improvement projects beyond painting the walls. Your old posts make me feel like maybe I could take on some differnt projects. I am excited again, and I hope you find your mojo and can be excited about it again too. Rereading your old posts would be a great way to start. :) I miss your faces!
Katie says
Just droppoing in to say I miss you! I started reading your blog dail when I bought my first home and I so enjoyed watching your little family grow and you both grow as entrepreneurs! I would never have had the confidence or guts to try to remodel my one bathroom over a three day weekend or my Kitchen over 8 weeks in my second trimester of pregnancy without watching you take on similar projects. I learned so many great tricks from you about styling a house, fixing it up and living life in general. In many ways you inspired me that it was possible to balance a family and a career that you love and to live life in a way that works for you regardless of what is conventional. So thank you for sharing with so many of us over the years. It’s funny, when you changed the header of your blog last spring from one with all your personal momentos to one with a simple heart, I wondered if this little blog of yours was starting to have a different place in your life, obviously you guys have been thinking about that a lot. What is so amazing about this blog is your ability to be honest and share yourself; I think as families grow and we grow that becomes harder. That said, I still really appreciated the content I have seen over the last few months and I hope to see you guys back again with a formula that works for you and your lives. And if we don’t see you back here I hope that means that your are moving on to other great adventures!
Ginger says
Please know how appreciated you are. I think it’s wonderful that you’re focusing on what you need to. As much as I hope that you return, even more so I hope that you will be happy and feel alive in whatever you are doing. Kiss those sweet babies and snuggle Burger. Breathe, and enjoy this break. May it be exactly what you need. My sister and I call you our BFFs and it’s crazy that I’ve never met you but I’m teary-eyed. :) Thanks for everything – you guys are great.
Jade Payne says
Waaaah, I miss yall. My days are empty without you.
(Well, in the sense that I miss having you guys in my pocket like little elves bidding me to do DIY magic and mayhem)
Praying for your hearts as you use this time to grow and rediscover who YHL is and what they mean to you!
Lots of love!
Jade
PS can we still be best friends? I will be waiting for you to check yes or no.
Jamie says
Greatly simplifying my life over the past year has been the most amazing journey I have ever embarked on. I wish for you both that you can experience the joy, freedom, and happiness that I have felt by cutting back – on clutter, business, commitments, in order to focus on my family. Less money made = less money spent. Its no biggie. Love you guys and hope your time away is restorative. Hope to see you back if/when you’re ready. You are amazing!!
LuluC says
Resist the temptation to please those who are disappointed AND love you. I know people mean no harm – they truly adore what you give them. But only you guys have to live with the choices you make in every aspect of your lives. For us – it’s info and entertainment. For your sponsors it’s just business (not their personal lives). We shouldn’t get a say or even the chance to make you feel guilty.
Go on with your bad selves and do whatcha gotta do, whether it’s a sabbatical or good bye – do what’s best for you. I know the adults at Chez Petersik will always land on their feet. They are smart, cunning and crafty. ;P
Thanks for all the hard work.
Kelly says
Like many comments above me- I still come back every day hoping to see something, but every day- just sad. I hope you get what you need from your break. I in no way thought anything was going wrong with the blog and was happy at every post!
But hurry back, I am have SERIOUS FOMO! What are they updating now that I’m going to miss? What does Teddy’s new picture look like? WHAT ARE THEY GOING TO DO WITH THEIR PUMPKINS THIS YEAR?!?!
JC says
Ugh! :( I really like you guys no matter how you do it. Why cant a person just stop reading a blog with which they are not happy. I am totally fine w/waiting for content that excites me and skimming over the stuff that doesn’t. I know eventually, some day, I’m going to need to know how to do some of these things-and guess where I will remember seeing a post!! I hope your time off is SPECTACTULAR!! For better or worse, richer or poorer, thick or thin…I’ll be checking for your next post. Setting my timer for 5 mins (hehe). Hurry :) PS: I realize how incredibly selfish this comment is. Sorry. But, HURRY back.
