LJ as Guilt God

[truepenny]

So as you may have noticed, I haven't posted for quite some time. And partly this has been because I have been very busy, but partly because I am feeling overwhelmed by my reading list.

I know. I hit the wall at 30 that most people hit at 150 or 300 or never. But there it is, and I don't get to argue about it, either.

So if you notice yourself off my list--or if you're one of the now hundreds of people I haven't added reciprocally--it's not because I don't like and admire you. It's just because either I cut back or I stop using LJ all together. And that doesn't seem like a happy solution.

Comments

[shewhomust.livejournal.com]

What misia said, of course.

And also, there is no symmetry in this: there are more appreciative readers in the world than good writers, more people who want to read your journal than you could possibly keep up with. I friended you because I wanted to read you - I have enough ego to hope that people I enjoy reading will enjoy reading me, but if it doesn't happen, well, one's still better than none. I'd hate the guilt monster to drive you away.

For what it's worth, the severe selection / high standard operated on your friends list made it a great place to find journals I wanted to read, when I was first exploring LJ, so I benefit from it, too!

[fancythat2.livejournal.com]

It's your journal, it should be comfortable for you. :-)

No pressure here to 'friend' back. I wont think you're rude, really. There are zillions of Us and just one of You. :-)
Hope you don't mind if I keep you on my Reading List though.

Cheers.

[libskrat]

Dump mine at will, if you haven't already (I didn't bother checking, 'cuz honestly... what misia said).

[kightp.livejournal.com]

One of my quibbles with LJ is the use of "Friends List" to name what would better be described as a Reading/Readers' List. If the name weren't so semantically loaded, I suspect fewer of us would go through guilt-pangs when we feel the need to trim ours.

When I came to LJ, I was delighted to see that a number of writers I admire had journals, you among them. I've added those people so I can easily read them, not because I expect them to read me.

[heleninwales.livejournal.com]

I just wanted to totally agree with what kightp said, especially the second paragraph.

I have no illusions. My LJ is dull dull dull. I add people to my "Friends List" so that all the LJs I want to read are gathered neatly into one place.

And having said that, even though I have relatively few people on the list, I've had to set up Friends Groups so that I can filter out the ones I want to read every day from the ones I read only when I have the time.

[orangemike.livejournal.com]

If it ain't fun any more, quit playing the game; and don't feel guilty. Don't let misplaced guilt hinder your enjoyment of this silly hobby.

[heresluck]

I buck the general trend of self-effacement to say: if you keep reading my LJ, you get cake!

mmmm, cake.

[larryhammer]

No guilt needed. I hit that wall at about 50.

---L.

[pnew8.livejournal.com]

Just saying, I saw your picture at Keith Stoke's pictures of WFC and you looked adorable. :)

[truepenny.livejournal.com]

I would like to say, for the record, that I clearly had no idea that picture was being taken, or I would not have been doing that weird thing with my jaw.

But thank you. :)

[burger-eater.livejournal.com]

Don't worry about it. It's not something to feel guilty about.

[peacockharpy.livejournal.com]

No guilt; I just enjoy reading you, plus you often refer to other cool SF/F discussions around LJ.

And it was very nice to meet you. :)