I have been joking to a couple of friends today who were also redditors that I've been feeling withdrawals from reddit throughout the day. Like I knew I was addicted, I just never thought I was going to have to face the consequences of withdrawals!
But there's also a major part of me that's feeling a sense of loss. I had two reddit accounts that were 11+ years old. I used an app called Redact last night to totally expunge my comment and submission history, and I just was hit by so many emotions watching my old content turn to ashes.
Reddit is where I always spent my depression spirals, but it was also where I found hobbyist communities and group help support. I found sexual partners through reddit, and used to even moderate in my early days. It's where I used to keep up with a TON of current events but also read from so many diverse perspectives with expertise on topics.
As much as I am tentatively excited for the culture and community we can build on kbin, I truly am feeling the inconsequential reality of all that karma and browsing. Reddit felt like it was going to be immortal, but even the mighty fall.
Anyone else bummed??
I don't mind switching it up and going new places. The only thing that I find sad is that I created a Reddit account linked to all my preferences, it took years to craft that account in a way that it gives me value and join, while at the same time filtering out the BS that I didn't want to see. Now I have to go through that process again.
However, this can also be an opportunity to get more focused and qualitative content again, and steer away from becoming a TikTok publisher. Because let's be honest, the homepage of Reddit was simply becoming a repost of TikTok.
That's exactly what I'm going to miss as well. I built up multiple multireddits for my interests (cars, audio, biking, tools, etc) and I'm kinda sad I have to start over again. But I can't get behind what reddit is doing right now so I'm learning all I can about this fediverse stuff and forging ahead!