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A lot has happened since my last post in May. My twin babies grew up in the blink of an eye and half my kids left for college and I’ve been mourning/ adjusting to those changes and more. My oldest kids, twins, leaving for college was the tipping point to finally make important decisions about things I’ve been considering for years, like maybe ending this blog and finding something new. A few years ago, I paired it back to the “must-haves” like The Declutter Challenge and my planners, while I’ve been thoughtfully considering what direction I want to take.
Blogging has changed so much since 2011 when I began this blog. I’ve had a lot of blogging highs and lows over the years. At the beginning, the landscape of blogging was mostly women just sharing things in their spare time, which consisted of real and relatable content, and I liked that. Slowly that changed. Many bloggers still wanted to seem down-to-earth but because of the pressure for page views and likes, so many started faking it. Most people didn’t realize that their favorite bloggers had a staff of people helping them pull it off. I think a lot of blogs became toxic then, pretending that what they shared was relatable and possible for the average reader, even though they were only able to pull it off with a team of help. The blogs with the perfectly presented aesthetics soared in readership. There was a brief amount of time my blog was growing at a rate I could hardly fathom, but the pressure to keep up felt crushing. I’ve been trying for years to balance all those expectations, especially my own, while trying to stay true to my mission. I eventually decided that I didn’t have to participate in a competition I wasn’t interested in, so I stayed in my own lane, and I’ve been happy with my “little” blog and my readers who appreciate my approach.
If I’m going to love this blog again and find my love for writing and sharing about important things again, it’s going to have to come from a place of honesty. I hate when everything is fluff, though of course I love cute/funny animal videos on occasion as much as anyone. But, I also crave the real stuff and I think you do too. I’ve learned important things and I have experiences to share that I know could help so many people. I like to think deeply about things and I like to solve problems at the root level, and my favorite topic is family. I’ve been waiting for years to feel sure, but I now know that this my calling. And I can’t fulfill my calling by quietly going about my introverted little life, even though that option is tempting.
I want a fresh start. You will start to see some changes to how the website looks and the kinds of things I start to share. The topics will still revolve around managing family and home life, but I will go deeper, I want to talk about marriage, parenting, overcoming challenges, and more.
What isn’t going to change: I will still have a Declutter Challenge, though I might tweak it. This has just been too life-changing to too many people to stop. I will also continue making and selling my planners, though I still have no desire to make it a big business. I love the actual process of hand-making planners, it’s such a fun creative outlet for me. If I outsourced it, there might be more money, but where would the fun be? Also, my pictures will continue to be the best I can do with my phone – still no plans to hire a photographer or create a perfectly aesthetic magazine-worthy home (just the regular beauties of my home).
What will change: The look of the website will be evolving over the next few months (it will look a little mismatched during the process). You can already see I’ve started. One of my college kids said she’d like to learn more about my website and will be helping on the backend, which is so exciting to me. My new logo was hand-drawn by me with a black marker and colored pencils and then scanned into a photo. I’m hoping this one is just a placeholder because I’m going to ask my other college kid to create a better one, but I won’t interrupt her school work and so that might take time. And of course, as I already said, I plan to go deeper into important family topics.
I hope my longtime readers will stick around for this new journey. I’m very excited to get started. If you don’t mind, would you share with my any advice you’ve gotten from me over the last 13 years that have made a difference to you? I’d really love the encouragement.
From my home to yours,
Mary
What a fun fall for your girls to be at BYU! My oldest is a senior and just submitted her BYU app last week. I already miss her.
Right?! They are actually getting into football for the first time in their lives. What a time to be there for sure! My senior put in her app last week too. Time will tell if I have 3 kids there next year.
Progress, not perfection has been a great reminder for me over the years.
I, for one, appreciate old school blogging with an authentic voice; Iām glad you are back and am excited to see what you have to share.
Thank you Tiffany. I know you’ve been around a LONG time, it’s so nice to see you’re still here. š
Congratulations on the “reboot.” And I totally understand about daughters going off to college and missing them so much. I just love your Declutter Challenge. I think it is well paced and I look forward to it every year. I like that you remind us it’s about decluttering and not organizing.
Thank you!
Two years ago my life changed when our oldest moved across the country. First for school; now forever. I know how hard this is! Excited to see whatās next and I appreciate everything you share. Thank you for keeping the Declutter Challenge; itās been so beneficial for me and my family. Looking forward to learning and sharing more.
