Should I Quit?

[Kana]

The title refers to a question I'm asking myself more than anyone else. I'm asking whether or not I should simply quit the fandom. I posted something similar in another thread but lately I've been considering it.

My interest in the Verse has been slowly waning since Ats, the televised series, ended. This has been for several reasons.

1. Closure from both Btvs and Ats

I actually felt that both series had a sense of closure. I felt satisfied with the ending of Btvs and don't think it needed another series, televised or not and although Ats ended on a cliff-hanger, for me that was the point: the good fight never ends and if the odds are stacked against you, you never give up.

2. The Current Medium Isn't Working For Me

The comic books are unfortunately not working for me. I'm not a fan of the medium (personally, I prefer novels or film/tv) and I'm not finding the storylines engaging.

I think Kean said it (although I may be wrong) but it's the fandom that keeps me going. As much as I love the Whedon shows, I don't find them to be the best thing on TV and other shows have better writing or storylines.

This said, I still love occasionally discussing the metaphysics of the show or the morality of the characters, so that provides me with a little steam.

I wondered does anyone feel like this? I've certainly noticed my contribution to the forums has diminished significantly and when I look, I'm always seeing posts spring up from both new and existing users, so it seems the forums are still teeming, so is it just me?

 

[Chosen Enemy]

I've noticed that there aren't as many Buffy sites as there used to be, and every time I realize that it saddens me. So I'm guessing it's for the same reason as you. Or one of the reasons at least. It's sad that the fandom is not as it used to be, BUT it also surprises me, for the better sense, that there ARE still fans of this fandom. So that one makes me happy. As for myself, I've been a fan for 14 years, and I still haven't lost interest. I don't know how many there are out there who feel like me, that I'm going to keep being in the fandom as long as I can, talking about years. Although things fade out a little, I'm still into it and trying to keep it alive, FOR ME. It's my life, has been for 14 years, for God's sake. I'm not giving up on something that has been such big part of my life so easy.

But in the end, this is your decision. Remember that many of us will still be here, so you can always take back your words. Things might surprise you. In the comics maybe. The fandom is not dead yet. But it does feel like we're losing grasp. Losing another fan would make me sad. But as I said that's your decision.

 

[BuffyElevated]

Honestly, if you have to ask yourself that, you've probably already quit. If it seems pointless to you to be a fan anymore, you don't feel like there's anything else to discuss anymore, or you don't get happy to rewatch the shows anymore, it probably means you've outgrown the fandom.

Which is very sad. 🙁

 

[Taake]

This said, I still love occasionally discussing the metaphysics of the show or the morality of the characters, so that provides me with a little steam.

I wondered does anyone feel like this? I've certainly noticed my contribution to the forums has diminished significantly and when I look, I'm always seeing posts spring up from both new and existing users, so it seems the forums are still teeming, so is it just me?

Oh I feel like this sometimes, I mean once the shows was a big part of my life. I'd watch them all the time. Now it's more then fandom that keeps me around and that certainly has its ups and down...

I still do some re-watches every now and then and I gave the comics a try but I don't know after season 8... I just feel like I want these beloved characters to get their rest (as said by HisMrs) and I'd like for it to happen with some dignity intact.

That said I'd hate to see you leave cause I always love reading your posts. You always has such interesting points to make.

 

[Skanky Vamp]

Kana, I was faced with that same dilemma not so long ago; there were more than a few posts about that very thing. The best thing you can do is to remember what and why you were drawn to the show(s) themselves. To remember the shows first, and the fandom second, while not letting it's offspring ruin it for you. If you can ignore a lot of little things, you too can find the enjoyment of it you once had.

 

[Kean]

I think Kean said it (although I may be wrong) but it's the fandom that keeps me going.

Guilty as charged. If I wasn't as engaged as I am in the BB community, I feel I would have bowed out of active participation a long time ago.

I wondered does anyone feel like this? I've certainly noticed my contribution to the forums has diminished significantly and when I look, I'm always seeing posts spring up from both new and existing users, so it seems the forums are still teeming, so is it just me?

Ultimately this only something you can answer. If you were to push me for an opinion I would say the mere fact that you even asked this question rather than simply leaving the fandom says to me that you aren't done. However, you may need a breather.

I think in the current fandom climate, especially with the comics, it is very easy to get disillusioned with the verse. Having tried on a couple of occasions to do it myself, I don't actually believe it is possible to "give up" fandom whilst still using the internet or even having a vague interest in the show. I may not enjoy the verse anywhere near the way I used to, I can't seem to stop talking about it either. Maybe it is just clinging to the familiar? I don't know, but if you still feel compelled to share your opinion, even if it's just once in awhile, it will be hard to leave completely.

I think the question has to be whether you still enjoy posting. If the answer to that is no, then perhaps you have your answer.

What I will say, is that if you were to leave, I would truly miss your posts.

 

[BuffyElevated]

I really hope you don't leave us, Kana. I love reading what you have to say around here, girl.

 

[Chosen Enemy]

I want to add something. Every time I'm here, I'm so amazed from the endless topics and discussions, even after all these years. There are still new things to say and learn. There are so many things to read, write, have opinion on. And it's so much fun. The show is so deep that the discussions never end. So I think you still have something to stick yourself to. I don't know why you lost an interest. I'd love to know though.

