Life has been busier than ever for us – and there’s nothing like having a baby to confirm your true priorities. We’ve been doing a lot of thinking lately: what exactly are our goals? What are we working towards? Hoping to gain? The answer, we realized, was definitely not more blog hits or traffic or approval. Honestly we both feel unsettled by the idea of our blog growing any larger, and we look fondly back on the earlier days when we worked less, slept more, and spent more quality time with our family and friends. This little website of ours has already surpassed every expectation we ever could have had for it. So what are we chasing?
When Clara was born we were both blogging full time, but we had about a third of the traffic that we have now and we usually shared around one project a week amidst other home-related chitchat, family happenings, polls, reader makeovers, etc. It was one of the best times of our lives. We did less and had less, and we were completely comfortable. So in light of everything on our plates, this new baby boy, and a girl who’s growing up entirely too fast (cue the Armageddon music), we’ve decided to paddle back towards that.
We know this choice may directly correlate to fewer hits and therefore less income – and we’re ok with that. Sure, it’s a little scary not knowing where we’ll be in a few months or years (but we’ve never known that as professional bloggers anyway). We’ve made “risky” career choices before in the name of life quality – like leaving the NYC rat race and giving up steady salaries for blogging – but they’ve also been some of our best decisions.
Just like we did when we made those leaps, we’ve saved enough to help us sleep at night. We’ve also both left the door open in our previous professions, so even if this choice means we’ll eventually be taking on freelance advertising work again (which I did to make a living before we started this blog, and which John has dabbled with over the last few years) it’s a risk we’re willing to take in the name of bringing some balance back into our lives.
The good news is that our love of home improvement and blogging is burned deep into our hearts, and our to-do list is still a mile long. We have no plans to stop blogging anytime soon. We’ll still be posting our projects, planning, shopping, and other usual fare here regularly. But things will be noticeably different as we recalibrate our priorities (we think we’ll end up in the 3-5 posts per week range).
We’ll also be going back to sharing all of our family posts on Young House Love (sorry Young House Life). We’ve always had family stuff here – in fact some of our favorite (and most popular) posts are the personal ones about things like breastfeeding, Clara’s birth story, her photo project, this ridiculousness, and random facts about me and John. Between those types of posts always existing on our main site, and Instagram taking the place of the smaller family updates, Young House Life has felt less necessary lately, so we won’t be posting over there anymore.
We know some people will be relieved by this change of pace (many of you have encouraged us to slow down) or excited about the new looser style of posting, while others might decide to tune out – and we’re ok with that too.
We feel extremely fortunate to have the opportunity to make this choice. It’s not a decision that we’ve made lightly, and we realized that if we don’t seize it now, we may never have the chance to again. Teddy is our last baby and Clara is just a year away from kindergarten (how did that happen?!), so we want to enjoy this time with them instead of working our nights, weekends, and vacations away chasing some business goal we don’t even want.
We have no idea what the future holds, but even if the internet exploded tomorrow, we’re already so grateful for this amazing and completely unexpected journey of ours. This blog has surprised us in the most major of ways, and has led to some unbelievable experiences and opportunities, many of which we can’t quite wrap our minds around.
We still have big dreams for this house of ours and can’t wait to share how it evolves with you guys. But if you’ll excuse us, I have an almost impossibly tiny diaper to change and John’s off to buy some lumber again…
Allen says
Good! I need to get back to work anyway. ;-) Part of loving you, your blog and your family means loving whats best for your health and well-being. I still consider you friends (and will continue to refer to you as such when convincing my husband that certain projects are a good idea – “My friend Sherry did a lot of research on this so I know it’s a good call”) and will enjoying whatever time I get to spend with you! Some of us long-time readers also miss The Good ‘Ole Days!
Thanks for continuing to be a great example for us all!
YHL4EVA!
Carol says
I am one of your rare loyal readers in my mid-sixties (at least according to your survey) and I have to say you are wise beyond your years. Taking this time to slow down and be, really be, with your children is a great gift. My “baby” is 31, and you have no idea how much faster the time will fly as they grow. Relax, breathe deep, stay calm, have faith in yourselves and be at peace with your decision. And I will always be following your blog wherever and however you want to take it.
Sarah says
As someone still in the NYC, Wall Street rat race, I admire you. My mom keeps telling me that it’s my choice to keep going or dial back, but it never feels like a choice and I never seem to dial back. I admire you guys for being so good at stopping and re-calibrating so many times in your life (moving to Richmond, and now). FWIW, I loved your blog as of a few years ago, even though it wasn’t breakneck!
Melissa says
Good for you! I’ll still be here reading and I applaud that you will get a better work/life balance. Babies (and preschoolers) need more snorzling and families need down time. Enjoy!
