This post was 3,000 words long. They all felt overly complicated and heavy and weird. I clicked delete. Then I just typed what we’re really feeling, complete with things we’ve never said out loud and even a few things we’ve never fully admitted to ourselves before.
The truth is that we love you guys. Like for real. Even for the tough love. We know you say it because you care (or hopefully you did at some point), and we want you to know we care right back. We want to do a good job. We want to do this with joy and excitement. We want to inspire you. We know this is an incredible way to have made a living and we are full of gratitude for the experience to have shared the last seven years of our lives with you guys online.
We would NEVER be here without you, and not a day goes by that we don’t know that. It’s why we asked for your feedback last week and read every last comment. We appreciate the honesty and the passion you guys have on the topic of making this blog great. And we agree with a lot of what was being said. We have been feeling off for a while – like we have lost our rhythm and we’re somehow missing the mark for ourselves and for you guys. We too miss the good old days when we did this for the love and were full of such obvious joy and spontaneity. This felt like a place we all hung out and it just doesn’t have that vibe anymore.
Over the years many amazing opportunities popped up for us. Things we never dreamed of doing in a million years, and things we’re incredibly grateful to have had the chance to experience. A book deal, curating paint picks with Benjamin Moore, a line sold at Target, a showhouse, etc. But in hindsight those things also made this feel a lot more like a business than a personal blog to many of you, and to us as well. We have actually ramped those down behind the scenes in an attempt to get back to our roots (we no longer do the BM color collection, the second book is mostly written, our products at Target have completed their run, and we finished the showhouse) but we never really made a big announcement about that – so it’s completely understandable that some of you might think we’ve moved on to those greener pastures and left the blog in the dust, so to speak. The reality is that our site propels the success of any outside project like a product or book, so we could never turn our backs on the blog and expect those items to continue to sell as well.
Not only have we felt this shift from “John and Sherry” to “Young House Love: The Brand”, but the blogosphere as a whole has become increasingly sponsored/corporate lately. We can see from the outside prospective as a reader, or even a fellow blogger, that it’s hard to read a blog post without suspecting some ulterior motive or money-making system behind it. Last week a few of you mentioned that we might need to keep giveaways around because they pay us well, which surprised us since they’re never something we accept payment for (we like to pass free things along to you as a thank you for reading).
Along with the whole business/brand thing that’s going on, and the side gigs that felt like they muddied the water for some of you, there are certainly other things we wish we had handled differently in hindsight. Just to name a few, there’s: being too defensive, over-explaining, letting things get in our heads and change our lighthearted approach, and the internal struggle between being transparent and oversharing personal details like a vacant new house without an alarm system (looking back we wish we’d handled our third house announcement differently). We know many of you felt insulted that we didn’t share more freely about that house, and we truly apologize.
Anyway, back to that whole “we’re sexy stumbling and you know it” thing. It’s endlessly frustrating to do a job that you love poorly, especially when it’s a blog baby that you’ve birthed yourself and nurtured for seven years. And especially when it’s such an amazing job that we once felt so inspired and joyful to wake up and do each day. What’s wrong with us? We know this is a dream job. We acknowledge it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity. We know most people who have built something like this would be more inspired than ever. It’s not that we lost the gratitude, I think it’s that we feel like we’ve fallen out of our groove. We feel like we’re letting you guys down repeatedly. It got to the point that every time we pressed “publish” we braced ourselves.
So in an attempt to stop stumbling around and feeling like we just can’t get it back, we’re taking a break. We don’t know exactly how long we’ll be stepping away, but our guess would be at least a month. We will certainly be exploring other options for supporting our family (something we mentioned we were considering back in April). We had that fiery blog-spark back when we had day jobs and did this as a hobby, so we think it could be a good change. We’ll also be taking a break on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook, but the blog will stay public so you guys can access the archives whenever you’d like.
