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…
Casey says
I am so proud of you!!! I have been having similar conversations with my husband lately and I am so inspired by you to make this decision that is best for your family! Congratulations and thank you, as always, for sharing with us!
Louisa T. says
It’s about time! You guys are my go-to blog first thing everyday, and while this is all good and wonderful for us out here in “blogland”, it’s not so great for you. Coming from a mom of three, 27, 25 and 21, the time goes impossibly fast. Enjoy each and every moment you can squeeze out of each and every day. They are only this age on this very day. Tomorrow they will be older and doing something new. Sure, there are a few things I would have done differently, but, I regret not a single decision we have made. That is how we choose to live life. Regret nothing but learn something new about yourself, your children and the world around you each day.
heyruthie says
I’ve been with y’all since way before Clara–when you were much more “Mom and Pop” (Ha! The irony!) I loved you then, and I’ve overlooked your “polularity” since the ;-) I’ll be happy to see you become more small time again. I’m sure you all have some great things up your sleeves. I know you–you won’t fade away. You’ll be making clothespin chandeliers in your sleep if you try to!
Liz || Shopping My Closet says
Kudos to you to making a decision that’s right for your family and not being afraid of what others think!
Liz @ http://www.shoppingmycloset.com
Stop by and enter my J.Crew giveaway!
Jennifer says
Good for you guys! I’ll still be tuning in, and honestly, I think the new style you talk about will be even more interesting to me.
Lisa says
Great decision – you guys should enjoy your little ones. They do grow so fast!
Tina says
I am a newbie to your site (within the past two months), and while I LOVE it, I have often felt exhausted for you at how often you blog and the caliber of projects you regularly blog about!? You guys are insane…in the best possible way, of course. :) But good for you for slowing down! I’m so relieved. And we’ll all still be here and will be glad to visit when you pop up on our reader feeds 3-5 times per week, instead of 5-7. Much more manageable for you…and us!!! :)
Rachel says
Great choice, I’m sure you will still be incredibly successful. Money doesn’t matter, family does, and it is fantastic that you recognize that. best of luck to you…R
Danielle says
Good for you guys! I love your blog, but I’ve always wondered how you managed to do it all. Kudos on taking the time for yourselves. :)
Sierra says
I am in love with your choice! Time is love. Have you heard that country song? I enjoy your blog so very much and I look forward to enjoying it at a dialed back pace. :) Family first!
Lori! says
One blog post a day is crazy! I don’t know how you two did it with just one kid… this is a great decision for your family!
Julie says
Good for you!! I’m relieved for you.
Megan says
Something about he second baby puts life in perspective. My husband and I made the same choice about my job ( I pulled WAY back) after our son Sawyer was born. I saw Olive ( our daughter) growing so fast and realized I’d never get that time back. Now I’m a full time mommy and we have 3 foster children added to the bunch and I stopped blogging and working all together! Good choice you guys. Snuggle those babies!! I’ll still stop here every morning with my cup of coffee :)
Erin G. says
Balance is necessary.
For those of us who don’t blog, you guys make it look so easy and seamless we have no idea how much work actually goes into getting a post up everyday, and ensuring the post is full of meaningful substance – not just fluff.
I’ll sure miss the pace of the posts, but fully understand the need to scale back. Your loyal followers will continue to be, well, loyal followers.
Heather says
I sit at work in a cube and look forward to your posts each morning and I just wanted to say I couldn’t be more proud! I have been so worried about you guys with Teddy and the show house having such tricky timing. I was in a meeting this morning reading your post on my iPad and teared up. You all are role models for family priorities that I hope to emulate someday. Keep up the good work!! Your children will grow up to be amazing adults and I couldn’t agree more that being there is the MOST important thing. Love you more than yesterday!
Beth says
I’ll never stop reading your blog, even if you only post once a week! You guys are incredible, and your fans will keep loving you no matter what. I’m in the “relieved” camp; I have always thought you guys worked too dang hard, and too many hours–you deserve a much-needed break! And don’t you dare respond to this comment either, because I think you spend too much time with all your kind replies to comments too! ;) (Best wishes to all 5 of you. Your sweet new Teddy is adorable!)
heyruthie says
P.S. I’m so sorry Teddy is your last! I think making it through the newborn phase is much harder if you think it’s the last baby–everything seems SOOOO much more emotional, as a Mom! (“Oh, it’s my last ‘first poopy diaper’ to change!”) I’ve been there!
