rip to my LJ
I'd been keeping this updated because I could crosspost from dreamwidth, but ever since that feature broke, I don't really find it necessary to update. Most of my DW entries are public anyway - it's been a long time since I've cared who saw what I was sharing - and I doubt any of my friends are active here anymore.
I miss all the memories; I miss GJ most of all but I still spent a chunk of my formative time here. I've had this account since early 2004!!! That's a damn long time. But I know that LJ-style journaling sites have declined in use as the internet has moved to faster, more convenient places with a focus on instant gratification. And like, mood, me too. I get it. It's way more fun to go fast! But...
At the beginning of the year, I decided to make a conscious effort to get back to my roots, bit by bit. I like having an organized, linear record of what I've done. Some of it is so cringe I can barely look at it, but I'm so glad I managed to back up all my entries from GJ before it bit the dust. Do I want to reread every thought I had at age 15? Not necessarily, but I still want it. I still want the option. And that's why I'm trying to spend the bulk of my time online doing things that take longer but have more gratifying payoff in the long run.
It's using my DSLR and editing pictures properly instead of only using my phone. It's sitting down at my laptop to write out what I did in a day or a week and tagging it so I can look at it more later. It's doing hobbies instead of drowning in the randomized scrolling of twitter or instagram or whatever.
So I guess what I'm saying is this: I'm not deleting this or taking anything down and I'll never, ever forget you, LiveJournal. It's been a really great run, from age 14 to 33, and I wish it could keep going.
But I kinda knew it wouldn't last, even as much as I wanted it to, because I don't care that it's been 15+ years, I'll never forget strikethrough. I'll never forget that it was the beginning of the end of safety on LJ for people who don't completely sanitize their online presence- which I guess was a harbinger for times to come on social media in general, huh?
I'll miss the memories and the immeasurably important role the LJ played in the earlier days of the internet. Nothing can take that from me or anyone else who loved the sense of community they found; I just wish it could have lasted a little bit longer ♥
I miss all the memories; I miss GJ most of all but I still spent a chunk of my formative time here. I've had this account since early 2004!!! That's a damn long time. But I know that LJ-style journaling sites have declined in use as the internet has moved to faster, more convenient places with a focus on instant gratification. And like, mood, me too. I get it. It's way more fun to go fast! But...
At the beginning of the year, I decided to make a conscious effort to get back to my roots, bit by bit. I like having an organized, linear record of what I've done. Some of it is so cringe I can barely look at it, but I'm so glad I managed to back up all my entries from GJ before it bit the dust. Do I want to reread every thought I had at age 15? Not necessarily, but I still want it. I still want the option. And that's why I'm trying to spend the bulk of my time online doing things that take longer but have more gratifying payoff in the long run.
It's using my DSLR and editing pictures properly instead of only using my phone. It's sitting down at my laptop to write out what I did in a day or a week and tagging it so I can look at it more later. It's doing hobbies instead of drowning in the randomized scrolling of twitter or instagram or whatever.
So I guess what I'm saying is this: I'm not deleting this or taking anything down and I'll never, ever forget you, LiveJournal. It's been a really great run, from age 14 to 33, and I wish it could keep going.
But I kinda knew it wouldn't last, even as much as I wanted it to, because I don't care that it's been 15+ years, I'll never forget strikethrough. I'll never forget that it was the beginning of the end of safety on LJ for people who don't completely sanitize their online presence- which I guess was a harbinger for times to come on social media in general, huh?
I'll miss the memories and the immeasurably important role the LJ played in the earlier days of the internet. Nothing can take that from me or anyone else who loved the sense of community they found; I just wish it could have lasted a little bit longer ♥