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…
Marianne says
It’s about time! Y’all were making me tired! :)
Beks says
Do what you have to do. Enjoy these moments while you’re living them. You’ll still be my favorite home décor blog. :-)
Canada calling! says
I have followed your wonderful blog for the last few years and always love the posts about family life, Burger, Clara’s latest expressions, and of course watching the house(s) take shape. You inspire me every day! Take this time for your family and to make the life you desire – we will always stay with you and cheer on from the sidelines! That in itself is true success, so never fear and do what feels right for your family. God Bless!
Canada calling! says
I have followed your wonderful blog for the last few years and always love the posts about family life, Burger, Clara’s latest expressions, and of course watching the house(s) take shape. You inspire me every day! Take this time for your family and to make the life you desire – we will always stay with you and cheer on from the sidelines! That in itself is true success, so never fear and do what feels right for your family. God Bless!
Christine says
Congratulations!! I’ve been a reader for years and years, and it has been (surprisingly) enormously gratifying to be a reader, and exciting to watch your enterprise and family grow. So much respect, many thanks, and best wishes. I definitely won’t be tuning out! xo
hjc says
Well said, Christine. My thoughts exactly!
Haley says
This is great! I applaud you for making a difficult choice in the name of what is best for your family. You have a lot of loyal readers who have been reading for many, many years and will support you no matter what. Cheers!
Cindy J says
Good for you guys! I’ve loved your blog for a while now (yes, I spent months reading through all of your archives, in chronological order) and I was wondering how you do it all. I’ve missed those random family posts (I find myself stalking Young House Life more than I want to admit). I’ve always wondered how you found time to do all of your projects – I can hardly find time to load the dishwasher and my husband and I don’t even have kids yet!
All of that to say, congratulations on your new bundle of joy and I look forward to your posts.
God Bless!
Tiffany says
Y’all are awesome! I think your family-related posts are my favorite anyway :) Enjoy this time with your sweet little children!
Rosie S says
Good for you! Nothing in life stays the same (hopefully!) as we grow older, wiser, and more certain in ourselves and beliefs. Doing what it takes to make a family strong and happy is priority one….I will look forward to your posts, whenever they happen! :)
Tara G. says
Wisdom. You’ll never regret investing in relationships. Blessings!!
Miss Maximalist says
Good for you guys! Thanks for your honesty and sharing your thought process with us. Given your large audience, I smile at the awesome example this is to so many of how to actively make your priorities well, you priorities. Enjoy the time with the little ones and I feel confident the blog will keep on keepin’ on (family type posts are my favorites…and ones about simplifying – like this one!)
Leah says
Just glad to hear that you will still be posting — I will love this blog whether it’s daily or whenever. I also suggest you feel free to do shorter, smaller posts on little things if you want.
Our first baby comes in late June or July, and I’m also trying to find ways to find balance before then. I’m a teacher, and I am doing my curriculum work in June (and planning out all of next fall) early so that I don’t have those working until 11 nights when the baby comes. I truly think finding balance makes you better at both your life and your job.
Amanda K says
So proud of you guys. I suspect that your readers aren’t going anywhere. Thanks for sharing your lives with us!
Amanda L says
I almost teared up reading this. It is incredibly amazing, in this world that is so caught up in status and goals and getting somewhere, that you have the desire to make your family #1. I applaud your sincerity and hearts! I was thinking to myself when I saw you post about being at the show house a week after having a baby; I have no idea how they can keep up this pace!! You have so many wonderful side projects that are going to keep you front and center. And to be honest, with all the posting you guys do, there are days where I just skim posts because they aren’t things I’m that interested in. I’d love to get back to all the polls, personal posts, and family events! We love you for you, not for posting 9,000 times a week!! Lots of love. :-)
Amy says
Continually impressed with your thoughtfulness and priorities. Keep up the great work however it suits your family best, and thanks for sharing your lives with us!
Ginette Palazzolo says
Congrats and enjoy! Take it from a Mom of a 14 yr old boy (gulp), life goes faster and faster as children reach milestones…crawling, talking, walking, starting school, etc. You really do have to slow the pace and be in those moments. My life mantra “Pace” (And I love that this same spelling in Italian means “peace”.) Pace and Peace to you and yours!
Alison says
Very happy for you guys!
Chelsea says
Glad to hear my favorite bloggers aren’t stopping, merely slowing. So happy for all FIVE of you! Less is most definitely more! :)
Julie C says
You guys are the best! I think what I love about your blog most is how truly authentic it feels. So I totally respect this decision to focus on real life and I’m still on board.
