My original plan to take a month off before school started back has somehow turned into what now feels like full-time home school. Most of my kids are doing virtual learning four days a week which means the time for my own work online has become almost nonexistent. Instead, I’m spending my days running from room to room answering questions and making what feels like 14 meals a day.
I’ve been contemplating the future of this blog for a while and after a couple of weeks of virtual school, I think I may have found my answer. I’ve been writing here for nearly 11 years now and although I’m not sure that I’m going into complete retirement, I do know that my focus is needed more in our own home and less online. While I never thought that this is why I would take an indefinite break, the timing and my need for some kind of change all seems to align. The call of taking care of my family is much louder during this season than the chase for likes and follows and all of the crazy that often seems to go along with it.
I feel good about this for the time being, knowing that I can always post on a whim and maybe even return to a more full-time pace when (or “if”) things eventually return to normal. I know that many of you are in the same (and much harder) situations. I hope you’re finding peace and ways to make it work for your own families.
Thanks for all of your support throughout the years and to those of you who have checked on me while I was away. It’s nice to feel like you can’t completely disappear into oblivion without someone noticing. :)
I noticed. We will miss you and I applaud your decision to give your all to your family. God Bless.
Same! Emily, I hope you keep it up for reference, though.
Yes, please!! Otherwise I’ll have to screen shot everything you’ve posted bc you are my go to for home inspo! 😉
Emily, that’s why I followed you because you always had your priorities in order: family first. You never changed your house for the latest “trend” you changed it when you wanted to. I loved it!!!glad you have the opportunity to be home as a full time mother enjoy it. I’m a correctional officer in California and don’t have the choice. You’ll be missed and we’ll be here when you come back .
I will miss you, but I completely understand your decision. God bless you and your family. These are challenging times! ❤️
This has certainly been a time like no other. All of us have faced challenges that we never dreamed of. I have thoroughly enjoyed your blog and loved your fashion posts. I know this was probably not an easy decision. Wishing you and your family the best.
Family first. Always! You were one of the first bloggers I followed. Thank you for sharing your beautiful home over the years. Good luck with everything!
Good luck! Prioritizing family will never be a regret! Enjoy them while they’re still home 🏡
I’m sorry to learn of this, but please don’t take it down! I go back to look for stuff all of the time!
Me too!
Emily,
Prayers for you and all the families in uncharted waters this season. Proud of your decision to do what’s best for you and glad this corner of happy will be parked here. Best for a great school year!
I love your blog and will miss you.
😥You will be missed. You were the first blog I ever read. All the best to you!
Wishing you peace and happiness ! The times the kids are home goes so fast, I worked as a NICU nurse raising my three girls. Sometimes I don’t know where the time went! They are 31.29,25! So go make the best of these days! You won’t regret it!
Loved your blog over the years! Thanks again
I’ll continue to miss your posts! I always looked forward to your Saturday posts and reading suggestions! I’m happy for you to be able to focus your time on your family right now. It’s a blessing! ❤️
I am so proud of you, Emily. Priorities have shifted for sure. I have been debating this for my business as well. Good job, momma! ❤️
Good for you and your family! Always look forward to reading your posts, and will continue to do so however far and few between!!
Not the news I wanted to hear, love everything you post! But I totally understand and support you doing what’s best for your family. Please don’t be a total stranger!
Our virtual learning started yesterday, and I’m constantly dashing between my 11yo and 8yo … you have it a lot harder. :) Good luck to your family. I will look forward to the occasional post! <3
I noticed! Best of luck with your new normal. So glad I’m an empty nester at this point. I can’t imagine how difficult this virtual learning must be for all involved.
I had a feeling this would be your time to step away. I sure have enjoyed your blog but I do appreciate that you are putting family first!
Come post any time !
I definitely noticed your absence the past weeks and have missed your posts. Your perspective has always been fresh, realistic, and very much your own. Those things are missing from most blogs/instagrammers these days and have caused my list of people I follow to dwindle. I will miss you so! Also, please know that I am praying for you and your sweet family during these unprecedented times. God is in control and no matter what happens or how crazy things get, we already know how this story ends. Thank the good Lord. :) Love and hugs to you, Emily!
