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…
Barbara says
Good for you! I never knew how you did so much with Clara, but there’s something about a second child that makes you see the world (and your family) differently — at least that’s what happened to me. I’ll still read your blog voraciously!
Olivia says
Oh yes and one small correction for you: “Between those types of posts always existing _on_ our main site…”
Izzy says
Yes! So happy for you guys. I’m a reader for life. I was always astounded at the amount of content you could put out–it honestly seemed superhuman at times. This post was so sweetly written. Not ashamed to say it made me tear up a lil. You guys rock.
Lisa says
YES YES YES. Good for you. Enjoy your beautiful family. This post makes me want to wrap my arms around you all for a big hug.
Julie says
I’m so happy to read this post! I loved the simplicity of the early days of your blog and love reading about your family. I think it’s great you are choosing to slow down and enjoy your time with your kids. I have a 9 month old little boy and can’t believe how fast time has gone by!!! Relish this time with Clara and Teddy! Young House Love-ers to the core will support this decision and look forward to any posts you take the time to share!
Madi says
Glad to hear! Sounds like the right decision.
Kristy says
I am proud of the both of you. I could sense a shift, I could sense a need from the both of you. You are both wise to tune into it. I could see this intense energy swirling and it was like … around and around and then ‘Pop goes the baby’! He is your new gift, your new teacher and he reminds you of what your needs are, how wonderful. Again, I am proud of you for seeing what you need and throwing caution to the wind (and other cliches). Thank you for sharing yourselves and being honest and open.
Kristy :)
http://www.journeyintomotherhood.ca
Beth Ann says
While selfishly I will miss your daily posts, I get it. It took me until my 2nd was almost 18 months old to get it and truly understand what was most important in my life. I walked away from an awesomely promising career where I made 6 figures and worked 70 hours a week, to stay home with my littles. Five years later I am back to work part time and I have absolutely NO REGRETS about being at home or the ‘loss of income’. My children are awesome and I can say that I played a huge role in shaping who they are. My marriage is great and I have everything I really need in life. Sure there are things I WANT, but they aren’t important and life isn’t measured by those. So I say GOOD FOR YOU!!
Erin says
Congratulations on your adorable new addition and your decision to spend more of your time with your family! Your authenticity is so fresh and appealing and will surely continue to draw in readers.
Meg says
Good for you guys!! I have always wondered how you kept all the balls in the air with everything you have going on. You guys deserve “you” and “family” time, it has been hard earned over the past several years. Everyone comes to these big decision points in their family lives and only you can make the one that is best for your family. In the end the only thing that matters is being happy and healthy. I admire your strength, commitment to both family and work, and honesty. You guys give me hope that when it is time to start my own family there is a way to balance it all (with a smile on my face). Thank you for that, thank you for sharing your lives with everyone. I’m sure there will be some negative feedback on this decision…look past it, know you have touched 100’s and 1,000’s of people positively. In a longer than planned and a bit sappier comment – Good for you guys!! Congrats again on the beautiful baby boy. PS – how is Burger adjusting to Teddy? As well as he did to Clara?
YoungHouseLove says
Burger is a fan! There’s a lot of sniffing and tail wagging, which is adorable. We did the same things we did when we brought Clara home (John took a hospital blanket with Teddy’s scent home to Burger a day before we brought him home and we gave him a treat and lots of love when we entered carrying Teddy) so those seem to work.
xo
s
Nickie says
While it saddens me deeply that I won’t get to drift off each day at work for 20 +/- minutes oogling and googling over your newest project, I am so happy for y’all! Cherish these moments while you can. What you have accomplished is amazing and now you should be able to sit back (with two kids-yeah right!) and enjoy the success!
I only have one request. Please update us on how the Ardex counters hold up – as we really want to take that challenge on in our own home in the coming months ;) But seriously, we will ALL survive with 3-5 posts a week!
Congrats!
Rennie says
Gotta drop some comment love on this post! I am 100% behind y’all on your decision, and so proud of you for taking steps to take care of you. Big internetty hugs!
becky says
I rarely comment, but felt I must publicly applaud this choice. As with many of your readers, it is your family and the life you lead that inspires us…not the amount of projects completed. I’m assuming the inspiration will continue as before. Thanks for all the hard work!
Jadee says
This is so great! It is a decision you will never regret! I look forward to following your blog as you move forward!!!
Jen M says
So happy for you guys– and really proud of you for making this decision. I love seeing how much you all can intentionally prioritize the important things in life. You have brought so much joy to your readers and I hope you can experience even more joyful times together as a family.
