Life + Health

Hey, how’s it going?

Shelfie - doorsixteen.com

So, it’s April. The year 2017, which, if you ask me, doesn’t even sound like a real year. It sounds like something from a science fiction movie about a futuristic world. In my mind, it’s still 1996 or so. In my mind, I’m still 21 years old. Or so.

It’s been about eight months since my last real blog post. Aside from the two-year blogging break I took after retiring Absolutely Vile in 2005, this is the longest I’ve gone without actively blogging since 1998 (which was 19 years ago, if you’re keeping count, and also two years later than where I feel like time stopped—maybe that’s significant, who knows), and it feels…not right. But it also felt necessary to take a break.

I don’t know where I fit in the world of blogging anymore. That’s never really mattered to me in terms of content (much to the chagrin of those readers who throw their arms up at the slightest mention of anything even vaguely political), but I’ve never been able to figure out if this is a job. I mean, it’s not “what I do for a living,” clearly, but is it supposed to be work? Am I supposed to think about compensation? Can I even afford to do it if I don’t think about getting some kind of financial return? And what if I actually like partnering with brands? Is that wrong? Does anyone even care, anyway? And did I actually move to New Mexico? (What is that beautiful house? Where does that highway go to?)

I don’t have any answers, I’m just asking the questions.

You know how sometimes you set little goals for yourself to incentivize actions? If you’re as good at procrastination as I am, then you’ll know what I mean:
“If I finish reading this entire 800-page book, I’ll vacuum the house.”
“If I watch the entire third season of The Mindy Project in one day, I’ll work on my taxes.”
“If I paint the whole bedroom before midnight, I’ll sweep the garage.”
“If I get my learner’s permit, take driving lessons, get my license, and lose 10 pounds, I’ll write a blog post.”

You get what I’m saying. These procrastination techniques don’t make any sense—the incentivizing action is almost never related in any way to the end goal. When you achieve Mastercrastinator-level status in life, you start stacking the deck against yourself—you can barely get anything from column B done if you make sure column A is full of failures. And it pretty much never feels good. And then you lose track of what it is that’s making you feel bad, exactly, and you convince yourself that it was the thing you didn’t do, not the fact that you didn’t do it.

Last night I removed the sidebar ads from my blog. I tweaked my bio. I made some minor design changes. I hoped that when I woke up in the morning that I’d want to start blogging again, and that I wouldn’t set up an imaginary column A to prevent myself from just going ahead and doing it.

Hey! Hi! Hello.

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115 Comments

  • Reply Giselle April 10, 2017 at 2:05 pm

    Yayyyyyyyyyyy! You were missed.

  • Reply Fiona April 10, 2017 at 2:23 pm

    Hey, if nothimg else it’s good to know your’e still out there and doing ok !

  • Reply Danielle April 10, 2017 at 2:39 pm

    I’ve missed seeing your posts! Glad to know you’re still there.

  • Reply Willa April 10, 2017 at 2:40 pm

    Hi! 🙂

  • Reply Lara April 10, 2017 at 2:43 pm

    Nice to see your post! The questions you ask are spot-on!

  • Reply Jen April 10, 2017 at 2:44 pm

    I’ve missed you! I know, not reassuring coming from random introverted internet person who likes to read people’s blogs while also procrastinating on doing important life stuff. I stumbled over here from a mention by Daniel, who writes one of my favorite, frenetic home improvement-ish blogs: Manhattan Nest. I also moved out to NM (maybe not quite as far out as you did) and so enjoy watching how you’ve made over your space. You have so much more skill than I do and it’s fun and inspiring to watch. I don’t think I’ll ever forget the all-tan room!! Blogging is a strange endeavor – I will miss you if you decide not to return but I certainly have no course to hold it against you. You do you, as the kids say. 😉

    • Anna @ D16 April 10, 2017 at 6:54 pm

      Hi, Jen! So nice to hear from another non-native New Mexican. 😉

    • blackbluebird April 27, 2017 at 10:43 pm

      Well said!

  • Reply katherine April 10, 2017 at 2:49 pm

    I’ve been following your blog for years and missed seeing your updates! Glad you are doing well!

  • Reply Sarie April 10, 2017 at 2:53 pm

    Hello! I Am a massive procrastinator too. I hate that my to do lists turn me into to-failures. I think the key is to do what you did and just get shit done.

    • Anna @ D16 April 10, 2017 at 7:30 pm

      Ah, see, the trick with to-do lists to so be sure to include a few things you’ve already done, or that you’re going to do no matter what (like brush your teeth).

  • Reply Katrina April 10, 2017 at 2:59 pm

    Welcome back!
    Isn’t it strange how in our minds we’re a certain age… for whatever reason. I certainly don’t feel like a 30-something with an adult life, but here we are.

    • Kim B. April 10, 2017 at 11:59 pm

      A 30-something . . . I turned around the other day and realized I’m 47. That’s . . . NEARLY 50!!!!!! What happened?!!