Kelley says
So glad you guys made this decision. Enjoy!
Brittney says
First of all, your new addition is absolutely adorable!!!
I am so excited for you guys, and this change. I have followed your blog for a long time, and I have loved every step of its growth and change. I am thrilled that you have decided to go this new direction, and I can only imagine great things to come from it.
I wish you all the best of luck!
Laura says
This post brought tears (of joy!) to my eyes. You such a lovely couple/family and it’s so nice to see someone step away from “fame” to cherish what actually matters. Bravo and best of luck. Soak up the joy.
Taylor says
I have never commented on this blog before but I have been reading it religiously for years. I just wanted to add another voice of encouragement for your family’s decision. You guys are awesome! And while I’m sad Young House Life is over (my sisters and I talk about Clara conversations when we get together) I’m excited to see more family stuff in the main blog. We love your home, your style, and your family – you deserve to spend more time with all of those things! So exciting to see you all grow. Thank you for always sharing!
B Hess says
Love.
There’s a reason it’s called ‘Young House Love’ and not ‘Young House Busy and Stressed Out’ right? I know I’m one who loves the ‘Love.’ Congrats on your beautiful family, take time to ‘Love’ them as much as you like or want or need. :)
K says
Happy for you. My little ones will be 3 & 5 this summer – the days are long but the years are so short! Glad you are choosing to enjoy these fleeting moments!
Barbara says
Congratulations on being in a place to be able to make this decision. You will never regret investing in your children’s lives. You’re doing it right!
Jill says
SOO Happy for you guys. LOVE your blog and will continue to check in all the time. You guys are seriously the cutest… I secretly wish we could all be friends. :) Enjoy this time in your life!
Laura says
This post brought tears (of joy!) to my eyes. You’re such a lovely couple/family and it’s so nice to see someone step away from “fame” to cherish what actually matters. Bravo and best of luck. Soak up the joy.
Emily says
Family should always be first priority. Enjoy every minute! And thanks for letting all of us come along in your journey. I love hearing about your projects and adventures and will continue to read. Have fun with that new cute boy!
Holly says
Good on y’all! What is it all for if you don’t have time to enjoy it? Give up the busyness in your business – y’all are still going to be successful bloggers. 3 posts a week is totally the norm in the blogosphere, especially for the epic, high-quality posts you guys do. Just keep having fun and loving life, and we’ll all still be here. :)
Lisa says
I fully support and applaud your decision! And, like all the others, I will remain a loyal reader. Your post has inspired me to take a step back and analyze my own situation. My family and I moved to PA (where I am from originally) from NYC almost 2 years ago. I commute almost daily to NYC because I have a job here that I love, but it is taking a toll. I feel like I’m missing out on so much with my young son. My husband and I are trying to figure out a way that I can be home and he can work full-time (and try for a second baby). It’s scary to take such a big risk (financially and professionally), but I think it will be worth it.
Shannon says
GOOD FOR YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
kate C. says
Whew! Way to go! I’ve always thought you were a bit crazy for approving all these comments… it’s actually kept me from commenting less because I didn’t want to add to your workload! But now I’ll comment to say good for you and congrats on your little bundle of joy (and sleeplessness ;)
kate C. says
oops, that should say ‘kept me from commenting MORE!’ :)
Michelle says
Congrats on the big choice. I’ll be sad to see fewer posts but I’m glad to hear that you guys are looking out for yourselves and your family first!
My wife and I have been looking at Target for your collection for a couple weeks and this week we finally broke down and asked a store employee for help finding them. Turns out it had gotten shoved on a bottom shelf with some air fresheners in the wrong place. The employee was so aggravated that the collection was in the wrong place that she immediately started moving all the pieces to she could put them in their rightful display location! Hopefully lots more people will see them at our store now. We’re moving to our first house this weekend are are excited for our new octopus hook :)
Eileen G says
Congratulations Sherry and John on this excellent decision. Your blog has always been about more than just how to improve your living space – it’s been about how to live, enjoy, and make the most of what you have been given. I am especially glad that you are making such a public statement about prioritizing what really matters in life. Excessive money, power, fame are not the root of life – life is about love and joy and sharing it around. And that is what your blog has always exemplified and will continue to exemplify regardless of how often you post. Thanks for continuing to represent, $herdog!
