Guys, this is a very sucky post to write and, to be honest, I’ve been slacking and putting it off again, and again and again just to see if I change my mind. Most unfortunately, I haven’t. This past year has been an interesting one for me, both personally and professionally. I was engaged, then we ended it, then I got a pay cut, I switched jobs, I moved to a new town and apartment, and things are finally starting to settle down.
You would think that would make far more time for blogging, but it really hasn’t. I work, I swim, I CrossFit and I repeat this 6 days a week (sometimes 7). I’ve been stressed, overwhelmed and completely exhausted and, unfortunately, this lil’ blog paid the price one too many times this year. I don’t like doing things I can’t completely commit to, and I don’t like accepting books to review if there isn’t 100% certainty that I will be able to review them properly in a timely manner.
So, without some great speechmaking and with great sadness, I’ve come to the realization that it’s time to close up shop on I Swim for Oceans. Guys, this blog has been a part of me for almost three years. I don’t intend to get rid of this site. It will stay up here and, over time, I intend to transition it over to a personal/travel site, as I’m now a writer for a travel company and I have some big plans in the making.
I hope I do sound sappy as I say this because I absolutely, truly and wholeheartedly mean it. I love you all. To those of you that started reading my posts when I had 3 followers – thank you. To those of you that found me just recently – thank you, too! To all the amazing, amazing authors, publishers, publicists and other bookish industry people –thank you so much for your incredible generosity. For reviews I still owe, I will be forwarding my ARCs on to bloggers that I know and trust to give great reviews, and I will let you know who receives them.
Seriously…I adore you all. xo
You have to do what's best for you, but please know that I'll truly miss you and your posts! This was one of my favorite book blogs. Best of luck to you in whatever lies ahead. :-)
ReplyDeleteWe'll miss you! Good luck :o)
ReplyDeleteWe'll miss you! Good luck :o)
ReplyDeleteWe'll miss you, but we all totally understand!
ReplyDeleteYou will be missed, but you have to take care of you first!
ReplyDeleteI'm so sad to see you go! I hope that if things ever even out, you come back to book blogging. I'm interested in checking out how this blog changes into the travel/personal blog.
ReplyDeleteI always loved your blog. I think I started reading it really close to the beginning. And I have loved getting to know you through Twitter/email/BEA. I will miss you very much and hope you stay around Twitter!
we'll miss you . hugs. i wish you all the best
ReplyDeleteIt's always tragic when a blogger has to stop, but I think we also understand as well. Good luck and know that you'll be missed!
ReplyDeleteGoing to miss you lady!! <33
ReplyDeleteYou will be missed in this community <3
ReplyDeleteSorry to see you go, but totally understand!
ReplyDeleteAw, I'll be so sorry to see you go, Melissa, but I totally understand why you have to do this! Hopefully I'll still see ya round on twitter and on your personal/travel site. :)
ReplyDeleteOh noes! ;( Sad to see you go, sweetheart! Glqd you are settling down and have a very interesting job. Best of luck in all your new beginnings!
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry to see you leave the blogosphere, Melissa! Your website has always been one of my favorites. But I completely understand that you have to do what's right for you, and I wish you the absolute best in life :)
ReplyDeleteAww, Mellisa! :( I am going to miss you. I love you and your posts, and your reviews and everything about this blog. Even though I don't know you personally nor am I always present here on your blog, you've been a huge reason why I come upon books I wouldn't have read otherwise. I am definitely heartbroken to see you go, I hope you'll change your mind and come back but whatever it is you want to pursue now, I am wishing you all the best. You deserve it!
ReplyDeleteOMG NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry to hear about how crazy life has been and the end of your engagement.
I will miss you.
*hugs*
Can we have the link to your personal blog?
You'll be so missed Melissa! It was fun to meet you at BEA this last year.
ReplyDeleteGood luck in your new adventures!
ReplyDeleteAwww, I just found you and now you're resigning! I enjoyed your blog while I was able to read and wish you all the best in your future endeavors!! xoxo
ReplyDeleteWell, shoot! You will be sorely missed. I wish you the best of luck in your new blog free life. I'm not sure where I will go now to find out about new dystopian releases. Your blog has been a great resource for me.
ReplyDeleteOh that's such a shame to see you go Melissa! I only just discovered your blog and adored stopping by! Good luck with all your future plans!
ReplyDeleteSo sad you'll be leaving. I've really enjoyed your blog. Good luck with this new chapter in your life!
