Easy Come, Easy Go

When I visit online places—for work or just for browsing—I’m always impressed by a relaxed attitude to my visits. It shows me the site or person has confidence. I know that if they let me hang around for even a year or two, certainly a few months, before reviewing, choosing work, clicking on links, or subscribing, that they are successful. They’re sure many people are interested and if I leave or don’t show activity for a while, there’s no need for them to sweat it. There’s plenty more people out there where I came from, so they don’t need to be clingy of me.

 I always respond negatively to sites or authors that force me to be very involved right away, deactivate my account after such and such time without activity, or seem to hold me on some sort of leash. “If you don’t show up, open emails, choose a book, or click on something, you’re useless.” This makes me feel watched and irritated. Maybe I just couldn’t get back for even a year or more because I got really busy. There’s no need to throw a fuss, because I might come back when I’m ready. People do have lives. Things happen. And I’ve often found the best things in life are the ones that lurked in the background for awhile. After a lot of other situations—junk if you will—are dealt with, I’m able to come back to those things and they're still there. That’s a sign of quality.

In the same way, I have a relaxed attitude to my followers. If you don’t feel like downloading—fine. I’ll keep offering the books. If you unsubscribe for a while, that’s okay. Maybe I wasn’t for you, or perhaps you’ll suddenly know I’m there and come back in a year or two. If you leave, that doesn’t hurt my feelings. People drift in and out of things—like Star Wars, for example—all the time, as it is or isn’t meeting their needs. If you lurk in the background for literally years, that’s normal. I am not clingy or protective of my online presence or my work.

And there will be more updates.