We had no idea when we started this year of less how much it would change our hearts and bless our growing family. More than ever we are committed to downsizing our lives, to be content with less, to give more, and to make greener choices, not just for the sake of the planet, but for the sake of it's people.
We also had no idea how overwhelming it would be. Sharing your life online is a lot of work. Every blog post involves so much work, from brainstorming, writing, taking photos, answering comments and emails, not to mention the introspection and emotional work involved in sharing yourself with would-be strangers. It's hard. And right now, with so much else going on in our lives, it is too much.
I've spent the last week realizing that one of my blogs needed to come to an end. A Unfortunately it is this one.
Our commitment to a simpler life is still going to be reflected in the blog posts on my other blog, The Complete Guide to Imperfect Homemaking. Many of the posts I had in the works for this blog will be shared over there. We have no interest in giving up our journey, we just won't be blogging about it here anymore.
Many of you have contacted me to let me know that we have motivated and inspired you in your own journey to a simpler, less stuff-filled life. I am so glad to have encouraged some of you and I hope you will continue in that momentum to let your life reflect your priorities more and more.
I will soon be closing comments on this blog because I have been receiving a massive amount of spammy and offensive comments, and monitoring to remove them has become quite time consuming.
Thank you so much for those of you who have followed along and left comments of encouragement and support.
So I guess the task for day 111 of The Year of Less is this: Blogging Less. Thank you for understanding.
I can't imagine keeping up more than one blog and having a baby due soon! Thanks for the time you have spent here, I've enjoyed following it!
ReplyDeleteRachel said it perfectly. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteAww, this blog will be missed! So sad that you've been getting too much spammy and offensive comments. Although I will miss this here, I know you are doing what's best for you and your family! Blessings to you!!!
ReplyDeleteI Understand.... Balancing all that we want to do in life is often hard. I often struggle knowing that I have too much on my plate and that something has got to give and not knowing what to let go of.... I have LOVED this blog as it is the first one ive ever followed! You have a way of putting into words exactly how i feel about living a more simple life; thank you! I am very sad that this blog is the one that you needed to let go of but I am glad that you were able to make a decision that best suits you, your family and your journey!
ReplyDeleteTough choice to make, but it sounds like the right decision. I'm guessing many of your readers here found you on your other blog, anyway, so they'll follow you back again. :)
ReplyDeleteI have to say that this blog has given me such inspiration and motivation. I'm so disappointed that it will be closed! We've made so many changes and had some wonderful discussions based on your fantastic posts and ideas. However, I fully understand and applaud your decision. Enjoy those precious babies - and enjoy your time with your young family. That really is the point of it all.
ReplyDeleteI'm hoping you'll leave this blog here as is as I'm sure I'm not the only one who would love to read and re-read your past posts as inspiration.
So sorry to read this, but I understand perfectly. Often having less means doing less so we can enjoy and appreciate more. Makes perfect sense to me. Will continue following you at your other blog. I never responded nearly as much as I wanted to (which was almost always), but I wanted you to know that you inspire me in more ways than you will ever know. I know this blog has led me on a great and simple journey that I will continue to follow to the best of my ability, and I hope to inspire others to do the same... many thanks and God bless!!
ReplyDeleteKelly,
ReplyDeleteI have really enjoyed this blog and often wondered how you maintained both blogs without going crazy but you did it so well. Now is the time to focus on yo I am glad I can still hear your voice at Imperfect Homemaking. God Bless!
-Shari
I'll be sure to follow along at the over blog then! :)
ReplyDeleteme too! Thank You so much - just need to go there first now and more readily. Thank you for sharing your wonderful ideas. Can't wait to see whats next! God Bless!
Deleteme too! Thank You so much - just need to go there first now and more readily. Thank you for sharing your wonderful ideas. Can't wait to see whats next! God Bless!
DeleteI am applauding you for your strength in this decision. Praying for your growing family. And THANKING YOU for the time you have given us and the inspiration you are and have been.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your journey...I have enjoyed it so much. I already follow your "Complete Guide..." and will continue to do so!
ReplyDeleteThat's okay. I started out following your other blog so I'll just follow you back over there. Sorry about the spammy and offensive comments. You're so wonderful and genuine and I'm sorry that people have said hurtful things. Thanks for everything you've said and done here and I look forward to many future fantastic posts back over at the other blog. Blessings, Alison
ReplyDeleteI've appreciated this blog, totally understand and agree with your decision and look forward to following your other blog. :)
ReplyDeleteI hope that you don't delete the blog itself right away! I know it would be great for us to be able to go back and re read what you have already written! I understand your need to stop blogging. Would you consider leaving the blog up for awhile at least?