Cassie says
I have not read through all of these comments, but hopefully someone has directed you to the one and only T. Swift and her excellent song “Shake It Off” ;). I think of you guys every time I hear it. You are AMAZING and full of life, energy, and talent. You dance to your own beat and do your own thing and I love that about you. Here’s to hoping you “keep cruisin’, can’t stop won’t stop groovin’,” and that you come back invigorated and with some sort of fab plan not to let the haters get you down.
Your site is the ONE site I read religiously every day and I have been MISSING my YHL fix :). Love you guys!
tiffaney jewel says
Wait.. people were being rude to you guys for “slacking”? That’s unacceptable. Of course things are going to slow down now that you have a new baby. And you guys don’t owe anyone ANYTHING. If you want to not post for a week, month, whatever, that’s your right. People take the internet too seriously.
I really enjoy this blog, but of course I understand that sometimes a break is needed. It’s obvious that you work terribly hard on this, and that isn’t easy. Take all the time you need, and we hope to see you back soon :)
Lynne says
Don’t know if you are even checking these, but I just had to drop you a note and let you know how much I am missing you. You have been so much a part of my life for the past several years, that it seems strange not to have heard from you. No posts, no instagrams, no weekly pics of Teddy. It’s like losing touch with a bff or when my sister takes a trip out of the country and I know I can’t talk to her for a few weeks. There is something missing.
You are by far my favorite blog. If I have a day where there isn’t time to sit and read blogs and I can only read one, it’s always you guys. And its for more than just the DIY, though that is awesome. It is for the real conversations you have with us, your readers. I love your posts, short or long. I love hearing about you as a family and all that you share. My kids are now in their 20s, but the time when they were young and I was in the place you are now seems like just a few short years ago!
I also want to say how frustrating it is to me when readers feel they have the right to be ultra critical of you. I know this will never change and it is just the way some people are, but it is sad to me that they feel they have the right to tell you how to do what you are doing, when what you are doing is Absolutely Free to Them! Anyway, just needed to get that off my chest.
So, you guys, do what you have to do. Refresh yourselves and decide what you want to do next. And be sure to do only what is in your hearts. Do not be influenced by the naysayers and busybodies who would want to tell you how to run your lives and your blog. I sure hope to have you back in my life, but if that is not what you choose, then I will take comfort in the joy that was the past few years.
Sorry for being so sappy, but my heart was telling me that I needed to share this with you. And I feel better having done so. Take care and love those adorable children of yours :)
Emily Y says
Dearest John and Sherry,
Be true to yourselves. The amazing readership you have built will follow and loves you and your authenticity.
In fact, I began reading your blog about a year ago. But I loved everything you were doing at that point so much that I decided to start reading from the very beginning. Yes, I have read your blog from post #1 up to now. And I actually READ them. I didn’t just skim over pictures because I love your wit, your references, your enthusiasm. It has inspired me to learn about myself and my decorating aesthetics. I have so much less DIY fear (what if I pick the wrong color, what if I make a horrible decision and everything looks like a mess…) than before. You have inspired me to embrace me, and make my home feel like me. And to just- dude, get on that!
My husband and I bought a 1967 ranch (ranchers for the win!) four years ago and have been updating everything ourselves. We don’t have the money to gut and redo our kitchen. I love that you work with what you have (Phase 1 makeovers make such a difference!), and that you share the good and the bad. I also appreciate your splurges on things you know are worth the money and really make the difference in a room. Your homes have all been beautiful and so clearly filled with love in each and every corner.
I recall a phone interview Sherry did a few years ago. The interviewer said something about family being the ultimate success in life. Sherry responded that at the end of the day, being with John and being happy was what mattered, regardless of what 5 years later brought. Good for you for sticking with that ultimate goal in mind. You may be getting flack for the blog being your business, but you obviously do not make millions doing this. And if you are able to make enough to live on, renovate and share all of it with us (and even donate to charity) more power to you!
Take care, and know that whatever you decide to do to be true to yourselves. That is what we will all respect, and why we adore you.
PS- Had to go to three Lowe’s in Michigan to find a ‘Full Sun’ paint chip. It was the only one on the entire wall at those first two stores that was completely gone. Please don’t underestimate the number of people you reach, and the random little corners of the world that you have made brighter, even through picking a happy yellow for your front door and letting us all see how beautiful it is.
