Snowflake Challenge Day 1 - The challenge itself

[crookedspoon]

Day 1

In your own space, talk about why you're participating in Snowflake and, if you’ve participated in the past, how the challenge has affected you. What drew you to it? What did you take away from it? What do you hope to accomplish this year? Leave a comment in this post saying you did it. Include a link to your post if you feel comfortable doing so.

Similar to the beginning of 2016, I didn't think I'd be participating this year. I was feeling "shy and withdrawn" back then, but this year it's more along the lines of "stressed and unable to take the time to write replies." Gathering and compressing my thoughts in a manner that won't make me want to go back later and change it because there was something that I forgot to express has always been hard. But that's what I'll try now. Go back to my previous answer and add what I think is missing.

My answer from 2016 was this: "However, the challenge has been a place of warmth and encouragement in the past years and I hope to be able to give some of the kindness back that has been shown me :) Oh, and I like my streaks. This is my third year in a row, even if I hadn't managed all challenges before."

I still like keeping up my streaks, which makes this my fifth year. This challenge has always been a much needed boost in appreciation for fandom in general and for the people that make it a place worth wanting to participate in. I've seen so much negativity spread in recent years and the snowflake challenge acts as vaccine against that. Others have aptly described it as "recharging one's fannish batteries" and that's indeed what it feels like. It's a bit like coming to a safe haven or an island retreat after a long time, and seeing familiar usernames is part of what makes it easy to relax.

Comments

[spikedluv]

I love the image of Fandom Snowflake as an island retreat where we can all gather and recharge our fannish batteries! I hope you're able to ignore the negative and enjoy the positive by the end of this round.

[crookedspoon]

Thank you! I was already able to do that thanks to you guys introducing yourselves and telling what this challenge has given you <3 I simply love the enthusiasm that snowflake brings (haha, I just typed "snowlake" which recalls the retreat image again)

[talkingtothesky]

I want to second seeing familiar usernames! With Yuletide reveals this morning, I've just realized some usernames that I knew in relation to one fandom have become known to me in connection with several others, which helps the world seem smaller.

I completely empathise about feeling shy and withdrawn (Currently fighting the urge to backspace out of the comment box, because ahhh, I'm an annoying stranger, commenting randomly!) and I also love building streaks. Best of luck!

[crookedspoon]

I've always wanted to build a streak by participating in Yuletide, but never managed, haha. That time of year has always been too crazy. But back when I participated in other exchanges, I enjoyed seeing the same culprits over and over again.

And you're not annoying! Part of why I love fandom so much is that it allows you to connect with others, and that's what we're doing here, so thank you for making me feel less like shouting into the void <3

[mekare]

Gathering and compressing my thoughts in a manner that won't make me want to go back later and change it because there was something that I forgot to express has always been hard.

I feel you there. But, the older I get the less I care, honestly. No one post or comment can perfectly sum up the complexity of shifting thoughts and feelings so ... Good on you for going outside your comfort zone and posting anyway!

[crookedspoon]

Sure, but I often forget important bits that I wanted to include. But the language barrier doesn't feel as thick anymore, so actually being able to express my thoughts in words has become easier over the years. ;D