ReplyDeleteI won't be deleting the blog posts that are here, I just won't be adding any new ones. :)
DeleteWonderful! I was going to ask the same question. :-)
DeleteThanks for all your blogging hard work! I follow both your blogs, and love both of them, so consolidation helps me.....navigate blogs less! :-)
ReplyDeleteI will miss this blog as well! You have inspired me in many ways (including switching to cloth diapers! something I never thought I could do), and I am also sorry that you are receiving spammy and offensive comments! You are amazing and I've greatly enjoyed reading about your journey and will continue to follow your other blog! As Rachel said, I can't imagine how much work it would be to run two blogs while also pregnant and running a household!! Thank you for sharing so much of yourself with us!! :)
ReplyDeleteI totally get it, Kelly! You've got a new babe on the way and something's gotta give. I really enjoyed watching your journey to less. I'll just keep following your funny insightful posts on your other blog. Take care! Robin
ReplyDeleteWell, just have to move on over to the other blog to keep up with your life, it's not a big deal.
ReplyDeleteI understand the need to have only one blog. I have truly enjoyed this, and will continue to read your other blog. I have really taken to the heart the post of a buy nothing Christmas. Christmas is SO.... much more than STUFF.
ReplyDeletePraying for you, and your beautiful family. Ann
Understandable and appropriate given your circumstances and purpose in life. I am glad to have been a part of this and will continue to think about what I can do away with and live a more purposeful life. I'll continue to follow your other blog too. Thanks so much!
ReplyDeleteawww. I will totally miss this. I am subscribed to a lot of blogs but not many get as high priority to be read as this and your other.
ReplyDeleteSpammers. Ugh. They try to ruin so much good stuff.
Thank-you; you're an inspiration for sure. I'll be reading your other blog now; I really like your writing style too. Blessings to you and your family.
ReplyDeleteI look forward to reading your inspiring posts, wherever they are ;) Feels like these post are a good fit for your other blog anyway. Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteBlessings to you and yours!
Wendi
so sorry to see this blog go, but COMPLETELY understand. i'm due with baby #4 ANY day now and i can't even keep up with my life, let alone two blogs! i already follow your other one, so i'll just enjoy you over there. thanks for the "living with less" inspiration. i have an entire pinterest page devoted to it.
ReplyDeleteI want to thank you for opening up my eyes to our waste and clutter. I can truly say you have helped me live simpler and rethink the way I live and give. May God bless you and your family.
ReplyDeleteWhile I understand, I kinda sorta wanta cry. You have inspired so much change in my heart. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteThis is by far my FAVORITE blog. I look forward to continuing this journey with you through your other blog.
ReplyDeleteOh, I am so sad to hear this. I know you are making the right decision for yourself and your family, but ouch. I wish you the best.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for this blog. You have truly inspired me
ReplyDeleteOh, how I have loved this blog, and how much it has changed my life. Although- I have always wondered "how does she keep up!?" So many blessings wished upon you,and your wonderful husband and children. God Bless your impending birth. I originally found you on Imperfect Homemaking, and will continue to follow. You are the reason I started blogging! Take care of yourself and your family.
ReplyDeleteGod bless you and your family! I have enjoyed this blog so much but I completely understand the need to let something go. :)
ReplyDeleteDear Kelli,
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing you life with me. I can totally relate to the emotional upheaval that this kind of task can bring as well as the vulnerability required to share your life with all of us. You are a lovely person and it has been my privilege to "know" you in the manner.
God bless you,
Barbra Carpay
Oh, Kelly! I totally understand! This blog has inspired me very much, really got me thinking and re-evaluating a lot of stuff. Thank you so much for that.
ReplyDeleteI will be looking forward to your posts on Imperfect Homemaking.
Take good care of yourself and your lovely family!
With best wishes, Ieva
I've never commented before, but I wanted you to know I've loved all of your posts and have been so inspired to re-think what purpose our 'stuff' has and what it says about us. I totally respect and support your decision, and like others, I'll continue to keep up with you at your other blog. Your blogs and one other are the only ones I follow.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, just wanted to thank you for your example and for the influence you've had on my heart. It's rare to find life-changing content in such an information-saturated world, but this has truly been a blessing and has planted seeds I never expected.
Enjoy your precious family, that's what it's all about.
I'm sorry to hear this because I really enjoyed hearing your fresh perspective on the "necessities of life", but I completely understand. Less blogging means more time for the things that are truly important. I enjoy your other blog as well!
ReplyDeleteI recently found your other blog and from there came to this one. I haven't specifically committed to a "less" plan, but I sure am on a "less stuff" path as I see, find and go through things while moving into our addition. Both of your blogs have been inspiring to me in multiple ways. I'm eager to continue getting to "know you" through your other blog.