Amanda says
I’m late responding to your post, but I figured better late than never :) I’ve been reading your blog for almost two years and I absolutely adore you guys. Your blog is one of the highlights of my internet day :) For what it’s worth I just wanted to let you know that I support whatever decision you make. I would love, love, love for you to to jump back into blogging, but I completely understand if the time has come for you to move in another direction. (Your own show on HGTV perhaps?) I’ve got two little kiddos (ages 2 & 4 1/2) and I know how crazy life gets with a family. I also wanted to say that I’ve enjoy all of your posts. Never have I felt let down, or like you were half butting it :) Actually, I’ve been really impressed with how detailed your posts have been since Teddy was born. Best of luck with whatever decision you make, I already miss you both, and I hope to see your work in some fashion (book, TV, blog) in the not too distant future.
Rachel@Commontomoms says
I completely understand the need to get away and regroup… and also to do what’s best for your family… and you guys have worked seriously hard on the blog and all the opportunities it has brought. But I think it’s important to note that things like blogs and jobs (not to mention relationships) evolve and change over time. Rather than feeling like it is so important to “get back to how things used to be” or feel, isn’t a better goal to figure out where YHL is going? Or how it can be refreshed in a new way? If you feel it’s off, isn’t it possible that the two of you are different people than when you started and trying to keep the vibe exactly the same as when you started is impossible? Your houses have changed, the number of kids you have has changed, your jobs have changed, YOU have changed… and that change (while difficult for some to accept- even you) doesn’t have to be bad… in fact, it can be great! I guess I just want to encourage you to keep moving forward (whatever that may mean for you and your family) because “getting back” to something is never really an achievable goal.
All the best to you!
Rachel
Carrie says
Glad you guys are getting a well deserved break:) hope to see you soon ! You are missed!
Erin Moria says
God bless you guys! Please come back to us. Work breaks will never be the same without you. YHL is the most helpful DIY blog I’ve ever known. If I need help on a project – you guys have done it. If I need a tool recommended – odds are you guys have one. I turn to you first – every time. Please come back to us when you are ready. (did I say that twice?) You will be missed.
marymary says
Just so you know, I loved your giveaways more than anyone else’s on the web, because you never complicated it with granting extra entries for promoting it on other social media networks, etc. Just one quick rafflecopter click and one entry for everyone. So easy. I always thought that was so nice of you. Yours were just about the only giveaways I ever entered anymore.
Also, I loved the detailed entires about your home projects. Sure, I skimmed them sometimes, but I also pinned and/or bookmarked them, knowing they’d be full of great information for future reference.
I’ve loved your blog. Just wanted to say thanks for all of it.
Sara says
SO sad….
Kathie says
John/Sherry I don’t know that I’ve ever left you a comment (so many of them never “post” so I quit trying), but felt compelled today to send kudos for your honesty above all. I truly would be sad to never read your blog again, but feel that family always comes first – however that looks to each individual. I feel like I know you, like besties, you know?! Know that for every snarky comment that comes in, there are MANY of us who just neglect to send the positive comments your way. So, bottom line, cheers to you for doing what you need to do, and you will be welcomed back with open arms (or do I mean eyes/minds?!) if/when you return.
KyCat says
I already posted but I want you to know that while you should take as much time as you need; I’ll still be checking daily to see when you’ll come back. :-)
Meaghan says
Hi John and Sherry!
I just wanted to say that I miss you and hope that you are doing well. I hope you decided to get back into blogging because I loved following your life (which seems SO creepy!)
Take care!
Meaghan
Nicole says
Dear Petersiks,
I found your blog shortly after the kitchen remodel of your first house, when I was trying to plan my budget-friendly wedding. Although your budget for things like buying a home and renovating it have always been higher than mine (living in a different part of the country, and not having the foundation of an advertising career:) ), I have been inspired by the big and small projects that you have shared. I was inspired to smile in my own operating room picture with my husband and baby son when I had an unexpected c-section because of the photo you shared. It has been fun to see the ways your life and style have grown and changed as you both came to the blog full time, moved houses, had a baby and another, and took on more and more side projects, as well.
