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I've been wanting to do this for a while now, so here it is!  DO you wanna leave the Deviantart?  Do you find yourself sick and tired of dArama and the upkeep of having an account?  Trolls making you mad, bro?

THEN LOOK NO FURTHER!
This is Dansyron's guide to deactivating WHILE keeping a respectable image, not looking like a douche, and being considerate of your watchers.

The biggest mistakes people make for deactivation of a deviantart account are Stalling (telling people you will deactivate, write 20 journals about it, delaying it 9 months, and then doing it after they've drowned out the hundreds of "Please don't leave" pleas from your upset watchers), The sudden disappearance (just poofing off the map leaving your watchers and commissioners wondering what the hell just happened), the False Alarm (Saying you're gonna leave for a while, and then changing your mind, resulting in what looked like a desperate cry for attention), and the "I totally didn't mean to leave" (meaning you deactivated, but then came back after you said you would never comeback because you miss it).

The above are really common and poor ways to handle leaving the community, so here are some steps to let you leave while keeping a good image and being considerate to those who look up to you.

1.) Clear your To-Do's

Don't even consider leaving until you make sure you do not owe ANYTHING to anyone.  Did someone commission you, but you want to leave? EITHER REFUND 100% of the value, or if you can't do that, DRAW what they paid for.  DO you owe contest prizes for a contest that is long over? FINISH THEM.  The entrant already payed their half (aka the entry), you better fulfill your half.  Any Art trades due?  If the other person already did their side, you OWE them your side.  If the Art trade hasn't started, go ask if a cancellation is ok.  Most likely, they're ok with it as long as you have a legitimate reason.

NOT FULFILLING DUES IS CONSIDERED FRAUD.  FRAUD is considered a crime in most places.  Even if you cant get legally hurt, your reputation will suffer tremendously far after deactivation.  If people pay you to do something, whether it be currency or through service, you are OBLIGATED to fulfill your dues.

2.) Inform the people you commissioned that still owe you.
If you plan on leaving, often times there are stuff others owe you as well.  Be sure to tell them ahead of time so they can fit in your drawings sooner.  Nothing feels worse then slaving over a commission just to find out that the person who ordered it is Missing In Action.  It feels like work wasted.  Make sure you don't let this happen.  People will understand that you have a timeframe and will often adjust accordingly.  Besides, you want what you paid for, right?

3.) Let's your watchers know, but be Timely and Respective
IF you're like me, there are some number of people that like to watch what you draw on a regular basis.  This number varies depending on who you are, but chances are that someone out there does indeed care what's going on.  IF you plan on deactivating (if you're only 100% sure*) tell your watchers ahead of time so they have time to save the artwork from your gallery that they like to look at.  Also, Be kind.  Don't use the "I HATE EVERYTHING" shpeal.  Your watchers are watching you for a reason, be nice to them.  Tell them why and make sure you leave on a good note.  Thank them for their support while you were active and tell them that you will miss them.

Also, don't stall.  I see it all too often where someone says they're going to deactivate for several months.  You do not want to seem wishy washy or people will begin to assume you're only using "deactivation" as a way to garner attention.  One week to Two weeks are good notice for deactivation.  Anything less is way to hasty and will catch them off guard moreso than normal, and anything over a month is seen as a stalling plan.  Be deliberate with timing and tie up all the loose ends you need to so you can leave with dignity.

4.) BE SURE YOU ACTUALLY WANT TO DEACTIVATE
Deactivation is, what i see at least, a final resort when it comes to leaving.  There usually isnt any going back (except for that reactivation feature dA implemented so there's less severity of choice), but you need to be 110% sure that leaving is the correct option, not just for you, but for everyone.

No one is forcing you to log onto deviantart and check messages.  A better method of leaving is to post "going inactive indefinitely", but leaving your art up for everyone.  WHy?

A.) if you deactivate, no one gets to see your hard work.  If you leave completely, your watchers will be sad, very sad, that they can't remember you using the very creations you put so much work into.  Leave them something to remember you by.

B.) What happens if you do want to come back?  IF your account is inactive, but still there, you can just log back in and "TA-DA!"  If you did deactivate and want to come back, the remorse of a bad decision comes in.  Then you hafta make a new account, start over, and regain all those people that watched you before, that is, if they still want to.  Often, someone who deactivates and reactivates through several other accounts multiple times is seen as very indecisive, attention-seeking, and desperate.  You don't wanna be seen like that.

5.) Pressing the button
IF everything is said and done, all ends are tied, all dues are completed, and you are certain you wish to leave, then there isn't anything left to do but press the button.  Make sure you say goodbye to your friends and give them alternate ways to reach you if you choose.  Just be warned, you will be missed by someone, regardless of who you are.  However, you will be remembered mostly by how you handled things while you were active, so make sure you handle things well in the departure or people will just remember you as the shmuck who couldn't take the heat well.

Even in deactivation, professionalism is required to bow out gracefully.

_____________________

Well I hope that helps alot of you, either in finding the proper method, or changing your mind so you can stay to deviate another day.  Just make sure you play your cards right.

~DS