Blogger Tricks Animal Jam Graphic Central!: A Very Difficult Good-Bye...

Thursday, February 23, 2017

A Very Difficult Good-Bye...

Hey jammers! It's Panda here! (Yes, I had to look at my old posts to check to see how I actually started all of my posts. Because I forgot. ^.^)

It's been awhile, hasn't it?

Nearly 6 months actually. Half a year.

Gosh, I promised myself I wouldn't tear up while writing this post, and I've already failed (and only 4 paragraphs in, too).

I started this blog 3 years ago (and started blogging a year before that), and I had no idea then how much this blog (and my old blog--props to you if you remember it!) would change my life.

I've talked about this before, but Animal Jam truly has changed my life. I know that sounds cheesy and overly dramatic, but it really has. I've met so many amazing, amazing, amazing people, and they have all been so insanely supportive of me, my weirdness and my ambitious adventures.

But I'm quitting.

Wow, I never knew those words would ever be posted on this site.

I thought I'd never quite Animal Jam or blogging. But I guess things change.

School has sort of taken over, and to be honest, Animal Jam sort of lost it's sparkle for me. I got more interested in making edits and commissions for you guys than actually playing the game.

Without starting this graphics and commissions site, I would never have gotten into graphic design, image editing, or learning Photoshop. I've advanced so much as a writer because of my blogging, and as someone who wants to be an author when she grows up, I am forever thankful for that.

You know, I began this blog for extremely selfish reasons. I spent some time watching videos by famous jammers like Julian2, WisteriaMoon and snowyclaw, and thought: "Hey! I want to be famous too!" So that's why I started this blog. I didn't start it to help people, or to make friends, I did just to become famous.

I regret that so much.

But that wasn't my motive anymore once I had blogged for a few months. I had found my passion, and fame seemed arbitrary and irrelevant at that point.

I was actually helping people, both with their lives and their blogs. That made me so incredibly happy, and I threw the whole "fame" mantra away and replaced it with a desire to continue helping people.

Watching my blog grow was one of the most rewarding and valuable experiences of my life. Watching that views counter go from a slowly crawling 3 views a day to nearly 20,000 per month was practically a miracle, and it made me so incredibly proud.

And it seems only yesterday that we were at 1,000 views, and yet now we're at 230,000. I am so thankful for each and every view.

There are over 3,700 comments on this blog, and I still feel like I can recite each one of them. All of your kind words and support is burned into my memory, and I doubt I will ever forget it.

Man, this post is already so jumbled and disorganized. I have so many things to say to you guys, and they're all just spewing out of me at once.

I see this blog as a sort of diary for myself for the past 3 years. When I go back and read my daily updates posts from a few years back, I remember how this blog was a sort of safe haven for me when I came back from school. I had moved, and I was having a lot of trouble making friends, and it was extremely difficult and painful for me to go to school. But when I was blogging, I was happy, and I'm so thankful for this blog, as it helped me get through that difficult point in my life.

I remember spending hours on hot summer days updating the blog's pages and working on commissions in Photoshop. I remember my computer heating up and scorching my legs, but ignoring it, because I was having too much fun designing stuff for you guys.

I remember reading your comments trickle in when I had first started my blog, being so ecstatic that people were actually reading my blog posts. I remember how Arcticpenguinii was the first one to ever comment on my blog, and I remember how nafaria9 made a few appearances after that. I remember meeting Mimi5000 on Christmas day 2014, and meeting Makou a few days after that. I remember meeting Cutepups522 and lovely1147046 and Creaturelover123 and Lostfairy and Cosmic and Princessbg and Ineffable and swirlshine and Spiritpaw and so, so, so many others.

Oh God, I'm actually crying now.

Now that I've lost it, I should probably end this post... but just a few last words:

This is the end, for now. But know that this is one of the hardest things I've ever had to do. I hate ending things, and I hate moving on from things that I love. 

I might come back for occasional visits, and I might not. I don't know. But I know that I have been blessed by the most supportive, funny, insanely kind and enduring community ever, and that we can make it through anything together.

For the last time,

Play wild and jam on!

