Today, I've read so many takes on why people don't reblog, and most of them are right on the money: there's social anxiety. And aesthetic curation. Old muscle memory from platforms that trained us to like things instead of share them. And yet… it doesn't change that this place runs on reblogs. That's not a suggestion, it's just how the machine works.
There's a persistent belief that excellent content rises to the top on its own. It doesn't. Some things go viral fast, but plenty of equally brilliant work disappears unnoticed. Nobody is owed notes and reblogs, but it's obvious: low engagement discourages a lot of people. It drives them to quit or to play it safe so they don't mess up the formula that got them noticed.
Would things get better if people understood how Tumblr works? I know I didn't understand it when I first started. For now, the best I can offer is that charming little paradox: don't care what other people think… on the platform where you post your work for other people to see and do exactly that. Make peace with that contradiction?
And if you can't make peace with it, at least know what you need and why you're here. Validation and appreciation are legitimate reasons. Just be aware that not getting them doesn't mean you aren't worthy of them.
I know that's hard to hear when you've been at it: learning, improving, trying, and still not getting that engagement. I get that those "You, creator, are amazing and wonderful and I love you!" posts can sound like a condescending platitude, even when they're not intended that way, especially coming from people who are wildly popular and don't lack for admiration.
So take it from me: pro flopper, according to some folks' metrics.
When you get the accolades: enjoy them! You earned them!
And when you don't? Don't beat yourself up. Did you love what you shared? Were you excited when you posted it? No one reacted? Their loss. They missed it. Your joy is REAL and doesn't need permission to exist.
Why do I post? Because if I didn't, I wouldn't want to play this game. I'm not going to build honking Venice and not parade around the block. It's compulsive. But once I hit send, I'm off to the next fever dream. The day I come here agonizing over engagement is the day I step away and sort myself out — because there is real sh*t going on in my life that is far, far more serious. This is my happy escapism.
I made a deal with myself before I created my simblr: if a post of mine got one note, it was a raging success. I'd keep going.
Even if that single note had to come from me.
It's the one thing you have control over:
Be untameably, ragingly, ridiculously, and unapologetically creative.
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