I noticed you hadn’t been posting on here or your Instagram account but figured you were just taking a longer break. I understand your reasons but you’ll still be missed. All the best to you and yours!
Wishing you and your family all the best! Thank you for all the fabulous content over the years and opening your home to all of us. You inspired me greatly and i will miss you🌸💕 God Bless
I will miss you, but I completely understand your decision. Godspeed.
It’s great that you can be available for your family. That’s always the most important at the end of the day! We will miss your posts, but I think everyone can understand your taking time for your family. I’m a long time reader and always admired how you tried to always balance your family need as well as the needs of your business/self. Good luck!
Its been a great blog thanks!! and come back sometime lol!!
Absolutely the right decision. Best to you and your family. (Selfishly, I do hope that you leave your site online so I can go back and be reinspired by your creativity at my leisure.)
I will miss you but keep you in my feed and hope you “pop” back in when you feel the desire. :)
You have truly been an inspiration to my own personal style over the years. I often find myself looking at past posts dating back several years. Your home and heart is timeless. I wish you the very best and applaud you for following your heart.
Blessings,
Kathy
I just checked your blog this morning wondering if you were going to post again! I will miss you but I totally understand. Always loved your blog and your style! Good luck and hope you check in once in awhile :-)
I really like your design style and will miss your updates and the Saturday 6. But alas, I can’t imagine how hard it must be raising children right now. Good luck, hope everything goes well for you.
You will be missed! Your blog has been encouraging to many in various ways. Your family is so special and they grow up so quickly. I’ll miss the posts that includes them the most! You are a very talented lady and when the time is right the Lord will lead you to a new adventure. Blessings to you and your family.
I’ve missed you, but totally understand!! I still scroll through your feed to get ideas and inspiration!! You will be missed by this fellow NC girl! Throw us a bone every now and then!!
I will miss reading your posts, but I certainly understand your decision to step away from the blog. Family must always come first!
I have read you for years, sweet girl. I am an older reader. You will certainly be missed, but your adorable family will be loved and nourished. That is where your time will be well-spent. I am so amazed at what you young people are doing. There are no guidelines for going through a pandemic in this modern century. It is hard to slow down. Having children home for school! So far from our normal. I know you have a strong faith and a good support group. We will get through this. Love to you and all the best to your family. Have lots of laughs!
Best wishes! We all need to take care of the things that are most important. I look forward to seeing your new home projects as they come!
It’s so crazy right now, and looks like it will remain so. I will miss you terribly, but we all get the need to adjust our lives to current situations. Sending hugs, and I will check for IG updates! Maybe pics of your cute family! :)
Will absolutely miss your posts, there is no one on instagram whose style I more admire. Please know how much I wish you and your family well. Hope you are inspired to pop on here and there!
Emily,
You will be missed, but completely understand. My kids are in college at Clemson virtually from home right now. Understand the full house, but can’t imagine the virtual learning in high school and below. You take care of your family. That’s most important. I so enjoyed meeting you at the HGTV home event earlier in the year.
Will miss you and your blog. Reference it all the time. Please continue to check in on IG when you want to share your creativity 💗
I have followed for years and what I love about your blog is that you inspire me in design, but also in priorities, in family and faith. You are a light. I’ll miss your posts but wish you all the best in this season of focusing more at home💛
I completely understand, family comes first! You are one of my favorite bloggers and I always look forward to your posts and often refer back to your blog for inspiration. I will miss you. Wishing you all the best!
Well, shoot. The things I like so much about you are the reasons you’re going away. :)
Keep focusing on what’s most important. You will never regret it.
I will keep your blog in my “favorites” and check back in case you ever change your mind. I really will miss you.
I have noticed, too. But one silver lining of this strange time is that it has clarified for so many people what is most important. I wish you and your family the best, and will look forward to times you post!
Will miss you, Emily! You are choosing the best thing – your precious family. They’ll be grown before you know it and these are wonderful years to invest in them – for eternity. Everything else in this world is temporary.
You will have NO regrets. God bless and minister to you and yours.