ReplyDeleteBTW: I bought Command hooks today, inspired by YOU, to hang my hair-dryer inside the door of our [currently only] bathroom vanity instead of clogging up the drawer. :)
Cheers to sound decisions and more time with kiddo's! Just don't give up blogging entirely, you are a true inspiration! Best regards!
ReplyDeleteStephie N
SimplyBEEcause.blogspot.com
Congratulations on everything you have achieved in both of your blogs in the past few months. I have both bookmarked, so I will continue to follow you either way. This blog has been very inspirational and I hope you will take the positive comments with you as you move on from here. Thank you for sharing your life with us...it always helps to know that we all face similar challenges in life! Enjoy that new baby!!
ReplyDeleteRobin
Congratulations for making it this far! I'm totally new to your blog. I discovered it last week and it's been very encouraging to read your previous posts. It's a brave things to re-think your proorities and realize that family comes first. May God bless your journey! I will continue to read ALL your posts. Please don't get rid of 'em. :)
ReplyDeleteI think that this decision is totally keeping with the theme of this whole dang blog--looking forward to seeing what you've got in store on the other blog!
ReplyDeleteI've been inspired :) I'm going through my whole house decluttering as I read through 4 of your recommended reads (references). Thanks for what you have written thus far, and your courage to share it with the world.
ReplyDeleteI have frequently wondered how you do it all, and I completely understand you needing to let something go. Thank you for your blogs and the inspiration you bring me. I have made so many positive changes in my life because of you. Take care, rest, enjoy your sweet family and the time before the newest addition comes! God bless.
ReplyDelete-Sandy
You have totally inspired me and I love reading this blog! I also subscribe to your other blog and look forward to you continuing this work over there. I completely understand that it is a ton of work- so I understand you closing this blog down. Thank you so much for doing what you do- in whatever capacity you choose to share- we are grateful. God Bless!
ReplyDeletethank you for all you have shared, I have learned so much! I will never forget my first "eat the pantry" experience! I follow you over at Imperfect Homemaking, so I look forward to your "live with less" themed posts there!!
ReplyDeleteYou have spent 100 days giving others a glimpse of a life they could never imagine. God bless you and keep you and your family.
ReplyDeleteThank you for taking the time to share as much as you have, your words have been inspirational. I will look forward to following along with your other blog. Blessings.
ReplyDeleteGood for you and way to be a great example in making this decision for you and your sweet family. Saying no can be a great thing -- prioritizing and simplifying! Thank you for sharing your life and blessing me with your blogs. I'll continue following Imperfect Homemaking! :) Blessings to you!
ReplyDeleteI've enjoyed both of your blogs, and I look forward to reading more of your year of less on your other blog!
ReplyDeleteIh my I totally understand, I keep trying to manage more than one blog at a time, but each times it fails miserably, my main blog is the only one I can truely keep updated, and over the years I should have learned the lesson, but nope, I recently started 2 others I of course don't keep up to date, it's far easier for me to just add one label more to the main one. maybe you could do that too? Have a year of less label on the other blog and post things related to it under that label? I know it makes more sense for me to do something similar on my blog. Especially with my food and hobbies blog, after all my recipes and craft projects are extremely linked to my expat life :-)
ReplyDeleteI understand! I'm so glad you blogged what you did; it has been very inspiring! And I'll continue to read your other blog :)
ReplyDeleteSad to read that you are closing this Blog, but I know how difficult it is to keep up to date with two Blogs, how you managed with all your lovely children and baby number 6 due any time now I'll never know.
ReplyDeleteI have enjoyed every single post on here and will continue to follow your inspiring exploits over on your other Blog.
You have truly inspired me, and next year will be our 'year of less' to be followed on my Blog oas we whittle our way down to an even simpler life.
See you over on your other Blog.
Sue xx
I love your ideas, and I will see you on your other blog! Keep up the awesome work, and I think it is a good thing to downsize. You rock!
ReplyDeleteBlessings, and thank you for all the inspiration here.
ReplyDeleteFor every negative comment it takes 10 good ones to feel better. I am sorry people felt the need to be mean. You're blogging has meant a great deal to me since I became a mama, you feel like a friend and I want to tell you good job x 10:)
ReplyDeleteKim
Thanks for all the inspiration from this blog and I will follow your other blog faithfully. From another Canuck in Surrey, BC
ReplyDeleteThank you for the hard work you have put in, to produce something good and productive to inspire us all. I completely understand as I did exactly the same, not blog-wise (I don't do blogging) but closed down one of my businesses as it does get too much and a person, especially a woman, wife and mother, needs to know that priorities are with family and the wealth of your soul. Three businesses are too much and letting one go has been the hardest but best decision of my life, and of my family's life too as they now benefit from a slightly calmer and more composed mother & wife! All the best to you, I am looking forward to continue reading your other blog posts. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm from Spain (Europe), sorry about my English (I haven't practice since I was at school). I've never wroten a comment before at this blog since I started reading it in the summer. I just want to say thanks for all those posts, you gave me good ideas, but most important you made me think a lot about priorities in life, so I understand your decision. Hope you'll manage to continue with the other blog, although I can't imagine how with the kids and housework...! God bless you and your family.
