Update: Aaaand less than 12 hours later we’re back with an update on the bottom of the post for ya. Smooth, right?
Hey there! Long time no see.
The break has been great. Admittedly a little weird, but really reinvigorating. So we’re immensely thankful not only for your support and kind comments, but also for helping put words to some of the things that we had been feeling for some time. And while the last month hasn’t been enough time to fill in all of the blanks about our future (heck, when are life’s blanks ever clearly filled in?) it has made one thing pretty obvious to us: after seven awesome years of sharing our home and our life, it’s time for our next adventure.
This blog has been a staple in our lives for 80+ months, tagging along for all but three months of our marriage and our entire existence as parents. So we thought it would be nearly impossible to click off that urge to over-share this past month (we expected our blogging spark to come back with a vengeance). But maybe it’s us getting older, the kids getting bigger, or a general shift in life priorities – but it actually felt just right. So this break has given us the clarity (and the guts, I guess) to move on… and hopefully move the needle on that life balance we’ve been talking about for so long.
We won’t go as far as to declare this the end of Young House Love or our blogging days. Who knows, maybe somewhere down the line (when the kids are both in school?) we’ll get that burning in our bellies again – perhaps here or in a completely different capacity. We don’t know what the future holds, but we know that the most amazing things have happened to us when we’ve stretched waaay out of our comfort zone – as much as that sounds like advice you’d find on an inspirational kitten poster.
We plan to keep the blog archives available for as long as we can, and will be freezing comments soon, but we won’t be completely dropping off the planet. Some completed product designs with Liberty Hardware and Shades of Light may pop up, and our second book will come out on September 22nd, 2015. Those folks have all been amazingly supportive of our decision, for which we’re incredibly thankful.
Speaking of which – “Thank you” doesn’t come close to expressing how grateful we are for getting to share our weird little world with you guys for so long. We have nothing but love and gratitude for this whole experience – and for you. (*This is probably where we should fade up on that Dirty Dancing song*)
But let’s not say “goodbye” let’s just say “see you on another time.”
Peace, love, and ceramic animals,
John & Sherry
PS: We did randomly snap a few fresh photos for the House Tour page over the break (some of the rooms were pretty outdated). Feel free to give the dining room’s blue trim the side eye for us (yes, it’s still there!).
Update: The same few questions kept popping up in the comments (we just can’t quit you). As for the “what are your new jobs” thing, we’ve mentioned in a few previous posts that we left the door open in our past professions (advertising/copywriting/consulting), which we can do as freelancers from home a lot of the time, while switching off on the stay-at-home parent thing. We know things like the book and products we design are driven by this blog, so we can’t live off those or anything. Didn’t mean to be mysterious! As for the Facebook/Instagram questions, we’d love to pop up there from time to time to say hi. And we hope our blog archives will be up for a good long time (we use them to reference things like paint colors, so we’d never want to lose them!).
We’re also really sorry if this feels abrupt. We’ve made a few public attempts to wind down and gain balance over the years (like when we moved to this house and after Teddy’s birth) but they’ve always been at odds with our “all in” personalities, so it wasn’t until taking this break (yet another attempt to recalibrate) that we realized we felt closer to our goal. We debated lots of alternatives – drastically fewer posts / shorter posts / no comments – but nothing felt like the version of Young House Love we were excited to carry on with. And we tried to keep today’s post light and happy (the last one felt so heavy) since this truly is a moment of extreme gratitude, despite it being a difficult decision to make.
Flawless and graceful exit, eh? Right. So here we go. Ack, we suck at this! We will miss you!!
raspberrymel says
Gooodbye, Petersiks. Thank you all that you have shared and the way in which you have done so. You are wonderful and I have truly enjoyed following along. Wishing you much happiness and love.
Elise says
Another vote here for every now and then updates just so we know you’re alive. Like the Young House Love reunion tour… blog style… or something like that. Anyway, whatever you do, whether I ever “see you again” or not, best wishes and God Bless!
Heather says
Hi Petersiks!
I’ve loved your blog for years- my husband compared me reading it each morning to him watching Sportscenter! Seems fitting that around your 7th blogiversary that you’re bringing this to a close. 7 is your lucky number, right? Best of luck to your family in the future!
Tracy says
I’ve been following your blog since before Clara and when you were This Young House. I don’t think I’ve have ever posted a comment before. I’ve just enjoyed the content. Thank you for the years of inspiration. You have been a source of light and love on the internet. I hope you will continue to blog about your life on a private site as you have already created such a great source of family history for your children. It would be lovely to carry on with Teddy’s first five years. Wishing you much love and joy in your future plans.
LaurieW says
i have so enjoyed going to your site everyday for many many years. I wish you the best of luck in your future.
Nicky says
Aah, this is my worst fear come true! When you told us you were taking a break, my immediate reaction was ‘is this the beginning of the end?’ and it turns out to be true. I feel very selfish for wanting you guys to come back, but I can’t help it. I seriously feel like part of my life is gone. Where am I going to get inspired for my own home decore now?
