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!!
Christina says
Your blog has been the one of first things I read every morning and I will miss you like crazy! Best of luck, sending love and good vibes your way for whatever’s in your family’s future!
Misty says
I get it, while it will be hard not to immediately go to your blog daily, I get it! Kinda like Seinfeld, leave while you are at the top. Best of luck to the 5 of you. You will do great at whatever you choose to do! I will miss you guys… xoxo
Anna says
Oh yeah…and thank you for all the love and laughter you’ve shared with everyone…your posts have always been a refreshing read.
Lindsey says
I have to admit that I have a lump in my throat. I’m am so very sad to read you’ve decided to take a more permanent break from the blog. I truly enjoy reading about your decorating/renovating/DIY/glimpse-into-your-family-life musings and you will be a very missed part of my daily routine. I am happy though that this decision feels right for you both and for your family. That is what’s most important. Blessings to you guys, and Clara & Teddy, too. You will be missed. You are loved!
Sara says
Aw! Sad. But it would kind of suck to feel like life is being lived in a fish bowl! Good luck!
Rachel says
Good for you. It’s hard to share everything and maintain a “normal” life. Enjoy your next adventure!
Dawn says
Best of luck on your new adventures! You all will be missed.
Darla says
I feel kind of angry…. (obviously from a place of loving/wanting to read your blog all the time…)
You always said you would write less wordy posts (resolutions I think?) And then the Less is More Post. And who blogs from Florida and/or Hawaii??? You NEVER took a break. Not even a maternity break really.
So you guys are super over achievers and did too much and burnt out.
And I’m maaaddddd at you.
Because I love you/your blog. Hmph.
But best wishes. And Thank you. Honestly. And I know your next adventure will be great too.
Marcie says
Thanks for letting us tag along for the journey. It’s been real :)
Hannah says
But… but… but wait…
Tricia says
Best wishes on your new adventures and thanks for all of the inspiration over the years! You will be greatly missed!
Ashlene Murphree says
You will be missed, but till another time, see you on the flip side :)
Sarah W. says
I had a feeling that this would be your decision, and I support you 100%. I have loved reading along with your adventures over the years, and though I will miss checking in with you every day, I know you’re going to have a majorly better quality of life without all the negativity in the blogosphere. I’ll keep my eye out for future projects and will be lined up again with all the other crazy fans if you happen to do a tour for your next book.
Much love to all of you, and best of luck figuring out where to go next!
Jen D. says
I will think of you all every time I see my clothes pin chandelier in my laundry room and my ikea table turned shelf (from your book). Thank you for SO much inspiration!
Kim says
I, too, feel like I’m losing a friend. Wow, the future is now, baby! I’m so not prepared to care for total strangers I find on the internet!
I do hope you can manage to keep the archives up for a long time! Selfishly, I am really not going to get to my bathroom reno for a while and I really need those posts from your first house! Maybe you could do a book of your blog post projects (organized by house?), because I would totally buy that. I mean, it would probably be the size of an encyclopedia, but I would really buy it.
all the best in your next phase, and thank you so much for teaching me so. many. things. (and not just about DIY)
sniff sniff.
Kerrie says
I love this book idea!! Especially if they decide that they don’t want to come back YHL again. It would be a great way to commemorate and be able to look back on what they did. Maybe do them by room? or by house? or by topic (i.e. family projects, bathroom renos, general design, paint, etc.).
SusanM says
I would buy that book in a heartbeat.
Elisabeth says
I will miss you my whole life! Thank you sooo much for the fun last years! Best wishes to you and your family! If you want to visit the lovely south of Germany, email me! You are welcome! Elisabeth
Dee says
Best Wishes. Enjoy the journey
Marietta says
Soooo saddddd news!!! you will be missed a lot!!! best of luck to your new adventures!!!!
Anne says
But how are we ever going to find out the long-awaited fate of the dining room blue trim?!?! :)
Melanie says
Can anyone recommend other good blogs like this one?