Emily — THANK YOU for the energy and vulnerability you put into blogging. You shared yourself when you didn’t have to, and it felt like a gift. Your creativity and fresh style have inspired me SO MUCH over the years. Thank you!!! I wish you the best of luck during this crazy time.
I will miss you, but I totally understand. God bless you and your family.
Going to miss seeing your blog! I’ve been following it since before your twins were born. I totally understand your decision though, and I’m sure it is the right one for you and your family. Best wishes for your future endeavors and maybe I’ll be seeing you again blogging one day!
I’ve followed you through many seasons of life and this is another season! Reading your post actually made me feel less alone. We have also been doing online school for several weeks now. I have struggled to find the right balance between school, work, and caring for our home. We really are all in this together! :)
I will miss you, but you’re making the right decision. Thanks for leaving me with a giggle: “…what feels like 14 meals a day.” I know, right?! :) Bless you!
Farewell for now……hope you continue to be creative while holding down the home front. Blessings to you and yours! Check in from time to time. And I agree with the above comments….please don’t take it down….too much valuable info there for us DIYers!
Take good care Emily!!
Farewell for now……hope you continue to be creative while holding down the home front. Blessings to you and yours! Check in from time to time. And I agree with the above comments….please don’t take it down….too much valuable info there for us DIYers!
Take good care Emily!! xo
I noticed! And I will miss you! But as a mother of five grown children I totally understand and applaud your decision. Hoping and praying that things will look a lot better soon and that we can get back to “normal”
I have definitely noticed!! I so enjoy your posts, but your family must come first. Just know if someday in the future you pop back up in my mailbox, I’ll be just as pleased as I would to see an old friend! My best to you and your family.
Your family should come first. I have really enjoyed your blog and look forward to your intermittent posts should you feel the urge. I think you are making the right decision. I’m sure it could not have been easy. Good luck in your future endeavors.
You will be missed! You are one of my favorite bloggers and I have missed your posts. If you have time to occasionally post a monthly Good Things that would be awesome! I love those! All the best to you and your family. Stay well…
I was actually looking forward to your return but totally understand the choice you must make at this time in your life. Children/family should always come first. Will stay subscribed so that if you decide to check in I won’t miss you. Best of luck going forward.
We’ll be ready to hear ya when the time is right. Enjoy(maybe) homeschooling and this unique time in all our lives.
I’ve enjoyed reading your blog for so many years! Thank you for so graciously welcoming us into your home. I completely understand and respect the need to put family first. You will be missed!
Oh Emily, just the day before yesterday I popped in on your Instagram to make sure I hadn’t been missing anything. Because I’ve been missing you! I can completely understand how you need and want to take a maybe forever break… But we will miss you so. Please keep your Instagram account and just send us photos of all of the changes that you make in your Decour, and your precious children and your singing at church!
Fondly, Susan Skilton from Charlotte – I first met you at the Lowe’s on South Boulevard here when you and Michael and we’re doing a sweet workshop Mike: OK it will not type Jacqueline with an M. LOL. Bless you and your precious family!
Emily-
Applause to you for a tough decision and putting family first! Many folks are struggling in this new world trying to balance childcare, non traditional instruction, and full time jobs. Sometimes it seems hard to make sense of it all. Clearing your plate of this 1 thing can be a game changer. Best of luck to you and God Bless your family
Wishing you and yours happy and sunny days together, Emily. I so respect your choice. From a mom of a 35 year-old, I can say you will not regret taking more time for your family. Thank you for sharing and inspiring!
I ,too,will miss you. I’m sure this is a bittersweet decision for you but I think we all completely understand. There is so much more to a blog than sitting down and typing. Your family’s needs are numero uno. Please pop in now and again to give us an update on all of the Clark’s.
God speed!
God bless you and your family.
Will truly miss your posts!
I was thinking about you and your blog today. Although I’m sad for us, I’m happy you have found peace with your decision. Maybe you can do a little update occasionally on Instagram? Good luck with the homeschooling!
Best of luck to you and your family.
You are always my go-to for any design inspiration I need. I love your practical applications, combined with such class and careful detail, to bring beautiful spaces to life. I will miss my regular check-ins to your blog, but applaud you for being ever-so-present with your family. Cheers!