 

[The Unspoken]

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9p97zsQ51Rw[/ame]

🙂

 

[Professor Walsh]

The title refers to a question I'm asking myself more than anyone else. I'm asking whether or not I should simply quit the fandom. I posted something similar in another thread but lately I've been considering it.
(...)
I wondered does anyone feel like this? I've certainly noticed my contribution to the forums has diminished significantly and when I look, I'm always seeing posts spring up from both new and existing users, so it seems the forums are still teeming, so is it just me?

In my experience, interest have a tendency to wax and wane. I've been a bit of a BtVS fan for over a decade, sometimes to such a degree that I bought S5 on VHS even though I've never owned a VHS player, sometimes just on a level where I've enjoyed exchanging a few in-jokes on the rare occasions where I stumble over other fans in real life. For me, this is the natural order of things, it's how my mind works, so I find it hard to understand why you should feel a need to flat out quit. If you enjoy hanging around, do so. If you don't enjoy it, don't. Perhaps you'll come back later, perhaps you won't.

I'd sure like to see you hanging around, though. We Rileyists need to stick together.

 

[Harley]

I say take a break. Im doing one such thing right now. I havent watched a Buffyverse epi in about 6 months. I sold my dvds. Im getting anxious about getting them back but Im taking a full year off. I know I will appreciate them more. If its the fandom itself that you want to get away from, do it. You can always come back when you miss it.
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[Kean]

I say take a break. Im doing one such thing right now. I havent watched a Buffyverse epi in about 6 months. I sold my dvds. Im getting anxious about getting them back but Im taking a full year off. I know I will appreciate them more. If its the fandom itself that you want to get away from, do it. You can always come back when you miss it.
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I'm trying something similar. In the vein of all things Oz, I won't watch the shows again until I need to watch them. That could be tomorrow or it could be ten years from now. Either way, I look forward to it.

 

[BuffyElevated]

I really hope you don't leave us, Kana. I love reading what you have to say around here, girl.

MY bad.... OMG. I'm so sorry! All this time I thought you were a girl, but Kean corrected me. LOL I'm so so so sorry.

 

[nightshade]

I took a break from it all for around 4 years, back into it now but not to the extent that I used to be. I haven't read the comics and am happy just to leave it at the tv shows

 

[Fake Shemp]

I went through the same hoo har, and wasnt on the boards for months because of it, sadly i missed all the people so much but I can't be into talking and rehashing things I've talked to death about the show anymore either, but I'm still a fan, i still ship, i'll still watch the show, and i'll still walk the halls of BB, and into the welcoming wonderful world of VH.

 

[Ianigsy]

It doesn't have to be a black and white either/or choice if you don't want it to be. I wasn't involved in the Whedonverse fandom for a long time until I started watching Dollhouse again at the end of last year and decided to look at what else was going on. And then I realised that I still had Buffy and Angel episodes that I'd never seen...

There are lots of other interesting things to watch and discuss out there, though, so don't feel that you can't branch out into other things because you're a Buffy fan either.

 

[PrincessBuffy16]

YOU SHALL NOT QUIT!!!!!!!!!

 

[Goby]

I think you should take a break. I bet the Buffy bug will bite you again.

I am actually shocked that there is still so much love for Buffy almost 8 years after it ended.... WOW! I'm a newbie.... 6 months ago I thought Buffy was a silly show.

I am a huge fan of the bands Lagwagon and Tsunami Bomb. Tsunami Bomb broke up about 5 years ago, and I was really sad. Lagwagon hasn't broken up, but they are just fading away. I feel sad that both are gone, but thrilled with how many years they entertained me. When I listen to either I do so with a smile, not sadness.

If you leave, do so by somehow honoring it. It was an amazing show, and I'm sure it changed you or was a big part of your life. Perhaps the next chapter of your life is about to be written, and Buffy/Angel won't be part of it. If so, that's ok. They were there for you for many years.

 

[NY State of Mind]

Yeah I agree....until you take a break then you'll know how really important it is/was for you!!!

 

[svp]

It's funny you should post this now because I had the same issue a year ago or so. I'm a huge fan of Gilmore Girls, I grew up with it and it shaped who I am today. Rory made me realize that being smart and caring about my future was cool and not something I had to hide from everyone else in case it made them think I was weird. It's because of that show that I was never ashamed to raise my hand frequently in class (a la Hermione Granger) and strive to do well, even in the fifth grade, even though it was embarrassing sometimes.

I feel like that show helped me to see past all the pettiness that comes along with being a teenager, and so, when the show went off the air and all I had left were my DVDs, I was crushed to find my interest waning. I was worried I was alienating my pre-teen self.

It sucks when you just don't feel that pull like you used to, especially with the lack of new content (or as you mentioned, a medium of said content that you actually enjoy). I took a year break, didn't watch the show or really think about it too much, stayed away from the Gilmore-related internet sites and focused on finding new shows, and books and music to fall in love with. I just started a massive re-watch of the whole series with one of my roommates, and that year break made a huge difference. Watching it with someone who's never seen it before is like seeing it with fresh eyes.

So, maybe instead of quitting the fandom cold turkey, see if there's anyone who's never seen Buffy that you can watch it with, or, barring that, let them watch on their own time and then talk about later.

We actually did this with Buffy first (her never having seen that either), and hearing my roommate's theories about what was going to happen (ahem, Anya being the Big Bad of season 7?) and watching her discover the characters, with all their intricate flaws and quirks is almost as good as seeing it again for the first time. I apologize for the sheer gargantuan size of this post, but I hope it helps. If nothing else, know that you're not the only one to feel like that.