It’s been a long time coming. I didn’t honestly see it coming, but it came, nonetheless.
The Silent Sunday Linky is no more.
I’m done with it.
I’m done with waking up Sunday morning’s and dreading having to constantly remind people to follow the rules.
I’m done with people taking the piss in every which way possible – posting numerous photos, adding titles, using words in the photo just to say something, rather than doing themselves real justice and sticking to a photo WITH GOOD HEARTFELT REASON, people thinking that just because I’m not around for a week, they’re going to bend the rules etc.
I saw and viewed every single post, every single week.
I’ll be honest; to everyone who took the piss, you made me sad. You made me really, really sad. I had never, ever planned to open up Silent Sunday, and many of you seemed to have forgotten that I’d been doing it long before the Linky existed.
To everyone who thought it would be a laugh to bend the rules and poke fun while I worked hard to maintain your Linky for you, you made me cross. It’s fucking shit to have to give up your entire Sunday to shout at fully grown, perfectly capable adults who really should know better and were pretty much ungrateful.
To those who simply chose not to read about Silent Sunday and the how/why/what the fuck on the very obvious SIlent Sunday page, I feel sorry for you, because it makes me think you were clearly there just to jump on a bandwagon, for a bit of publicity. I’m sorry, but my blog is not here just as a publicity platform for you. You seem to forget this is my personal space.
To those who bitched about my Silent Sunday posts being “sub standard”, or left comments on so many of my Silent Sunday posts, whining and complaining about the Linky instead of just emailing me in private to discuss with me directly, you made me really REALLY disappointed. I thought you were more mature than that. I thought I might be able to count on you a bit more.
But you know what? It wasn’t all bad.
To those of you who have contacted me on twitter to tell me “screw you, I’m still gonna post a Silent Sunday anyway”, this makes me a teeny bit proud of you. I thank you immensely for your support.
To those of you who have emailed me (omg you’re so lovely!!! Emailing me to thank me? LOST FOR WORDS.) telling me how you’ve enjoyed Silent Sunday over the 10 months, how it’s improved your photography, how some of the best pictures you’ve taken have been since doing SIlent Sunday…well that just pretty much makes me chuffed to bits. I don’t even know where to start with the feelings on that one. Humbled, awed, proud, impressed, gobsmacked, thrilled…as long as good has come out of it for someone, I am happy.
I was always destined to be a teacher, since I was about 6 or 7; I remember my mom telling me. I never knew what I would teach, or how I would teach it. But I guess, having previously done music and now photography, it was always going to be something within the arts. I don’t profess to have taught anyone any photography. But I do hope I’ve shown you what you can do with simple instruction. I’m a self taught photographer, having only been doing this seriously for nearly 2 years, so I don’t claim to be in any position to teach people more than anything above high level amateur – that’s like a goat leading a flock of sheep.
Or something.
But I do hope to have been able to show you what you can do with any camera you have on you. I have posted Silent Sunday photos from my iPhone(s), my point and shoot, my amateur level dSLR and my semi-pro dSLR. And I don’t think anyone has called me up on my choice of equipment yet. I hope I’ve been able to show you what you can do with a bit of imagination, a bit of thought and something that can actually capture a photograph; a moment in time. That’s all.
Anyway, I’m rambling now, as ever, and I don’t write to you readers very often. So, I’m just going to say thank you for your support, but it’s time to claim my blog back now. And my Sundays. Now that The Smalls are at school, I have that fucking important chance to claim my sanity back. I have the chance to use my one and only quiet day of the week in the way that I should be using it.
And that’s not shouting at the general public for really pathetic reasons, causing me immense amounts of stress.
As for me? Well by the time you read this, you’ll see I’ll have already posted my Silent Sunday for 11th September. But no, there’s no Linky. I’ll still be posting, as and when, and the badge will still be available if you want it. If you want to remove it, I have absolutely no problem with that. I’m not stats hungry, so don’t worry about linking back. 
