Born Again
Based on when they joined and what was going on in their life at the time, people have different perspectives on what was the heyday of Livejournal. It may vary by months or years depending on the person, but nobody would argue that it took place at least five years ago. Right after the time when it became free to join, but before the internet had been taken over by other forms of social media.
Back then I was a regular poster. I'd write at least once a day, and up to 20 posts a week. I posted 1800 entries and 50000 comments over the space of a few years. I was in my twenties, bored at work, and living in a new town. It was a great way to meet new people and keep up with the ones I already knew. It was a place to write, flirt, kill time, and vent. I loved it.
Gradually it all started to fade away. I got older and spent less time here. Work and real life started to take over. Not just for me, but also for my friends. Myspace became popular. And then Twitter. And Facebook. Employers started searching the web to find dirt on people, so everyone started locking their entries--including me--and it became a rarity to encounter and get to know new people.
My story is certainly not unique. I think a lot of people have had the same experience, and most of us have missed LJ from time to time, but struggled to get back into it. Because it's not the same. And because life is not the same. But "different" doesn't always have to be a bad thing. It's just different.
As I write this, there are over 180 introduction posts. Some are clever. Some are matter of fact. I'm not sure how many will ever be read.
I'm in my early thirties. Single. Somewhat successful. Sometimes depressed. Typically laid back. Always unique--at least in my own mind.
Back then I was a regular poster. I'd write at least once a day, and up to 20 posts a week. I posted 1800 entries and 50000 comments over the space of a few years. I was in my twenties, bored at work, and living in a new town. It was a great way to meet new people and keep up with the ones I already knew. It was a place to write, flirt, kill time, and vent. I loved it.
Gradually it all started to fade away. I got older and spent less time here. Work and real life started to take over. Not just for me, but also for my friends. Myspace became popular. And then Twitter. And Facebook. Employers started searching the web to find dirt on people, so everyone started locking their entries--including me--and it became a rarity to encounter and get to know new people.
My story is certainly not unique. I think a lot of people have had the same experience, and most of us have missed LJ from time to time, but struggled to get back into it. Because it's not the same. And because life is not the same. But "different" doesn't always have to be a bad thing. It's just different.
As I write this, there are over 180 introduction posts. Some are clever. Some are matter of fact. I'm not sure how many will ever be read.
I'm in my early thirties. Single. Somewhat successful. Sometimes depressed. Typically laid back. Always unique--at least in my own mind.