Not Sure if I Should Return to the Fandom?

[Guest]

How did you find MLP Forums?:

How you became a fan of My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic:

Hey, some of you might remember me from long long ago here on the forums, I used to go by the name Nevermore and Folly-Fallen Gryphon.  

 

If you remember me, it is good to see you again!  If you haven't met me before (which most of you have most likely not), it is a pleasure to meet you!

 

I left the forums and the brony fandom altogether a little less than a year ago, mostly due to getting tired of what the fandom was becoming and moving on with other things in my life.  I haven't watched an episode since, and have rarely contacted those from the fandom I once knew well.  I check in once and a while to see if anyone has sent me a message, although they grow fewer and fewer the longer I wait, haha! ;p

 

My main reason for coming back, is I was wondering if anyone would be willing to try to convince me why I should return to the fandom?  Part of me is drawn back to it a bit, but I worry I will be driven away by the same issues which made me leave in the first place.

 

Even if you don't want to try to convince me (I don't blame you if you don't), feel free to drop a message, especially if you know me and want to say hi.

[Moonlit_Night 223]

Im not the kind to convince people to do something, especially if its in a message that i type or write bit its all your choice if you want to, go for it, if you don't then don't thats my opinion

Edited May 29, 2014 by The_Doctor

[Steve 290]

welcome back to the forums!

 

you know how things work here

[Fhaolan 4,488]

Honestly, if you feel like you need someone else to convince you to 'rejoin' a fandom, it's probably not the best idea. It's very likely you'll feel the need for constant re-assurance from that outside viewpoint, and it's unlikely for you to get that.

 

You should join a fandom because you, yourself feel that connection. Nobody else is going to be able to make you feel that.

 

Sorry.

[Passion 3,489]

The only advice I can give you is: Watch the episodes which aired out since you've left. If it is, as Fhaolan says, the reassurance that you need, I believe that the episodes will grant you it along with a hype. Especially that season 4 is fantastic.

 

It will keep you running for some time, and when in doubts, just watch the eps again. It certainly works for me, since it reminds me why I'm here in the first place.

 

Other than that, I support what Fhao said.

[Guest]

Honestly, if you feel like you need someone else to convince you to 'rejoin' a fandom, it's probably not the best idea. It's very likely you'll feel the need for constant re-assurance from that outside viewpoint, and it's unlikely for you to get that.

 

You should join a fandom because you, yourself feel that connection. Nobody else is going to be able to make you feel that.

 

Sorry.

 

I do sort of have the desire, I just don't know if I want to invest the time...

 

The only advice I can give you is: Watch the episodes which aired out since you've left. If it is, as Fhaolan says, the reassurance that you need, I believe that the episodes will grant you it along with a hype. Especially that season 4 is fantastic.

 

It will keep you running for some time, and when in doubts, just watch the eps again. It certainly works for me, since it reminds me why I'm here in the first place.

 

Other than that, I support what Fhao said.

 

Watching the new episodes is a start I guess, I'll just see what happens.

 

Thanks!

[Sugar Cuddles 402]

My best attempt at making you feel like returning would be this...Think about all the new friends you'd get!

[Khaoios 1,970]

Well, welcome back to the forums, Legend.   Perhaps hanging around her would convince you to return to the fandom, .  If not, watch all episodes on Pinkie Pie and maybe her "hyperactive" personality can bring you back,

[Fhaolan 4,488]

I do sort of have the desire, I just don't know if I want to invest the time...

Ah! That I can understand completely. It's amazing how much time this kind of thing can suck up if you're going whole hog.

 

Something to remember is that you *don't* have to do anything. You can just be a fan without needing to participate in any fan activities. There will be others in the fandom that will be a bit... needy and will try to insist on your attention being on them at lot more than you would wish, but that's true anywhere. It's just a bit more concentrated in fandoms, so you'll want to be conscious of it and not delve too deep.

[Forlanceabice 4]

The whole fandom is a one hit wonder.

Those that wish to no longer be associated with this fandom typically do not return at any point in time.

To be honest, I am surpriseed you are even considering returning. I sincerely doubt the state of the fandom has changed much at all to what you wish it were otherwise.

 

My advice? Come back here at half year intervals to check on the state of the fandom.

At the moment, the fandom is rather dead at the moment, the spark from the start of this fandom having died long ago.

I hate to be that guy to tell you so, but you might wish to avoid this fandom like the plauge until something good comes along to justify it.

 

More likely, something will come along to ruin your experience all over again.

 

Perhaps I am being overly cynical about this, but I have seen so many people leave the fandom that I am more surprised people want to come back to it at all. Really, why come back? Why even bother?

I have returned to elaborate.

 

First off, my first post was made in a form of jaded cynicism, so my apologies for letting some of my emotions get in the way of a neutral form of comment.

 

To clarify, if you are coming back to this fandom, I would advise you do not go into it whole heartedly. Things here are somewhat more or less the same since you left, with obvious changes not withstanding.

 

Like I said, the fandom itself is somewhat of a one hit wonder. The initial draw factor that it had at the beginning back in 2011 has long since worn off its welcome. With it, most of the quality that came with it has also left. You can still occasionally find content here that is of quality, but now by the rule of Stergon's Law, you have to actively dig it out.

 

The community is more or less decent if you know which groups to stick with and avoid. Otherwise I suggest you keep your wits about you if you do indeed decided to venture back into the wild.