Regina says
It’s lovely to see that your priorities are in the right place. Taking this step raises my appreciation of you and your blog posts. I will be following along in your journey however long you allow us to peak into your life.
Congratulations on the birth of Teddy! He is an amazing addition to an already beautiful family. I wish only the best for you!
Julia says
I seriously got teary eyed reading this. I think it’s overwhelmingly the right decision, and am just happy you’ll continue to let us peek in at your lives and home. I find what you do incredibly inspirational – even at 30 years your senior, you still give me great ideas of what I want to do to my own home, and I’ve appreciated you always “keeping it real” in all that you do.
Enjoy those kids, as the mom to an upcoming high school senior and high school freshman, I can assure you, they do grow up too fast.
Rachel says
This post brought tears to my eyes. This is by far one of my most favorite blogs and I’m so happy that you guys are doing what’s right for you and your family! I will definitely still be here and can’t wait to see your house evolve too.
P.S. I LOVE Teddy’s blanket!
krissy says
This decision makes me SO HAPPY (both for your family and myself)!! I found myself missing your more family/life oriented posts on this site and would forget to check out younghouselife. I loved the “early days” of your blog and am will welcome the transition with open arms.
Melissa @ HOUSEography says
Go you! I can now see how easily small businesses grow to become something you never expected them to be. They take way more time than “regular” jobs. My good friend’s husband was killed in an accident last week leaving her with their two very small kids. It’s heart-breaking. Puts things in perspective though! My recommendation for your blog is to stick to your house project posts – always my favorite! Even if you only do 2 updates per week, I love the real-time progress reports. I’ve become lax with my own!! Giveaways are my least favorite so do those on Fridays when I don’t always get a chance to read :) Congrats on Teddy’s birth – he’s so cute!!!
SandyP says
I just love you guys…I think mostly because you live life on your terms and your happiness & contentment comes thru in everything you do…I am sure going to miss my daily reads, but I praise you for having the guts, fearlessness you always do to again do it your way. I am a life fan you are not getting rid of me!!!…So happy for your family and congratulations on your new bundle of joy (Clara’s expression is just priceless) My heartfelt congratulations (clapping background noise and whoot whoot) on the reshifting of gears you have so bravely done once again. I think you both have the secret many haven’t figured out…it’s not about the destination…it’s the journey…Enjoy your new journey.
Much Love,
Sandy & the Padillaklan
Maureen says
I am one of those that love getting to work and seeing your posts faithfully every morning. But, I am also one those people who want you guys to continue the blog for a long time, so scaling back is great news. The longer it takes you to post projects, the longer you will be around (in my mind anyway. I think you guys are great and honestly are role models for doing things right in your life early on. And, you guys are the ones who made me realize that I could fix up my my 58 year old house up on our non-existent budget; I can’t tell you how that changed my life and happiness. Seriously. You guys are truly living the dream, and deserve to enjoy every minute of it.
Mariah says
Excited for you! Contentment is such a great goal, and I know you all will enjoy the slower pace! And just FTR – I’ll still check in! ;)
Jenny L. says
Yessssss, yes, yes, yes. I will keep reading [and creeping:)] on your lovely life.
Annie says
Very well said. Enjoy living in the moment.
Summer says
Just want to add to the numbers of those saying we won’t stop reading just because you post less often. Personally, I read the blog because you guys are great communicators (the best in the blogging world IMO): you make each post fun, personal and informative. Reading feels more like a visit with some friends than a little article about such-and-such. If there were only two posts a week, and they were all about dirty diapers!, I would still be grateful for those.
Do scale back! And enjoy this precious time with Teddy.
(For our third, my husband took the month off work, and I vowed to snuggle and smell and watch him all day long if I wanted (I practically did). The thing that surprised me is… it still doesn’t capture it, permanently; I can’t go back and remember his smell or even picture him as a baby much without a photo to prompt me. BUT, it was a beautiful month, and the moment was more beautiful because I was intentionally *there*, even though the moment still faded and became something new. The good news is, the new moments are also awesome, and the practice of treasuring it has lasted better. So, even though he’s toddling now more often than cuddling… I’m still loving it and still soaking it in.)
BeckyB says
Good for you! Enjoy your family and congratulations on your decision.
Maddison says
YOU GO GLEN COCO!
Sarah @ Sarah's Daybook says
Hahahaha! You made my day!!!
Carrie says
Hahaha! Never gets old to me!
Meredith says
Congratulations on making such a great decision! I’ve always loved your blog not just because of the great projects, but because you seem to have a knack for enjoying life. And if this is what it takes to make you and your family happy, I’m crazy proud of you for being able to make that decision. What a wonderful role model you must be to your children, showing them that family comes first.