Kerrie says
Not going to lie. I saw you posted on facebook, and said out loud “Thank the Lord”. I was so excited to see you posting again. That being said, I completely understand your reasoning, and doing what is best for you and your family is always the best reason to do anything! Best of luck in the future. I will be buying the second book, and hope to see you at a signing (will you be posting the tour dates somewhere..)? I will miss learning from you and seeing the kiddos grow.
Good luck in the future! It is no doubt that you will be missed!!
cleverlyinspired says
I hope our paths cross again sometime:) I wish you much peace, adventures…and love! xoxo
Christie says
Thanks for the 7 great years! I will still totally support your other projects and be first in line for your D.C. book signing for book no. 2. I wish you and your family nothing but the best!
P.S. I hope you will still post on Instagram! It would be great to see glimpses of you guys and the kids. Now, I can’t stop typing……I don’t want this to end……….but now it is getting awkward………..so I’ll just say so long for now. :-)
Jeanie says
Good for you to do what you want and need. Best of luck to your whole family, God bless you, and thanks for the fun reading. What a lovely family picture of all 4 of you!
Malissa says
Although I am so very sad to see you step away, I am grateful and thankful for having the chance to get to know you (in a weird, distant way!) and think of you all as friends. You have been such an inspiration to me as a young designer. Wishing you blessings and bliss in your next adventure!
Jennifer says
Wishing you all the best!!!
Lucy says
Awwww, good luck to you all! You will be sorely missed, but doing what’s right for your family must be your top priority. The last month has been AWFUL without you guys posting, and now we have to get used to the new normal. Best wishes. Hugs from Germany…
Jean says
I’m happy for you, but on a very selfish note I’m really sad about it too. Ah well, life goes on and so on, but we’re going to miss our daily updates from you. Sad times for us, happy days for you. All the very best, been nice knowing you x
Sherry says
Will miss your posts – good luck! I always looked forward to your next post. Had to do the house tour just one more time after reading this.
Le says
Bravo…and thank you. Thank you for letting us into those little snippets of your life and for keeping the archives open. I don’t know what I will do without being to access some of your tutorials (Buy the book—right???)
Good Luck on the next adventure, and if you ever come back know that you always have a place in my feed and I will be thrilled to welcome any news that you deem worthy of sharing.
Reenie says
Oh goodness….. this makes me incredibly sad, but yet happy for you guys. I have missed my morning fix of YHL. Will you keep open your FB page? If so, will you post pics of you, Clara and Teddy from time to time? I don’t Twit or Tweet (ha!) or do Instagram.
Again, very sad…. but yet happy for you!!!
xo
Sasha says
Seriously sad. Loved the format of the blog, DIYs, creative projects and the love that went into your posts. Time to redo the bookmark board ????
Kelli Fox says
awww.. heavy sigh.. but hey I wish you guys all the best. Peace, love, and best wishes to you!!
Charity says
Sad to see you go. But wish you the best of luck! Respectfully, I have to say your post is confusing. After being a loyal reader for so many years, I feel that you think your readers are unworthy of knowing what your next adventures are. But again, I wish you all the best of luck personally and I have truly loved the blog. It just feels weird how it’s ending and how there is no communication with your readers. But again best of luck!!!
Jes says
You’ve been an inspiration and I will miss your honesty, ideas, and the peek into your fun life. Best wishes for the future, whatever it holds! I commend your courage in sharing so much with the world.
I keep my autographed can of spray paint out where I can see it so I can hopefully be inspired enough to be as cool as you guys ;)
Lindsey @ SimplyLindsey says
Sad to see you go, but it sounds like you’re doing what’s best for your family! Best wishes to you guys on your new adventure! :)
Katie says
I will miss you so. But I wish the best of everything for you all. I love the new pic of the fam. I hope you will keep posting to Instagram. I want to keep seeing cute little Clara and Teddy!