ReplyDeleteI love reading posts about travel so you better believe I'll be sticking around for that. I'm not sad at all but completely pumped your life is taking an exciting new turn. <3
ReplyDeleteawww, april, thank you so much for this. you just made me cry! I love you all so much, and I sure hope you DO stick around to watch this blog transition! :D
ReplyDeleteThank you so much! I'll be keeping all the archived tabs and whatnot for the blog - as a section as this blog transitions over to a new travel blog :)
ReplyDeleteI sure hope you'll keep in touch via twitter! Thank you for being a follower :)
ReplyDeleteI'm sure as the blog transitions, there will still be remnants of this being a book blog, though they'll be more sparse. You know me - I can't resist a good dystopian ;)
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry! I'll be around, though in a new capacity! I sure hope you'll stick around to see the changes <3
ReplyDeleteThank you!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Emily! It was lovely to meet you, as well xo
ReplyDeleteJuju, this blog will actually be transitioning to the travel blog :) I'll miss your guts, but I hope you'll stick around!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Sarah! I so appreciate your kind words and the fact that you've stuck around. I do hope you'll stay to see all the changes! xo
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lea! I'll miss you, perhaps most of all! You've been one of my favourite blogs from the start xo
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, sweets!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Leanna! I'll be around, and this blog will be, too...just in a different capacity ;)
ReplyDeletethank you, G xoxoxo
ReplyDeleteThank you!
ReplyDeleteAww I'll miss you, too, Jamie! Thank goodness for Facebook and Twitter!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind words, Julie xoxo
ReplyDeleteThank you so much!
ReplyDeleteAw thank you, Alison! It was such a pleasure to get to meet you at BEA, and I do hope you'll keep in touch via Twitter and that you'll stick around to see the blog change! xo
ReplyDeletethank you so much, lydia - that means more than you could ever know! xoxox
ReplyDeleteThank you, Megan xo
ReplyDeletei will wait for the transition too just because i love your writing style and personnality (i'm really happy you found some equilibrium in you life and i wish you a lot of hapiness)
ReplyDeleteThat's sad to hear :/ But I get the feeling and I wish you the best in your new life :D
ReplyDeleteAw, I'm sad to hear you won't be book blogging anymore, but I totally understand. I look forward to seeing how the blog transitions. =)
ReplyDeleteI'm very sad to hear that, but I can totally understand your decision and I wish you all the best :)
ReplyDeleteI'm so sad to see you go :( You were one of the first bloggers I ever followed and chatted with when I first started my own blog. It's going to be weird not reading your posts about books. That said, I'll definitely still be reading (and hopefully commenting more often!) once the travel posts go up. Good luck with everything, m'dear! *hugs*
ReplyDeleteAww! So sad to see you go!! I've enjoyed the visits here! Hope things are going well for you and continue to do so. It's also a hard choice to leave the blogging world, but sometimes it must be done.
ReplyDeleteLive happily! :D
Oh goood!!!! Yay! :)
ReplyDeleteWe will sincerely miss you on the blogosphere. I hope you find happiness and I hope everything picks up.
ReplyDeleteI will sincerely miss reading your posts! It's been a great pleasure following your blog for so long, and conversing with you via Twitter. I'm simultaneously sad and excited for you - and I hope that we'll still see you around on Twitter!
ReplyDeleteHoly crap. It sounds like you've had one hell of a year and have put a lot of thought into this. Good luck with focusing on you, and I hope your new job is personally rewarding. It sure sounds fun. Best of luck!
ReplyDeleteSorry to see you go! Good luck with everything in the future!!
ReplyDeleteSorry to see you leave, but I wish you all the best for the future. :D x
ReplyDeleteWe will miss you Melissa! Best of luck with your travels, I'll look forward to your future posts.
ReplyDeleteOh, girl. I am so sorry! I'll keep following because I love travel and travel writing--can't wait to see where you go with that. You're smart to focus on what you need and your future.
ReplyDeleteStill, we'll miss you terribly around these bookish parts. Be sure to stop by and say hi every once in a while.
You will be greatly missed Melissa! You've been an amazing blogger who has helped a struggling indie author get the word out there and I will appreciate you for that forever! Best of luck to you in all of your future endeavors Keep your chin up and remember to always look for the good.