I’ve definitely noticed, and definitely missed your posts.
But, like you, I’m pretty much virtual- schooling and cooking a thousand meals a day- goodness, they want to eat THREE meals a day!!
My work to has become spotty and inconsistent as well.
I applaud you for making what I know was a tough decision.
But we will all still be here waiting for you when/ if you come back.
Take care, and many blessings on you and yours.
I have enjoyed your work and blog for many years. Thanks for all the inspiration! All the best with your children and their schooling. God bless you and your family. With much affection – Liz
I will miss your posts!
I definitely noticed your absence and missed your carefully edited and curated posts. Your blog was one of the first that I followed and it has always been a favorite. Best wishes with your home school experience. I just saw on the news that your county will soon be going to two days of in person learning! Yea! Best wishes. I hope you will share with us from time to time.
Emily, your blog was one of the very first I came across.
Your words and design have always inspired, even from all the way across the globe in Australia, and they started me looking at my own home differently.
Wishing you and your family all the best as you navigate this new normal.
You were one of the few authentic voices left in blogging. I will miss your voice and style. As a mother of three, I totally get it, however. I hope you eventually return:)
Yours was the first blog I found.
And you’ve inspired me so much!
I truly support and understand your decision. But in 200% honesty will miss you and your family.
Wishing you all health, happiness and joy!!
Kitty
I will miss your blog and the silliness within your family. We have kids with similar ages, a son almost 14 that loves basketball so I could relate to you in the winters with all of the games 😂. I could relate to you anyway with the day to day family things as well as your joy of decorating and making your house a home which is what I love to do as well. We’re navigating the same thing over here with remote learning and I too feel the kid’s have needed my help more than ever with computer glitches, homework that got accidentally deleted. Enjoy your family time and try not to stress about the school. I tell myself that all this will eventually get better and I know I’ll be happy I got a chance to have this extra time with the kids. Cheers to you!! Susie 😊
Emily,
You’re a smart person to realize you are needed at home! We’ll be happy If and whenEver you return!
Stay safe and sane!
I will miss you, Emily!! I really enjoy your feed and your posts! Love your style! I totally understand though! These are some highly unusual times. But as I was just telling my daughter (who returns to work Friday after a 3 month maternity leave) to every time in life, there is a season. Each must be embraced because looking back –the years FLY! Enjoy your time with your kiddos and their current schooling situation. Wishing you the best!
I will miss your posts, but I retired from my blog a couple of years ago and instead post on Instagram. I completely understand and admire your decision to support your family during these trying times.
Thank you for the fun posts throughout the years. I’ll look forward to seeing you when you have the time to post.
Karen
Gonna miss you girl! I honestly don’t know how you’ve been able to keep it up for 11 years. Kudos to you for listening to your gut and putting your time and energy where it is needed most. 💕💕💕
While I applaud your decision, as one of your readers, I’m really bummed! I’ve always enjoyed your posts (especially the Saturday Six), your ideas and your sense of humor. I hope you’ll return at some point. :)
I know I’ve been following you for at least 10 of those 11 years! I will miss your inspiration but definitely agree you need to do what’s right for your heart. Loved being able to follow along!
Warm regards,
Adrienne
Follow your heart, take care of your family and give yourself the grace to know you are making the best decision you can at the time. As others have said, family first. I just don’t think you will ever regret that decision. I wish you the best.
So sad and I will miss your posts but totally understand your situation and that of many others. My husband and I keep saying we are so glad we are retired!!!😊. Good luck with the home schooling and maybe you will find time every now and then to post something😊
Emily, I have followed you from early on, and you even did some font work for me at one point many years ago… You are a deeply thinking, deeply creative young lady, and I know that God will be glorified in your decision. We have to trust the Holy Spirit speaking to us and giving us wisdom on next steps. Way to go, mama! Lord willing, all of these social platforms will still be here… Do it if you feel led! You have blessed all of us…thank you.
Hi Emily,
I certainly can’t blame you for your decision. But that doesn’t mean I have to like it. 😢
I’ve learned a lot from you over your many years blogging. I can’t thank you enough.