Beretta says
I am legitimately sad about this! YHL is the best blog I have read. There is no other blog that I check daily! You guys have inspired me and entertained me for many years. Best wishes to your family. I hope the best for you in the future and I look forward to seeing YHL things in the future (books, articles, etc) Thank You!
Alason Jones says
Selfishly sad to see you leave, but wishing you all of the best. You guys were the first blog I ever began following, and I want to thank you for that. You helped an overwhelmed new mom reignite a passion for decorating and diy that had been lost among diaper changes and sleepless nights. Now that my children are in school, I have the opportunity to pursue a dream business venture. Thank you for everything you guys have given us, and by really letting us be a part of your family for all of these years. And if and when you do decide to one day come back, I will be here….xoxo
Heather says
I’ve been reading since the first house and long before Clara was born. I’m so sad to see you go but understand the need for a change in direction. I do hope the blog stays up because of all the amazing information on here, I know I’ve gone through the “how to” section many times and sent your links to friends when they mention a project I know you have completed. Best of luck to you guys!!!
Mary says
I’m sad. That is all.
Jackie K. says
Like everyone else has said, it feels like we’re losing a friend! I’ve been with you since the very beginning, so it’ll be hard not to find my way over to your little nook in this vast internet universe every day.
I think most of all I’ll miss seeing your kids grow up (hopefully that doesn’t come off too creepy). Any chance you’ll post a few Instagram pictures of them every so often.
Either way I wish you guys the best of luck wherever you end up in life. It’s been a real pleasure to “know” you. :)
Jackie
Jenny M says
So sad :( But understandable. THANK YOU BOTH for giving me the courage to try things on my own, to think differently about tackling projects, and for being okay with mistakes I make along the way. I stumbled across your blog when you guys were preggo with Clara. I’ve done so much on my house because of your inspiration. So thank you. I wish you the best in your “normal” life :)
Kianna K says
I know that you have to do this for yourselves, and that’s good, but I’m also selfishly disappointed. I just started following a handful of months ago and I always loved seeing your new posts, and I feel I haven’t seen enough! As a new follower, it sucks you are all done. But it’s understandable. They say all good things must come to end, right?! Good luck.
Anne [A Squared] says
Have really loved following along with your adventures! Best of luck to you and your adorable family– hope we hear from you every once in a while!
em says
But, but, there is so much more I need to see. Halloween, how the new house turns out (especially the kitchen!), Clara’s first day of kindergarten, Teddy when he is a boy (no longer a baby), and so much more. I’m just really sad. Good luck- with everything.
Patty S says
Totally and completely brokenhearted. I feel like we just broke up, which I guess we did.
Thank you for the look into your lives. Thank you for the great posts, inspiration, and DIY tips. Thank you for letting us know your decision, so we can mourn and let go.
Best of luck with this, the first day of the rest of your lives. XOXO
Maddie says
SO sad to hear this – but weirdly proud of you at the same time. I’ll miss you, and wish you all the best.
Anne says
I think it is brave to walk away. In life, the best things happen when we are brave. I am sad to not see what you do with your kitchen and living room- this was the spot I have wanted to see change since you moved in. Our kids are VERY close in age. I too have realized how fast it all goes and though some may think it sounds lame, life is not about work- it is about family. As I too am walking away from my full time job, scared about income and the future, I simply don’t care anymore. I just want more time with my kids and off the hamster wheel I somehow chose to get onto. We sold our house officially this morning, move on towards simplicity. I think that is what everyone needs. Thank you for taking my fear of spray paint, power tools, and holes in the walls. In 2 weeks I will walk out of an empty house full of projects we did because YHL helped levitated my fear of ruining a new home.
Ashley B says
I’m heartbroken but thankful for all that you gave. As a momma of two (4yrs and 2yrs), I am constantly asking myself about where I want to be now and in the future. My family is my biggest priority. I frequently search the blog for how-to’s, ideas, etc. I look forward to adding your second book to my collection. Be passionate in all you do! I’ve been a foller since This Young House days. Many blessings and… Until later!