  • Reply maria del campo April 10, 2017 at 3:02 pm

    hiya- nice to see you back even if it’s just for minute. as some one who has followed you for years, i just like it when you check in. ❤️

    • Anna @ D16 April 10, 2017 at 7:30 pm

      Thanks, Maria! 🙂

  • Reply Judi April 10, 2017 at 3:06 pm

    And you may ask yourself, how do I work this? Hey, it’s good to ask the questions. I am, and everyone I know is, asking a lot lately.

    Love the new look! So clean and fresh. And I love the orange and pink…so happy and optimistic.

    • Anna @ D16 April 10, 2017 at 7:34 pm

      Thank you, Judi!

  • Reply Louise April 10, 2017 at 3:10 pm

    It’s nice to hear back from you ~

    Hello!!

  • Reply Daniel @ Manhattan Nest April 10, 2017 at 3:14 pm

    Hey! Hi! Hello. I stumbled here (I think from house-blogs.net, or something like that!)…what, 10 years ago? I was 17! I had no reason to be reading renovation blogs—which I know yours has never *technically* been—but that’s why I started reading. But then I stuck around, because of you. Having great style is all well and good, but this is the only blog I’ve ever read where the author is willing to freely engage frequently and steadfastly on topics that aren’t…comfortable. Money. Stress. Mental health. Physical health. Body image. Politics. Religion. Food. Consumption (not the tuberculosis kind though…YET). Compensation. How we adapt to the new and rapidly changing realities of how money can be made on the internet, and how fraught and complicated and ethically confusing those realities are. And a decade later, even having become real-life friends, I still get so much out of that. I know we talk about all these things, but putting it out in the world, in writing, is a very different task. And I love you for going there, wherever “there” is.

    Take your time. Do what feels right. Stop when it doesn’t. Seems to have worked OK so far, and it’s an example I try to follow…even when it means turning down the quick paycheck or the thing I know will increase traffic or help gain followers. You’ve always made me think, and there’s no way I’m the only one. Love you, friend. <3

    • Anna @ D16 April 10, 2017 at 7:37 pm

      THANKS FOR MAKING ME CRY!

      I love you so much, boo. You make me think, you make me feel, and you make me laugh. Meeting you is probably the best thing that’s come out of blogging. I’m so grateful to have you for a friend. ❤️

  • Reply Kelly April 10, 2017 at 3:16 pm

    Also Hi. Hope you are well.

  • Reply Alex April 10, 2017 at 3:47 pm

    I was JUST having a conversation with my sister yesterday about how I’ve grown up reading your blog, Anna! What a nice surprise today that you’ve checked in. I’ve never commented on here, but I’ve been following along since roughly 2009, but just now felt right to say hello.

    I remember being in high school, reading your blog, having intense wallpaper envy, and always being floored at your eye for making things look great. I’ve really grown up following along your story and I think I’ll be following along for years more.

    I’m happy you’re back! xo

    • Anna @ D16 April 10, 2017 at 7:38 pm

      That’s so nice to hear, Alex, even if it makes me feel really old and decrepit. 😉 Glad you’re still here and still reading!

  • Reply Amber April 10, 2017 at 4:01 pm

    Like Daniel, I originally came here years ago for the renovation inspiration and stayed for the other stuff. I’ve only commented once or twice but am a committed reader. So, I thought it might be worth saying that I’ve missed you!

  • Reply Karen April 10, 2017 at 4:24 pm

    I’m not a blogger, but I (sometimes) write book reviews on goodreads. It started out fun but then it kind of consumed me. I thought about what I thought about the book instead of just enjoying it. So now I look at the world through KonMari eyes: if it doesn’t bring you joy, let it go.

    For what it’s worth, my wall color of choice is Swiss Coffee and I caulk everything. So, thank you.

    • Anna @ D16 April 10, 2017 at 8:15 pm

      Ironically, that’s why I stopped reading that KonMari book after about six pages!! I’d rather caulk. 😉

    • julie April 10, 2017 at 8:41 pm

      My husband brought an extra can of Swiss Coffee home from a job and I used it to paint my baby’s room and loved it. Then I read about it here and felt so validated cause I love Anna’s style. I also came here for the house stuff but I also love the clothes, products, recipes, and other posts. I don’t see the problem with making money off your blog. I have been wanting to see an update to your kitchen

    • Anna @ D16 April 10, 2017 at 8:43 pm

      Hi Julie, I really haven’t done anything else in the kitchen since my last post! Someday I’d like to change the light fixture (who wants a ceiling fan over a gas stove?!), but as a renter, there’s not much more than I can see altering. Even if I owned my house, I think all I’d do is put in a new floor…and maybe a new fridge. 😉

  • Reply Stephanie April 10, 2017 at 4:37 pm

    I’m pretty new to your blog and love it! I love seeing comments from so many people that have followed your blog for years. I’d love to see new posts and count myself one of them in a few years from now. 🙂

    • Anna @ D16 April 10, 2017 at 8:16 pm

      Hi, Stephanie! Welcome! 😀

  • Reply Taste of France April 10, 2017 at 4:51 pm

    I hope you feel like coming back because I very much enjoyed your voice. And your introduction to the adorable Daniel of Manhattan Nest. But we need you both!

