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…
Jeanine says
I am happy you guys have decided to cut down on the blog. You are making the right decision. I will always be here as a dedicated reader, but you need to enjoy your time as a family and make memories! Sending you guys lots of love!
Emily says
I think you can tell based on these HUNDREDS of comments that your readers, myself included, just think so highly of you as people, not just bloggers. Very happy you will still be blogging, and even happier you are going to cut back on some posts and enjoy your family and time more. And you have your other book and I’m sure another great surprise project offer will find its way to you. Wishing you and your BEAUTIFUL family all the best. And I will be content with rereading old posts too :). Xoxo from Pittsburgh-and putting in a request now for a stop here on the book tour :)
Rachel says
I’ve been both envious of your career/lifestyle (working together, doing what you love, spending time during the day with Clara, etc.) and grateful for my 9-5. I think finding a pace that works for your family is a great idea and a good reminder for all of us to do the same. Best of luck!
Jeanette says
Good for you Sherry and John :)
Sherisa D says
I’m really happy about the change. I’ve been reading pretty much from the start and I am delighted that you’re going to bring it all back home, basically. Love on your family and don’t worry about here. <3 Sherisa
Elizabeth says
Congrats to you both on making a courageous and important choice. And congrats on the new precious baby boy! I’m just happy that the last Young House Life post was about Clara’s brothers. ‘Broze’ was my personal favorite. : )
Kayla says
You guys are the best. You’ll be successful in whatever you do. I will avidly be reading your 3-5 posts per week. Enjoy your nights and weekends with your family <3
Erin Port says
Family first and the rest falls into place! Good for you guys….I will take whatever you will share even if its just one photo a week. Thanks for sharing your heart. Kids DO group up WAY too fast!
Alex says
Good for you guys! Enjoy these moments with your little ones. No amount of money can replace them!
Candace says
You both continue to crank out quality posts, not just DIY stuff, but also life issues like these. Your tribe is faithful to you and what you both have built here will sustain! Kudos to you for realizing that in just 18 short and quick years this new life you welcomed into the world will grow up. Savor each moment — no one ever said at their kids graduation or on their deathbed “I wished I had blogged more.” ;) Many congrats to you Petersik’s!! May God’s blessing continue to be on your home and on your beautiful family.
Cheyenne Kira says
I wholeheartedly agree and support your decision to do what is best for your family, but i would be lieing if i said i wasn’t a little sad. This blog and your family is my favorite part of my morning routine, but that will make the times you do post that much more special. Thank you for taking us into your lives and being so honest and real. Congrats on all your life’s changes, you deserve all your blessings!
Cindy says
Sad, but understand :(
Charity says
Good for you guys! I have been reading your blog for two years now (maybe longer but I lose track) and I really miss all the family updates and slower pace you guys used to have. Way to go making such a tough decision but I am sure it is one that will have great rewards in the end! Also Teddy abs Clara are adorable
Adrianne D says
This is a breath of fresh air. I was worried you’d burn out. I’m glad you two (5) have decided to slow down. You have the sweetest faces to watch grow.
I can’t wait to watch you guys evolve!
You are my inspiration …sounds like a song ;-)
Amy S. says
Suggestion: put back the “All” button next to the number of comment pages.
That way people will be able to search through the comments to see if you already answered the question. It might save you some time so you don’t have to keep replying with the same answer.
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks Amy! Didn’t even know that was gone. Will have to see if that’s a plug-in update that took it away or what. Hope we can get it back!
xo
s
Dorothy says
This is bull s*^#! Your blog is just the way I liked it. I looked forward to your 10am daily post. What will I do now??? Babies ruin everything!!!! ;)
Stephanie says
I feel bad adding yet another comment for you guys to review and approve but I just have to say as a newly found YHL fan (maybe 6 months or so), this post makes me incredibly happy and it brought tears to my eyes (26 weeks pregnant here). :)
I think you two are so smart and that’s why your blog has done so well in the past and will continue to do well in the future. I was always shocked at the length and quality of posts you two produced weekly, but I think 3ish/week is much more manageable for you guys and us readers too haha.
Thanks for letting us all into your homes and your personal lives.
