What holds you here in this forum?

[Retro*Derpy 3,183]

Honestly I haven't watched most of the show so I typically just hang around general discussion/forum lounge. Lurk in some older threads.

 

 

[Savy 5,077]

My amazing forum friends keep me here to be honest!!! :3 

[The Recherche 29,968]

That's honestly a tough question, and I am not sure I have a rock-solid response. Without starting any drama, I have honestly had my issues here in the past, and I consider it much more palatable to just use it casually now without any real "commitments." Speaking to a few of the lovely users and giving my thoughts on something once in a while may not feel as profound as some of my early experiences here, but it keeps me sane and is overall more enjoyable in the long-term, which I think is good enough for me nowadays.

[EpicEnergy 23,218]

Ponies! And the magic of friendship! 

Basically, my friends are what bring me here, as well as the escapism that these forums offer - like, social media that has no politics? What more could you ask for? Don't get me wrong, I occasionally like politics, but I also need a place to get away from it because it can be stressful and annoying.

[Astralshy 26,582]

I'm hold here by the ponies and people   They make this a really nice place to hang out and enjoy the moments

[Dreambiscuit 9,691]

At the present I come here when I don’t have the energy or focus to do anything more productive. It gives me a chance to say hi to a few friends here and impose my opinions on the various threads. Sometimes you just need a simple escape when nothing else fits the mood, and this forum is one such escape.

[Fluttershutter 2,453]

It's a fun place to discuss geeky stuff and stuff people would say I should be too mature for(Ponies, especially) with cool people with similar interests.

[ZiggWheelsManning 10,245]

The many caring friends that I have grown to  

[Longhaul 6,851]

I stay for the people I know,  and for the people I've recently met. 

[Old Accnt. 3,149]

the people it's a great community here even though half of it probably doesn't trust me

[Auroraderp 627]

Ponies, people, and random shenanigans 

[Last Line of Defense 98]

Guess I'm new anyways, but I'm not held to anything for any reason BUT LOYALTY, without it, there's no reason for anything.

Edited June 12, 2023 by Cassiopeia

[DubWolf 17,262]

I'm approaching 10 years.

This is pretty much my facebook with extra steps (topics to reply to). The occasional thing I want to share I will post on my status updates.

[Cash In 22,295]

The wonderful ponies on here. If not for them, I probably would've left years ago.

[Octavian 5,421]

lil bit of this (strong content/language warning for the end and general insanity warning)

Spoiler

 

and quite a bit of this (writing stories)

Spoiler

and a whole lot of this

Spoiler

especially a few sweet menschen :3

OG Art: https://derpibooru.org/images/3134384?q=zecora+AND+safe

and once the spice lounge opens again I'll have a new reason to stay

Spoiler

yes, in the new spicy site, I shall teach @Silky the smol Pone Fu

OG art: https://derpibooru.org/images/3158097?q=fighting+AND+safe

 

[Winter Storm 237]

I just really love MLP and ponies, I'd like to get to know others who share my love of them but I am not the best at social interaction. I have gone to conventions before but I have a very hard time talking to strangers at them.

[Samurai Equine 51,348]

I'll always cherish Gen 4 for the memories and good times it gave us.

I came here because I was a fan of the show. I came here because I thought it was wrong that people were making fun of and demonizing bronies and pegasisters. I came here because I was done pretending I wasn't a fan when I always was a fan from Season 1's premiere. Of course, I am not blind to the skeletons in our fandom's closet. I won't ever say our fandom is perfect. But I've seen good that far outweighs the bad or the questionable.

And that goodness is ultimately what makes me stay. 

I'm not a child or a teenager. I'm well into my adult years. College grad too. I've been on the internet long enough to see communities grow and then suddenly fall apart. I've seen people act with big egos, getting into arguments to see who is the smartest one in the room or who knows lore better than the rest. When it comes to fandoms primarily aimed at boys and males, I've seen people try to act macho and won't ever even pretend to have a soft side, and anyone who does is labeled as weak, gay, a loser, or some other derogatory label. I've seen fandoms tear each other apart over head canons, ships, franchise direction, gatekeeping, and things that aren't worth fighting over in the long run. It's reasons like this and then some that have made me step away from fandom social circles I once enjoyed... 