  • Reply Ulriks April 10, 2017 at 5:13 pm

    Jag har saknat dig Anna! Har följt din blogg i över 10 år för att jag gillar mixen av ämnen. Beundrar din känsla för stil, den är så självklar, men läser även gärna de mer politiska inläggen. Sen är det ju ett plus att du har svenskt påbrå!
    Hoppas du finner lusten att blogga igen.

  • Reply Kate April 10, 2017 at 5:29 pm

    I’ve read your blog for years, Anna, and definitely think you’ve educated me on design, in a lot of ways! I’ve learned to understand why I like certain patterns or colors, and often I wonder whether I’ve been directly inspired by your very iconic style. Thank you for always blogging – it’s lovely to know you’re *here* even if you’re not ~here~ all the time. Agree with others – you need to look after you, but we’re excited to see/read you when you’re back!

    • Anna @ D16 April 10, 2017 at 8:17 pm

      That’s really nice to hear, Kate. Thank you.

  • Reply Emily Wyatt April 10, 2017 at 5:34 pm

    I’ve been reading your blog (and a lot of other blogs) since 2007. It’s still my absolutely favorite blog on the entire Internet. I could tell you all about why if you’re interested, but essentially it boils down to one overused but critically important word: authenticity. It permeates everything you do. Back when you decided to start advertising on this blog, I was super disappointed and I let you know. Every other blog was monetized and it sucked the life out of the whole thing. But today I stand corrected — that didn’t happen here. From where I’m sitting, it didn’t change anything. I still absolutely love what you share, which I think is design and real life, without making the real life part of it a parody. I’ve seen a lot of people try to market the “I’m so real” aspect of their blog by sharing the Legos in the corner or stack of mail and clothes off to the side of their carefully styled shoot. We don’t get that from you and I’m really grateful. So, all that to say: I’m so glad you’re back (you’re back, right?!?) and what you do and how you do it is important. And if you want to make some money or not, run some ads or not, its all fine by me. You’ve got a track record and I’m in!

    • Anna @ D16 April 10, 2017 at 8:21 pm

      Wow, that’s wonderful feedback! I still have mixed feelings about ads, but it’s purely from an aesthetic standpoint—they just LOOK ugly. I can honestly say that their presence has never had any bearing one way or another on the content of my blog, for better or worse. I’m just never going to be someone who cares enough to take it to a point where it would matter. They DO help cover the cost of hosting, though, that’s indisputable.

  • Reply Danielle April 10, 2017 at 5:38 pm

    Long time lurker, probably (?) first time commenter. I’ve checked your blog daily since the last time you posted (and for months, if not years beforehand) because I love this space so much. Do want you want/need to obviously, but also know that I, and I’m sure thousands of other readers, find your style and writing and home so fresh and inviting and inspiring. Glad to see you back, even if it may not happen again. <3

  • Reply gardenbre April 10, 2017 at 5:38 pm

    I bought a Huron juicer after you did all the research on juicers for us … after you blogged about a juice fast (did you ever use yours)? … mine now sits in bits on a treadmill that I fear is broken from excessive non-use to not lose these ten to fifteen pounds – maybe it’s not plugged in or needs to have the reset button pushed … I might even take a look at that once I finish this nap I was going to have before checking FaceBook and seeing your post up!

    YAY + Hey – thanks for making incentivizing actions a thing. Great nap I’m not having now too … AND who knew there’s such a thing as reaching Mastercrastinator-level status. I may well have gotten there without knowing it even existed if not for you. Also – no knowing about Daniel if not for you.

    Suffice to say – it’s really great to hear from you again, Anna.

    • Anna @ D16 April 10, 2017 at 8:34 pm

      HAHAHAHAHA, oh man. My poor juicer. Well, I still HAVE it. Does that count?? I was actually thinking it’s time to do another juice cleanse, but I’ll probably just wind up buying the juice. Or, you know, eating bagels.

    • gardenbre April 10, 2017 at 11:29 pm

      totally counts – just thinking about having juice counts (ticking it off the list now)

  • Reply Rheeds April 10, 2017 at 5:55 pm

    I love that you took a great big long break (even though I’ve missed reading what you’re thinking / doing / feeling)….

    And it is mind boggling how the last couple of years have changed how the internet feels; but why should anyone feel they have to keep up with that pace of crazy inch-deep content churning.

    Half the fun of your posts might just be the waiting…..

    • Anna @ D16 April 10, 2017 at 8:30 pm

      Yeah. I will never get used to the idea of blogs with multiple daily posts, teams of authors, professional photography…it’s impressive for sure, but it’s overwhelming.

