Snowflake Challenge Day 15

[meridian_rose]

Day 15 - Talk about why you participated in Snowflake &/or what you got out of it.

This is a lovely one, especially this year. I wasn't sure how much time I'd have to participate but after the first few days I managed to hit my stride and enjoy not just writing entries but reading other entries and getting to know people.

There's been such participation that this year it has made me feel positive about fandom and re-energised. All the love for journaling and the connections has been beautiful to see. I've found some new followers - *waves* so now I've got more activity on my reading page which is so much fun with a lot of new interests. Without the challenge I might never have crossed paths with some of these people, so I'm grateful!

fandomsecrets has a post here with 2 secrets that sum up some of the best things about fandom. Secret 02 talks about imagining getting support from a fictional character to get through some terrible times in their personal life and how they find that character inspiring even when all else seemed lost. Secret 03 talks about how listening to a podcast has got someone through a difficult time in their life.

I think we underestimate how much fiction and media can positively impact us. And part of fandom more generally is how it can help us connect with other people, and encourage us to create, and to build community. That's what fandom is or can/should be. And I think that's what Snowflake Challenge aims for, to remind us of the good in fandom, of what we do and why, to introduce us to new things and new people, and to give us a chance to express all of those things. Thank you all at snowflake_challenge!

Comments

[turps]

This is such a lovely response ♥

[meridian_rose]

Thank you :)

[mr_picard]

Given the fact that a fictional character pretty much saved my life (and the actor who plays him did it a second time a decade later)... I absolutely agree with you on how much of an absolutely amazing impact fiction can have on someone's life. :)

I'm so glad the Snowflake Challenge seems to have managed to remind you of the good in fandom. It did the same for me.

[meridian_rose]

It's so powerful, literally lifesaving, frequently life affirming. And snowflake this year has shown fandom and fans coming together to celebrate that in a way it lacked last year - or maybe that was just me. It was a rough year and there are some media pieces that definitely helped me get through it, so I'm thankful for that and this year is off to a better start :)

[mr_picard]

Very powerful indeed, yes. Fandom has such incredible powers, despite all the negativity that fans can spread sometimes.

[writedragon]

The things you said really resonate with me. Fandom is ultimately about community, and sharing our creativity and the things we love within that community -- and that is beautiful. :)

[meridian_rose]

Thank you :) It really is about community; you can be a fan of something but being "in fandom" means more to me than that, and community and creativity are at the heart of it :)

[spectrier]

I can relate to those posts at fandomsecrets in a big way, I'd honestly partially attribute the direction my life has gone in to me overly reading into character motivations in a video game. It's really heartwarming to see that other people have gotten through similar tough spots through various media!

I love your closing note, I hope the spirit of challenge stays moving forward. ♥

[meridian_rose]

They were so moving that I kept a note of them to remind me of the good fandom does, which was hard to keep in mind with some of last year's drama and the way commenting and interaction was dropping here and at AO3. Media is important and there are things I hold dear that helped me when I was down last year :)
It would be lovely if we can keep up the energy and enthusiasm :)

[shadowhive]

This seems to be the consensus seeing from people and I love that!

I’m glad to have new people too, it’s great to see my circle actually being active. It’s awesome!

Listening to podcasts has got me through stuff, especially night vale. So I feel that

I ageee, we underestimate the positivity I think because there’s so much negative stuff out there it can cloud it. Snowflake has done a wonderful job connecting us all and I’m so grateful for that

[meridian_rose]

The outpouring of positivity is wonderful! Media definitely helps when things are bad. I'm happy seeing more DW activity and discussion about the good side of fandom :) Snowflake has been especially good this year!

[shadowhive]

It really has, it’s so awesome! It really has been so great

[corvidology]

It has been lovely to be reminded of why we all found our way here in the first place.

[meridian_rose]

Absolutely :) I've met loads of great new people and feel hopeful again :)

[under_the_silk_tree]

Fandom has truly helped me so much just in the sense of belonging, especially as no one in my real life is really all that interested in fannish things like I am.

Congrats on finishing the challenge!