Diana says
Good for you guys, really! Such a blessing to be able to make that choice! I was reading some old posts (2011ish) last week and noticed how much more relaxed you seemed then. Big projects are always exciting to see but the little stuff is so fun too. Enjoy your little family while they are still little!!
christine says
Wow. This post made this sleep-deprived mama tear up (I just had my 4th child 8 weeks ago). I admire you all. So happy for you that you’re slowing down. Life is good. Enjoy.
Emmie says
Good for you guys! Enjoy this precious time! Just wondering about your book plans? I think I remember reading that you guys have a 3 book deal. Will you still follow through with the other two books? Love you guys!!!
YoungHouseLove says
We have a two book agreement and have been slowly working on the second book behind the scenes. We’ll continue plugging away, but at a nice slow pace (we learned our lesson not to shoot the entire book in three weeks with the first book). It might not come out until 2017, but we’ll hopefully product something we’re really proud of :)
xo
s
Jamie says
Go Sherry and John! I love your blog and this only makes me want to read and support you guys MORE. The Internet needs more crazy talented, fun, honest and real bloggers – hip hip hooray!
Jodi Finchum says
Love you guys as if I know you! I almost had tears at your realization that it’s time to slow down! I too have decided to not work my butt off and remain part-time at my job for now, while my son is 2 1/2. You can’t get these days back! I love the family stuff just as much as the DYI, if not more. Enjoy those babies & I loved the pics!
Kirsten says
Good for you! Go enjoy your family. I second all the comments so far in regards to that I will still be following you guys. Love all the pics!
Valerie says
Good for you! That can be a hard decision to make, and I applaud you for recognizing what is important in your life and sticking with it!
Congrats!
Chase says
I’m one of the ones who will be here regardless! I just admire so much about you guys, way over and above the DIY! The beauty of blogs is that once you subscribe, you get emails about new posts… even if they’re only once a month. Hoping you can figure out your new balance as a family of 5 :)
Kimberly | Turning It Home says
Good for you!!
Sarah W. says
I’m sure you already realize this from the hundreds of comments you’ve gotten already, but we love you, we support your decisions, and we all know that it wouldn’t be right for us as readers to demand that you put us before your family.
It feels like a lot of us in the world are wishing for a simpler life, and it’s fair for you to want one too.
We’ll keep reading. We’ll buy your books and your products and whatever else we can do to show you that we value what you choose to share with us.
Enjoy this precious time with your babies!
Manda says
I could not be more excited for you and your family! Family is what is MOST important!!
Lindze says
After not posting to my blog for over a week and a half I was beginning to feel a little guilty, but I stopped being so hard on myself when I realized how many precious moments I’ve spent with my kiddos during that time!
It’s so easy to get caught up in the “we can do it all” mind set, when in reality that’s just not true.
Good for you guys and your decision to scale back for the sake of your family. It’s rare these days for people to not put money and worldly success first in their lives, so I applaud you! :-)
Jen says
I will always be a reader.
I’ve read every single one of your blog posts over the past years and I’m happy that you are doing what works for your family – that is what makes your blog so great. As a working mom of three little boys I think you will be much happier.
Laura says
Good for you guys! Family and happiness/sanity should always come first. :)
Lauren says
So glad for both of you. Enjoy those sweet babies!
Leslie says
Congratulations on darling Teddy as well as on your decision to prioritize! My husband and I are doing the same–I’m leaving my full-time teaching position to care for our 9-month-old daughter, Milena, and we’re simultaneously moving closer to our families. I’ll sub two days a week to make ends meet while Milena’s grandpa cares for her along with two of her older cousins. We’re scared and anxious about selling our house, leaving our great schools, having less income, living with my parents until our home sells (!!!), and leaving wonderful friends that we’ve made…but when I look back on my life, I’d rather regret a career/financial decision than regret not following my heart to have that time with sweet Milena.
You’re making the right decision and won’t regret it; so many people have told us that same thing, and I’m really starting to believe it! As my principal said as I cried through telling him our news: “Life is all about juggling so many responsibilities, but the only ball made of glass is your family.”
Here’s to big decisions to make the most of this one and only precious life we have!
Laura A. says
My favorite post ever :) I’ll still be checking in!!! Thank you both for sharing your sweet family with us. I’m eager to see how life continues to unfold for you all, and I’m so happy family continues to be first. <3