  • Reply Shon Valdry April 10, 2017 at 6:53 pm

    Hello there! I am glad your are blogging again since I am not and fell off the map. We were touching base on Twitter here and again and then after the election, WELP, Hubby asked me to get off of Twitter. I was going insane and no good for anyone. I am glad to drop by here to get inspiration and to say hello.

    No matter if you decide to write here or just post style etc., I am here for it!! Oh and by the way, I have a pair of Cape Clogs on the way in Orange!! So, that is to your credit!!

    Cheers and Happy Monday!

    • Anna @ D16 April 10, 2017 at 8:29 pm

      ORANGE CLOGS! Ooooooh. I’m jealous!! And yeah…I’ve had to curb my Twitter time in recent weeks, too. I’m grateful for the outlet, but sometimes you need to stick your head in the sand for a little while.

  • Reply Lyndsee April 10, 2017 at 7:05 pm

    Nice to see you pop up in my feed today. I’ve missed you and your blog. I hope we’ll see more of your space and life in NM, but I understand it’s a weird time to be a person on the internet and person in the world. Above all, I hope you’re doing well.

    • Anna @ D16 April 10, 2017 at 8:27 pm

      I’m looking into becoming a brain in a jar, Lyndsee. This feels like the right time for that to happen. 😉

  • Reply Nancy April 10, 2017 at 7:10 pm

    I hope you’re back! I miss your posts!

  • Reply Caitlin Hansen April 10, 2017 at 7:20 pm

    As much as I love reading your blog, I find this post really refreshing. As a creative person on Instagram, I’ve realized that the (self-imposed) pressure to create create create post post post has made me feel kind of gross! Lately I’ve been embracing an “F it” kind of attitude, and it feels pretty good. I think that most of us will stay tuned for those times when you feel inspired, otherwise F it! 😀

    • Anna @ D16 April 10, 2017 at 8:26 pm

      Thanks, Caitlin! For whatever reason, I feel zero pressure when it comes to Instagram. Maybe that’s because it’s primarily a visual format? I’m not sure, but it’s nice to have that outlet. It’s also nice to scream about stuff on Twitter. 😉

  • Reply Fiona Hanley April 10, 2017 at 7:21 pm

    You’re the best. I love your writing and am so jealous of it. And the new look colour scheme is pretty tasty.

  • Reply Steph N April 10, 2017 at 7:51 pm

    I miss your blog (and others) 🙂 But I get “it”. Breaks are needed for everything.
    I don’t mind sidebar ads, it’s the affiliate links that kinda drive me batty.
    I’m the opposite in negotiations with myself. Mine go more along the lines if you wash the dishes/clean the kitchen/fold the laundry THEN you can read a few chapters/watch that missed episode etc etc.

    • Anna @ D16 April 10, 2017 at 8:25 pm

      I hear you on the affiliate links, Steph, but as a self-employed person, there’s no way for me to reserve the time to write a blog post without them. If I spent 4-5 hours editing photos and writing a post, that’s 4-5 hours of lost time doing my job—and that’s tough to manage. For what it’s worth, they’re automatic—I have a script installed to automatically converts regular product links to affiliate links. I don’t even think about it, and their presence has zero consequence in terms of content.

  • Reply kickpleat April 10, 2017 at 8:18 pm

    I love your blog and have been following along for years. I love your post, regardless of what you post about, and that’s the clincher. I hope you continue along at your own pace and check in now and then.

  • Reply Jules April 10, 2017 at 8:25 pm

    I’m happy you’re back, even if it’s just for today. (Especially today, with another shooting in SBD. We saw that at school this morning and just…ugh. 🙁 ) We are different in so many ways, and I have always gained a lot from that difference. Blog when you have something to say, and I will eagerly read it. I’m back to blogging, too, though 2009-Jules is cringing at my content, my lack of a schedule, my very busy/very dull, adult life. I found the only thing that forced me to come back was to get off social media. I hated how it made me feel and I hated how much it took from my life without giving much back in return. I’m doing so much better without it, but even with just blogging I wonder if there is a place for me online anymore.

    • Anna @ D16 April 10, 2017 at 8:40 pm

      I’ve been feeling your absence on IG and FB, Jules, and if you ever feel like returning, know that I will be there following along. I get so much from your photos of your walks, stories about your sweet boys, and of course your fur-and-feather babies. I’m glad that you’re blogging again, though. I love your voice, and I’m glad that we’ve been able to forge the connection we have over the years—I suspect we’re more alike than we are different. XO

    • Jules April 10, 2017 at 9:47 pm

      I don’t know…I really like Dr. Pimple Popper videos. 😉

  • Reply leslie lindell April 10, 2017 at 8:29 pm

    hiiiiiiiii, lady. i live just one state away from you now (instead of a billion) and, also, JUST BOUGHT MY 1ST HOUSE. came here today ready to start raiding your archives and now i also get to say welcome back! much love to you 🙂

    • Anna @ D16 April 10, 2017 at 8:33 pm

      Hi, Leslie!! I just followed you on Instagram—I thought I already was, oops! Congratulations on the house, that’s awesome. 🙂 🙂

    • leslie lindell April 10, 2017 at 8:39 pm

      thank you!! hope you are happy and well 🙂 xo

  • Reply Paula April 10, 2017 at 8:40 pm

    Hey ! hello !