Thank you, Mary!
Progress over perfection is a big one, but also the laundry method of each person having their own load(s) has been life-changing for me. I frequently tell other parents about the method and encouraging kids to take responsibility for caring for their clothes. I’ve always loved and appreciated your authenticity and amazing ideas. I can’t want to see what you have up your sleeve for the future!!
I’ve often felt silly over the years for talking so much about things like laundry, but isn’t it the simple changes that can have such a big impact?! Thank you!
Hi Mary, I also wanted to say your laundry method helped me the most (especially while my girls lived at home). Now that we are empty nesters we hardly have any laundry. Not silly at all and big impact! Also your declutter challenges have changed my home over the years. I may not have been able to complete every room but the ones that did get completed have stayed decluttered and take less and less time with every challenge. ā£ļø Iām thankful you are going to continue the blog and itās exciting to have your girls assisting you with the business even while they are at school! š„°
Thanks, Kelly! So glad to see you’re still here!!
I, too, appreciate the real over the sensationalized. I am proud to be one of your ālife-changedā readers. Iām super happy you are back and canāt wait to see what you have in store for us!
Thank you, Renee!
Mary! So glad you’re back! To be perfectly honest, yours is the one blog I follow. Too busy for fluff while homeschooling 4 kids! I’m THRILLED to hear you’ll be going deeper.
I’ve never finished a challenge, life always happened but I’ve started every year for years and that means several different areas got decluttered.
My twins know about “Miss Mary” and her various tidbits of wisdom like “progress not perfection” and being held captive to our possessions.
Oh I’m so glad you’re back!!
Being busy raising kids helps make it clear what is fluff and what isn’t. When we have so little “extra” time, we have to make the time count! Thank you!
I love the Super Tidy. It makes every morning joyful. Waking up to a lovely clean home, welcoming friends & family at a moments notice, and encouraging others to embrace a simpler way of life. You have taught me so much. You are a strong, sweet and relatable woman. Thank you for all you share.
Annabelle
Thank you, Annabelle! I love that you love the Super Tidy as much as me. It’s crazy how just a little bit of tidying every day makes the BIGGEST difference!!
The Declutter Challenge! Your education about the topic of clutter, and your free plan and guidance each year have left an impression on me! Although I have never completed it, whenever I am tackling a space, it is YOUR words that are in my head. Thank you!
Thank you, Sarah!
Your system of breaking a big project down into small manageable chunks changed everything for me.
Your blog was the one that helped me to get control of my home and it changed everything! I have followed you for years and shared your blog with so many of my friends and I can not say thank you enough for the help and guidance and how it has improved my life and others too!! I canāt wait to see this next chapter in your blog!!
I’m living by my own words right now. You should see the lists of things for me to work on as I shift my blog and social media over for the fresh start. I’ve made lists of all the tiny little tasks that make that big project seem attainable. Plus, it’s so fun to check things off, right?! Thanks, Michelle!
Progress not perfect resonated with me so much I got a tattoo of it. I love that your approach is not all or nothing but embraces that life is happening while we are making changes. Glad to see you in my inbox again!
That’s so awesome! Progress not perfection has been one of the most important lessons I’ve worked through myself. I still have to fight my desire for everything to be perfect but I’ve made so much progress with my perfectionism! The irony, lol!
I’m happy to see you again and look forward to new ideas. I think life is a continuous process of finding what’s right for each of us at any given point. I like trying new things and being open to new experiences, but also don’t want to over commit my time…it’s a challenge!
Thank you, Sharon!
Mary,
I’ll be real honest, I have always admired the fact that you stayed consistent and didn’t get pulled into the blogging is my everything “trap”. I could always tell that you put your family first. Your planners have always been the most useful and most practical to use. I am also glad to see that we will start to see more of you because now the time is right. I can’t wait to see what’s next.
Thank you so much, Heather. It certainly was tempting for a few years there to get pulled into that trap. So grateful for prayer and God’s help keeping my wits about me!
Mary, Iāve been doing your system for at least 10 years and different 3 houses. I love that there is something to look forward to after all the holidays and so beneficial! Iāve shared my experiences with many and some have even joined and followed along too. I love the way you break things down into manageable goals. Iām so happy you are continuing and good for you to make a few changes. Iām excited to see what they are. I canāt thank you enough for changing my life by following your decluttering/cleaning schedule. My house stays relately clean and I never worry about anyone dropping by. Now itās just my hubby and me but following your plan gives me much free time to spend with grandkids and my hobbies without guilt. Thank you for sharing your gifts and talents!