I will ask you not to leave links to your blogs asking me to “please just have a quick peek” in the comments on my posts either; such comments will be removed/not published. This is my blog. Not an advertising free-for-all space. You would do well to show some respect and remember that.
So I guess I’ll see you on twitter, with the #SilentSunday hashtag,
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I'm still shocked you had such a response to what was such a basic (and lovely) concept, but I'm also glad to see all the positive response you've had. Enjoy your Sunday's again x
Enjoy your Sundays, you deserve to! Thanks so much for hosting Silent Sunday for so long – even though only take photos with my phone, it has definitely encouraged me to take more and to notice things that I think would make a good picture. I'm sure hosting must be a nightmare though, so I respect your decision to remove the linky xx
What a shame! As you say, it's your blog, your life.
I'm sorry if I didn't observe the rules to start with; but when you spelt them out I think I did, & my posts were better for it.
Your Silent Sunday is brilliant, whether open or closed, & I've loved being a part of it.
Thank you
I'll look forward to seeing more of your great photos, wherever they are.
Well done. ! I have really enjoyed linking up with your blog and will still use the button but you really have made the right choice. Enjoy your Sunday's with the boys!
It us such a shame that people could not listen or read simple instructions. I did not join in every week, but the weeks that I felt I had a photo to show, I loved joining in. I hope you throuoghly enjoy your family time together now the smalls have entered the big wide world of school and thank you once again for the months that I did partake!
Jay, thank you so much for all the effort you have out into #SilentSunday, and most of all for your infectious passion about photography. When I first joined the Linky it was still small enough tha you could, with a bit of effort, visit every blog on the list and see some amazing photographs. The last few weeks though it has exploded, and I can only imagine you spent your whole Sunday looking through all those pictures. It was certainly more than I'd be able to do, and huge respect to you for it.
You have brought something to life that will not die with the death of the Linky. The hashtag will live on, and people will still post their pictures, because it's a damned good idea. I know I will.
Thank you for that. What a hell of a legacy.
You know, I had wondered about the amount of time and effort Silent Sunday must have cost you. Thanks so much for it. I have enjoyed the whole thing, raising the game of my photography and seeing other peoples.
Enjoy your Sundays and thanks very much, I hope to see you under the #SilentSunday sign.
Ahhhh – that explains it – was wondering what had caused you to close the linky. I loved the fact there were no words. It made you concentrate on the quality of the photo. I loved that it was the picture that told the story. I've only been blogging for a couple of months but it was already starting to change the way I take photos. Made me try to take a really special one. My hubby even said the other day "are you taking that for Silent Sunday?"
Anyway don't think we've seen the last of Silent Sunday. Judging by twitter this morning it's taken on a life of it's own!
Thank you for Silent Sunday. It has become a phenomenen across the blogosphere and something to be so proud of. I have only taken photos with an iphone but it gave me focus and improved my photography and my blog. I loved the concept of no words, as I told you at Cybermummy. If it takes up so much of your time and stresses you as you describe then it is definitely time to call it a day. I will probably still post Silent Sundays sometimes and use the badge to credit you with the idea. Well done Jay, you have given us all something arty and fun and I've discovered many new blogs through this linky. xx
i've really enjoyed being part of Silent Sunday for a few short weeks and seeing yours and others' photos too, so sorry you've had unnecessary sh*t from folk over a fabulous idea. I'll still be Silent-Sunday-ing in some form or other, as it's a great way to mark my week. Enjoy your reclaimed Sundays!
I have to say that I'm both upset and disappointed that you have been driven to this reaction. Thank you for the last few months of Silent Sundays. When I first started my blog just a few months ago, your meme was one of the things that gave me not only confidence to post, but confidence to try taking decent photos that I was happy to show off. I for one will continue with my Silent Sundays (I actually look forward to them!), and hope that you enjoy your Sundays and your blog once more. x
I agree with Jay, it's sad it has come to this but thanks, as a group of friends we've used Silent Sunday to share our lives with each other. I'll still use it on and off using the twitter hashtag. Hope that's ok.