Good luck to you & your family. They should always come first. 😘
I’m another longtime blog reader who will miss your posts! I’m a fellow mom of five, so I completely understand. I just wanted to take a moment to say that I appreciate how you’ve always had your own style and have always been authentic. I have learned a lot from you over the years! Thank you. Your voice will be missed!
I totally understand and applaud your decision, but I want you to know that your blog is my favorite home blog. You have incredible taste and I love your down to earth attitude about it all. Pleas
come back when you’re ready!
I will miss this blog as well. Enjoyed all that you shared. God Bless you and your family!
You’ll have a follower in me if you ever come back! Love all your posts-so real, genuine and of course talented. Thanks for the inspiration in life, design and home. You’ve always shown people Jesus-thank you for staying true to you! And of course, I will think of Emily A. Clark when I look at my pretty blue floral vase! Ha! Best wishes and we all hope we make it though virtual learning!
I was just thinking of you yesterday and how have missed your practical words of wisdom, easy and doable decorating and your sweet family. I completely understand your decision to step back. When we went into quarantine I felt the Lord was telling me something and more than anything, I didn’t want to miss it. I have heard others say the same thing (although what each of us felt the Lord was telling us individually was different). As a kindergarten instructor, digital learning is killing me. I miss not being able to love on my littles and look into their faces and tell them they are wonderful. It’s just no the same. But it’s what we have so we will make the best of it right now. For all the mamas out there doing what you are doing each day, thank you and God bless you. It’s not easy and it takes a lot of sacrifice and dedication. Praying for you and your family. You have been a joy to read over the years. Thank you for sharing yourself with us. We are all better for it.
Selfishly sorry to hear this! ;) I’ve enjoyed your blog for years and your “Saturday Six” has been such a treat! I’m not-so-secretly hoping that you will resume once the vaccine is ready and things have returned to normal. All best!
Emily! I’ve always loved your blog and feel fortunate to have had “your stamp” on our previous home through an online consultation! You’re so talented and have such a great eye. I’ll miss you in this space but hope to still see you on Instagram and that we get to chat about all things Popcast!
Thank you for all the inspiration over the years! Here’s to your next adventure!
Thank you, Emily! Yours was one of the very first blogs I started following years ago, and one of the only that I’ve stayed with. I have always enjoyed your posts and content. You are so very talented, and your spaces always inspire me, but more than that, your authenticity shines through, and I think that is what I most appreciate. As a newly empty-nester, I can say that you will never regret the time you spend focusing on your family! Best wishes.
I will miss seeing you around but am happy knowing you are right where you need to be! Best of luck with the home schooling.
I’ve been a loyal reader of your blog for a long time. Thank you for all your energy, creativity and care that you gave to this blog. Many shifts during this pandemic. Deleting this blog could well give you wings. A courageous act to follow your heart.
Your blog stands out above thousands for genuine talent and authenticity — and humor! I followed your interior design advice and admired the integrity with which you introduced any product you endorsed. I still refer back to your Amazon Shop lists and have purchased those JC Penney Bamboo Blinds over and over again (and so have my friends)! I understand and respect your decision to focus on schooling your children. They are worth every minute of your time! I hope you will leave your blog up for reference and post on your IG account every now and again. Thanks for being a calm and reassuring voice in the midst of mayhem !
I will miss your posts too, but completely understand and applaud your desire to focus more on your home and less online.
thanks for all the beautiful content so far
sending love and good wishes for everything, now and in the future
Kind Regards
CAthy
Thank you for all the years of inspiration and for sharing your home and family with us. I will miss you and your creative talent but applaud your decision to step away. Praying for you and all the other parents having to navigate these unchartered waters. All the best to you and your family – Stephanie
I feel this post in my bones and could have written it. I have been feeling very much the same, and am considering stepping away after the holidays. I have cut back drastically for now, but just going to see where the rest of the year leads.
Hi Emily,
Wishing you the best as your run that homeschool. I so feel your pain! We’ll be around if you should ever meander back. I’ve so enjoyed your design and book recommendations over the years!