Our internal struggle and the state of this blog is entirely of our making, and we completely own that. Please don’t get mad at anyone for being honest with their feedback last week or accuse them of sending us packing. We have been struggling with that “something is off” feeling for a while now, and after way too much denial and “we’ll turn it around” pep talks, we finally asked for your feedback because we truly wanted to hear what you were thinking. It was cathartic and helpful for us. It has allowed us to very clearly see that if we have any respect for this blog and our love of it, and for you guys and what you’d like to see, we need to take a break if we ever want any hope of getting back to that fun/real/spontaneous place it used to be when this was something we did for the love instead of the high stakes game of supporting a family.
In summary: we love you, we thank you, and we hope you understand.
TinaG says
Okay, okay, okay. So I am crazy for checking back in here every day hoping that you will be back. But, I can’t help myself…I am missing you guys!! Please don’t keep us hangin’ too much longer.
Maria says
Hi. I’m not much of a blog reader but I came across your link. This is one of the most downright sincere and saddening posts I’ve read in a while. Your loyal reader’s comments were also genuine and hopefully you’ll take their good advice. Come back from your break feeling terrific and inspired after you’ve enjoyed your time off with your family…however long that takes. May I suggest the answer to all of this. . .Prayer.
Maria
mackenzie says
I’ve been thinking of your family, and hope that everything is going well. I’ve been reading since before Clara was born, but almost never comment – now I feel like I took you for granted! I’ve learned so much from your homes and projects (my dad has a Kreg jig, thanks to John’s inspiration!), and have enjoyed watching your family grow and change, just as my family’s grown and changed.
We have a second baby a couple months older than Teddy, and I have to say, I had no idea what the impact would be, going from one kid to two. Whew! Now I joke that I was previously a high-functioning person, but now I’m just keeping it together. I don’t have time to SURF the internet, much less CREATE the funny, detailed content that you wrote for the internet!
So I hope this sabbatical has been refreshing, and has given you time to look at things from a different perspective. Who knows what the right option will be for your family, but don’t worry – nothing is permanent! Maybe something will work out for the blog (reduced posts? hired help?), but if it takes a year or three to get the groove back (or find a new groove!), most of us readers would love to be there with you!
In the meantime, these babies will keep us busy. (Which is the point, isn’t it? They’re only small for a short time. Jobs and blogs and the grown-up world will still be there later…)
xo
Erika says
Missing you and practically holding my breath to know what you all have decided about the blog, etc.
Tisha A says
Are we still on a break?…Just checking… ;)
JenB says
Like Rachel and Ross? Hehe:) They got back together eventually!
Clare says
I miss updates on Clara & Teddy. I hope they (and you of course) are doing well.
It sort of feels like when your favorite TV show doesn’t get renewed unexpectedly and no conclusion.
Hope you guys come back soon in some capacity!
Jana says
I understand your need for a pause. However it was one of my favourite Blogs. I am from Germany and absolutely love the american way of interior the way you do it. I hope that you will come back soon with new projects for us.
Katie says
Miss you.
Sam says
Hello guys. Just popping in to say that we’re all out here still thinking of you. Hoping it’s all going well. Missing your pictures. Missing your projects. Missing you! Hope the break has been exactly what you needed…. but really hoping you’ll be back soon. xoxo
Mariam E says
Ummmmmmm can you guys come back now??? It has been too long :( I hope you used your break to go on vacation and enjoy teddy and Clara but you are really missed.
Jodi says
Can’t stop checking! We all miss you! Hope you’re enjoying the break, but come back!! : )
Ola says
MIss you a lot and look forward to hearing from you, whatever you decide to do next. Love xx
Kate says
Can we get a picture of Burger or something???? Oh man, this is torture!!!
Ashley says
You guys are a part of anything that’s good about the Internet. I hate that the bad part is trying to squish that out. As you can see, you are very loved. Whatever you choose to do, remember you brought kindness and class to your blog that is missing in almost every other place.