ReplyDeleteI understand completely. I often wondered how you found the time to do both. I shared your blog with some of my family and friends. I just sent a link of your "Buy Nothing Christmas" post to my pastor. You have inspired and encouraged so many. May God continue to bless your ministry. I will continue to read your other blog.
ReplyDeleteRita
I have truly enjoyed your blog - although I only found it in October. I just had my first child, so I'm not sure how you do it all with 6 kiddos, but I commend you! If we lived near, I'm sure we'd be friends :) I love your ideas and your thought process - and thank you from the bottom of my heart for prompting me to read Matt. 5-7 each day for a month. It has truly made a difference! Hugs from Missouri!
ReplyDeleteHow appropriate! Good for you!!
ReplyDeleteI love this blog, and while it is sad you need to close it, I totally understand. Thank you for choosing to share your life-changing experiences with everyone in the blog-o-sphere and I look forward to reading more over on imperfect homemaking
ReplyDeletex
A lovely example of keeping your hearts and mind on the bigger goal: less stuff, more peace in your lives, and not on the actual blog. Thank you for all you have shared!
ReplyDeleteI appreciate the time and effort you have put into this blog. I now look around at my home/life and really think about what we need in our lives instead of buying or keeping stuff to fill space. Thank you for helping bring this attitude of less to the forefront of our minds. I am glad you will still have your other blog and ideas to follow. I pray for many blessings for you and your growing family!
ReplyDeleteI'm sad to hear that this blog is ending, but I totally understand and commend your for making the decision to do what is best for you and your family. You really have inspired me to simplify, enjoy the beauty in simple things and just be more mindful of what we bring into our home. I wish you nothing but the best and will continue to read your other blog. I hope that this decision is bringing you much deserved peace.
ReplyDeleteTina
Thank you for sharing your journey! It has been a blessing to me and my family, as God has also called us to greatly simplify our lives this year, especially. Press on! :)
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to you for making a difficult decision. I will continue to follow you on your other blog. I enjoy your writing and what you share.
ReplyDeleteGolly, I've just found your blog too! So sorry to read that you've had unwanted hassles with spam and offensive remarks.
ReplyDeleteHope all goes well with the new baby
San
Oh that is very sad as it was really good and inspiring I just do my blog whenI have something to say I dont find it stressful.
ReplyDeleteI'm another follower that has never commented, but have truly enjoyed reading your blog. I happened across your blog from a friend sharing on her facebook page one of your first posts on here. I went back & read from the start & have been inspired & encouraged to get rid of "stuff" & rethink what's important. It makes perfect sense that you also need to not have so much "stuff" to do in order to spend more time with your growing family! Best of luck & thanks for inspiring so many!
ReplyDeleteI can totally understand and will be following your other blog! :D
ReplyDeleteThanks for bring such an inspiration! All the best!
ReplyDeleteI will miss your Year of Less blog but will continue being inspired through your other one!
ReplyDeleteBummed for my own selfish reasons, but happy that you could evaluate and make the decision that is best for your family!
ReplyDeleteThe changes that I have begun to make are not as "radical" as yours.... who knows I just might get there. But with your inspiration I have been blessed. I am on a journey to simpler living and have already seen a positive impact on my state of mind, relationships and focus on God. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThankyou for putting the time and effort into this blog that you did. I started reading it in early Oct and by the start of Nov I had gone through EVERY SINGLE ITEM I own and donated, recycled, or threw out over 1000 items - everything from furniture to vegetable peelers. I feel so much lighter now, and wonder why I was holding onto it all in the first place.
ReplyDeleteBest of luck with your journey.
Long time reader- 1st time poster! Thank you for sharing and inspiring! You are a wonderful blogger, mom, wife! I miss this blog but will look forward to the other! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteShoot! It was one of my favorite blogs.
ReplyDeleteI believe Divine Providence is how I discovered your blog. I had been searching the web on how to let go of the sentimental clutter when I found you. I lost my mother two years ago and my grandmother earlier this year. It really is amazing how much of our identity we place in material objects. My family has been on a journey to actively reduce the ever constant pull of materialism and consumerism on our lives. We had a revelation of it several years ago and have tried many different ways of trying to quell it but somehow falling back into the vicious cycle. This really has been our year to put our money where our mouth is so to speak as we are preparing for a major move across the country to do what we believe is a calling from the Lord. Your blog has been so inspiring to me and my family. We thank you for all your time and will keep you and your beautiful family in our prayers.
ReplyDelete