"Interacting With People Online"
- Date: Feb 10, 2025
- Time: 3:00pm
- Mood: Full of cereal and milk
- Listening to: Arikui Waltz by Coltemonikha
- #reflection
Caution: Unorganized thoughts up ahead.
Ever since had access to the internet as a kid, I was always told things like "Don't talk to strangers online, they're dangerous!" or something along the lines of that. So, I generally never conversed in online spaces.
I've always avoided leaving comments under posts or youtube videos. I think the max number of comments I left on Youtube as a whole is less than 10. Even when I really did want to leave a comment, it was SO nerve-racking for me. I would hesitate over the enter button, wondering if I should or not.
Being a socially anxious person did not help at all either.
Only until a couple years ago, I began talking in online spaces, starting with Twitch streams. I found a streamer I really liked in 2019 and was essentially assimilated into the hivemind that is Twitch chat lol. I think I've been subbed to him for uh 53 months (54 in a couple days).
After that, I would interact under my friend's art posts cuz yknow gotta boost that engagement. But I still wouldn't dare reply under a tweet from someone I didn't know.
2024 was a big jump for me in interacting online after joining Neocities. The indie web community as a whole is pretty friendly so how could I not leave a nice message in someone's guestbook. But what surprised me the most is that PEOPLE REPLIED BACK?? For so long, I viewed other people on the internet as beings traversing the web that I shouldn't talk to and not actual people.
Ever since then, I actively comment in guestbooks/Neocities profiles, interact with users and event in the 32-Bit cafe (sometimes lol), chat with people on Tumblr, chat in Discord servers, send friendly emails, etc.
I've had pretty good experiences so far, a majority of people are really kind and helpful :3. I do feel like I'm talking too much in some situations but I think that's just my brain. I've lost a lot of social skills after being stuck in the house since 2020 so that may contribute to those thoughts.
Nevertheless, I still strive to be a helpful, joyful critter online wherever I can. Plus, it's been
nice to socialize with others outside of my family and friend group. I will continue working my
yapping skills so I can be prepared when I start working.
ヾ(=`ω´=)ノ”
Remember to block cretins online and don't interact
-Starry (￣▽￣)
P.S. email people in a casual manner more. the professional email trauma must be broken.
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