Fandoms require a great deal of devotion and energy. There may come a point where you just aren’t into one anymore. I had a family member ask about what mangas are good for middle schoolers. I drew a blank. I responded with One Piece. I felt that was a safe answer. One, I mostly read manga that was not aged appropriate or was super complex. Two, I haven’t been into anime in years. There are favorites I hold dear in my heart, but I haven’t watched a full anime series in a long time. I just fell out of love, for the most part.
Another fandom is Doctor Who. For a myriad of reasons, I’m no longer into Doctor Who. I get sent articles and the like frequently. I feel vastly uncomfortable when it happens. I mean, I do think it’s amazing that there is a female Doctor now. I might check an episode out. I just don’t plan to make an effort to get into it again, like I once was. I felt it was time to examine why it’s awkward for me, and other folks, to admit the loss of a fandom.
The people you connected with over the fandom could take it well or badly. There could be a great deal of awkwardness over telling people you no longer like something. Some folks may get downright angry. How dare you no longer like something?! Not being into a fandom anymore can even cost you friends. I’m not sure when fandoms became so vicious, but it this situation does happen.
However, it is entirely okay not to like something anymore. It can be exhausting have multiple fandoms to maintain, especially if you no longer really like something. When I gave up on Laurell K. Hamilton books, it was after a great deal of time and money was spent on the fandom. I wondered if I could really donate the books that I spent money buying and time reading. You can’t really get either of those back. However, you can get enjoyment back by moving on to things you do enjoy. But, really, when I let some fandoms go, it was not easy.
People choose what they like. I learned it’s best not to let other people choose fandoms for me.