Enjoy your Sunday lie-ins! (Maybe) ;0)
Fair play to you.
I for one am so grateful for your inspiration. I'm never going to be a great photographer, nor do I aspire to be. But Silent Sunday has made me carry my camera about with me, giving me the opportunity to capture moments I'd have otherwise missed so thank you x
Thank you for hosting Silent Sunday for as long as you did. It's crap that it has all left such a sour taste in your mouth. I hope you'll just remember all the wonderful photos people did go to the effort to take and post. Enjoy your Sundays. By the way your photo this week is gorgeous, beautiful children!
Hi. I didn't join in very often because often I didn't take any pictures that felt inspiring enough. But your linky made me think about the things I saw in a very different way, and occasionally I took beautiful pictures. Occasionally. This week I had a lovely one, so it it ironic that I hadn't joined in for a while. I will still post it, and as others have said, I think Silent Sunday is here to stay. You can be very proud of that x
Thank you,and thanks for tell us why you have stopped you don't need all that stress! I have really enjoyed doing my Silent Sunday every week since I started my blog 6 months ago and love taking photos now.I will continue to do Silent Sunday,I really hope I didn't break the rules in anyway but I'm sorry i did when my grandma died.Thank you for all the hard work you put into this and makes me pleased to know you visited my site every week to take a look at my photo too.have a great week:)
Wow! That was a shock. As much as you hated Silent Sunday, I looked forward to it every Sunday. Silent Sunday has given me new eyes, to see my world and life in a different way. For that I thank you. I hope your Sundays are now more peaceful.
When I started blogging, I had no idea or thought about putting photographs on. Your concept on Sundays encouraged me to return to photography (very amateur but fun all the same) after probably 20 ish years away from it. So I thank you for that. I think many bloggers are questioning the whole chasing statistics, the value of awards etc at the moment. I guess blogging is a work in progress.
*quiet applause* Thank you.
I'm so grateful to you for giving us the opportunity to join in with Silent Sunday, I was always in awe of the about of time it must have taken to curate it and so not surprised you've decided to call it a day, and reclaim your Sundays. Thanks Jay, for the few weeks I joined in it's given me a new focus for my blog, and I intend to carry on with it via #. Enjoy your Sundays, not so silently I'm sure with your two adorable little ones!
All in favour, say 'Aye'.
Motion carried.
Love you, HMSx
I only discovered it a few weeks ago but i have really enjoyed it, loved picking my Sunday picture . Thanks for everything you have done and i definitely still wantto continue doing my silent Sunday
I'm so sad the linky is gone. I'll still be posting – it's a lovely record of my favourite things from every week. Enjoy your Sundays. You deserve the time x
I haven't been blogging very long and wasn't quite sure where to start, but your Silent Sunday gave me some purpose every week; they helped me begin my blogging journey. Thank you so much for that. I will continue with my Silent Sunday posts. I love looking back at my photos from the week and choosing one that best tells my story. Enjoy your peaceful Sundays. xx
Fair enough. Your linky, your choice. Hope you can relax and enjoy your Sundays x
I've watched Silent Sunday grow and grow over the months and always thought how on earth do you find the time to get round to looking at all the posts. It's great that you're claiming back you're Sundays, but also great that Silent Sunday will live on. You've created a fantastic legacy that really connects people. I spend my weeks looking for the perfect 'Silent Sunday' photo opportunity and I'm not going to stop. SS really makes you live in the moment and observe your world with more intensity. Good luck with your Sundays – I'm now off to take my kids for a bike ride instead of going through the SS links as I usually do
Aw, I'm always late to the party! I've done my first #SilentSunday today. I've watched others do it for a long time, been really impressed, often moved, and always wanted to take part. I don't mind that there's no linky, it's still a great hashtag, and I'm happy to be a part of it.