-Panda


58 comments:

  1. I truly understand why you're planning to quit. We can't keep the same interests for too long, no matter how hard we try. And school, it's basically one of the reasons I see literally all the Bloggers quit, and I too, am going to quit once I start high school. Studies are just so difficult, but if we don't give time to school, our future wouldn't turn out all that well.
    Panda, the time I spent with you in the past years was truly so amazing. You have such an amazing personality and you're one of the best internet friends I've ever had! I'll miss you a lot, I'll miss you plenty. You're not only my friend, you inspired me. I never would've gotten into editing/graphics if your blog wasn't here. I'm not exaggerating, but a part of me feels like I'm crying. I know we're just internet friends, we don't even know each other in real life, but I still feel so connected to my online friends. I still remember when you first commented on my blog, I felt so happy that people actually like my posts. And we've been friends ever since then.
    As much as I am gonna miss you now that you're quitting, I want you to know that I respect your decision. We all need to move on, and it's always for the better.
    You'll never be forgotten since you were an important part of the community. We all love you Panda!
    Goodbye.
    ~purplestarclub

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Aww, Purple you almost made me cry again! Thank you so much, reading your comment was really encouraging and helpful. You have always been such a good friend to me, and I'll never forget you! <3 Thank you for being so amazing.

      Delete
  2. Replies
    1. Good-bye Cuddly6342... I'll definitely miss you! <3 <3 <3

      Delete
  3. Now you almost made me tear up. I am truly gonna miss you panda you were one of my greatest buddies on AJ. Please visit once In awhile. I honestly don't know how I am gonna say goodbye when the day comes for me?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Violet, you are such an amazing buddy! I know I'll never forget all of the kindness I received from you, and reading your blog was always so much fun. It's definitely hard to say good-bye, but it's saying good-bye to unforgettable buddies like you that make it that much harder. <3

      Delete
  4. Your blog has been one of my absolute favorites for a long time, even though I don't comment very much. I remember two summers ago I was trying to redesign my blog's layout and when I stumbled into this blog, I felt like I hit a gold mine. You know, that feeling hasn't gone away and I still think that active or inactive, it's an excellent resource and you are an excellent blogger, writer, and photoshopper. I'm going to miss your posts a whole lot, Panda. If you ever choose to come back, you'll be greeted with open arms. :')

    ~DoomyPanda

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm so glad that my blog was helpful to you, Doomy! I love your graphics and your blog, and it was so nice to read your posts. Thank you for those words... it really helps me cope with the incredible difficulty of leaving this blog. I'm happy that even if I'm inactive, it will still serve as a resource for new bloggers. <3 Thank you for being such an amazing friend, Doomy! I hope I am able to come back sometimes, and if so, I'll look forward to seeing you. :)

      Delete
  5. Goodbye Panda, you were the one who inspired me to make edits and start blogging. I'll truly miss you. I actually came on because I'm working on edits, and as soon as I saw this I was.. I don't even know how to explain it.

    Again, as I said, I'll miss you.

    ~ Cosmic 💕

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'll miss you too, Cosmic! You were one of my very best friends in AJ, and I'll never forget your dedication, kindness and incredible skill at editing. I wish you the best in your own blogging and editing! <3 AJ BFF's, right? ;)

      Delete
    2. Mhm, just created a tribute panda AJPW outfit for ya, so I'll never forget the fun I had. :)

      Delete
  6. I'll miss you so much, Panda! You have no idea how much I appreciated and admired your wonderful friendship and your dedicated work. You will be missed by not only me, but the rest of the AJ blogging community as well. Thank you for being such a great friend. <3

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Naffy, you were the one who inspired me to even start blogging, and I will forever remember you as the one who started it all. :) You are such an admirable and kind and compassionate friend, and I have enjoyed every minute of our friendship. Your blog is incredible, and I wish you the best of luck in continuing it! <3 <3 <3

      Delete
  7. Panda, I missed your posts already but I understand your reasons for leaving. You were a great buddy and your comments have always been so kind. I've always seen you as one of the best AJ blogger graphic designers, and I've admired how you've set up your blogs- both of these things seem so professional, wow! Haha, I remember back in the day when seeing your graphics inspired me to make some of my own. It's been a few years already, huh? I don't know how long it's been since you've been on my blog, but let's just say I'm not as interested in AJ as a few years ago. But you really did positively affect my life. I remember the graphic gifts you've made for me; I still love them a lot. Whew, this us getting long lol. Good luck with school and the future. :') <3

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Cutepups! You were always such a kind, understanding and sweet buddy! I'm sure that I'll never forget you and everything that you've done for me. Your blog is, and always will be one of my favorites because of your sarcastic, candid humor. Good luck to you as well in all of your future endeavours!
      -Panda

      Delete
  8. Oh my god.
    I'm sad you're leaving, because you were such a monumental and inspirational. In fact, you helped to aspire me to blog. I cannot thank you enough for everything you gave to this amazing community. Thanks for everything. I knew we all have to leave eventually. Hope you have an amazing life

    xx cooky~

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much! <3 You have been such an amazing friend to me, and the fact that I was an inspiration to you is such an honor to me. I wish you the best of luck with your blogs! You are such a talented and kind jammer!