Shanna Haycraft says
Is it time for the encore lighters yet? Hope to see you all soon! :)
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldWAYDeM3_4&w=560&h=315%5D
Jenny M says
I’ve been a reader since way back when. I remember the announcement that Sherry was pregnant with Clara. I am glad you guys are looking after yourselves and your blog and business with a time out, but please please COME BACK SOON :) Still checking almost every day out of habit and wishful thinking that maybe today is the day for a new post. Hope you guys are well and selfishly hope you’re back soon :) xo
Diane says
Just checking in, hope everyone is going well. Hope you are still doing Teddy’s photo project and will share one day. I am assuming he is getting big. Best to the family.
Billie says
This is crazy…I had a dream last night that I came to a garage sale at your place and Teddy was standing already!! Clara was playing with him and being a great big sister. I was hunting for the perfect memorabilia from John & Sherry’s stuff!! Another part of the dream was that YHL had announced the continuation of the blog and I was soaking up every last detail of your newest post!!! I live too far away to try to make the garage sale part of the dream a reality, but I sure hope it was a sign that the newest post is on the horizon!!! Miss you guys so much!!! Hope things have been going well during your break and that we hear from you soon :)
Celia says
It’s almost been a month now and my life doesnt feel complete! i have a very busy high stress day at work but it was amazing to be able to de-stress and read a post or 5! Hope you come back very soon, I just bought my first house this past year and you have inspired me so much!
Shelia says
Hi, I just couldn’t leave this page until I said something. I found your blog TODAY! Yeah, great timing. Lol. That’s me. I have been reading it for hours. I love your style and tips and how well you explain everything. It is totally a labor of love. I can understand if you need time but you have a wonderful blog and whatever you decide, I wish you the best! By the way, I loved your wedding also. Such great tips!!! My husband is from Richmond also. We met here in Kentucky. That’s where we have lived since we were married. Just had to say hi…
Nicki says
Hi John and Sherry! I just wanted to pop in and say that I miss you guys, including Clara, Teddy and Berger! Like many others whose comments I have been reading, I check back almost daily hoping to see that you are back! I feel like I know you guys, you were part of my morning routine. You know, make my tea, check my email, check my own blog, and read Young House Love! Reading your blog was a routine for me, I would always tell my husband about you guys too. I remember on Sept. 9, my husband called as I was reading your last post, and I told him the devastating news (well, maybe not to him, but to me it was a big deal). Even he has asked me a few times if there has been any news from you guys yet! I hope this past month has been good to you. I hope you have come up with some sort of plan that will work for you both, and your family, that includes keeping the blog going. Because you four (well 5) are definitely missed. That is more than obvious by the comments. I mean 95 pages of them to be exact! And just so you know, you inspired me to start my own blog two years ago this month. And I am forever grateful that I discovered YHL, because honestly, if it were not for you to wonderful people, I would be 44 years old and would still have never realized my passion in life. Discovering your blog truly changed my life. I am not the same person I was before I started reading YHL. I always had this passion inside of my lying dormant I think, but you awakened it, and I am such a happier person now. I am sure I am not the only one who could say similar things to you guys. I hope that you are reading all of the positive comments from people. I hope you are taking them to heart more than the negatives. Because they are the one that truly matter. Love you guys! Please please, be part of my morning routine again?
shirley@housepitalitydesigns says
It is so important that you follow your heart . . . and I truly understand and agree with what you have decided…I believe that you are putting your family first…they way it should be….with having a blog such as yours, it is a 24/7 job…and sometimes the true fun it taken out of what you love. You must find the “joy” back in your lives . . . as when you come to the end of your life, it will be the memories of the joys of your family that you will think of and treasure.
Jen C says
I’ve been a blog reader since the first house, although I am not one for commenting. Your journey has been inspirational and I have loved coming along for the ride. You have inspired me and made me a better homeowner. I hope your sabbatical is going well.
Jamie T says
Sup John and Sherry! Just wanted to let you guys know that I check back every day around 10 am (and sometimes again in the afternoon!) and will be ready whenever you two are. BTDubs, my wife and I have started a remodel of our master bathroom on our own and appreciate that you have left the blog public so that we can look through stuff.
How’s your fall going?