I don't think I said "Screw you" .. I believe I said I don't give a fuck what you say ….. and I hope my piss taking was taken as it was meant .. I love your Silent Sunday, and it will always be on my blog when I have that photo, and I never saw the point in bending the rules…. thats why it is a good as it is … Silent …. on a Sunday ………
LOL Moon, "screw you" or "I don't give a fuck what you say"… either way, I thank you.
xx
I've never posted a silent sunday before but I used to love viewing the ones that I would see on twitter. The fact that there were no words made you really look into the picture and think about it. I've started carrying my camera at all times thanks to wonderful blogs like yours and all the silent sunday posts. Enjoy your sundays and hopefully I will be able to start doing my own silent sunday posts with my new found love of the camera. x x x
I wish I had found Silent Sunday's sooner, this is my first week taking part. I will carry on with Silent Sunday as I love the idea behind it. Thank you for sharing it with us all
x
Upset on your behalf that you've felt the dread you have. Nobody should feel that way when ultimately sharing something wonderful with people! I'm a much more recent adopter but will carry on with Silent Sunday in my own way on my blog (might allow myself a title!) so thank you very much for that. I'll carry on popping by to visit yours too!!
Jem xXx
Thanks for hosting Silent Sunday for all that time, is it really 10 months? Wow. I've enjoyed doing it and will continue in the future. And for the all the eejits who have criticised you in some way (why?) I'll just say this – you rock this blog!
…and all good things come to an end. Today I did cheat, today I did write on my #SilentSunday I wanted to thank you for inspiring me and for introducing me to so many people. I wasn't very good at going through all the links as time is limited in my house and I often felt guilty about that.
I've loved being part of your Linky and I shall continue it as although I'll never be a top photographer it does make me look at my week differently and has made me open my eyes to the world around me more
Thank you
I started participating recently in Silent Sunday, but had been looking through the links for months before getting up the courage to link up myself. I'm not a good photographer but I am a prolific one (to say the least) and having the linky really made me look back on the week and try to find something with meaning. This little exercise has become pretty important to me, so will continue to post whenever I feel I have a picture that's worth it. Thanks for coming up with this and doing it as long as you did. I'm sad to see the linky go, but I agree that no one should have their space, idea, and time highjacked by others. So thanks again and looking forward to seeing your future pics!
Jay, well done on all your efforts, I LOVE the concept of #silentsunday but can remember feeling your anger/frustration at having to manage it. Much better to do with just a # as you can now get a life on a Sunday!!!
Totally appreciate all your hard work, enjoy the day of rest now!!
Love S.A.M xxx
Awww, Jay. I had no idea that it was quite that bad. Hugs and have a very happy Sunday! x
It never occured to me to put photos on my blog before I got into Silent Sunday – I was never really interested in taking photos before. Now I see the photos as a valuable part of recording our lives for the duration of the blog. Thank you for that – my blog would be much less without the photos. Enjoy your Sundays from now on. I shall continue to post my #SilentSundays with the hashtag and to link to your silent page using the badge.
I don't blame you at all, great post and I love your photo this week
x
Thank you for running the linky. I have thoroughly enjoyed Silent Sunday, doing it and viewing others' photos. The concept came from an honest place, so it's incredibly sad that people abused it. You created a wonderful community and I feel priviledged that people let me in to view theirs. I posted today without reading this post. Fact is, like many people who take part, there are points in my week where I think 'that's a Silent Sunday' post. In a world where there is so much chatter and opinion about everything around us, this wordless world was an oasis in cyber chaos. Thanks.
