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…
Keeley says
Congratulations on your decision to scale back. Family should always come first.
I know that your readers can relate to wanting to focus on raising your children and being a family instead of going into overdrive on posting and projects. My husband and I recently made some personal, financial and career changes that have given us at least three additional hours each day with our toddler. Our lives have changed for the better. Sometimes these decisions are scary, but when you know in your heart that you’re doing the right thing, happiness (and stress relief) will follow immediately.
Enjoy your beautiful family!
Rachael says
This is such a good post and I’m so happy for you guys! I’ve watched with awe at the amazing things you have achieved over the last few years but it’s far more fantastic in life to know what matters most in your heart and follow that, even if other people don’t always get it.
Enjoy your new lives.
Liz says
Love that your going back to adding life posts on the main page! All good news for this avid follower & mom of 3 young boys!
Maeve says
Just adding my support to the litany of other supporters! Way to go for asking those honest questions and working to make the best decisions for your family. Very encouraging for us all!
Lizzy says
So happy for all of you. This is such a wonderful decision and it’s coming at a perfect time. Enjoy!
Tammy says
So well said guys. You are so wise to make this decision and I will always follow and love your posts. Kudos to you both. Clara and Teddy are very lucky kids.
Leigh says
I am so happy for you guys. The decision you’ve made is no doubt huge and has probably been discussed a long time. You have to do what is right for you and your family. You definitely deserve a break!!!! Now go love on those sweet babies and have a little down time.
Sarah says
I’ve never commented before, but I have followed your blog for the past few years. And, I just have to say, you guys are AMAZING! Thank you for your honesty and courage and good for you for doing what’s best for you and your family. You absolutely inspire me!
Congratulations on adorable Teddy!
Gill says
Good for you guys, nothing is more important then family. I’ve really enjoyed watching you guys change and grow over the last couple of years. You guys seem so fun and happy and involved with Clara, honestly when I picture the ideal family that I want to have when I have one, it looks just like you guys. Congratulations on Teddy(super cute name by the way) and Clara looks so excited and these pictures are so adorable and beautiful! Make the best of the time you have with them while they’re young. Good luck with everything, I’ll still be following you guys no matter how often you post. xx
Cara says
Less is definitely more. I am confident that your posts will continue to inspire. Congratulations!
Amy says
Good for you! I am glad to see you guys make this choice. You won’t regret it!
Zulfa says
Good for you! That is a very brave decision and it will inspire many people to action. All the best – I will remain a loyal reader.
Suzanne in NW IL says
I, too, am thankful for any blogging that you give us, Sherry & John. If it’s 3x a week, I feel LUCKY. Life, and Love is a gift, to be cherished. Life is precious, just like your beloved family.
God Bless you all,
Suzanne in NW IL
Brittany says
I am so excited for you guys! You’ll be so grateful that you decided to paddle back – time with the kids (and life in general) is irreplaceable. Enjoy it :)
And I definitely look forward to seeing more of Clara, Teddy, and the Burg on the homepage!
Lori says
So proud of you kids! I gave up law school to raise three wonderful daughters, and never looked back. I knew that being an 80 year old sittin and a rockin, I didn’t want to regret giving up the most important thing: time with those precious girls, sticky fingers, teen years and all. I still have 30 years before I’m 80, but I already know all the money in the world was not worth it. As I’ve said to you in past post, you kids are our future and what a great example you are.
Kelly says
This post just made me so happy.
Alison says
This post literally has me in tears– happy tears! I’m so happy that you guys are taking time to spend with family. Everyone deserves that and I don’t think it’s a decision you’ll regret! Enjoy!
Amanda @ All Day Active says
Good for you guys!! I truly have the idea that I can work crazy when my kids are in school or gone….they are only home for a teeny-tiny little part of their lives — I want to enjoy every millisecond! I have been reading your blog since you were redoing your bathroom at your first house — I feel like I know your family :) — so I’m happy you’ll be throttling it back — ENJOY!!!!
Megan says
I wrote this post (http://www.balancinghome.com/2014/04/want.html). Okay, some version of it. It turns out my dramatic page view drop was due to my server being down, but the point is the same.
If you don’t click over and read, this is the main point: “The thing is, whether one of you are reading my blog or a million of you are, my kids are still growing up. Every single day they are growing up and changing and I don’t want to miss it.”
Number #3 just turned one– birthdays have a way of making you say, “where did the time go?”
I’m excited for you guys and your priorities are in the right place!
Lil says
LOVE your blog Megan!