From a faithful reader of 3+ years, enjoy some time off :)
Stacy says
It’s actually really refreshing to hear someone say “we have enough.” When I first started reading this morning I was a little worried that you were going to say you were closing the blog for good, so hearing that it would just be slightly fewer posts per week was a huge relief :)
Stella says
Thank you so, so much for posting this! My husband and I recently made a similar decision – we have an 8-month old daughter and since my husband has his own company, it meant him working from 8am to 9pm every day and me working during the weekends; I guess you can imagine what that does to the family life and the life of a couple … Now we’re moving to another town where my husband got a job with ‘normal’ working hours, I’ll continue working from home and hopefully, it will all help us in achieving the goal of putting our little family first!
I thoroughly enjoy every single one of your updates and posts and I love your decision to start implementing family posts here as well! All this to say I won’t be going anywhere, I like reading you a lot and I wish you all the best in enjoying your family! :)
Stevie says
Mark me down in the fully supportive column. Good for you guys!!!
Julie says
I’ll miss seeing you as often, of course, but I think this is a great decision! The hubs and I have been making similar decisions lately and ita great!
Ashley@AttemptsAtDomestication says
Good for you guys! I’ll miss all the posts, but family is what’s really important! Still looking forward to following along!
Mary Claire says
Smart move guys!! As the mother of an almost 10 year old and a six year old I often wonder where does the time go? I’ve been lucky enough to stay at home with them and have been so thankful for this time with them. Because there’ are no re-dos! I see those around me in this seemingly endless frantic pace for more and I don’t think they’ve ever stopped to ask themselves these questions that you guys have. You can be content right where you are if you just take a minute to breath, right? So I applaud you guys on making this decision to put your family first! I think more people should follow suit!! Wishing you and your family all the best!
Michelle (aka mybelle101) says
I love this post! I’ve been following since just before Clara was born, and I won’t be going anywhere! Life is crazy even without a huge blog, and everyone needs to find their own balance (and I’m pretty sure you guys post more often than any other blogger I follow!). Keep on keepin’ it real. I think you’re going to keep seeing success. ;)
Aimee says
Yeah for you!
Kimberly says
I love you guys. Yours is the only blog I check every single day with a ridiculously giddy level of excitement. I’ve learned so much about doing things to better my own home from your posts and input and honesty. And I’ve grown to love you guys and your beautiful family as if we were real-life neighbors. I will keep loving you all and your work and while I would miss you if you bowed out of blogging for good, I would still have all my pins and fond memories. ;-)
Julia says
I’m so happy to read this. I mean, I’m a stranger and don’t know you, but I worried about you in that vague internet way. Despite working at home and on your home, it seemed like your work-life balance was way off kilter toward work and I’m happy for you that you are taking steps toward finding a better balance.
And as a banker, I can’t help but say YAY for being financially prudent and socking enough money away as you grew that you are able to make this decision :)
All my best to your darling little family!
Kimberlee says
Long time reader, first time commenter here… :)
Good for you! Time spent with your family (especially while they are little) is too precious. My husband is in sales and was making a very good living for our family but was missing out on so much family time. We decided it would be better for our family for him to make less money and be home more with us. He has scaled back A LOT. We are a lot happier as a family and I can see such a difference in the kids. It really is worth it. Congrats!
Nichelle says
I don’t comment very often, but I have been a long time follower ever since I first read about your DIY wedding! Its still among my favorite wedding blog posts of all of the blogs I frequent! :)
You guys are great and genuine that it shines through. You deserve a break and the opportunity to actually LIVE life and not just blog about it. I’ll still be checking in regularly. Congrats on the new baby!!
Katy @ The Non-Consumer Advocate says
I know it’s tired advice, but this time of having your kids at home goes by in the blink of an eye. My oldest son is finishing his senior year of high school, and it seems that it was just a few months ago that he was born. Be present in the here and now and you’ll have no regrets.
Lindsay says
I think you’ve made a good decision for your family – work/life balance is so hard to maintain!
Do you think you’ll scale back on your other commitments too? Like designing product lines for Target? Or taking on things like the Show House?
YoungHouseLove says
We’ll be slowing down our pace on those as well, but obviously will still be working on projects we’ve committed to (like the book and future products, although they might come out later or be fewer & further between).
xo
s
Leslie says
Amen!!! You need to be YOU, and that picture will always be changing. We’ll miss your frequent posts, but less is more indeed :)
Leah says
Good for you guys! We’ll still all be reading and rooting for you! I don’t know about anyone else, but this post did make me a little sad- like saying goodbye to an old friend. Still, I respect that this is best for your family. I hope you get balance back in your life and wish you nothing but the best!
P.S. Fun fact: “young house love” has become a verb in my family. My aunt/mom/sister/and I will see something at a thrift store/yard sale and say we could totally “young house love it.” : )
JoAnne says
You guys continue to amaze and inspire me with your courage! Your connectedness to each other and family and life goals is truly inspirational – the house stuff is just icing on the cake. Be mindful and enjoy life!
