I know this is a question in the forefront of your minds. For two years I’ve been able to run this very successful service for other bloggers. I began the Low Entry Giveaway Linky because I remember how difficult it was, as a beginning blogger, to publicize my giveaways at times. Then as I became more established I found that there is the occasional giveaway that, for whatever reason, doesn’t get the same amount of entry traction as other giveaways.
The Linky was great for all of that. Unfortunately, over time, running the linky became more and more time consuming. Spammers came, bloggers began linking up all giveaways–not just the low entry ones, giveaways were linked up on the wrong ending dates. I was having to delete and/or reenter 75% of the giveaways linked up.
Then, there is the other reason. Some of you know that my mom passed away last July. She was still quite young and it was very unexpected. Since that time I’ve felt more and more of a drive to dedicate my time to my family, and less and less of a drive to spend time maintaining the linky and writing product reviews.
It wasn’t until last week when my decision to end the linky and scale back my blog for a time was solidified. Two weeks ago, just one week before the first anniversary of my mom’s passing, my aunt (my mom’s sister who we’ve always been very close to) suffered a major hear attack. Through a series of very fortunate events (she was truly watched over) she came through without any damage to her heart.
Just a few days after my aunt’s heart attack we drove to Granbury, TX to spend time with that side of my family. It was so WONDERFUL to spend so much time with my family who I don’t get to see often enough!
It was then that I realized that my blog needs me, but I no longer need my blog. With three little boys (one still a baby) right now my family needs almost all of my time, and I need to give them that time. Not only that, but I feel completely fulfilled now in that role alone.
My family has always been first priority, and I’m not one to sit on the computer or my phone and ignore my children, but I’ve always managed to squish blogging into my schedule. The result of that= STRESS.
Lest you give me up for lost and unbookmark Oh So Savvy Mom, I will not be going away entirely. I have ended the linky, but I will still be posting some of my favorite experiences, travel, and recipes. Kate will still be doing reviews and sharing some other fun posts.
I have redesigned the low entry giveaways so that when the day comes that I have slightly more time, I’ll be ready to start it up again.
Until then, enjoy reading the latest happenings, recipes, and reviews at Oh So Savvy Mom!
Thank you so much to all of you who have linked up your giveaways and who have enjoyed visiting the Low Entry Giveaway posts each day!!!
About Amy @ Oh So Savvy Mom
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