      Delete
  9. Panda! You will truly be missed. I'm so glad that I got to meet you and become your friend. You are honestly an amazing person. I also agree on school. It has been taking over my life too. You are such a great friend and I know that I will miss you. Thank you Panda for what you have done on this blog and as a person! <3
    -Lovely

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Aww, Lovely... you were my very first Animal Jam friend, and I know that I will never forget you! Thank you for your endless support and kindness.
      -Panda

      Delete
  10. Nooo! I will miss you Panda :'( I wish I would've found this blog before it was little by little, slowing down... :(

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I wish I had more time so that I could continue this blog! <3 I hope you'll still find the blog useful though, as a graphics resource. ;) I'll miss you as well, Sarahkey8! <3<3<3

      Delete
  11. I'm a little late to the party here, but I'd just like to thank you for all you've done on this blog. The vast majority of graphics I used to make banners and backgrounds for the AJSWS came from this blog, and the AJSWS also recently shut down. The things you've done here are amazing, and I hope you have a wonderful life.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I hope you have a wonderful life as well! I hope you'll continue to find the blog useful in the future! <3 Thank you for your kind words. :)

      Delete
  12. Panda, By the end of this post I was nearly crying. Your blog has meant so much to me over the years. I remember the day you commented asking for a commission on my blog. I was so happy that day because that was the day I knew people actually read my blog. I remember the day when I joined the AJGC team, and countless days of playing AJ for so many hours. This blog is such a community and I have loved every second of it. And the fact that you have the strength to quit is amazing. I haven't posted on my blog for a few months now. And I don't know if I can ever bring myself to quit. It's hard.. You were my first real friend from animal jam and it's just amazing the community that comes from animal jam. Over my break I have also been drifting away from AJ. I am growing my youtube channel, working more on graphic design, and finding new hobbies. But I have never felt as welcomed or as happy as I did blogging and playing AJ. Your an amazing graphic designer and writer and I know that this blog is only the begaining. Panda thank you so so much for being you. For listening. For helping. And for supporting me with any idea I have had people tell me I can't do things. You never said this. Because we can make a difference and follow our dreams. This community is a truly magical place and I am so lucky to be a part of it. I really am going to keep typing forever because I hate goodbyes. I don't want this to be goodbye forever and I would love to work on other projects that you might want to do (graphic design , writing etc) At this point I think I shold share something. I have been youtubing for a little over 2 years now. And I have been trying to think wetther or not to share it. But now it's time. My channels called
    the mineshaft. Panda your a friend a role model and an amazing person. Thank you for everything. I hope to stay in touch and work on other projects. Jam on panda! ☺

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Spiritpaw, you've always been one of my most supportive friends! I'll miss you so much, and I hope that you have an amazing life. <3 I wish you the best of luck in all of your graphic design, YouTube and other hobbies! Knowing you and befriending you has been such an honor to me, and one that I'll never forget. Animal Jam has brought such joy to my life, and it's the buddies like you that make it so incredibly hard to leave it. <3

      Delete
    2. By the way, I just checked out your channel, and it's amazing! Good luck in growing and continuing it! <3

      Delete
  13. Awh, I am going to miss this blog! I use it a lot for my blog, the Animal Jam Sky Blog. Thank you so much for your dedication and hard work, we appreciate it. Good luck in life, Panda, and God bless! Also, if anyone wants to celebrate, the Animal Jam Sky Blog is having it's 4th Blogiversary, and 1 Million Views celebration coming up ^-^

    Thanks again,
    --Scooter (chocolate4050)

    animaljamskyblog.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  14. Wow. I honestly feel like weeping.

    I love everything about you. Why?

    For one, I always loved your posts. I loved your humor and your ability to make me smile. Your posts were so welcoming that when I read the first paragraph of a post, I was swept away into it. You made this place more than a blog, it was a HOME.

    Two, your wonderful ability to make graphics and headers and everything was so stunning. I was so proud to get the header you made for my blog and I still am. It feels like a small piece of you is with my blog every step of the way even when you only commented on my JH story. (I'll always still add you to the story, even if you're gone.)

    Three, you are just an amazing friend. I don't know how else to say it. You're just beautiful, inside and out.

    I feel incredibly bad for not commenting on this sooner. I kind of doubt you'll see it now. I would have commented the minute I saw this post but it probably would have just been full of me crying and begging you to stay.

    I wish you well on your journey through life, going over the ups and downs. May God be with you every single step of the way and showering you with His blessings.