JoAnne xo
Melinda says
I’m so happy for all of you and for your decision to lighten up on the blogging. Life goes by so fast! All the best to you!
Raquel says
Congrats on making this decision. I applaud you for doing what is best for your family!
Lauren says
you are my idols. bravo!
Chrissy says
I’ve been reading since your This Young House days — we’re the same age and our personal lives have had an almost identical trajectory. Overjoyed to see you choose what matters most. I’ll definitely keep reading! Congratulations on taking the high road, as always!
Rachel says
Good for you!!! Balance is the key to a happy life and a happy family.
Nikki says
Way to go. You will NEVER regret slowing down and spending more family time. I will still be here whenever you decide you want to share something! Best to all of you!
Jaclyn says
I have watched in wonder as you both have worked tirelessly over the last year or so. Glad you are scaling back. Time flies and babies don’t keep. Enjoy breathing a little more free again!
Misti Sciacca says
Good for you! We will still get to see the stuff we want, we just have to be more patient. Hard, but definitely do-able! Beautiful Baby, by the way…and good luck in all you do! we Love you Guys bunches…thanks for all of your sharing! misti
Rhonda says
Good for you! I love reading your blog but you’re never going to regret spending this precious time with Clara and Teddy. When they’re little the days are long, but the years are short!!
Grace says
Good for you guys and all the very best. Spending more time with family will never be a regret but working too much always seems to make it on the regret list. Congrats on the new addition, you are such a beautiful family. And I will surely be enjoying the posts when they come!
Connie S. says
I’ve always wondered how (too much work!) and why you’ve had the two sites, because I think most of your readers care about the life and family you are building just as much as the “stuff” you are building, so everything might as well be in one place. Congrats on coming to this decision! You’ll never regret time spent with your babies.
Tracey says
Not gonna lie, I’ll totally miss you guys, but I’m so elated and proud of you for setting a good example of priorities. I feel like so many families nowadays have it all wrong and work is exalted above all else. Good for you for choosing family and little lives that need to be loved and molded. I’ve followed you guys through three houses and two babies now and I love you forever!
Lisa says
Congrats! Nothing but well wishes for you guys! Enjoy every minute of those babies!
Darcy says
BRAVO!!! I think this is just wonderful! I am going to share with you now.
In 2011, my family made a similar life changing decision. Coincidentally, this is the same time that I found your blog (from a co-worker). My Hubs had been a restaurant manager, working 6 days a week, and a lot of hours. We at that time, just had our 1st son. And he was missing EVERYTHING! Every sweet moment (first steps, first words, learning his ABC’s and 123’s). It made me so sad, but the hubs thought he was doing the best thing for our family, making a good salary.
Then, he got hurt (very badly burned his foot – 2nd and 3rd degree burns), and he was out of work for 6 weeks. He had a lot of time to think and he had a lot of time to spend with our son and me. He started to finally see ALL that he was missing. Before he went back to work, we made the decision that he was going to start taking steps to realize his dreams and to follow his passions. He is a beer geek – loves micro-brew beers, loves making them, talking about them. The following year, we decided that he would leave his restaurant manager career to start his own business (a tap room). Unfortunately, we did not plan as well financially as we should have, And it took A LOT longer than we anticipated to get it open. (So a big kudos to you guys for planning ahead!)
But it FINALLY opened this past November! And it is going really well! We are having some growing pains, but we just need to re-adjust and get that important family time back!!
All of this to say, I am so proud of you — for taking the risks that you think are best for your family, and for knowing your priorities and knowing that you can’t get this time back with your sweet kids and wonderful families! That is really all that matters in this life! Love you guys, and I will always be a faithful reader (no matter how often a new post pops up)!! :-)
Brooke Buckingham says
I was for hoping/expecting this post! Life’s too short and your babies are too cute not to prioritize over “career goals” that were more expected than actually desired. And a side note: it stresses me out how much time you have to spend answering our questions/responding to our comments. :) We’ll all survive if you slow down in that area too! xoxo
Stephanie says
So happy for you guys! This actually makes ME feel less pressure to keep up with all your posts. I love reading about your family and home and can’t wait to keep following your journey. We are expecting our second baby any day and definitely agree with the need to refocus and prioritize family. Wishing you all the best and will definitely continue to be a loyal reader!
sandrine says
I am so happy for you guys. This is such a sweet post. I have been reading your blog from the beginning and I will still read it . Family is so important
Tiffany Zajas says
I admire the fact that you guys are making your family a priority. This is so important! You are making the right decision. :) And I’ll be sticking around to read your posts, however frequent or infrequent they are.