  • Reply Laurel April 10, 2017 at 9:27 pm

    Hi!!!! Another LONG time lurker here – and as a freelancer, I completely understand that push-pull for your time and the inspiration drain it can be. For what it’s worth, I’ve always loved your aesthetic and it doesn’t matter to me one whit if you’re renovating a house or showing off a new haircut or just throwing up a cool photo you took. (I also live in CA and love the desert living – how are you liking New Mexico???) Please don’t feel stress from me – whenever you want to pop up I’ll be here to read and enjoy what you have to say.

  • Reply meli April 10, 2017 at 9:37 pm

    weeee hola, yes so many questions. repeat rinse y breathe ..

  • Reply Lindsay April 10, 2017 at 9:41 pm

    Hello……welcome back (yes??). I’m a long time reader….not even sure how I first found you, through The Brickhouse? (another blog I miss)…….and I don’t comment often, but this resonated for some reason. I’ve never had a blog but I did own a retail store and for a long time it felt great-building a brand, getting good press, the joy of a customer saying “this is my favorite store”. And then it wasn’t. It was long hours, little pay, no vacations, no weekends, etc, etc. It went from a joy to WORK.
    Boy, I’m a downer! I guess what I’m getting at is try take the pressure off yourself. I (and many others) love your aesthetic. I have the cape clogs mentioned above, Ferm Living wallpaper, a love of BM Deep Space, that Madewell marble necklace and more because of you! AND, I get complimented on all of the above all of the time. So, I don’t think you have to make lengthy posts-maybe just do some quick, down and dirty ones? And as for ads, I agree with your comment that they are ugly, but you need to make money girl! I’ll tell you who’s ads are horrible-Emily Henderson. Her site drives me NUTS!
    Sorry to ramble……

  • Reply Marlena April 10, 2017 at 9:59 pm

    Hi! Great to see you again. I’ll read whenever you write. You’ve got a great voice in the wild west of the internet.

  • Reply Eliza April 10, 2017 at 10:10 pm

    Cheers! Welcome back! (Maybe)

    I’ve been around for around five years, maybe more, and I probably won’t go anywhere. I would love more visuals from your New Mexico spaces.

  • Reply Susan April 10, 2017 at 10:29 pm

    Yay, a post from you! However short or long, please keep writing. Love your taste and appreciate pieces that you share with us, kinship on political issues (so … yeah : ( your pups, your art, renovations, whatev (as the cool kids say). Also love all things NM, so …. there’s that.

  • Reply Sarah April 10, 2017 at 10:41 pm

    Glad to read your words again, Anna. I hope you are finding a happy vibe in NM. I hope to continue reading about your projects in the future. Or non-projects. I’m not picky.

    • Kim B. April 11, 2017 at 12:06 am

      I couldn’t have said it better! Sarah, can I sign on to your message!?

      so Anna – HI back at you!

  • Reply brianne sheppard April 10, 2017 at 10:57 pm

    Thank goodness. I missed your blog. I support political posts even if I don’t agree with them, and also found you through the brickhouse many years ago. I love the tiny details, the book covers, the random home posts. Anything that floats your boat you know? Just happy to see you back!

  • Reply Lainey April 10, 2017 at 11:12 pm

    I’ve been a long time reader of D16 and I don’t know that I’ve ever commented, but I’m always glad to see whatever you post, both here and on IG. Your style has been an inspiration to me. Thank you for everything you’ve shared with your readers, I hope there’s much more to come!

    • Anna @ D16 April 11, 2017 at 9:32 am

      Thank you, Lainey!

  • Reply Jen April 10, 2017 at 11:30 pm

    You’re a rarity because you’re one of a handful of bloggers left who hasn’t turned themselves into a commodified brand. Even when you ran ads or talked about products, I never felt like I was being sold to. The breaks from blogging are a part of that authenticity because if you’re not genuinely inspired, you don’t write. I’d rather have silence for awhile than some half-hearted drivel just for the sake of content. And if you’d like to find your way back to writing more, maybe the key isn’t thinking about where you fit in the larger world of blogging as it currently stands, but rather seeing your space as something outside of that world entirely. I sort of wonder whether blogs like yours will eventually circle back to what blogs where before money became such a factor: smaller spaces primarily for sharing and connecting. Or maybe that’s just my penchant for nostalgia talking 🙂

    • Anna @ D16 April 11, 2017 at 9:31 am

      Well, I’ll probably never design a line for Target, and that’s totally OK. 😉

  • Reply Amelie April 11, 2017 at 12:57 am

    Hi, hello, and welcome back! I’m not a master procrastinator, but I tend not to get to do the funny stuff because of fatigue and children. Stupid life!