Danielle Ferretti says
Hi everyone ! Yes, same as a lot of you here – I check on this website every.single.day with hopes that they will come back…. I actually find myself holding my breath after I click on the site until it opens, and praying really hard that there will be an updated new post !
I have said this before, and will reiterate this here again – I completely understand their need for a break and to find the balance between their family, life and blog…. But I would LOVE that this balance eventually includes the blog…
I have gone from being sad, to mad, to desperately needing that “YHL fix”… so many emotions ! LOL But I really think I got mad at the readers who were selfish enough to start this entire process. To me they were not only selfish, but somewhat ungrateful. In the sense that here is this amazing family, who is opening their home, family, life and DIY experiences and sharing them with the World, not really expecting (or asking for) anything in exchange. And they have free “give aways” ! Wha-what ?
But that was not enough for some readers. They just could not understand in their greediness that life happens to everyone, and with that comes changes. Yes, surprisingly so the Petersik’s are human, and life changes for them too ! Just like you and me…
I too noticed a change in their “blogging pace” after Teddy was born – but it did not mean to me that I was unhappy with the contents or the lack of posts. It just meant that hey – they are now a family of 4, with 2 kids under the age of 5, and they need to adapt to that ! I have one 5 year old little girl, a full time job, and find it impossible to jam everything I need in 24 hours. Aaaaaaaaand, I am not renovating my house, or doing any big DIY projects. So – who am I to expect or demand (or complain !) when they were also trying to manage all, and live their life ?
No complaints from me ! On the contrary – whatever they offered, I was happy in taking. Because I am grateful. Grateful to them for allowing me into their awesome world, and letting me live their DIY’s vicariously through them. Cheesy ? Yes. But do I care what anyone thinks ? Not really. ;)
I read a few other blogs on a daily basis, and some other ones more infrequently. I started reading some, didn’t like the way it was going – and stopped reading them. Yes people. It is that simple ! If you do not like the content, or the frequency of posts – you can so stop reading them ! You are not forced or obligated in any way or form to do so. Crazy, right ? And the crazier part was : I did not complain or tell the blog how I felt, or the reason I was going to stop reading them… because it is not my place to do so !
I just went along my merry little way, and found other blogs/interests that better adapted to my wants and needs of the moment. See ? Real easy.
Whew. Now that all this is off my chest, I really hope they come back. And I would gladly take even ONE post a week from YHL. But I promise you – it would be the BEST 5 minutes of my Blog Reading World.
Crossing my fingers.
Peace to all !
Jana H. says
Yes! Danielle, I totally agree 100% with everything you said. Best. Comment. EVER. :-D
Emily says
Danielle, you’ve summed it up perfectly. Couldn’t have said it better myself. Thank you for sharing your thoughts!
Krystal says
Sorry – I seem to have replied to a different comment lol – anyway…
YES!!!!!! 100% agree with you!!!!
Alana says
Agreed. This wealth of information and a lovely family to boot (all for the price of FREE!) and people want to complain…
I do hope they come back soon, and if not, we will just create our own little comment community here on this thread. :)
Danielle Ferretti says
Thank you, Jana H ! I was afraid it would be upsetting to some… but it came from the heart. :)
Deb says
Amen Danielle! Count me among the grateful YHL.
Lisa E says
Spot on!
Tara Harless says
In total agreement! nuff said.
Sharon W says
well said. you captured my sentiments perfectly. I am happy to just be able to have a glimpse into their DIY lives. No expectations here.
Hannah says
Gah, this is the longest month EVER. Seriously, I hope that you all are blissfully happy. At the same time, my life is missing some light since you’ve been on a break ;)
Reese says
I was just thinking that…dang this month crawled by! I’ve never wanted time to speed up and slow down more than now. I’ve checked nearly everyday to see if maybe they wanted to post sometime within there… I’m even desperate for a pic of Burger :)
Sending so many positive thoughts toward the YHL family. There’s only one life to live (like…life…not the soap opera). I’ll support whatever they do..but do hope it includes the blog! (I’m being selfish..I know :( )
Krystal says
You hit the nail on the head and I 100% agree with you!!!!