Thank you so much, Lori! It’s so good to see you’re still here!
Good to hear from you! Change/tweaking is good:) – it helps us revaluate why we do things a certain way and see if we can improve. I think it is great that your kids are helping you. And Thank you for not getting rid of the 91 Declutter challenge! I have never made it all 91 days in a row but love the challenge and how you lay it out. Hopefully this is the year I complete it!!
This can definitely be your year!!! (and thank you!)
Keep, Donate, Trash – words to live by! ha ha Congrats on the new focus and always appreciate blogs/people who are real and honest – can’t wait to see what you share š
Yes, lol, definitely words to live by! And thank you!
So happy to see you back Mary!! Your blogs are refreshing, sincere, down to earth and inspired! Iāve missed you but FAMILY FIRST! Your girls will love being at BYU, I did (many years ago!) Bless you all ā¤ļø
Thank you, Ruth! They are absolutely loving every second. Whenever I get sad missing them, I find so much comfort in knowing they are right where they should be!
Every so often I have thought about you and my missing your blogs. I just got back from a church retreat about discernment. I sense you have a discerning heart and I am so happy for you, others, and myself for the time you spent and the direction you are choosing. Although or maybe because I am a good generation older than you I sincerely appreciate your blogging.
I truly rely on God because without His spiritual gift of discernment, I know I would be completely lost. I find so much comfort when I’m following where I think He wants me to go. š
Mary,
I’ve enjoyed so much on your blog over the years. I’ve been a follower for over 7 years, and things like the declutter challenge and the printables are great. But more importantly, I enjoy your voice and the stories you share because they are authentic. I’m looking forward to the things you plan to discuss in the future and I’m sure there will be nuggets of wisdom that will inspire me! I was in Michigan when I first found your blog, but have since moved to Texas. I love being in the same state as you, and appreciate the Texas insights I’ve gained by reading your work. Keep being yourself!
Thanks so much, Deb. And I’m glad you’re enjoying Texas like we are!
You go girl! I donāt know you well but Iām proud of you for being true to yourself!
Thank you Cindy!
I still refer people to your blog post about sentimental clutter. Your example of the baby item that was ruined in storage vs potentially blessing a new family has stuck with me all these years.
Thank you so much! I still remember the feeling when I realized it was ruined and I had been storing it for years. So much better to learn from our mistakes (or the mistakes of others) than keep repeating them!
Your post about the link between depression and a messy house really helped me see how my physical surroundings and my mental health are connected. It helped me give myself grace when things were chaotic.
I’m so glad you’re giving yourself grace. There is definitely a very direct correlation between our surroundings and how we feel. And when we know that, we can help ourselves by working on our surroundings (and ourselves) and giving ourselves grace in the process!
I started following you after you were spotlighted in the Multiples of America magazine (in print, LOL!). That was not long after my twins were born, and the with chaos in my home with 4 kids, your blog helped me to bring a bit of order. I have taken so much of your advice over the years, have celebrated your big moments (I remember when your youngest was born!), and grieved your awful moments for you. As you began to post less and less, I was sad because I missed your wisdom. You became like a long-distance friend with great ideas that could help me too! But I understood completely, because my kids were getting older, we were getting busier, and I could only imagine your home was too.
I really look forward to your new path. My oldest will be heading off to college next fall, with the other three following into adulthood quite quickly. It will be good to have someonet to navigate with. Thanks for coming back, Mary!
Oh, and to answer your question…so much of your advice I have taken over the years! I’ve attempted many declutter challenges (never have quite finished one…maybe 2025 will be my year!). Lots of organizing and decorating tips. But one thing that has stuck for over a decade is how to tame the laundry monster! A family of 6 creates quite a laundry beast, but with your help I have managed to create a system that has worked for my family for over a decade.
Thank you SO MUCH. You seriously made my day! I seriously love that my laundry advice has made a difference to you! This is what I tell my husband Matt as I re-start my blog efforts (because it is humbling to put stuff out there that looks so low-production compared to other blogs), I tell him that as long as I can help people, it doesn’t really matter if it is five, 5000, or 5 million… a person helped is a person helped. Thanks for helping me remember that my advice can actually make a difference. Thanks so much for taking your time to comment. It means a lot.