In the last few months, I had wondered if something had happened to you when I wouldn’t see a new post for several days, but I never saw anything mentioned on the blog once a new post was up. I think I echo the sentiments of nearly all the other comments here when I say you guys have been pushing yourselves at a rate which didn’t seem long-term sustainable to most of us not doing blogging and home improvement for a living. I am glad you are taking time away to find perspective on where you want the blog to be, and where you want to be. We will continue to love Young House Love whether it returns in the ways we know, whether it changes a lot, or whether it is discontinued, and we remember it through the archives. I hope the best for your family and your future.
-Nicole
Nicole says
P.S. Your very raw and honest post, and most of the comments I could get through actually brought tears to my eyes. There is a lot of love in and for this blog. :)
Chris says
I know you said a month, but I keep checking back just in case. I look forward to your posts and hope you guys are back soon.
Sarah says
A little late to the comment party, but you guys, so proud of you for making the choice to step back! Sometimes the bravest thing we can do in art and life is pause long enough to imagine what could be different or better. This is especially true when you’re doing well at something, which I think you have been.
Wherever life leads you next, I know it will be good because you’ve chosen to give yourself space to simply be.
Erin says
I super miss you guys. :(
Sarah S. says
Thinking about you guys today! Hope things are going well.
LN says
I ditto Sarah’s comment. Check each day to see if you are back.
Ashley says
I am sad to see you taking a break however I want you to know that many of us can relate. Having a second baby is a whole new thing, and you get busy and sometimes its hard to juggle everything and try to continue to have a passion for something. I love your designs and know you will find your way to us again. God Bless
Jenn says
Aahhhh!!! I miss you guys!
charlotte m. says
I hope you are having a great break. I understand the need for it. My husband says everybody changes and things change. True. I do hope you will come back, though. I miss checking in with you every day. I did adapt to the reduced schedule you have had since Teddy was born. But I need to know how the blue dining room turns out.I know it will be awesome. I love you guys and wish you the best.
Jenna says
I miss you guys!
For the record, I LOVED the showhouse. I thought it was an amazing way for you to try new things and I enjoyed seeing it all come together.
You guys don’t owe anyone anything, not an explaination, particular content or access to your personal life and family. It honestly makes me sad that something that should bring your joy became a source of stress and pressure to perform to a certain standard, and that people feel entitled to demand things from two people who already share so much of themselves with the world.
Take a good long rest, charge your batteries and if you guys come back (pretty please?) I hope it is with that sense of joy back.
Marjorie says
Just wanted to say that since you went on break I have spent more time on other blogs and they seem to post much less often than you guys. You should NOT feel you were doing a bad job! I miss you and hope you find your way back!
LaTonya says
I know there are already 4000+ comments for the post already, but I too wanted my voice to be heard. I completely understand you taking a break. You both pour out so much of your energy and lives on this blog, and the negative feedback can really devour all the joy.
I have personally never been disappointed with your content. Your blog shouldn’t be the same as when you started. You both have grown, your family has changed, you have experienced more in your life, and your blog should represent that as well. I would expect bigger projects to come out of buying your third home. I would expect different content after having a baby. I would even expect sponsored posts after quitting your jobs and relying on income coming in from the blog and new opportunities obtained because of the blog (and you have the least sponsored posts than most of the blogs that I read, negligible really).
You have to understand that some of your readers don’t like change, and some of them are haters. They act like they love you, then when things start to change or you start to get more success, their true colors come out. I feel like those who voiced negativity are in the minority. I wished you would not have let them make you feel guilty about the Target line, book deal, showhouse, and BM collection. So many of us are proud that you’ve worked so hard to have those opportunities and are happy to read about it. Most of us love the giveaways and know you don’t make money from them (and couldn’t care less even if you did).
I shed a tear when I read this. I could feel your hearts breaking through this post and it broke mine as well. Please come back when you are ready!! Most of us will welcome you back with open arms.