I’ll keep following you guys, even if it’s 1 post a month! Keep up the great work, and enjoy extra cuddle time with the kiddos!
Rebecca says
I echo so many of the comments already posted. You are wonderful role models for young families and are doing something really smart in re-balancing. You’re setting priorities that work for you and that’s something we should all aspire to do–not just letting things escalate with no time to think about what we really want at any one stage of life. I’ve been around a few years and have seven grandkids growing up so fast, so my encouragement is based on lots of experience! I’ll be a reader no matter what and look forward to seeing your family grow and your house change through the years. Good for you and for your beautiful kids!!
Kristy says
YAY!!!
I absolutely support this and am thrilled to hear that you’ll be slowing down a bit! I’ve been reading since 2009 and didn’t mind the slower pace of those golden early Clara days at all. We value peace and balance in our little family too, and it’s great to see you guys– who are adored and looked up to by so many– make the choice to place precious family moments over ambitious business goals. May others be inspired to take a step back and evaluate their priorities as well. Your example may have been the spark someone needed.
Kudos!
Karen L. says
I am so happy to hear this! Loved the sweet, caring way you shared your decision about making more time for family and less time doing too much. Sounds perfect! Enjoy those kiddoes so much!! That time with your family can not be “overdone”. :)
Julie F. says
Tough decisions are always the right ones. You have all my support in what ever decision feels right for you! Life is full of adventures and opportunities, there’s a season for everything. The season is just changing. Don’t fight the seasons. :)(And congrats on the baby, hehe.)
Stephanie says
Good for you guys :) Your family puts the ‘love’ in your house.
Maddison says
You go Glen Coco
Jennifer says
I have followed you guys since the kitchen reno in the FIRST little “young house.” That was two kids ago myself (a girl then a boy – you guys will LOVE IT!) and boy has life changed. Best wishes as you continue to seek the life that is best for your family!
Reece says
As a mother of nine and a serial home remodeler, I applaud your ability to realize that life sometimes calls us to live it. It takes reflection, wisdom and effort to adapt to our lives in a meaningful way. It always pays off in the end though. Carry on…and congratulations.
Chelsea @ Chelsea Eats Treats says
I am so happy for you guys, even if it’s a little sad for us readers (I just love hearing from you guys every day!!). I do think this is a great decision for you though and you have to take some time to SLOW DOWN (you guys are machines!!) and enjoy life :)
I also should mention that I really enjoy reading shorter posts about life updates (John’s running, family stories, Burger adventures, etc.) and little DIY projects here and there, and I don’t feel like all your posts need to be super big house updates for me to love them. No matter what direction you guys take, I will still keep coming back to read!!
Lindsay says
I’m happy for you guys to be slowing down. Life’s too short.
Amanda says
So happy for you all. It’s great that you’re taking the time to spend quality time with your family and friends of course. There’s nothing sweeter than that. My favorite posts of yours have always been the looser ones although I love the house updates too – you guys are awesome! Xoxo
Shannon says
Support you both 150%! I love reading your blog, not just for your awesome design sense and DIY skills, but because I view you guys as a friend. :) I’m excited for the Young House Life posts to move over here and can’t wait to continue following along on your journey, at whatever pace that may be. :)
Shannon
Paige @ Lux Per Diem says
Good for you, I hope you guys find the time you need. So I’m inferring that YHL will just be an overall more lifestyle type blog from this point forward?
YoungHouseLove says
It’ll still be a mix of DIY/home stuff with a nice side order of our lives (we’ve always shared vacation posts, birthday/anniversary stuff, baby updates, and other life stuff like the posts we linked to in this post) so that’ll continue to be in the mix along with our DIY adventures.
xo
s
amy says
I love this. As much as I love coming to read at 10am every morning, I totally get the balance and applaud you guys for choose family first!
Diana T. says
Much love for this decision! I’ll still be here reading, even if you only post once a week or once a month. THIS is the goal — to build such a loyal base of readers that they stick with you as you evolve. Enjoy those babies!
Jordann O'Brien says
That makes me sad because I love having a post of your guys to read daily but I am so happy for you guys and your new addition to your family and love that you are pulling back a little for your family. Bravo.
Nancys says
At first, I have to say I was disappointed, but only because I so enjoy your blog! But 3-5 posts, that’s still plenty! My son just turned 18 and I say “how did that happen” on a daily basis. I remember his first day of kindergarten & crying all the way to work :) as everyone says, enjoy your kids because time does fly.
I will be reading your blog until your journey changes course, it’s one I check out every day. You help make my day in my ‘cubicle’. Best of luck with your young family & your career chices!