Carrie says
Life is so unpredictable. One year ago on April 27, my otherwise very healthy, relatively young dad had a massive heart attack. He survived but it was surely a wake up call that you have to live life for today. Tomorrow is not guaranteed. Congrats on the new baby & wishing you all the best!!!!! PS~ Was really hoping there was plans for another little Petersik girl who would end up marrying one of those cute Bower boys!
Kati @ This Wandering Life says
I’m thinking that KB is just going to have to have a little girl for Teddy!!! ;-)
Elise says
You go, guys! I love the way you make decisions always in favor of what matters most – family. Wishing you lots of happiness (and some sleep!) – can’t wait to see what’s next!
Tracy says
I’ve been reading your site for years now and love it! And I think it’s a fantastic idea to scale back and put your family first. I and I’m sure many others will continue to enjoy your (less frequent) posts!
Also, thank you for sharing the leap of faith element to your life-career decisions. My husband and I, both busy professionals, have struggled with sacrificing “stability” for more adventure and life balance. And we are in our early-mid thirties and thinking time is of the essence a family. So we just decided that we are going to sell our house and travel for six months, then relocate 500 miles away to be closer to our families. It is certainly a leap into the unknown, and it is so encouraging to see through your example how things can work out for the best even if you don’t know ahead of time what that will look like.
All the best to you!
Amy says
Congratulations on your beautiful new baby and for making the right decision for your family. I’m a long time reader, and have never commented, but I wanted to voice my support on this one. Most of us fell in love with your blog because of the little tidbits of life and family combined with your home improvement journey, so I doubt you’ll get less traffic. Either way, I just want to say I love your blog and I love your family–seems weird since we’ve never met, but you feel like friends and I’m so happy for you!
Emily says
I’m just so glad you’re going to continue blogging! I don’t know how I’d make it through my work week without my YHL breaks!
Congrats on Teddy-he is adorable!
Gabbi @ Retro Ranch Reno says
I am SOOO happy to read this!!! And I’ll always be following along, no matter how often or what you post. What a great decision for you guys! Xo! :)
Alex P says
SO happy for you guys! I have been a reader for about 4 years and like a lot have said, it is because of the people you both are. I have 2 boys and you are so right, it goes by so fast, less definitely is MORE! Great decision, I will read as often as you feel necessary to post! Congrats on the new bundle, I LOVE the name Teddy! xo
Jenn V. says
Amen, Petersiks. This post warmed my heart.
Amy L. says
Good for you guys! I am happy for all of your success, but as a long time reader (very early in your first home- This Young House days!) I miss the smaller feel/community sense of the blog from back then. As a parent I can appreciate the desire to slow down and taking time to stop and smell the daisies. Enjoy your precious baby boy and his big sister too!
Maura says
I think this may be my first comment ever, although I have been following your blog for years! I just felt compelled to say that I think you are making an amazing, wonderful decision to scale back and enjoy your beautiful little ones. Hope you guys make it to Cleveland on your next book tour!
Kelli says
Bravo! Congrats on your little boy!! Its a wave of boys after girls, including myself and about five of my friends are in the same boat as you guys!
I bawled my eyes out after bringing Lukas (5 mos) home because Lily (4 yrs) instantly felt big and grown up. I can totally relate to your desire to thoroughly soak in this wonderful stage if life.
I will indeed miss my daily ritual at 10am of a cup of coffee and some Petersiks lol but will always be tuning in!
We love you guys and look forward to the future!
Keeley says
Good for you! Enjoy!
I would love it if they would invent a ‘pause button’ for real life. Until then, stepping back to look at priorities and adjust as needed is a great idea. It is the closest thing we have to a ‘pause button.’
I will still read your blog, rain or shine, post every day or every other day.
Anna says
I’m excited for you all to have time not moderating posts, etc. Nothing better than family and it’s great you can prioritize. I will still click on all of your items and still probably check on posts twice a day! Best wishes, and enjoy those kiddos.
erin says
Good for you!
I for one will still be around, and very glad to not have to click over to another site for non-house related stuff! :)
Shea says
I think your totally awesome for realizing that you need to take a step back! I’ve been obsessed with your blog (not in the crazy creapy stalker way) and have been working my way up from your very first post to the present. So far I’ve made it to about 6 months in house # 2, while I also keep up with your daily new posts. You guys have had quiet the journey!
Let me just say, I’m enjoying reading the older posts where it is more your house and family related. I think scaling back will be great for you as a family and us as readers. Keep up the awesome work and congratulations on that handsome fellow!
Lisa Stonehouse says
Bless your precious family. It’s been a true joy watching you grow and move and change. Taking care of our families is the best and most rewarding job there is. I’m gonna be honest though, WHAT AM I GONNA DO AT 10 AM every morning??? Ha ha!! You guys are the bomb. xo
Cheyenne Kira says
haha! this was my first thought too!!!