I am so furious with the people who gave mean comments in the past now… I feel like if they wouldn’t have been so mean, you guys might still be happily blogging away. I never cared if anything changed about your blog because I knew content would still keep coming.
This is seriously breaking my heart. Nevertheless, I hope you both find that balance you’ve been looking for. I still hope that you will pick up this blogging thing at some point, even if it would be just one post every week or whatever period you seem fitting.
Good luck!
Sheridan says
Have fun you two!
Kate says
I’ll miss your lovely blog so much! I saw this post days ago, but only now I can bring myself to accept that I won’t get to hear your lovely voices (in my head… I read the posts the way I think you would say it if you were talking to me!) every week! Best wishes for your new adventure, it sounds like it is exactly what your dear family needs. With love from Adelaide, Australia, Kate xx
Christine says
Where did your olive-y green ombré dresser go? Nevermind; that’s irrelevant. What I *really* want to say is thank you for the smiles, laughs, wit, DIY inspiration, and awesome pop culture references that felt like they were just for me. Best of luck on your new adventures! God bless your beautiful family.
Heida says
No! Thank you so much for all the inspiration,guidance and help. Will miss your wit and honest look on life. Good luck and have fun you guys.
Anna says
I will really miss the updates and your posts, but wish you both the best of luck with what the future brings you! I’m sure this was a hugely difficult decision to make, but now you get to start on your next big adventure. Thanks for all of the help you’ve given me while I’ve worked on my first house!
Janine says
Ok. so I’ve had a few days to get used to it….still sad and feeling like you’re breaking up with me…snif… But I know that it’s your choice and that you gave it a lot of thought….so….I guess I just have to let you go… ;-) I wish you all the best for the future and of course I will always be hoping that you will miss the blog soooooo much that you will come back! :-) xoxo Janine
Alex P says
Wow! So incredibly excited for you. Truly, I have been SO inspired from your blog, and am SO excited to go grab book 2 when it is released. Selfishly sad and bummed for me, ya’ll are awesome. Cheers to new adventures, and having your priorities in order. xoxo
Janine says
same here…..
Holly says
Good luck in your new endeavors! You guys are great at what you do, and I’m sure whatever is next will be a fun adventure too. You deserve a new start with your new family. All the best to you and your adorable kids! Thanks for sharing your lives and projects with the world.
Tirsa says
So sad to see you go, but I understand. (I’m trying to.) I found you when searching for information on how to paint paneling three years ago. You were the first blog I decided to read and my favorite ever since. I will miss my daily lunch break reading your blog Thanks for all the inspiration. Blessings for your beautiful family.
Alexis says
Ugh – my heart stopped with excitement when I saw a new blog post, only to be broken again :(
But of course, you must do what is right for yourselves and your family. You will always have a loyal fan up here in Canada, and I’m sure my husband will appreciate the break from “Today my friend Sherry…” on a day-to-day basis. Hope to see more of you and your bright, invigorating, and inspiring ideas in the future! I’ll miss you!
Nancy says
Bravo! You two are quite amazing. You managed to be super stars on the cutting edge of the blogging world. And you gave the world a model for how a married couple could be equal partners at simultaneously running a home and a business. And you created a way to get paid for expressing your creativity. Well done!
With all that, it’s not surprising that you have so many loving and devoted fans. And the fact that they will miss you so much is just more evidence of your success. Better to leave at the top of your game rather than stay just to keep them happy. After all, they have memories to serve them and access to your wealth of posts. Your departure opens up time and opportunity for them to also move in new directions.
As for your new creative endeavors, break a leg!
LisaOK says
I’ve read every single post since around the time you were selling your first house. I bought your book, and I even wanted to drive miles and miles to go to one of your book signings but alas couldn’t make it fit in my schedule. I’m really disappointed to see that you are posting for the last time. You are obviously allowed to make whatever choices you want regarding the blog, but this send off just doesn’t do justice to the relationship your fans have built with you. I’m sad to be leaving this blog with feelings of disappointment (and maybe even abandonment–melodramatic I know, but it does feel a little like that) rather than being able to go out being able to think what a fun part of my life this little blog was for several years.
Nevertheless, I hope your family is OK and that you find whatever it is that you are looking for.
Somer says
I feel like I was just dumped via text. I’m so sad and selfishly mad.
Ruchi Vaidya says
Hi Sherry and John,
I applaud your courage for taking this decision and wish you all the very best for your future. It was a pleasure reading your blog over the years and many a times it was the high light of my day. YHL will always be my favorite for keeping it real in the DIY world!!
Jenny says
I’ve been reading your blog for years, but have never commented before. I just wanted to say thank you for for sharing your lives and inspiring me in so many ways. I wish you both and your family the very best on your next adventure!