ReplyDeleteWell I know I will miss you! I haven't been the best commenter lately but I do read your posts. But its important to do what works for you. If this blog just isn't working for you then you shouldn't stick with it. Good luck in all you do!
ReplyDeleteYour blog has been amazing. I'm really sad to see it go, but I wish you the best for the future, Melissa!
ReplyDeleteSadface. I started joining the Let's Talk meme because I thought it was so great. Sorry you feel you have to let this go but I can see your life has been pretty hectic. Hope you find some stability soon and best of luck for the future.
ReplyDeleteBest of luck on all your journeys Melissa!! I find myself in the same boat with my blog needing to take a backseat and possibly ended.. its a tough decision! I hope all your dreams for the future are in your hands soon :P
ReplyDeleteI wish you all the best with your new endeavors.
ReplyDeleteAwww sorry to see you go but best of luck with everything! I totally understand being overwhelmed with things and wanting to cute back.
ReplyDeleteYou will be missed! Good luck to you, Melissa!
ReplyDeleteSo even though I am incredibly sad that you won't be book blogging anymore (you were one of the blogs that encouraged me to start my own) I am excited for this new chapter in your life. I'm sorry the past year has been so hectic and stressful for you and hopefully things will settle down for you soon.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I can't wait to see the new travel side of your blog. That sounds very exciting.
Good luck with all your new adventures :)
This is very sad to me. I can remember you were one of the very first book blogs I followed and you actually followed me back and it made me SO happy. And your reviews are always so well done! And I was always so impressed and proud that you would manage to get an HP reference in pretty much every single one of your Top Ten Tuesday lists :) So this is sad, but I am very happy to hear that you aren't giving up on blogging all together. I would of course still enjoy reading anything else you decide to include on here... especially if you can manage to work in Harry Potter references every now and then, haha! Take care, Melissa!!
ReplyDeleteGood luck with everything! Thank you for your awesome contributions to book lovers everywhere!
ReplyDeleteTilling the soil, pulling up roots, hurts, but it often leaves our lives open for some of the richest growth, yes? May your life be blessed with rich abundance in the coming years! Interestingly enough, I just abandoned my TRAVEL blog :-) to try and simplify my life. It hurt to let it go, but it was a good call. Blessings on your head....
ReplyDeleteYou will be missed Melissa! Best of luck with everything and keep in touch :)
ReplyDeleteAww, this is really sad. But I wish you all the best! And you're still one of my favorite book bloggers! Good luck!
ReplyDeleteAww! I only just found this blog and it is really great, but I hope your writing goes well :)
ReplyDeleteWill definitely miss you and your blog, Melissa. Wishing you the best in all things. =)
ReplyDeleteJust now reading this post - bummer! I'm sure it was a hard decision and you have to do what is best for you. Best of luck!
ReplyDeleteOh :( I'm so sad to hear that you'll be leaving the book blogging world but am happy that you are making a decision that will hopefully help alleviate some of your stress and guilt (how those review books pile up on us) From one Melissa to another: I wish you all the best in everything! You'll be missed!
ReplyDeleteGreat stuff. Congratulation on a great achievement. to alleviate your stress, read more on...aweb2success.com/migraines-2/
ReplyDeletesorry to see you go but good luck with everything. look forward to seeing more of the life/travel posts.
ReplyDeleteAnd just when I was settling in and really enjoying your blog. I can understand your point of view, though. As time passes we change; the people we knew, the places we lived and the things we liked. I hope to see this blog wake up from its long sleep.
ReplyDeleteSorry to see you go, Melissa! You had a fabulous blog here, but you must do what's best for you right now.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes!
ReplyDeleteOh Melissa, we will miss you! I am so sorry to hear of your broken engagement. I look forward to reading about yr travel, and in the meantime, good luck!
ReplyDeleteGood luck with everything :) I followed your review for while now and I always enjoy them, keep up the reading though! Even you stop reviewing them ;)
ReplyDeletePsst Let me know when you make a comeback :)
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You will be missed Melissa! Best of luck with everything and keep in touch :)
ReplyDeleteTilling the soil, pulling up roots, hurts, but it often leaves our lives open for some of the richest growth, yes? May your life be blessed with rich abundance in the coming years! Interestingly enough, I just abandoned my TRAVEL blog :-) to try and simplify my life. It hurt to let it go, but it was a good call. Blessings on your head....
ReplyDeleteGood luck with everything! Thank you for your awesome contributions to book lovers everywhere!
ReplyDelete