Aubrey says
Your schedule the last year has definitely been CRAY. I’m seriously so happy for you making this choice and I absolutely know you will not regret it. Even if you lose income and have to make it up another way, you won’t regret the time you did spend together now. YAY YOU GUYS! And I’ll always be a reader!
Mallory says
Your family has given so much of yourselves to us readers, and for that I am so grateful! I think what makes your blog so relatable is that your readers can see little pieces of themselves in the things you do and decisions you make and this one is no different. We all need to take time to reevaluate our priorities, keep our end goals in mind and achieve work/life balance. I know that I, for one, will not be going anywhere! Keep them wanting more, they say!
Katie Howard says
I know I’ll still swing by each day! Thank you guys for setting an example! In the midst of currently fixing up a house I find that your site has become my DIY encyclopedia. I’ve said to my husband so many times “ooh YHL did that… let me show you” that I’m pretty sure now he says “maybe john has a step by step video” haha! I’m so looking forward to going back to the simple days with you!
Sincerely,
Your BFF you don’t even know :)
Stacy says
This is going to sound so cheesy, but I’m really proud of you guys! It’s a hard decision to make, but you gotta go with your gut. Time goes by so fast, and what’s the point of it all if you aren’t spending as much time as possible doing what’s important to you. You have a beautiful family and home, I’m happy that you’ll be spending more time enjoying it (and I can’t wait to see what you’re up to next!)
Jennifer Edger says
Bravo! Good for you! Enjoy your lives and soak it all in, you only get one chance to really be present in the moment. I love your blog and I will still be checking in. Now go snuggle with Teddy!
Lee says
I would have made the same choice! Those littles grow so darn fast. I admire your courage to make those scary jumps in life. I need to do more of that myself!
Marianne in Mo. says
Good for you. I love when younger folks get the “family is more than anything” issue. When we were a young family, hubs and I made the choice to stay where we were instead of moving to the north for a great paying job. It would have meant he traveled four days a week, leaving our two young girls to basically grow up without him. So we raised our family without big vacations and a fancy home, etc. We sometimes had it rough financially, but we managed. It wasn’t easy, but no regrets. Our family is a close, loving one, we are happy, and don’t need to keep up with the Joneses.
Allison says
Bravo! I’ve always wondered how you guys do it all. Less really is more, especially when it comes to chaos.
Katie says
Good for you! This is my favorite blog so there is no way I’d stop reading. I think one of the reasons we readers like so many posts is that we just love your family so much and can’t wait to hear/see more. I am totally in love with the idea of simplifying your lifestyle. I try to do it for my family all the time. And congrats on adorable baby Teddy!
Amy says
Doing what you love will bring the most enjoyment to your lives. If that means advertising gigs on the side and a couple of blog posts a week – honestly – and as a long time reader, I’d much prefer reading just a couple of really interesting articles a week. Many other of my favorite blogs just post “whenever” and quite frankly I like the surprise when it pops up in my reader.
Abbey says
I was just thinking the other day about how you actually don’t have “maternity leave” and how that must be hard. It was a relief to clear my head of anything “work-related” and completely just focus on taking care of/enjoying a newborn during my maternity leave. You guys seemed to have been going really full force lately, and it did seem like a lot! I completely respect and understand your decision, and I look forward to not have to do that extra click onto Young House Life to read about the life stuff (man am I lazy). Who knows, once the kiddos are both in school, you may want to amp it up again. You have tons of choices! Kuddos for taking a breath to reevaluate and directing yourself to the path that is right for your family. :)
taria says
You and your beautiful family have your priorities straight. Good for you. Love the family and the projects mix you are talking about. Perfect. Hug those babies! That is what it is all about.
Kara says
Bravo. I’ve enjoyed your blog immensely since I found it while remodeling our bathroom the same time you did yours in your first house in 2009. I was barely pregnant with my first, and you were farther along with Clara. It’s been insane to watch it grow–balloon, really–over that time.
I’ve been thinking a lot in the last couple weeks about what I would do if I were you! and this is exactly it. You could sell the blog and cash out big time, you could hire someone to help you or outsource some of the office work, or you could do this. This feels like the most realistic choice for you, plus it probably will have the best financial outcome in the long run.
I always tell people that the reason you’ve been so successful is becuase you work HARD. I’m worked for newspapers before leaving to be home with my kids, so I have a very real sense of how much work goes into a daily publication that readers don’t see. You have to have been working at a breakneck pace.
Really happy for you guys. Mean it.
Taya says
Good for you, Petersiks! Thank you for always keeping it real… I’ll still be a follower of the blog. Congrats on your growing family! Cheer!!!!!
Lisa says
Woohooo – Back to the roots.
Perhaps my second comment (and I am reading since 2008…)
I’ve thought for some time now: “Wow how can they keep up that pace. I hope they don’t burn out – working 24/7.”
