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…
Crystal says
Good for you guys!
Sally says
Good for you! I’ll be here, enjoying whatever you choose to post!
Laura P says
I’m so happy for you guys and I totally understand your decision, but I will admit that a part of me is going to miss your daily posts. Congrats on taking this step and I can’t wait to see what’s in store for the future of YHL!
Melissa C says
Congratulations!!!
You only get one life, and it looks like you are living it well! We too, have been discussing similar changes.
CandiceMcC says
Like others have said, I think it’s a good move and we’ll all still be here. :) I’m struggling with this myself right now. I want to work but not as much. Sigh… Life is hard to figure out sometimes.
I Like Beer and Babies says
Good for you guys. We will still all be here. Less is more, right?
Monica says
Hi, 24-year old student from Norway here! Just wanted to say that every sensible person out there totally understands this decision and supports it! You guys are great, and definitely deserve to enjoy your lives to the fullest – take those vacations without stressing over comments, have fun with your beautiful children, and spend valuable time with people you love! I was positively surprised about you posting 3-5 posts a week, that sounds great to me knowing that you all are more relaxed and happier! :) I´ve read your blog for years and its amazing! Also, I really enjoy your family-related posts so keep ’em comin’ (if you want to share, of course).
Once again, you guys are great, your blog is great and we all understand and support this decision! <3
Jeannie says
Great news. You guys are awesome, and I’d continue to read even if you only posted once a month. Enjoy those adorable kiddos!
Lindsey says
Kudos to you guys to have come to this decision. One that I’m positive a lot of people in similar circumstances would not have the strength make. You have such a beautiful family that you deserve to watch grow. As a mom to two under the age of 4, I could not even imagine handling the load that you two balance daily. Raising children and growing a bond with a family is much more important that the amount of money in the bank (ok, ok, product lines in Target are right up there though). I’ve been a loyal reader since your fist kitchen makeover and will smile big each time a new post pops up in my reader :)
Christina says
I’m not much of a blogger, I’m much better at reading blogs but I wanted to say that I just did the same thing after the birth of my second daughter. I am a stylist, so I was working 12 hour days, evenings, and weekends. It was simply too much for our new family of four. Surprisingly, my clientele haven’t backed off, they are booking appointments in advance, and making my new, shorter hours work. I am a devoted reader and respect and applaud your decision! I’ll still be here no matter how much or how little you post. Enjoy your newly expanded family!
Christie Norbraten says
Wow. I think this is amazing news. I have had so much fun watching this blog grow in popularity over the past few years and seeing all of the neat opportunities y’all have been afforded along the way. I am SO happy for your beautiful family of five (can’t forget Burger!) and I think it’s wonderful that y’all are planning to scale it back to focus on your precious family. Love you guys! xoxo
Christine says
Good for you! I like you even more now :).
Molly says
good for you. i think the less is more approach is always a good one:) slow down and enjoy this time is great. if you want to ramp it up in a year or ten you can. as long as it works for you and your family and you are happy i say go for it!
Joy says
Love love love the picture of Sherry, Clara and Teddy!!! It’s so obvious that Clara is your mini me in that picture! :)
ashley @ sunnysideshlee.com says
Way to take a deep breathe and figure out what’s best for you and your family! Your loyal readers will always be here to get a sneak peek into your family life and will always eat up your design and home updates … very happy for you guys. Enjoy the time with your children!!!
Anamarie Rebori says
I think this is an awesome decision for you and your family! Also, I forget to read Young House Life sometimes, so I love that you’ll be posting in one place. Look forward to continue reading your blog!
karla says
Less IS more! I will continue to look forward to your posts at any frequency. Enjoy your beautiful babies!
Karen says
Good for you!! I will miss your daily weekday posts because I have been living vicariously through you to satiate my home decorating itch, but this is definitely the right move for you.
I’ve always been amazed by how you read and respond to so many of your hundreds of comments. Maybe you can just scale that back too? I mean, it’s wonderful and I think that’s why you have such loyal readers, but dude I don’t know how you do it! Thus, I hope you’re cuddling Teddy instead of reading this comment. :)
A says
This is the best thing I have read on your site in a long time! (Not that other stuff was bad lol, this was just great).
When I first started reading your blog a few years ago, I would have described it as a DIY/family blog. And I love that – that’s real life. I am glad the family stuff is coming back to the main page.
And THANK YOU for the Teddy pictures! You know that’s what we are all really here for, right? LOL. Keep ’em coming!
Cassie A. says
I was hoping that after the baby was born, you would be posting something like this. I think that everyone will understand that sometimes you have to step back and reassess priorities and what’s really important in life. And FAMILY is always the most important!! Blessings to you guys and I wish you the best of luck!
L says
Congratulations on the decision! I hope it works out well for you–I truly believe it will.
LG says
Good for y’all! I am so happy that you feel comfortable making a family-based decision. There is really know better example for your kiddos (and your readers). I’ll miss the more frequent posting but am thrilled for you and will think happily of all the family time (and sleep!) you are getting. Cheers!
Adrienne says
Good for you! Family is infinitely more important than blogging, and I hope stepping back gives you more time to focus on the best parts of your life :)
Libradesigneye says
bravo – keepin’ it real. all that glitters . . .