  • Reply Meg April 11, 2017 at 1:01 am

    So nice to see you back! Yay!

  • Reply Leticia April 11, 2017 at 1:47 am

    Hey, It’s great to have you back!

    I am on the monetize the hell out of this bandwagon. I would if I could. Sadly in Brazil what works for internet income is Youtube videos of cute young women babbling and shaking their made up faces and hair around. Brazilians don’t like to read words. I am around your age and I love the written word. “Authenticity” and “uniqueness” are two of those that get thrown around a lot and have become meaningless . Most writers in the past were desperate for money: Mark Twain was the first example that came to mind (Dostoievsky is another). For something more current, one blog that I love and that is not shy about doing and discussing the monetary side of blogging, is Alisson’s Wardrobe Oxygen. Not Mr. Twain or Alisson’s point of view get diluted by their need to get paid for work and she is clearer about it than he was.

    I should say that I am immune to most product placements in blogs, since they are not available over here anyway. It creates no desire in me to consume. On the other hand, I know that I can either pay for content out of pocket (like Netflix or going to the movies), or support the people who are creating it for me free of charge. Be it enduring a boring sponsored post or eventually clicking on an add.

    • Anna @ D16 April 11, 2017 at 9:29 am

      I guess some of my conflict stems from the fact that this blog ISN’T my job, and I don’t want it to be. I’m a graphic designer—not a writer or a decorator or an editor or a photographer. Calling yourself a “blogger” means something different in 2017 than it did even 6 or 7 years ago. Things have changed a lot since then, and this IS a viable means of self-employment for a lot of people. I’m not interested in that. Even so, it has become harder and harder for me to justify spending time blogging when that means loss of income from my actual job. So it’s a tricky balance. I’m working on it. 🙂

  • Reply sooze April 11, 2017 at 7:28 am

    Love your blog! But it’s not like you are MIA, you have had lots of great pics and stuff on your Instagram which I have enjoyed! Do those links, do those ads, sponsorships etc–anyone who reads 2 posts of yours can figure out you have integrity and honesty and p.s. who cares. Don’t see a lot of eye rolling and hate when a MAN does links and sponsorships and ads…but a hardworking designer gets a little side cash as a result of her hard work and beautiful output and WHOA… in short: we like you, we really like you… 😉

    • Anna @ D16 April 11, 2017 at 9:23 am

      For whatever it’s worth, Sooz, I think guys who have monetized blogs often face the same kind of criticism, at least in the interiors/home/design world. I’m thinking of folks like Daniel (Manhattan Nest) and Will (Bright Bazaar)—I often see comments on their blogs criticizing them for writing sponsored posts, etc. That might be different in other blog genres, though. Regardless, I must say I’ve faced a minimal amount of pushback from readers since I started monetizing my blog a few years ago. Initially there was a lot of mild “outrage,” but I think over time people realized it truly wasn’t going to change the content. I personally have very mixed feelings about blog monetization, so I get it! There’s definitely a wrong way to do it, and I hope I never fall into that trap.

  • Reply Heather April 11, 2017 at 8:35 am

    I’m so glad you’re back.

    Things change. People change. The internet changes. If I was in your shoes, the thing that would cause me the most anxiety would be publicly changing my mind. Ads/no ads? Not into Instagram/I LOVE Instagram. Not single/Single now. For me, it’s not that I’m afraid of making mistakes, really. It’s just that I am stubborn, and changing my mind about something — especially something I once felt passionate about — makes me feel foolish.

    Watching you grow and change and try new things with such honesty makes me feel better about the decisions, indecision, and times I have changed my mind in my own life. You could very easily just post pretty pictures with captions and links. You don’t need to share your thoughts on these things, but you STILL DO. You lay out the struggle involved with making big decisions and dealing with feedback from a community. You give us insight into your personal life, and your personal thoughts. You engage with your followers in comments and on social media with real responses (you even emailed me back once when I had a private question to ask). That’s why I love you and keep reading and following and liking everything you do. But it’s not the only reason, of course: you have great taste and you do good work. Can’t wait to see what you do next, even if it’s in another 8 months.

    • Anna @ D16 April 11, 2017 at 9:17 am

      Thank you, Heather. This is valuable perspective that I really needed to read right now. It’s true that publicly changing my mind about stuff can be anxiety-inducing. People who never change or grow or evolve (or devolve, for that matter) are dangerous, in my opinion, but I’m not sure how natural it is to evolve and change publicly. Because I only choose to share a small sliver of my life, there’s often context missing when it comes to my personal life choices and points of view, and that can lead to a lot of judgement from strangers who don’t have the whole picture. That makes me want to share less, though, not more—and I think that runs counter to the current trend in blogging, which seems to be sharing all aspects of work, family life, vacation, and so forth. I’m not sure I’m cut out for that—and I don’t think I want to be. Anyway, thank you for the kind words. You’ve given me a lot to think about.

