Hey folx 🫶

It is our sad duty to announce that we -- both server admin ( @SleepyCatten and @jen ) and **the** Shiv ( @DarkEden ) -- have made the joint decision to shut down the Cult of Shiv Mastodon server by the end of October 2026, before our next scheduled domain name renewal 😔

We gave our users advance notice of this in mid May, and recently gave them a local-only guide on:

* how to back up their accounts (posts, media, other account settings);
* how to migrate to other instances (if desired); and
* how to find other servers to migrate to, along with some recommended ones.

We know that this may seem like it's out of the blue, but in actuality it's been a long-time coming. Initial thoughts over the future of the server began last year, and it took many months for us to agree on what actions to take.

Whilst cost was part of the equation, please note that this was **not** primarily a financial decision. Instead, it was rather due to a mixture of factors, including (but not limited to):

* Both admin not having enough time, energy, and/or spoons to dedicate to the server;
* Most of our users having become inactive;
* Shiv no longer using Mastodon.

Thank you for federating with us and thank you to Fedi.Monster for hosting us 🫶

#CultOfShiv #ServerShutdown #fediverse