sandersstudies:

A Fandom Opinion

A fandom that supports and encourages its members is a really great thing, (and I think this fandom does a wonderful job of it) but assuming that a fandom or any individual within it is required to do those things can be dangerous. A fandom and its members are not required to be your friends, your therapists, your fans, your critics, or your punching bags.

I almost said “some people may be triggered if they are expected to be” or “expecting this is bad for some people’s mental health,”

But really, that’s not the point.

If you just aren’t COMFORTABLE being somebody’s friend in the fandom,

If you just don’t WANT to be a problem-solver for people in your inbox,

If it is FRUSTRATING to be expected to reblog everyone’s art and writing,

That’s enough.

You don’t have to be neurodivergent or mentally ill or triggered or anything else to say “no” to interacting with asks, messages, or posts. Nobody should guilt you or force you into participating in discourse or other fandom member’s personal lives.

If you want to do these things, that’s wonderful of you. That’s great. You’re doing something awesome for the fandom. But you’re also allowed to just be here to have fun. Participation in a fandom requires nothing else.