  • Reply ragingyoghurt April 11, 2017 at 8:40 am

    hey! fancy seeing you here, in this lovely new colourway. i’ve been reading since absolutely vile, and your voice makes my internet a better place. i’m so pleased you’re back!

    • Anna @ D16 April 11, 2017 at 9:11 am

      I love hearing from longtime readers SO MUCH. Thanks for sticking around, RY. 🙂

  • Reply Worklovely April 11, 2017 at 9:00 am

    I appreciate this post so much.

  • Reply isabel April 11, 2017 at 9:32 am

    Hi Anna! I have been following along for some time now. Thanks for writing, thanks for inspiring, and thanks for being an interesting, complex person who cares about politics, people and the future!

  • Reply Isabel April 11, 2017 at 10:09 am

    Yay! News from Anna!! Missed you 🙂 I’ve been reading ever since my first son was born and I became a stay-at-home mom instead of sweating it out over redlines at the Architorture firm. That was 2004! Time flies…
    So glad you’re still out there!

  • Reply April April 11, 2017 at 11:01 am

    I’m glad you’re back. I’ve really liked your blog for a long time but don’t think I’ve ever posted? What a creep!

    Anyway, as I’ve gotten older and creepier I think I am caring less and less about stuff, so just rock on lady. S’all good.

  • Reply Monica April 11, 2017 at 12:28 pm

    Hi! It still upsets me that I didn’t start reading your blog until you were already two years in. I have learned so much here. Glad you are back!

  • Reply MaryMargaret April 11, 2017 at 1:11 pm

    Mastercrastinator! Word of the Day. Could possibly evolve to MasterCraster (MasterCrastor?). Missed reading you. This is a favorite place for me too. Fine with monetizing – nothing is free really and content costs time, always. Would love to read more.

  • Reply Cliona April 11, 2017 at 1:29 pm

    I love reading your blog, & it’s always nice to see a new post. I don’t really remember exactly how I found you or when I started reading but it was at least 7 or 8 years ago.

  • Reply veronica April 11, 2017 at 1:45 pm

    Thanks for the update! I am a mastercrastinator myself and really leaned into the self-loathing this week. I felt so overwhelmed about everything! Dramatic but now just back to bite size pieces of everything. And getting a walk outside. I remember so clearly the first post I read on D16 was about a medicine cabinet that you were customizing with a cross on it. We are ready for whatever future incarnations of your blog!

  • Reply Caroline Royce April 11, 2017 at 2:01 pm

    IMO it’s hard to find bloggers who cover interests such as Scandinavian-Modern decor *and* Morrissey. Glad you’re back (at least for now)!

  • Reply Megan April 11, 2017 at 2:47 pm

    It’s funny to say “I’ve missed you” to someone you’ve never met or even emailed or texted… But I have! Putting yourself out there, creating the gorgeous posts that you do, nobody realizes how much WORK it is. I don’t know how you do it! Hopefully it helps to know that people out there (all over – I’m in Providence!) look forward to hearing from you, get inspired, and share your love of Morrissey and skulls

  • Reply Jennifer April 11, 2017 at 4:11 pm

    Yesssss! I’ve been reading you for ages, Anna! I missed you. I can relate to this! I used to blog all about my house and life back in the houseblogs.net days. Then my life changed, and I still have this house that still isn’t done, and I keep telling myself I should write again, but then I talk myself out of it. (I’m not doing stuff at the same pro/big/impressive level as some of the blogs out there these days! What if someone calls me out in the comments for doing something to my house “wrong”? What if my “voice” comes across misconstrued? ….the running list goes on and on 🙂 I would love to kick the dust off the old blog and write again. Go Anna!!!! 🙂 This may motivate me take the plunge 🙂

  • Reply Erin April 11, 2017 at 7:26 pm

    Yay!!!!! Glad you’re back!!!

  • Reply Staci April 11, 2017 at 11:15 pm

    Mastercrastinator… now there’s another good print for your Society 6 shop. Thanks for posting. I’ll keep reading when you pop up (the beauty of bloglovin’ and other feeds). Congrats on a good 10 years 🙂

  • Reply Cristina April 12, 2017 at 12:48 am

    I love your blog. Welcome back, Anna, we were missing you!

  • Reply sarah April 12, 2017 at 1:31 am

    I really like your blog and your style! I feel like regardless of whether you do it to get paid or not you’ve got to really want to do it. So maybe if you don’t you need a rest! xx

  • Reply Kristin April 12, 2017 at 1:54 am

    I missed you. Any update is fine while you get back into it!

  • Reply Christina April 12, 2017 at 12:51 pm

    Reading your post and the comments, I’m wondering if the lack of time for blogging means you are getting more sleep nowadays?

    Big love to you Anna for always being you. I’m like other commenters here and am happy to wait however long you need

  • Reply Junedotbe April 12, 2017 at 2:23 pm

    Hello from Brussels, Belgium 🙂
    I started reading your blog back in 2009 (having come over from The Brick House – gosh, I still remember how I agreed with Morgan about your impeccable black & white style…). I for one love the bits you share – and that you actually keep other things private!