I’m so happy about your decision – you’re so wise and doing the right thing – keeping your priorities right (Clara and Teddy or what I call him ‘Little John’).
Thank you for sharing this wonderful crazy thing called life with us.
Lindsey says
Less posts = less income? Um, don’t you know we’ll be back here checking every day just to see IF you have posted? :) Especially if you’re not on a normal schedule, that anticipation that there *might* be a new post will still get people coming back here–at least people like me.
I read other blogs that are on an inconsistent schedule, and I definitely check every day or every few days to see if there’s something new. Maybe I’m not typical. But I definitely won’t be here any less.
I love the new direction. I’m so excited that you are choosing to focus on family when so many other people seem to pick money. This is why I love you guys!
DD says
Bravo and best wishes!
Amanda L. says
While I’ll miss the quantity of posts, I whole-heartedly applaud you for making this decision. I highly doubt you’ll look back years from now and regret that you didn’t post more, but you would regret missing this special time in the life of the Petersik family.
I was telling my mom about going to Homearama next weekend, and she said ‘OH! I saw them in a store one day!’. I’m so jealous that she’s had a YHL sighting and I haven’t. I’m still going to hold out hope, though. God bless you, John and the little ones (Burger, included!).
cristy says
I’m so happy for you! It would be easy to fall down the rabbit hole to the point where you lived strictly for your blog and readers, and maybe that feels right to some people, but I’m glad that you feel strong enough to stand up against what doesn’t feel right for you. I’ll still be reading!
julie says
It’s strange but I felt a little shift coming :) I had noticed the family life webbing into the blog more and it was causing me to veer away (although I’ll always check in, as you’ve been a HUGE inspiration!). So glad to see my instinct was correct in that you’ll enjoy your babies more. I put my career on hold and today is my babies 7th birthday. Your post makes me so glad in the choice. This may be your best design decision yet! Congratulations.
Gina says
You will never look back and regret your decision!! Your family comes first. God will honor your decision. :)
Denyse says
Firstly, congrats on Teddy. He is adorable.
I’m sad I will have less to read, but I think you guys are making the right call for your family :)
I hope you realize how very fortunate you are to be able to make that kind of decision (many of us will never have the opportunity to “scale back” work for family)and you appreciate this amazing, awesome journey you guys are on.
Peace.
Ally says
Loved reading your post and am so glad to hear about your decision to slow down. Your posting pace the last year or so has been amazing, and I love that every time I come to the site there’s something new to read. However, if you only post 2-3 times a week, I am definitely one reader you will NOT lose. I will keep reading even if you only post one new project a month! Enjoy your sweet kiddos and your beautiful home!!
Elissa says
Good for you! Although I love each & every post, family and friends should always come first! Congratulations on everything!
Melissa@TheChicDream says
Good for you guys! I have always wondered how you got everything done and felt like you could use more down time but that’s not any of my business. Some people never come to the realization that life is too short to not slow down and enjoy it. I wish you all the best. Teddy is absolutely precious and I know Clara is eating him up. I look forward to reading your future posts and seeing you all enjoying a slower pace. Congratulations on everything!
Jenn says
I’m glad you guys will be doing this. It seems so hectic to keep up with pleasing everyone when this really started as a hobby. Nothing should cut time with family and friends. What’s the point of having a relaxed fun stay at home job if you can’t enjoy life! It goes by way too quickly. I definitely think you should look at it as a hobby again with the perks of getting paid and staying at home. If it runs your life it’s no fun no matter what you’re doing.
Cindy says
Phew. I am relieved to read this post. I’ve wondered how you two could keep up such an impossibly fast pace, especially now with Teddy in the house! You could post once per week and I’d still check in with you and read every post.
Honestly, I was so surprised to see you guys posting so soon after having T-Dog. If you were working in any regular job, you’d be on maternity/paternity leave for 6+ weeks. You have earned that and I, for one support you in taking as much time away from the blog as you need.
giselle says
This is the best news ever!!!! You have readers because of who you are and I’m so happy that being true to your family and yourselves is more important to you than fame and fortune. You guys are the best!
Jenn says
I’m glad you guys will be doing this. It seems so hectic to keep up with pleasing everyone when this really started as a hobby. Nothing should cut time with family and friends. What’s the point of having a relaxed fun stay at home job if you can’t enjoy life! It goes by way too quickly. I definitely think you should look at it as a hobby again with the perks of getting paid and staying at home. If it runs your life it’s no fun no matter what you’re doing.
Cassie says
I genuinely believe that you will probably have more readers than ever, at least I hope that for the two of you. I bet a lot of your readers can truly relate to how difficult can be to balance it all, and will tune in regularly to see how the two of you manage to balance it all and try to emulate it themselves! As a reader, I LOVE reading about the day-to-day, and for those of us who have been reading for a long time, we almost think of the bloggers that we follow as “friends,” and with friends, you want to hear about all of the good and the bad, the ups and downs. I wish you the very best of luck with what lies ahead, but I am confident that you have a strong enough support network within your readers to keep the two of you going for a very long time :)
Amanda says
Clara’s face is SO precious! Best wishes with this new path y’all are heading down. I’ll still be here reading, and supporting all 5 of you, no matter the pace of posting.