Margaret says
Love and miss you both! You have a HUGE platform! You could totally do blog classes/e-worshops (marketing/advertising/blogging) and make a huge income that way. :) if you totally wanted to change directions that is! You guys are incredible. Remember where you started and be proud! what about taking on some interns? Blog contributors? Going back to your roots of reader redesigns? You could totally get a least a couple interns who would die to work with you and benefit from the experience and take some mundane tasks off your plate. Just some ideas!
Jeannee Waseck says
I love you, I’ll miss you (I hate when people go away online!) AND yeahhh I guess I do understand – the whole branding thing has sucked the life outta you (I don’t like that word personally: it feels to me like we’re all cattle …) … perhaps a cautionary tale to myself, too, as I’m looking for ways to financially survive and putting ads on my blog would help but would freeze up people’s downloads and be uber-annoying … I’ll keep good thoughts for my favorite renovations persons – and hope you come back SOON!
Liz says
I just have to share… I’m a daily reader and have only commented a couple times. I keep checking your site out of habit, secretly hoping that maybe there is a new post. Reading and enjoying your posts have become part of my daily “relax-at-the-end-of-the-day-after-the-kid-is-in-bed” routine.
So, with all of that being said, I first want to say THANK YOU for sharing your inspiration, creativity, tips, tricks and life with all of us! I have so much respect for you both for making such a difficult decision like this and putting your family first.
And… I miss my YHL daily fix so much and hope you are back sooner than later! :)
Kirsty says
Having read your blog for more than six years it’s so sad not to see a new post here but I completely understand needing a break, you guys do so much and your work ethic is admirable. As a reader in her 20’s, in the six or so years since I started following your blog my life and priorities have totally changed too, I got married, bought and renovated my first home, raised two sweet dogs, started a business and we are now searching for our second house and reno project…my husband and I have very little spare time and we don’t even have kids yet – I don’t know how you do it all! Reading your blog and seeing what you have achieved on your own in your first home (and second and third!) is so inspiring and gave me the confidence to tackle our own place despite our inexperience! Life moves on and everyone gets busier but we’d love to see you check in from time to time with your latest projects around your home and handy tips, we miss you and love you guys! Enjoy your well earned break xo
Scott says
Surprised you’re not even doing the Teddy photo project? That makes me sad.
Janessa says
Wow! I knew I would miss keeping up with you guys and your projects, but I’m surprised at just how much! Whatever you guys decide to do, I hope it brings you rest and peace and that DIY joy again! (But selfishly we do miss you guys out here on the interwebs!)
Blake says
Missing you guys this past week. Hope you find the clarity you’re seeking and it brings you back to this amazing blog/business/community you’ve created.
Leigh says
I am sure someone has already said this but isn’t 7 your favorite/lucky number. While I would love to personally see you return, if for any reason you decided not to at least you would be finishing up on that special number. Maybe that is a silly comment but just something that popped into my head. Wish you all the best as you take what I am sure is a much needed break. Enjoy this time with your family and know that no matter what you decide, you still have a community of followers who love reading about your projects, family, and great ideas.
Jess says
I still check everyday JUST IN CASE… le sigh.
Shannon says
I’m so happy you both listened to your inner voice and followed through. Life isn’t about forcing your way through each day (or post). You have a beautiful family and that is the most important thing to take care of. Good luck and thank you for all you shared with us.
Megan says
Is it pathetic that I keep coming back everyday with fingers and toes crossed that there will be new post announcing your return?!
Miss you guys, but I do hope you are enjoying a well-deserved break with your sweet peas.
Stacey says
I was on Facebook and wondered why you hadn’t shown up in my feed recently. I popped over and finally read this post. What to say…I understand. Kinda disappointed but life is always changing and what thrills us one moment may not seven years later. :) Wishing you all the best figuring out your next move. I’ve enjoyed following you and seeing what you’re up to next. Hoping you’ll return but, more importantly, hope you find what works for you and your family!!