Leah says
Such a lovely post. I think you guys are awesome and I think your blog is beautiful! I am a long time follower of you guys and I will follow along no matter what! My children are 5 and 2 so I completely understand and admire your decision! We can’t get these precious years back! So excited for what the future holds for your sweet family! God Bless!
Sophie says
Such gorgeous pictures.
Congrats on making this huge leap for your family.
I do feel sometimes that I miss the days of your blog when Clara was tiny, when everything was in one place and the blog felt more like a diary of your lives than a business. While I’ve still loved the blog, I’m excited to see it scale back to the good old days.
As for readers leaving, so be it. But you’ll have to pry my laptop from my cold, dead hands before I stop reading :)
Leslie says
Good for you (seriously!) The schedule your family has kept the last few years has stressed ME out, and I’m not the one living it! Especially without a nanny, housekeeper, or blog assistant. I’m really looking forward to old-school YHL pace.
Bethany says
I love that you are brave enough to make this decision. I think a lot of times our culture judges those who want to take a step back or who aren’t always chasing the next big thing. My mom always says to “choose time.” Time is so precious and you can’t get it back. It’s worth so much more than any of the other things.
Kari says
Good for you guys! And well said :)
Treana says
You guys. Yes. Just all of this. Yes. I wish you had a love button.
Jessica says
Perfect.
Eliza Wells says
I am excited about the changes for the blog, and loved all the sweet pics in this post!
Elle says
Good for you guys. I was actually surprised you were posting as much as you have been with your new little guy around.
Courtney says
Good for you guys! My husband owns his own business so we totally get how hard it is to get the balance, while having that voice in the back of your head that says if I don’t do this, no one else will.
And as someone who reads you guys exclusively on her phone while feeding my 5 month old, I often forget the life section exists unless you mention it here!
Lisa E says
Best post ever indeed. Maybe smartest decision, too? I’ve always wondered with everything you continue to take on, plus answering so many comments, how you ever had quality time for each other, let alone a family. What attracts so many of us is how down to earth you are and how you have your priorities right. This just confirms both once again. So happy to hear this news. So happy for you, period! It really is touching how so many of us feel like you are family when we don’t even know each other. That in itself speaks volumes. All the best and I will continue to be here as so many others.
Janelle @ Two Cups of Happy says
I’m so glad to hear that you’re taking time to slow down and enjoy your precious family. I would actually enjoy more life-y posts over here, so I’m looking forward to that. I’ll be reading along as always! xx
Mariela says
Love this. I definitely think less is more. Good for you guys.
Julie G. says
What kind of “virtual friend” would I be if I did not applaud your decision!? Of course I am on-line waiting at 9:42 every day for the 9:45 post to properly begin my day. But your family will continue to be an inspiration now more than ever as you work toward what we all strive for – providing for our family, having a sense of security, and achieving work-life balance. What is all of this for if we can’t just enjoy being a family? I wish you continued success in all areas and can’t wait to continue the journey with you.
Emily says
bravo! i’ll be sticking around–but i’ll be less-overwhelmed by the long not-read-yet list on bloglovin, which will be welcome :)
godspeed, Petersiks!
Cheryl says
Good for you guys!! I am happy that you have made this choice for your family. Enjoy this time!! (I will miss your frequent posts, but I’ll still look forward to your home updates!!)
Brier says
Way to go, guys. Best decision! Enjoy the more “laid-back” pace (ha ha? Can you even say that out loud when you have a newborn??).
kimberly says
so happy for you…great decisions, thoughts, and new goals.
Kelly says
I’ve never posted before – I don’t know you, even though I feel like I do. I just felt compelled to say that I’m proud of you two!
Monica says
I love your blog, been following for 2 years and I am glad you are slowing down and taking the time for your little beautiful family. I have a son with autism that has taught us sooooo much and one of them is that he is not crazy about toys or things, he enjoys playing with a couple stuffed animal ducks and quality time with his sisters and us. You are right, less is more! Congrats on your beautiful baby!
Diana says
Great decision, and start by taking 2 weeks of parental leave off!
Sarah says
THISSSS!!! You guys! We are so in love with your family, but you are due a maternity leave just like the rest of us! Please! Rest! We’ll click in everyday out of habit and look forward to whatever amazing thing you have in store when you’ve settled down as a family of four! Off with you! Post a pic on Instagram if you must, but please take a break!
Claire H. says
Good for you! I fully respect prioritizing and recognizing what the best way to spend your time is, and putting family and friends first is definitely something I can get behind. Congrats on the birth of Teddy !!
Cortney says
I love that you guys are doing this, not because I’m excited about less posts (yours are always among the most looked forward to) but because I think we all need more of this sort of attitude. Good for you guys, and (not that it matters) but I will be sticking around no matter how often you post! Congrats and enjoy!
Becca says
I absolutely love your blog and will totally miss the daily posts, but I often wonder how you two do it all! I’m so happy for you for making this decision. Enjoy this special time with your two adorable kiddos! :)
Christa @ BrownSugarToast says
re-evaluating your goals is always – always – a good thing. and in my non-existent book, anything that gives you more time with your sweet family is always a good thing.
i just took a step back from blogging. most of the time i spent writing/editing has now been put into more reading to my kids. pretty great trade-off if you ask me. :)
Lesley says
I fully support this. Since bloggers started “going pro” I think the idea that it leads to more choices and different paths is the best part. As much as I love certain blogs I hope no one only blogs forever. Best wishes to you guys!