Raeann says
While I’ll miss my morning coffee-and-YHL routine, I am so happy for you all and your big decision. Nothing is more important than spending time, energy, and love on the people who matter most. And if you need daily hits from your regulars to keep the ad revenue up…we can make that happen, post or no post ;)
Even if the internet explodes tomorrow, you two have inspired so much creativity, so many feel-good vibes, and so much can-do attitude in me that I will always be grateful you took up blogging at all.
Laura says
Good for you guys! Congratulations on your big decision and I’ll look forward to your posts as they come.
Stephanie says
Congratulations!! The choice to spend more time with your children and family is the most important decision you can make! After all, raising our children is our greatest job and responsibility! I look forward to seeing how your blog will evolve, and plan to hang around as long as you are posting! God BLESS!
Renee says
Great to hear others are wrestling with the same questions we are! Great post!
Becky says
Maybe this is a great chance for everyone to reevaluate our choices and how we spend our quality time. I love your blog but I admit I probably have spent too much time checking for the next update. You slowing down will force me to slow down as well and I appreciate that!
tammy says
I smiled all through this post: Good. for. YOU! My husband and I have made so many similar choices (step back, move, take on other jobs) based on what works for our family. Do what ya gotta do, and I’ll still be reading. :)
Terri says
I am in the “relieved” camp! I LOVE reading all your posts, but honestly would get stressed out for you at time with all you do! Holy moly! I think it’s a wonderful decision (not that you need my approval ;) and wish the 5 of you the most joy and rest and abundant love possible. It’s really strange feeling close to the authors of blogs you read for years. I’ve read since Clara was in her adorable cloth diapers and feel like I know you guys. I’ve cried tears of joy and sorrow with you! What a crazy/cool thing this world wide web is. Thanks for all you’ve shared, and all you will share, no matter how little it may be :)
SM says
Just a quick question: do you think your 3 to 5 posts a week will include those freebie and sponsor posts? or will you be scaling back on those? Personally I could do without those but I get that for business reasons you probably have to do those here and there.
YoungHouseLove says
We phased out sponsor shout outs last fall, so those won’t be popping up at all – but a lot of people seem to like giveaways (we had 45,000 entries last week!) so we’ll continue to keep those in the mix :)
xo,
s
Theresa W says
Best decision I ever made was cutting back my work hours while the kids were little. That time with them at home seems like it will last forever, but then all of the sudden it’s over. So happy for you and this decision!!!!
I’ve been reading for many years and really enjoy the mixture of posts (family stuff, house stuff, shopping, vacation, etc) so I’m extra-thrilled with your choice :)
Have a wonderful day snuggling your little cuties!
Teresa @ wherelovemeetslife says
:) You have a great group of fans… and I don’t care what anyone says – blogging may pay some of the bills for some, but at the end of the day it has to make sense for you and your life. I hope you guys enjoy these days and soak it all in. We will be here, and if you don’t post anything new – you have a SLEW of old posts to read. Being parents of 2 young children is different (I hate saying hard, even though it can be).
I wish the best to all 5 of you on this new road!
Suzanne says
I don’t think I’ve ever commented here, but I’m a long-time reader (lurker?) and I just couldn’t click away today without saying how HAPPY I am for you guys. Life is too short, right? Congratulations and best of luck on this exciting new chapter!
Kelley says
I’ve been a silent faithful reader for many years and think this is a superb decision! Bravo for making time for the good stuff!
Claire says
While this post makes me sad (I’m going to miss your daily posts!), it also makes me admire you even more. Good for you guys for making a tough but so important choice!! Your perspective is refreshing. :)
Kate R says
good for you guys for making (what I’m sure is) a tough decision! We’ll take whatever Petersik updates we can get (said in the least creepiest way possible).
cara says
Hooray! I’m so happy for you guys :) I vote 3 posts a week! Time totally does fly. I’m not sure if y’all will remember, but after Sherry shared Clara’s birth story, I wrote in that your story was the first one that I could read, and I was so thankful you’d shared — my daughter Zoe was born 14 weeks early, and it was touch and go for a while, but she is kickin’ it as a brilliant + beautiful 3-year-old :) And we’ve also added another little one to our brood — And with 2: take all the time you can! I love that you guys feel balanced as far as goals + desires for/out of the blog — that feeling is like the definition of success (even though successful people always push for the next level, yada yada), but YEA! Revel in that :) — annnd all the family love goin on :) Enjoy yourselves!