Darcy says
Good for you guys! Some of my favorite blogs are infrequent posters. It just makes it that much more exciting to see a new post pop up in my feed. It’s important to take a step back sometimes, and I can’t think of a more important reason than family. All the best to you and yours.
Laura says
Yay for you!!!! And I totally agree about the Oreos. :)
Natalie says
You are going to love having two kids. It mellows you out in all the right places and really does help you live life in a way that makes more sense. My second has done wonders for us and he was a TERRIBLE baby. He really was, so that might have had something to do with it. ;) He’s a sweet toddler now so I feel like I can talk about his bad baby years. Congratulations and less is more!
Marie-Ange says
Totally supporting you and cheering you on this very wise decision of yours! I know all too well how difficult life can be when you own your own business (had a restaurant for over 10 years with my hubby while we had 3 beautiful girls, and had no family to support us around). You go guys! Enjoy YOUR LIFE! :-)
Marissa says
So very excited for you guys! I’m glad you can step back and take a breather…for a long time. :) I recently scaled back my hours at work to be at home more and every one told me either they wish they could do that or that I won’t regret it. So important to spend time with your family! Congratulations on the next phase of life!
Ally says
I look forward to the “Teddy Talks”…that is all :)
~Ally
xox
Jennifer Laura says
So happy for you guys! I think this is a great decision and am so envious of all the family time you guys get to share- so wonderful!
Leah says
Good for you!! So happy for you guys… that little guy is just perfection!!! Enjoy those blissful baby days.
Xanthe says
As a reader from early 2009 and when there were rarely post comments above 100, I think this is a fab decision. I have felt that you guys have been doing so much these past few years and concerned you were going to burn out! If you thought Clara has being growing too quickly, it’s nothing compared to the second baby!
Just wondered, do the forums create extra work? never really gone onto that side but wondered if it was a pain to moderate ect. x
YoungHouseLove says
Thankfully the forums are pretty self sufficient (we have a volunteer moderator and users themselves can flag spam and inappropriate comments, which removes them automatically – so it’s pretty low maintenance).
xo
s
Steph J says
Good for you!!! I’m so glad you are keeping up the blog (as I love reading it and have been so inspired on my own DIY journey because of it), but so glad you are choosing to focus on what really matters: each other, those gorgeous babies, your passions, and sharing your story at your own pace. It’s all any of us can hope for to be fulfilled in those areas. Cheers!
Denise says
I want to post another “good for you!” to these comments. You all are a breath of fresh air and I will be happy to read whatever you post whenever you decide to post it. Enjoy your new baby and family for now. I could barely keep up with your postings before and even as an older reader who has already raised two children I felt inept seeing how productive you two can be even with little Clara underfoot. I applaud you for slowing done and taking a stance on your priorities. And I wish you all the best. I hope you can keep this up at whatever pace works for you and still maintain your followers and income. Thanks for reminding all of us to slow down and enjoy the simpler and more essential parts of our lives. xo
Laura says
Love reading about your projects and your family. I’ll keep reading! So happy for you all.
Tessie says
What wonderful news! I am so thankful that you are brave enough to put your family first. Just one more reson why I love you guys!
Lacey says
You and your family are beautiful.
I love watching all the projects and the family posts are so refreshing and fun.
That bunny hat. I am dying because of the cute-ness that has become this little one.
Lauren says
I rarely comment (yet love your blog), but I have to on this one.
KUDOS! Seriously. I will still be here reading away, but congrats on making a decision that works for your family. Y’all have been crazy busy these last few years (books! lighting! old house! tour! new house! target!) and if you can slow down, do it! Enjoy your beautiful family – I can’t wait to watch it grow up.
myamogabi says
Sherry and John, it’s so easy to get lost in the midst of things. To be able to let go (even just for a little bit) takes a lot of courage! I commend you for making this decision, to reset your priorities and to give more time back to the family! You guys are an amazing couple! I like how you’ve kept this blog so very true to yourselves! It is not about anything else, but sharing only what’s true to you! Thank you!
Christina says
Some of my all time favorite blogs only post once or twice a week. I think that is part of what makes them my favorite. Each post is a treat.
Janette says
I love love love how the arrival of babies, in whatever circumstances, makes people assess their priorities! Such tiny little things with such a big impact on our lives!
