#fandom space

However, with the development of social media, people seem to forget themselves. They seem to forget that there's a real person behind the username. They're not just a profile picture or a nickname, this is someone who's actually alive, inhabiting the same earth and breathing the same air that everyone else does. And more importantly, they have feelings. Real feelings.

Social media is a double edged sword. It's where you can find friends and like-minded people, where you can share your own thoughts and creations, where you can discuss about your favourite shows/books/stories/characters/any other media.

But at the same time, you might also find those who are not into the things that you're into and guess what? That is okay. Just like how you and your siblings might have different favourite foods, everyone here is entitled to their own opinions (including you). But, and it's a big butt, no one is entitled to bully others due to their different opinions.

Unfortunately, the ability to hide one's identity behind a username has allowed people to do this.

These people use anonymity like a shield, as an excuse to spread hateful messages, to post hurtful content, targetted at those who they deem as *insert slurs here*. They even went as far as telling other people to kill themselves over some fictional characters.

I've spent manybyears in various fandoms and this behaviour is getting more and more out of hands in the recent years. It's no longer a community with differing opinions, sometimes, being in a fansom feels like you're (unwillingly) participating in some sort of a civil war.

People seem to forget, or disregard, the three basic laws of fandom:

1. Don't Like, Don't Read

2. Your Kink Is Not My Kink

3. Ship and Let Ship

In other words, fandom is a world where having different opinions and preferences should be encouraged, not condemned. It's the diversity that makes fandom space a fun place to be in.

Some would say, "Well, just ignore it."

While it might be easy for some to 'just ignore it', it might not be the case for others. We all come from different backgrounds with different life experiences. We fight different battles. We have different personalities, preferences, and baggage. And so, we react differently when we get these hateful messages directed at us. Some might be able to just shrug it off and move on with their day, while others might end up dead.

So, I just want to remind you to be kind. Be kind to others and more importantly, be kind to yourself.

Don't be afraid to take a step back, to take a break from social media, from your fandom space.

Remember, you owe nothing to nobody, but you owe everything to yourself. Be selfish and put yourself and your physical, mental, and emotional well-being above others.