But here? I don't know if it's by design, by rules, some magical formal, or a combination of many factors, but... There has been an air of friendship permeating this forum. It truly does feel as if "Friendship Is Magic" has become our mantra; or life motto. I won't say we always succeed at that here, and I've probably missed a few altercations on this forum, but even so...! The atmosphere is just so much better.  I never feel short of friends here. Even if some drop off and never come back, there is always a potential new friend right around the corner. Those factors that tear a fandom apart that I mentioned earlier? It practically doesn't exist here. There's way more self-awareness. I hardly ever see anyone arguing over who knows more lore, who is the true fan, who has the best ship, etc. We might get into some discussions or friendly debates, but at the end of the day, it's like we all know better. We all know none of that matters. What matters is being friendly, welcoming, and acknowledging each other equally. In this one forum, I have made WAY more friends than I ever made on Social Media, YouTube, DeviantArt and a dozen other message boards. If that doesn't speak volumes, I don't know what does.

Some may call me a fool. Some may call me blind. I once more say that I am not at all here to say that this fandom is perfect. But there is a goodness here. Friendship and friendliness reign supreme here. I want to lift up and maintain that spirit. Beyond having a really terrible personal life, I don't know how anyone can spend an extended amount of time here and not see what I see. 

[The Recherche 29,968]

It's funny; way back in 2018, I never intended for this forum to be my thing for a while. I was still working up the "boldness" to actually sit down and watch Friendship is Magic proper, but one thing happened after another, and I became more fixated on posting here than actually enjoying the content of its namesake. I am intent to change that however; I have finally worked up the discipline to sit on my rear and watch Friendship is Magic proper after all this time. Quite an egregious delay, hm? Nonetheless, I am intent on finally course correcting from my five-year detour, as one last obligation to this Forum.

As for my thoughts on what I am seeing, now that I am over 7 seasons in? Well... that will just have to wait.

[Dreambiscuit 9,691]

What holds me here? The staff keeps me locked in a little room with one of my hooves encased in cement so I can't leave until I reach a 10,000 post count. 

It seems barbaric but the food is good. 

[Cash In 22,295]

On 2023-08-11 at 1:28 PM, Dreambiscuit said:

What holds me here? The staff keeps me locked in a little room with one of my hooves encased in cement so I can't leave until I reach a 10,000 post count. 

It seems barbaric but the food is good. 

Only 3,414 posts to go. You'll be out of that room soon!

[Iforgotmybrain 5,654]

Good way to waste time without the psychic damage that comes from visiting more popular social media sites.

[Fluttershutter 2,453]

This is also the most well designed forum I've ever seen. Just paste in a picture or video. Format your text easily. No bucking profanity filter.

[ZiggWheelsManning 10,245]

@Silky The Smoll, being the news that she delivered for us to be aware of artist scams.  

[Ice Princess Silky <3 13,861]

3 hours ago, ZiggWheelsManning said:

@Silky The Smoll, being the news that she delivered for us to be aware of artist scams.  

ahahaha what?! I'm so glad that my uhhhh... informant ways keeps you here in the little family that is this community. 

As for myself? Hmm.... 

What keeps me on the forums?

The nostalgia. I remember when this place was booming. The people, the friends made, the conflict from vastly contrasting cultures, POVs and storylines merging as one. The stories and lore of the people here are rich, run deep and I shall always be the keeper of such archives <3 

But that is the past. The present reason for why I am here, apart from the fact that I was demanded to return by many people -- lol -- was not only because I found my soulmate here many years ago (I can't believe it. Hiding in some pony forum. Yep. Sounds about right for someone like me)  But because of the people.... the rich connections and bonds made. I love speaking to every pony I've had the pleasure of meeting or engaging with on here. Working together to keep the community flowing has only been a complete honour. 

Even if things do not work out with my soulmate, I'd still forever be grateful to this place and all the lovely memories and the people here. 

[Jesse Terrence 2,968]

@StrawberryMilk Simp of course!

He's sooooo huggable 

*hugs him*