Bravo for making steps into the unknown- I don’t think any of your readers are going anywhere. I know I’m looking forward to following your progress :)
Congratulations on your amazing little man
X
Autumn says
I’m so glad you guys are taking this leap. We took the same leap a few years ago, although we’re still working hard because we do have some financial goals we want to meet ASAP. But, I may have or may not have helped earn you guys a couple of dollars (I usually don’t click on anything when I visit). But I’m hoping this little help will go to paying off whatever bills you guys do have, so you can play more and work less (pay off mortgage perhaps?)
I stopped blogging on one of my blogs a while back. My page views dropped by 60%. But I still make the same amount, if not more, from ads in my sidebar. :)
Kathleen says
Congratulations! Good for y’all!!
Madeline says
Congrats on baby Teddy’s arrival, Sherry and John!. And on the big decision to slow down and enjoy the ride a little bit more. I’ve been reading your blog for a few years now and will continue to read, no matter the frequency! Love everything about Young House Love.
oh Holland says
Totes with you on streamlining. Most of us won’t drop off your map, I’m sure. I love your blog but often think to myself — “I barely have time to get through this post today. How do the Petersiks actually DO all this stuff?” I end up saving up time to catch up with YOU guys, so a few fewer posts will do just fine, thank you!
Jennie says
I just love you guys so much. I have been reading for years, and I know that I will continue to read as long as you continue to post. You are the “friends” I have never met, but my family no longer finds it strange when I say, “Well, John and Sherry said …”
I am so happy for you in this decision. It is something I struggle with too, because I feel acutely aware of how quickly time passes and I don’t want to live life with regrets. It’s hard when you are also passionate about your work, but family is the most important, period. I love how you have shared your lives with all of us, and I truly believe you have the power to provide a good example of a life-work balance. Enjoy those sweet babies … I am excited for whatever you dish up next!
Emily says
I applaud your efforts to prioritize!! We have recently cut back too to be with the kiddos and never looked back. Enjoy every minute of this sweet, sticky life:)
Stephanie says
You guys are just plain awesome. Family first. Enjoy those beautiful children!
Stephanie says
Good for you guys. I have a 3 year old (almost 4) and 4 month old twins. I had a similar coversation this morning with my husband. How to be a full time mother, wife and employee? It’s impossible. Something’s gotta give. And as everyone else said “we’ll still be here rooting you on.” <3 Clara and Teddy <3
Kasey@AllThingsMamma says
Good for you! I agree with you 110%! You won’t ever be able to get back this time with you babies or family – but you’ll always have project to blog about. I’ll still come to visit you 3-5 times a week. :)
Suzy B says
So proud of you guys for putting family first. The kiddos grow up so fast & you don’t want to miss any of it. You are the most honest, unique, humble bloggers out there. That is why we are all behind you 100%.
Rachel says
Excellent decision! I made a similar one and am so thankful I did. I will continue to be a faithful reader and to have a special place in my heart for your blog, your family, and your decorating and home improvement inspiration. Much love! R
Amy says
Good for you guys! I was a faithful daily reader and then I had baby #2 in August and I just couldn’t keep up. And if I couldn’t keep up with reading here every day, how on earth are you supposed to keep up with two posts every day? I’m so glad you guys are recognizing that and making the changes that you need to make. I agree with other comments, I started coming here because I love you guys and your projects at your own house. I have your book and it’s awesome, but you could have no book deal, no show house, and I’d still come back. In fact, maybe more often. I fell so far behind that I felt like I couldn’t ever catch up with where you guys are at and I haven’t been back as often as I used to. So yay for good changes!
kathleen says
Even if you guys only posted once a week I would still tune in. I love you your blog! and I’m so happy for you and your new family member, in the end your kids won’t care how much time you spent in blog land, only the time and love you gave them.
karen says
Way to go- and thanks so much for the inspiration of knowing what you want, and doing it in an organized and deliberate way, rather than just que sera!
I am amazed at how much Clara seems to love Teddy- some firsts are so jealous of seconds they won’t look at them!
Kendra says
“Less is more (unless we’re talking about oreos…)” Boy did you ever speak my love language just now! ;) Happy for you guys!!