    I will never ever forget you. Perhaps one day, I will be old and gray and tell my grandchildren about a game called Animal Jam. Perhaps I will tell them all about my friends from there, including you. Perhaps I shall tell them that I once knew an amazingly talented girl named Panda and how she helped me grow.

    I love you and you'll be in my thoughts all the time. <3

    ReplyDelete
  15. You will be missed Panda. You were the one who inspired me to create a YouTube channel because​ of all the graphics that are here. I'm absolutely sure that you will be missed by the entire Animal Jam blogging community and will never be forgotten. Thank you for everything. <3 -akmlynx

    ReplyDelete
  16. I miss you already, Panda. Thank you for being so kind :)

    ReplyDelete
  17. Hi

    I am a big fan of your blog. It has made me really sad to realize that you are not coming back. :( Even though I don't know you that well, I get this feeling that you are a really kind jammer. Reading your posts make me feel warmly towards you. I am really sad that you quit. :(

    Violinduets AJ

    ReplyDelete
  18. Thank you for leaving
    - penguinjammer69

    ReplyDelete
  19. I just started looking at your blog yesterday and i miss you already!

    ReplyDelete
  20. NOOOOOOO! CRIES PANDA I LOAF UR GRAPHIC ur personality and many more quailties i am so sad you are quitting :(

    ReplyDelete
  21. Wow

    It's been years since I was here, but I still remember most of you

    So in case you still remember me, thank you, Panda, for letting me be a part of this endevour. As your first coauthor, I saw this blog through a lot with you, and I'm sad to see it close. After I left, this was the one blog I thought most about, and I miss being a part of a community like this.

    ~The one formerly known as arcticpenguin661

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Apparently my old account is still an author here.

      That is really humbling that you never deleted me.

      Delete
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  23. I hate goodbyes, but I can't stop reading them. I see how every single blogger says doing this has changed them. Anyway, I want you to know, Panda, if you ever read this... I wish you the best in life. I hope you get good friends, and the job you want. If so, I WILL read your books. I wish to meet you.. but I never will be able.. unless you go on animal jam one more time ;). If you have an email mine is 101jammers@gmail.com. Please notify me if you make a book. Goodbye for now.. MissyBubbs

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. One more thing. Your personality seems so friendly and welcoming. You leaving makes me realize how many things can leave so seemingly fast and make such a big impact on others. From one wannabe author to another, don't leave completely. Stay a little bit an d just pop in to say hi sometimes. That way we know you will remember. I will personally read all of your books. Thank you for this blog.I will never forget you.
      -heartylover15
      My first and last gift to you will be waiting.

      Delete
  24. I've very sad that I never said goodbye - I thought I did, but alas I didn't. Anyway, here's a very belated farewell and apologies for being such an inactive author ;-; Best of luck in your future endeavors! You really are a wonderful person.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Hi Awesome! Just checking how things are if you see this. I miss you lots and so does everyone else:(

    ReplyDelete
  26. Are you going to delete your blog or no?

    ReplyDelete
  27. You know, I just found this blog today, and reading this post makes me sad, too. I wish you luck, Panda, on your life's journey and NEVER EVER forget this blog. You will always hold a very special place in ALL of our hearts. Make sure to visit very often and thank you for this blog. I will miss your posts even if I found this just today XD. Have fun, play wild, and jam on.
    -heartylover15
    P.S. I may have a youtube channel soon called heartylover15 AJ. Please visit that!

    ReplyDelete
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Hi guys! I am so happy you've decided to share your opinions on AJGC! Make sure to read/follow the following bullets:
- You guys probably know- no swearing, not even ***, no mocking or making fun of others and no judging.
- Free commenting (no moderation) is a privilege, if I see 1 inappropriate comment, comment moderation is turned on for all of you, sorry, I just don't want this to be an unsafe environment.
- If you are caught being mean to another viewer, you will have all of your comments deleted. You only have 2 chances before you are banned from ever having your comment appear again on the blog.
- I have absolutely no problem with you advertising your own blog/site in the comment section, I just request that you write an actual comment about the post or page before advertising your own site. Flat out advertising comments will not be deleted, but they make the comment area more of a spammy place- get what I mean?
- Please do not request diamond or membership codes. If you are looking for gem codes, then make sure to check out our Codes page. But if I catch you threatening another jammer, demanding a membership or diamond code, I will turn on comment moderation.
- When commenting anonymously, you must sign your username.
Sorry if these rules sounded harsh, I'm sure most of you already know the commenting rules, they are virtually the same for every blog.
Happy commenting!