  • Reply JBB April 12, 2017 at 7:16 pm

    For what it’s worth, I (a) enjoy your blog, (b) feel kinda good when bloggers take breaks, because it shows they’re human and don’t all have their shit (or at least their blog shit) 100% together (I’m definitely a “don’t have my shit together” kind of person), and (c) don’t mind ads or sponsored posts, as long as they don’t become the only thing a blogger does. Glad to see several new posts from you!

  • Reply Vanessa Johnston April 13, 2017 at 12:18 am

    Youre amazing and beautiful and I missed you.

  • Reply Mieke April 13, 2017 at 5:04 am

    Great that you are back Anna! 🙂

  • Reply Lorrie Whittington April 13, 2017 at 9:00 am

    Ayup!
    Glad you’re back.
    So, blogging huh? Yep, it’s a thorny one. To blog or not to blog?

    I took the pressure off quite some time ago by doing something I never thought I would do, turning off commenting, and also, determinedly not giving giving a rat’s arse anymore. I decided to turn the blog section of my site into a news section, and only post about new work, events etc. This was a wrench, because like you, I had been actively blogging for a very long time indeed. But, I think sadly, that the days of the ‘blogger’ are pretty much done. I did an audit of the websites of all the artists and creatives I knew, both friends and people whose work I admire, and was quite surprised at how many had removed the blog feature from their sites altogether. It’s a lot. There are so many other ways for people to connect, and I think that many creatives find the pressure and time constraints of blogging and getting their work done too erroneous.

    Sadly, I read far fewer blogs than I used to. I still enjoy Instagram, though am becoming a bit jaded with it (this article is an interesting read: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/brain-hacking-tech-insiders-60-minutes/), particularly as it’s going to go the same was as Facebook in terms of organic feed and ‘pay to promote’. It’s a case of making the most of it while we can. Ello is somewhere I still enjoy a lot though.

    I digress. At this moment I am using the time I should be finishing some ceramic work and cleaning my studio, to comment on this post! I am glad you are well and good and look forward to when you post, even if I am not here as often as I would like. Like the make-over!

    Anon..
    Lorrie xxx

    • Lorrie Whittington April 13, 2017 at 9:03 am

      p.s. Meant to say ‘onerous’, not ‘erroneous’. *tsk*

  • Reply Erin Perrazzelli April 14, 2017 at 7:49 pm

    Hey! I really missed you too – You inspired me in so many ways. One to renovate, two to blog, three just to put it all out there. I lived in Marlboro (post nyc) when you were in Newburgh and I loved to think you were just down the road making things amazing. I actually had no idea compensation would be a conflict at your point because I see you as a star of blogging – but I don’t know all the ins and outs in any way. I do know its an incredible amount of work to reno, decorate etc and then also have a well designed, beautiful blog about it and that doesn’t even get into the work of promoting it – so you shouldn’t feel any conflict at all whenever you jump into ads/ products or whatever. Companies are lucky to work with people w/ a following and those people who have one have Worked. Hard. So they also deserve $ for their time. But beyond all of that . just the questioning about blogging in general is good to read – no one’s alone!

    • Erin Haldrup April 16, 2017 at 9:01 pm

      No one is alone. It was late but I do care about grammar.. 😉

  • Reply Angela April 15, 2017 at 7:02 am

    I too am a master-crastinator (sitting here reading blogs feeling mega anxiety while pounding espresso & ignoring my taxes – GREAT combo). It made me feel a hair better to see others commenting here, and acknowledge that my ” IF I do this, THEN I do that” technique is not really helping. Ah well. Post when you can! Do sponsors when it works. As for me – IF I file my taxes, THEN I can buy my ramshackle cabin and stop researching painted floors and actually do them!

  • Reply Yuko April 16, 2017 at 2:14 pm

    It’s NM- it does that to you- makes you slow down a lot. I moved to Santa Fe from Manhattan years ago and at first the people here drove me nuts but now I think you miss out on true self-care and the beauty of this planet if you go on an East Coast pace!

    • Anna @ D16 April 16, 2017 at 5:48 pm

      That’s been the opposite of my experience, actually, but then I’ve never found the East Coast to be particularly fast-paced.

  • Reply Kelly April 16, 2017 at 6:10 pm

    Glad you are back! I started reading your blog several remodels ago. 🙂 Your blog and Daniel’s are pretty much my favorites. I love your style of writing and decorating. It’s funny, time stopped for me in 1998 and late last year I turned 40. Wtf. I look for to more posts and tweets as well. I hope you are enjoying life in ABQ!

  • Reply Nicolette April 18, 2017 at 8:57 pm

    So happy to see you back. I always loved your style and can’t wait to see what you do with your new place!

  • Reply jennifer April 21, 2017 at 11:23 am

    missed you!

  • Reply Bridget Wall April 22, 2017 at 9:33 am

    You do you, lady. That’s it, that’s all. 🙂

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