Becca says
Best of luck in your new endeavors, Petersiks! I have enjoyed your blog SO much over the years – Thank you for sharing your lives with us for so long! You are well loved by your readers.
That being said, I’m pretty sure I’ll die if I never get to see that finished dining room! Please post updates now and then! :)
Beth says
I totally agree with this. I was thinking this weekend how much this applies to that “sex and the city” episode when Burger breaks up with Carrie via a post it. A breakup should “honor what we had together” and this feels like such a cast-off for being your whole lives (agreeably, too much of your whole lives) for years and hours and sweat and tears. And as your readers, we’ve logged a lot of time to care and give feedback. We get that you’re leaving, but it feels a bit uncaring to drop us and walk away. I’m sure you didn’t want to feel like you dragged it out, but it might have actually been sweet and fun to do a “final week” to help us feel like we’re seeing you off to your next chapter. Maybe a video/post of the moment you finally paint the last of the blue trim in the dining room, a final check in with those “design my room projects” from earlier this year (whatever happened to them?), maybe a post on your favorite decor items/choices that were truly inspired by comments or readers in some way. Like a blogiversary series finale. I’m sad its just over so soon without much reflection on the blog now in hindsight. Please change your mind and do a nice send-off! It would feel so nice to know we’re leaving you in a blue-trim free house, and waving goodbye to each other. It feels like you’ve already walked away by the time we saw the post.
Joanne Morgan says
I miss you already! I stumbled onto the site a year ago when I had my second baby and spent some sleepless nights looking for nursery inspiration on the web. Strange how you just crept into my heart and how much I enjoyed reading your updates and stories. You have given me so much joy, inspiration and ideas around the house that I always leave the blog with a smile. x
Madison says
Nooooo! Just kidding…kind of, haha. I’ve been reading this blog for quite awhile now and this is actually my first comment but I just wanted to say that you will be missed but I totally respect that you guys have the courage to do what feels right for you and your family. I will always be thankful for what I’ve learned here as my husband and I have used so many of your ideas to turn our house into a home :) Good luck and I wish y’all the best!
Amy says
Totally agree, feeling sad! What will I do over lunch now? Good luck, you all will be greatly missed!
Sarah Stirling says
Thank you so much for all the ideas and updates you’ve shared with all of us over the last few years. I am curious if you’ll at least continue updating your house tour page as things change? There are still spaces in your home that I’m dying to see what you’ll do. Best wishes to all of y’all and thank you again for giving us the chance to come into your home and learn as you updated your home.
Jenna says
It is hard… so hard to see you go. I have loved this blog for years and I am going to miss you guys. Your fingerprints are all over my house: the burger target hook downstairs, the secret “sand white” paint in my bathroom, the brass chandelier spraypainted ORB, the repainted cabinets, etc. It feels like you all have been with me through every step of renovating our first home. Whenever I was in doubt or felt like I wasn’t skilled enough, I reminded myself that you all moved from NYC with no DIY experience whatsoever.
You’ve been such an inspiration to me and I appreciate how personal you have been and how willing to share the details of your life and family.
This blog has been incredible. I wish there was some way to have insulated you all from the unrealistic demands of maintaining the blog and I wish I could delete people’s hateful comments so you’d never have to deal with that. You have certainly handled it with more grace and kindness than I ever could.
I wish there was someway to express how much I appreciate you guys and how much you mean to me.
I’m so excited for this new chapter for your family but man, I am really going to miss you.
Angie says
I feel sad that we aren’t going to get to see Teddy change as rapidly as only babies can! Like I got to watch Clara grow and now I’m being cheated! (which is totally weird, cause obviously I don’t have any ground to say I deserve to know what’s going on in your kids lives!) I promise I’m not a creepy stalker Haha. But good for you for following your gut where your family and kiddos are concerned. Best of wishes!
Emily @ LaForce Be With You says
I have loved reading this blog over the past several years and meeting you at a book signing. I hate to see you go (even if it is just temporary) but you need to do what is right for your family. Your blog posts will be missed! Wishing you the best of luck in whatever you do!
AnnMarie says
Sad to see this blog come to an end. I was very much looking forward to seeing how you transformed your current home. Regardless, I think it is amazing that you are wrapping up the blog on your terms.
I first started reading your blog 5 years ago when I purchased my condo and found inspiration for many of my own renovation and decor. I have enjoying seeing your family grow while you transformed the past two houses into your homes. Best of luck on your new adventure! Thank you for sharing!
Magdalene says
So happy for your family and the decision. Enjoy -time flies. Blessings to you and your family! I will miss your blog but all good things must come to an end. Lucky to have been able to spend time reading about all your adventures. Grateful.
YoungHouseLove says
Oh man. You guys. Words can’t express how choked up we are to read all of your sweet comments. Thank you for an amazing seven years. This was one of the toughest decisions of our lives (we suck at goodbyes) and leaving you guys was the hardest part of the whole thing. We will always be grateful for you.
xoxoxoxoxo,
John and Sherry