Stephanie B. says
THIS is my favorite YHL post of all time. I’m not sure I can even verbalize how grateful I am for fine people like yourselves who are willing to model behavior and focus on what is actually important to you. I loved when you said “Why…chase some business goal we don’t even want?” I think if we all took just a little piece of your advice, stopped chasing what doesn’t matter and focused on the real good stuff (like those precious littles of yours!) … can you imagine what the world would look like? Anyways, thank you. For taking care of yourself and your family and for helping teach others to reconsider their values and priorities as well.
Kate says
Poignantly said. I remember the happiest times being the simplest as well. And the two years that I took off to spend with my then infant son, the most important and meaningful. And while you can’t really go back there, you can find a way to hit the breaks, re-center and get to where you want to be. I admire you both; your love and generosity never cease to amaze me. In a community of like mindeds, we all root for you. <3 Go on with your bad selves!!
Allyson says
Good for you guys!! I’m happy to hear we’ll be seeing more “home life” stuff over here as those are some of my favorite posts and I always forget to check YH Life. This sounds like the perfect move for this point in your lives… Congrats on your new little guy! Can’t wait to watch him grow up!
Robyn says
I’m so happy for the Petersik family! You guys deserve to focus on your family. With a 19 mo old and a 3 mo old we are looking to make some changes as well and redirect our focus and energy to what’s really important. I caught the YHL bug when my first was just a few months old and I needed a “mom moment” during naps. A cup of tea and YHL was the daily refresher I needed. Now that I have another little one I’ve found it much more difficult to keep up with all the posts, so I for one am thrilled that there will be just enough to satisfy my “mom moments” but not so many that I’m hunkered under the covers after a long tray trying to catch up. I doubt if you will lose any of your followers and I’m so happy you made the decision that was right for your family. All the best!
Catherine says
Good for you guys – and good for you all to remind us, show us, what is important, after all, in the end. I commend you both and applaud you on your bravery, honesty and approach. If only the rest of the world, especially this country, could approach work-life balance this way!
Angie says
BEST decision you guys could EVER make is to spend more time together as a family. My family is in the process of making similar changes. Wish you the best in all you do!
Jessica says
Great choice!!!!
I will stick around no matter what!
Angie says
PS: I have to say that pic of Sherry, Teddy & Clara in the hospital bed together is fantastic. Just love it!
Christina D says
Kudos to you guys!! Seriously – I am so happy for you all! I am not surprised to see this post – with baby Teddy’s arrival I had a feeling you would be scaling back ;) I’m glad you are able to prioritize and figure out what is most important to you! I will most definitely still be reading – it’s one of my favorite “me time” things to do :) Congrats and Cheers to all of you!
Kate says
Good for you guys: doesn’t realizing what you want and saying it out loud always seem like half the battle? You will still get one hit from me every day (I hope visiting you on my Google News app counts…does it?). Best of luck to your newly expanded family! :-D
Maggie says
So happy for you!
Sam F says
Nooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!! ;o) Just kidding! In reality, I love all types of posts that I read both here and on Young House Life. I always look forward to reading your posts and I appreciate & respect that you are doing what is best for yourselves and your family. Congrats on having the means/ability to make this decision and I wish only the best for you and your family. And like so many have said above, I will keep reading and I look forward to your next post, whenever that may be!
charlotte m. says
Love the pictures, guys. Teddy is a cutie pie. I love all of Clara’s expressions. That girl is cute and hilarious. I love your blog and I have learned so much from you guys with regard to DIY. Keep on however you need to and I will still be a big fan of yours. And yes, they grow up way too fast.
Maggie says
So happy for you guys on this decision!
Erin says
Sherry, it honestly makes me so happy to read this. I don’t comment often, but I’ve read your blog for many years now (I think since 2008?) and I actually liked it a lot more back then because you seemed more like normal people. Over the past couple of years, I’ve continued to read, but have felt more disconnected. I think it’s because you’ve done so much so fast that it makes me feel stressed on your behalf and a bit frantic and then like a failure myself. I love your projects and love your homes, but I’m relieved to see you’ll be slowing down. You two have done (and will continue to do) beautiful and amazing things. Thank you for sharing it all. Also–I’m impressed you wrote this. I had a c-section back in July and the last thing I wanted to do a couple weeks later was be on the computer! Enjoy the baby. Mine is almost 9-months-old and, as grateful as I am to have a good sleeper, part of me misses watching the 3:30am early news shows! I love the pictures of tiny Teddy (oh that’s not a good nickname as he grows!) I’ll quit rambling, but know I am so happy for your family and will continue reading.