Diminishing interest, morals, and rejuvenation?

[ManaMinori 4,149]

Has anyone else felt their joy and enthusiasm for FiM decreasing over the last few seasons? Has anyone kept up with the episodes, in spite of feeling like it really wouldn't matter if they missed new episodes or not, but still found lessons to take away from, they can apply in their own lives? Has this rekindled interest in some?

 

Example: I feel like my joy has been diminished, with the fantasy respect of earlier seasons seeming lost, too many controversial real world issues invading my pony escapism, and Starlight Glimmer's presence being unwanted, but I feel like I can take from the season finale (much as I disliked it), as a reminder to accept responsibility and try to lead others, rather than leaving it to someone more experienced, even though I feel like I'm powerless and have nothing significant to offer. But in spite of this takeaway reminder, I still feel waning interest in FiM, for the aforementioned reasons.

 

How does everyone else feel, if your interest is diminishing? Do lessons you can apply rekindle your dying flame? Or are you continuing to flat line with FiM? What reasons contributed to this?

[SunsetBaconDrive 169]

The show simply makes me less depressed and I am always happy for the episodes once a week. Starlight's presence hasn't detracted the quality of the show in my opinion. 

[cmarston1 5,964]

Well I do admit that I wasn't really that excited for season 6 and the same goes for season 7, I think most of it comes from how long I have watched it.

[They call me Loyalty 1,954]

Quite dramatic. But no, my interest comes and goes naturally.

[Megas 28,146]

I'd be lying if I said S6 didn't kill a lot of my enthusiasm for the show.

 

I do look forward to S7, but I'm no where near as excited as I was in the past

Edited October 13, 2016 by Megas

[stripper 252]

Real life, other commitments, and simply not liking TV have kept me a few episodes behind. I only like watching the show when I'm in the mood for it. A few planets have to align for that to happen

[Peppermint Larry 203]

I wouldn't say my interest is diminishing- I more or less watch every episode every week, I'm still rewatching old episodes, I'm still drawing ponies, and I'm still on here a lot...

 

But I have found myself slightly dissatisfied ever since after season 5's premier. I feel like that's where the characters become more "grown-up", and less carefree. I'm not a fan of the map episodes, either. I don't really like change, even if change is needed.

[Thrond 3,271]

My initial viewings of seasons 4 and 5 did diminish my fondness for the show more than a little, as both of those seasons were unsatisfying to me at the time. I'm not one who feels the need for escapism, but I will confess that some recent seasons were a bit tiring to me. I'm pretty okay with season 6, though, as to me it's been a pretty huge improvement over the preceding season, and even with the various problems of season 6, it's gone a long way to restore my love for the show, honestly, and some pretty nice morals HAVE helped.

[Luminance 2,187]

At first I had a burning desire to watch and follow the show but over time it just kind of dwindles down or fluctuates occasionally. I just have to face it that I'm just growing out of an kids show and maybe I'm more interested in the fandom instead.

[Wind Chaser 4,768]

Everyone naturally goes through different stages of interest with something; it would be less healthy for anyone to continually be obsessed with MLP over anything else. I was absolutely obsessed when I first got into the fandom (during Season 2) and my interest goes up and down depending on the episode and whatever other shows I'm watching (or arbitrary things like the quality of the fanart). Needless to say, MLP isn't as fresh as it was back then - competing shows have gotten much better since then and MLP has largely stuck to what's worked.

 

Most Season 6 episodes have stuck to an older formula and the show is no longer taking advantage of the status quo shakeups set up by the previous seasons as frequently as it should. That really puts it at a disadvantage towards older audiences when other shows are continuing to push the envelope and the slate of competing works grows by the day, accounting for competition from other media for our time and money.

 

If you're not feeling as enthusiastic about the show anymore, there are probably good reasons for it and it's best not to force yourself to like it. Too many people here have and it's led to some pretty bad threads in this section. However, if you still think the show is capable of doing good for you, it's okay to catch an episode here or there. Overall, I think the best thing you can do is diversify; try to find other shows to like that do certain things that MLP can do better; i.e. shows not afraid to tackle death, that go further with deep themes, form more coherent story arcs, have better concepts of family, etc. If you still don't see what you want, if you want something done right, do it yourself. There's nothing I like seeing more out of this fandom than new talent working on original projects.

Edited October 14, 2016 by Wind Chaser

[Steel Accord 6,660]

Has anyone else felt their joy and enthusiasm for FiM decreasing over the last few seasons?

 

Nope. Never has, never will. 

 

Granted my interest goes through hills and valleys of exhaustive to background interest but the same could be said of everything I'm a die hard fan of.

Edited October 14, 2016 by Steel Accord

[Mesme Rize 15,692]

Well, after awhile, you won't be as interested in something as you where the first time. It's like a honeymoon effect.

 

I for example, used to only think about ponies in 2011 and 2012. As time went on though, i got less enthusiastic about it and also found other things to keep my interest, eventhough i still like to watch these episodes when they come out. It's a very natural thing that we all go through.

[KatonRyu 1,036]

The first half of Season 6 didn't do much for me, so I was getting a bit less interested in the show. It never got to a point where I really didn't enjoy the episodes anymore or wanted to stop watching, but I did feel it wasn't nearly as good as the preceding seasons. I did think the show picked up again in the latter half of the season, but there weren't any lessons in particular I felt I learned from it. To be fair, the most show ever reached was reminding me of something rather than teaching me, and even that was only occasionally, so I don't blame this season for that. It's not why I watch, anyway.

[Lisa 5,553]

I haven't watched an episode since season 3. Seasons 4, 5 and 6 don't interest me and nor does 7. I'm just not interested in the show anymore as I used to be.

[ManaMinori 4,149]

I haven't watched an episode since season 3. Seasons 4, 5 and 6 don't interest me and nor does 7. I'm just not interested in the show anymore as I used to be.

do you do anything to try to renew interest? Projects, crafts, art?

[Vlazamal 338]

I've been becoming only more and more enthusiastic with the show.

 

Probably because I've only just restarted watching MLP this year.

[Lisa 5,553]

do you do anything to try to renew interest? Projects, crafts, art?

Yeah I used to do quite a bit of art. But got bored of that too. ;p