I started joining in with Silent Sunday a few weeks into starting my blog and have loved being part of it and checking out everyones entries each week. It is such a fab idea. I just don't understand why people would break the rules. I read how it worked when I started it as I do with anything that I am not sure about and I read the rule and stuck to them. It's not hard! I am still going to post – I wasn't sure whether you wanted people to still add the badge or not but I will so people can see where it originated from x
Good for you and I felt for you every Sunday with your constant reminders you had to post out. Come on people it wasn't hard! Anyway thank you for doing it and thank you for the improvement and kindness you have shown us all. Your support has been immense. You rock. xxx
Thank you. Your Silent Sundays introduced to so many other blogs. Really appreciated it. I'll still be posting my Silent Sunday pictures (following the no word rules). Enjoy your Sunday's and thank you for sacrificing the time for the linky before, I know many people appreciated what a great idea it was/is.
Fuck 'em. Fuck 'em. And fuck 'em some more! I still can't get over the fact that people couldn't comply with the rules, it's not rocket science! Totally understand why you've done it, you shouldn't have to explain what "no words" means to grown ups.
p.s. you're an amazing teacher and thank you for being so fucking awesome
What they said (so long as it was nice).
You take care of you.
Thank you for hosting a fantastic Linky for as long as you have, particularly when you had to deal with the stress of getting people to participate properly – that must have been super annoying. I for one really enjoyed taking part and did so for a few months (I'm quite a new blogger and it was something I really enjoyed discovering and joining in with) – it encouraged me to take more photos and post more photos and I'd like to thank you for that because as a result I have captured some great moments that I might not have otherwise done if I hadn't had in mind the desire to shoot some great pics for my blog. Thanks and all the best, x
Aw, man! I've only been able to participate a few times, but I really like it. I've recently started 2 memes and, while they're fun, I can totally see how one could get tired of them. We'll see how it goes for me. In the meantime, I still may do #SilentSunday sometimes. We'll have to start calling it copycating or imitation!
Thank you for putting up the Silent Sunday Linky. I thoroughly enjoyed looking at your photos and those of the other bloggers who used the linky. It had become my Sunday morning routine, posting my photo then sitting down with a cup of coffee to look through the other contributers.
I hope you enjoy your Sundays and the extra time you will now have. You inspired me to put more thought into the photos I take and I am now saving up for my first DSLR.
I just had a spare 30 mins and came on here to go through some links. Admit it Jay, you decided to kill the link this week just because I didn't join in for once….come on own up
Personally I'm gutted that so many people ruined it for you but well done for sticking with it for so long with such passion (I know I couldn't be arsed with a linky on my blog but then I don't even have time to fart at the moment!).
Even though I missed this week thanks to my crazy life I'll still be joining up and I've got a special one coming up next Sunday
Thank you for opening this up to everyone, for the laughs and the memories. Silent Sunday is such an amazing concept and as a lover of photography (and being a nosey bitch) I love it.
Will be back blogging and on Twitter soon but for now….much love to you Jay xx
Thank you for a brilliant linky. I love Silent Sundays. Even now I will probably post one. It's so out of order people mailing you snide comments. Some idiots out there but I hope your Sundays are peacefully pleasant again!
I've just seen this and in my usual style I was fashionably late. I just wanted to thank you for making me take my camera everywhere as I clicked like a tourist trying frantically to find the best picture to post for my #silentsunday it's been such fun capturing things I would never have seen before, the brambles I grew on the allotment and the fun we had at the seaside that day in June when it was freezing and the kids got told off by the lifeguard! It's a shame some uncaring people have made you feel this way, you're right we're all adults and they should know that this is your space and HOW DARE THEY! I will still be posting #silentsunday when I can as I have been doing since I first joined in and I will be looking at your amazing pics too.
I'm really proud of you.
I think Silent Sunday was amazing, and you have given us all an awesome gift, but you are right, it's time to focus on you, your family, and your business and getting your goddamn life back. Life is too short to be wading through 200 posts in a linky.
I'll miss it, I hope people still do it, but I am glad you've let it go, it must feel like a weight has been lifted.
Hope your Sunday sanity gets reinstalled. Now you will have time to watch Downton Manor!!
I think I'm going to still post an SS this week, one more for the road… I can't resist a good pants on the child's head picture!