I CANNOT wait tomorrow as it will be one month!!! So excited to have the Petersik’s back!!! I (along with MANY others) have missed you SO much!!! LONGEST MONTH EVER!!! Welcome back <3
Jen castellano says
come baaacckkkkkk!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sharon says
Ok, come back now?
Sharon says
And we miss you!
Sharon says
And also, come back! we miss you! (Yes, I submitted THREE comments for emphasis!)
Tara says
Please oh please just put us out of our misery. We all miss you so much, but if you aren’t coming back, please let us know so we can all grieve and move on. I’m checking every day like a crazy person (and apparently I’m not alone in my craziness). Hope you are well!
Patti says
I understand how a sabbatical is wonderful for your family, but — I miss you. I miss your charm and humor, your sweet children, your inventive decorating ideas and skills, and most of all, the everyday life stories. If people don’t like it, stop following the blog. I don’t understand the carping.
I hope you decision is to come back. If not, all the best to you both and your wonderful family. Thank you for the enjoyment and ideas you have brought me.
Patti
Lee Ann says
Hi, guys! Just adding my comment that I, too, am checking here every day or two in hopes that I’ll see some new header. Miss you, but hope you all are doing well! I’ll take whatever you want to blog!
Monica Newhouse-Rodriguez says
I hope you will be back soon, in whatever capacity you feel appropriate for your family. . . but I sure miss you!!!
Tasha says
I am surprised to find myself being one of the many who are checking YHL daily, because I don’t even really think you should come back (not because I don’t want you to, but because I think these types of breaks are usually taken for good reason, and the oft-ensuing split is usually for the best). Despite that, I do miss YHL, and just wanted to say that I think the fact that you chose to take this break is part of the reason that so many of us love you. All the best to the Petersiks!
Allie Austin says
Just stopping by to say I miss you guys! Hoping to see something from you soon (c:
Gudrun H says
It’s almost a month and this is the longest one since I was a kid waiting for christmas. Hopefully looking forward to your return this week and spend my YHL time reading the blog from day one.
Kristen J says
Hello and miss you! Hope you are having a great break taking time off!! I first discovered this blog back in 2008 when I did a google search for “painting kitchen cabinets” Well, we did paint them shortly with the advice from your blog and ever since then I have been a huge fan of you guys. Hope everything works out for you the way it is meant to.
Stephanie says
Come backkkkkkk!!!!
Ashley says
Getting close to the 1 month mark and I’m having serious withdrawals! We need some Clara, Teddy and Burger updates :D Please come back soon, we love and miss you ALL!!
D Parker says
28 days equals a month, right? Come back.
Amanda says
Miss you guys. Hope all is well.
Marla says
Maybe just a Teddy monthly pic? Missing that!
Jennifer says
What a drag…
Sophie says
I miss you more than I miss my teachers during summer break, now that’s saying a lot from someone who loves school.
Barbara says
I’ve been following y’all since your very first house. I love your blog, love your family and would never have had the confidence to tackle any home improvement w/o your guidance. I miss you guys and like so many others, check daily to see if y’all are back. Regardless, I appreciate your time and effort in all y’all did for us!! We’ll be here waiting!
Jennifer says
Can’t stop / won’t stop checking in on my favorite blog family!! Miss you guys! Hope you’re having a fabulous break!
Bonnie says
I’m (among many) that still can’t stop myself from popping in daily. Your family, your personality, your skill, and most of all both of YOU are terribly missed.
Hope this break has been good for you both, and – needless to say – hope we see you soon!!!
Caz says
1. Come back – I need you! Everyone else needs you! Over 5000 posts need you!
2. Don’t come back – you need you. A month is a nice break, but a year is so much better. Kids are only little once, and they’ll take your sleep away most of that time.
3. Compromise – post up once a month maybe? or when something big happens?
4. Dining room. Bunk room. They’re what I’m really curious about.
Sabrina Prudhomme says
I can’t stop checking!!!! Miss you more than you ever wil know. Do you (but come back for us). :)