shana says
Miss you Young House Love! For about four years most of my friends and family know that I can barely make it through a conversation without using the phrase “Young House Love…(blah blah blah)” You guys have made me an addict. Not sure precisely what the bait is..your clean and playful house deco style, your way with words, or just you guys and your candid selves. In fact, it’s taken me until yesterday to say the words out loud to my husband that you guys aren’t blogging at the moment. It’s like a truth I’ve been trying to hide from. If you’re feeling off about blogging as of late, please know I’m definitely one of the followers that is feeling very much on about checking in with you daily, and loving the journey. Just like you guys have always said…the good the bad, the mistakes, I love how you guys keep it real. So I hope you’ll embrace your ups and downs as part of your journey and keep posting. If scaling back is what it takes to keep it real, then count me in. I think commenting on the social media/blogosphere is sort of similar to driving…if we were pedestrians on a side walk together most of us would be more well mannered because we are sharing the same air space, face to face. But our words we type here on our computers are in our own air space, like driving in a car in our own little bubble. We forget that behind the driver, behind the computer on the other side, is a real person, real feelings, and real day to day ups and downs. So may the readers be kind and may you guys get the respite you need. Heck, having a second kiddo pushed me over the edge for a few months, and I’m a stay at home mom. So you guys with a kid and a new baby, a more than full time job and a book in the mix deserve to pull back and find your equilibrium. Also Sherry, I love the advice you gave once about how to respond to unkindly coments…something about responding with love. And I love the way you write about John. You guys have inspired me to be a better wife, to take time to listen to my kids and enjoy them, and to embrace extended family in a better kind of way. I feel like the world is a better place because of you and your blogginess. Blessings and love you loads!
Margaret says
Where to start? Long time reader, first time commenter.
I’ve been reading your wonderful blog for years – since before you had the lovely Clara.
You have been my “friends” when I lived in the UK and now in New Zealand, my advisers on what to buy when I had a baby last year (“I need this – John and Sherry got one when they had Clara”, cue rolled eyes from my partner) and my inspiration for all things home and DIY.
I will miss you guys! I hope you return, but I will completely understand if you don’t – you really put yourselves out there; so honest and wonderful, but it really must take it out of you, and I’ve often wondered how you possibly manage to juggle it all.
Lots of love and huge respect always xxx
Rachel says
I’ve followed you from the beginning, before the books and babies, when everything was white and tan and cream.
I’ll be honest: I’m disappointed. I’ve admired the two of you for years–your savviness, your attention to detail, your professionalism, your levelheadedness–and this just feels like such a bogus move. It’s an amateur decision, and it’s a double whammy coming from two people I’ve always thought of as seasoned and experienced. It’s a very “I’m quitting Facebook” declaration, and I’m so bummed to see it unfold.
I sincerely hope this doesn’t become the biggest regret of your life. What an awesome once-in-a-lifetime opportunity this is/was. Regardless, all the best to you. It was a fun ride.
Danielle says
I could not agree with you more. Seemed like a very immature response. I am all for taking a break but professionally I am not sure it was handled in the best way. I would think that reposting some old favorite posts over the month or lining up guest bloggers to post would have been more productive while still giving you the time off. There are tons of bloggers who would jump at the opportunity to get their names out there by posting here.
Paula M. says
Wow, I very much disagree that this is an “amateur decision,” as you call it.
I think one reason many of us are fascinated by this turn of events (aside from simply missing something we’re so used to) is it goes to a core dilemma that so many people in U.S. society face these days: how to achieve anything resembling a sane work/life balance, especially with the ramped-up demands of our digital existences, with the “always on/always reachable” expectations that others can put on us, or that we can put on ourselves.
Who among us hasn’t felt burnt out at some time? And when you add in the fact that S&J now have 2 young children and that it was a short time ago that Sherry had a C-section — well, shoot, that’s a lot to handle at one time. Who can reasonably fault them for wanting or needing time off? More power to them for being brave enough to take this break so they can recharge and figure out what they want to do next, whether it’s continue with the blog or do something else.
Cindy says
Add me to the “wish list”: wish I’d written sooner to let you know how much I enjoy your blog and appreciate how much energy you pour into this work. Love the variety–no post is golden for every reader, but YHL is the only blog I’ve recommended to others.
About that energy. The second baby is a game-changer. Breathe. Eat good food and take long walks. Maybe take a restorative yoga class (another game-changer.)
“Stillness Speaks” by Eckhart Tolle is a book I share with friends and loved ones. You are both :)