It’s time for our annual goals — there’s something about a public promise that actually motivates us. Here’s what we’re aiming for this year.
Goal #1: Find balance. We first mentioned this intention in our 2011 resolutions: we want to avoid pouring all of our time, money, and energy into the house to the point that life outside the projects disappears. Over the past year we’ve had a whirlwind of changes — John went full time, we moved, Clara is running and talking, we’ve been writing columns and a book, redesigned the site, and tackled countless house projects. It’s been exciting, but it’s also meant less intentional time away from screens and work. The internet never sleeps, and too often we haven’t either: nights, weekends, even vacations can feel plugged in. That’s part of why we started Young House Life — to remind ourselves to step away from the laptop, be spontaneous, and actually live.
Goal #2: Keep posts concise when appropriate. This will help us make room in our lives for more balance. Some of our favorite posts are short and to the point — not everything needs 2,000 words and 20 photos. Long, detailed posts have their place, but so do quick updates, small finds, and off-the-cuff moments. Short and sweet content can be just as valuable and more honest, and it’s better for readers who skim. Expect more variety in length and tone going forward.
Goal #3: Bring back before & after inspiration. We used to feature two Reader Redesigns each week, along with a few other regular posts. Over time, those regular features slipped away as our focus shifted, and we missed the diary-like, DIY spirit of the early days. Reader Redesigns are full of creativity and practical ideas, so we’re reintroducing them on a regular basis — maybe not every week, but often enough to inspire. If you have a great before-and-after transformation you’d like us to consider (like the card-catalog-turned-buffet featured below), email submissions to [email protected].
Goal #4: Be secure in our own bloghood. We’d love for every person who visits to love every post, but that’s unrealistic. Putting our lives and projects online means accepting that taste is subjective: not every project or post will appeal to everyone. This space is our personal DIY diary — the good, the bad, the ugly, and the everyday. One day we’re gutting a bathroom; another we’re organizing a junk drawer or writing about parenting tangents. That mix is exactly why this blog exists and why it resonates with so many people. We’ll keep doing things our way while staying open to feedback, knowing there isn’t only one “right” approach.
Goal #5: Stay grateful. When deadlines pile up and projects get harder than expected, it’s easy to forget that this is our dream job. We’re passionate about what we do, but we also rely on it to support our family, so pressure can build. This goal is a shift in perspective: when stress rises, we want to pause, breathe, and remember how lucky we are to have this opportunity. Reminding ourselves to be grateful — even during the chaotic stretches — helps us enjoy the work and stay centered.
Goal #6: Try new things. Whether it’s experimenting with an unusual decorating idea or tackling a completely new project, we want to keep an open mind. With our book coming out next fall, new experiences and challenges are on the horizon, from photoshoots to collaborations. We intend to embrace those opportunities without letting fear or stress take over. Trying new things and taking chances is part of how we got here, and we plan to keep that adventurous spirit alive.
Those are our six goals for year five of blogging. We may not achieve every single one perfectly, but we’ll try our darndest. We also like to look back at last year’s goals to measure progress.
In brief, last year’s goals were:
- Move on: We moved into a new house, documented the process, and settled in — mission accomplished.
- Loosen up: We worked to post in a more real-time way, reducing the lag between projects and posts. We improved, but still want to balance long features with short updates.
- Get real: We aimed to share more everyday, in-progress moments. We did better this year but still want to post more quick, spontaneous content like in the early days.
Above all, we appreciate every one of you who reads, comments, and shares this journey with us. Four years after starting a small blog to document a kitchen makeover, we’re incredibly grateful for how far this project has come. We’ll keep working on the balance between detailed projects and light, spur-of-the-moment posts — and we hope you’ll stick around for the ride.
Psst — first image source and last image source noted previously. The cute photo of the bean was taken by Katie B.
Psssst — we announced this week’s $500 West Elm gift card winner on the blog.