What a wonderful mama you are… I’ve missed you badly, and will continue to do so. Please continue to post on a whim… I think you’ll need us as much as we need you (anyway, I hope so) ;)
Emily – You are my favorite to read. Your humor, design inspiration, gift guides, and clothing suggestions have all been wonderful. I will miss you!
Hello…first-time commenter here! While I completely respect (and support) your decision, I hope this won’t be a “permanent” vacation. Your blog provides a variety of inspiration that I dearly love. There are so many off-while and gray-wood designs now that seem lovely (and trendy), but I truly adore your modern yet classic take on design. Relish the time with your family!
As the mother of four now young adults, I totally understand…tho if I’m honest, not 100% happy about this!😚 Following your blog these last few years has been a joy, as you are unique in that your content was always relatable for your readers, and always “real life” practical. I especially appreciate how you lived out your faith both on the blog and Insta, and so hope this season of life allows you the occasional Insta post (not sure if that’s stopping as well…). As others have said, I hope you leave the blog up, since I find myself looking back for decorating tips etc rather frequently! I applaud your decision to focus on family but will miss you, especially on Saturday mornings! Wishing all the best for your family, and may the Lord bless and keep you all!
I’ve been following you since before the twins were born! We’ll all still be here if you decide to come back <3 Be well.
I will miss your posts. I especially loved to look at the Saturday 6 with a big cup of coffee. I hope you will leave the site up for a while, because I refer to it quite frequently when making changes around my house. I love your style! Enjoy your time with your kiddos!
Best wishes. You’ll be missed – are already missed, but family comes first.
Well this news makes me sad…I will (and have recently) missed your posts. I subscribe to your email/blog posts and you are one of the few influencers that I want to hear from regularly. I want to be in touch with you because you are genuine and you keep it real as far as home and decorating – and family. Well, it doesn’t get more real than dealing with a pandemic. Your kids need you and I’m so happy to hear that you are a Mom who is available for her children. I’m glad that you’re leaving a window open to ‘pop in and post’ because I want to know that you’re doing well, I want to know what design fancy catches your eye, and I want to know WHAT YOU’VE BEEN READING! Take care Emily and may God bless you and your family.
I totally get what you’re doing and I applaud you. I’ve found myself in the same boat, juggling between kids that are home with online school and isolated, and the desire to have a creative outlet of one’s own. Family does come first, and you’re doing what’s best for you and your family. This is a season, and our children’s education and mental health is very important, and parents are carrying a heavier load this year.
Your voice and your design aesthetic are missed and I truly hope we hear from you from time to time when it’s convenient for you. I was just remembering “NateGate” from that trip to NYC so many years ago, and all that drama that a few crazy people created and how we rolled our eyes at it. Good times and great memories. Don’t disappear my friend, your talent is too good. Just take the long break you need. Sending you much love.
xoxo
Kate
Emily, yours has always been my favorite blog I follow because I relate to you on so many levels – your decorating style, encouragement, humor, the thoughtful and different way that you look at things and your strong faith. That’s why I can relate to why you are doing this now. At first I wondered when your one month off turned into two months off, but you’ve always maintained that your family comes first…. so I’m not surprised at your announcement. I will continue to check in occasionally to see if you ‘post on a whim’. God bless you and thank you for all the years of insight and inspiration!!!
Emily,
You are my favorite and I will miss you so much!! You were my first blog I followed and I
think I have been with you all of the 11 years.
Please do not disappear completely, I do not think I could take it.
xoxo,
Melissa
I’ll really miss your blog! Your style is so unique and I’ve enjoyed it a lot over the years. Come back soon!
I’ll miss your posts as you’re one of my faves. Thanks for sharing your ideas and inspirations for so many years. It’s a brave and honorable decision to spend this season on your family as the needs have arose, one you will never regret. Thanks for letting the rest of us watch, learn & be encouraged through your example. Funny side note, I first learned of you though a friend in Belmont. I had no clue who you were at that time and googled “interior design, Belmont” and your name popped up. I called and asked if you could do a consult. The person that answered the phone politely let me know you didn’t offer these services any longer. I found your blog shortly thereafter and realized you were a BIG deal. 😅 Have followed you ever since.