Snowflake Challenge 2026 #1: connections

[alchemicink]

I'm doing the Snowflake Challenge again this year 😊



Challenge #1

The Icebreaker Challenge: Introduce yourself. Tell us why you're doing the challenge, and what you hope to gain from it.

I'm Holly! 👋

I live in rural North Carolina. I'm a fic writer, and my main general interest is Japanese media (typically focused on television and music, occasionally movies too). But I also sometimes post about other fandom things, fic writing in general, and what's happening in my offline life too. (My intro post has a few more details and some links)

I like doing the Snowflake Challenge each year because it makes me feel connected to other people. It's fun to read through other people's responses, and I enjoy when I get comments on my own posts.

I have to be honest: I have been feeling more and more disconnected from people since I left my previous main fandom, and since Twitter (my previous main place to interact with people) has become the current cesspool it is. I have struggled so far to connect with many people in the fandoms I'm currently in, so it feels a bit lonely most of the time. Especially because, as mentioned above, I live in a rural area so offline connections with people who have similar interests are difficult to come by as well.

But nevertheless, I persist. I am grateful for the few friends I have made here so far. And hopefully I'll meet some new friends from Snowflake this year. But if not, I will at least enjoy our brief connections and conversations this month 😊

Comments

[sarajayechan]

Ugh, so sorry you've been feeling that disconnect. :( And Twitter really has gone down. I use Bluesky myself, which is better, but it can also be slow to load.

[alchemicink]

Thank you, it has been frustrating but I'm doing what I can to combat it. Maybe I'll end up making a bluesky account eventually

[orangeblossomteas]

I also live in a rural area and definitely feel not being able to find people offline with similar interests.

[alchemicink]

🤝 you understand how it is

(I love your Ryou icon)

[thatjustwontbreak]

Hi! I feel you- I've been making my way around dreamwidth, figuring out the discord thing, and also lurking at bluesky trying to figure out what works best for me to be connected in fandom.

[alchemicink]

Hi! It does feel overwhelming at times with so many ways to navigate fandom these days. Good luck to you as well!

[potentiality_26]

I like doing the Snowflake Challenge each year because it makes me feel connected to other people. Me too! Sorry you've been feeling disconnected. Good luck with the challenge!

[alchemicink]

Thank you 🤝 Good luck to you as well!

[wavesagainstrocks]

Heya! Came across you through Snowflake!!

I totally get the struggle. Mainstream socmed now is so incredibly hard to find enjoyment in, especially in fandom spaces. I hope DW makes exploring your interests a lot easier, as well as meeting some new people!! :D

[alchemicink]

Hi there! 😊 (I love your Joey/Jou icon)

Thank you! I do enjoy that Dreamwidth provides many opportunities to get to know more people. Hopefully it's the same for you too!

[wavesagainstrocks]

Thanks so much! Jou is my best guy ever!! I think you'll have a great time :>

[green]

I've been struggling to connect with people since fandom moved away from Livejournal, so I feel ya. I guess we have to keep trying. I do have a handful of very good friends I've met through fandom, so I have that to be grateful for. I met my best friend on a friending meme here on Dreamwidth!

[alchemicink]

I do think persistence is key! Though some days it's harder to do than others. I'm glad you've been able to meet some new friends along the way. I'm grateful for the ones I've met too 😊

[tjs_whatnot]

It's hard to be disconnected and find a place in this disjointed society. 😭😭 I hope you get to connect with other like minds here this month. ❤️❤️

[alchemicink]

Some days are definitely tough. But I've already enjoyed the comments on this post so far, so that feels like a good success 😊

[faitsu]

So many people have been feeling disconnected, myself included. Hope you get to meet people and have fun!

[alchemicink]

Sorry you are feeling the same. Hoping we both have a good time with Snowflake this year!

[autumninpluto]

Hi!! I remember seeing you around the bnha_fans community and I just realized I forgot to sub to you this whole time.

Totally get what you mean about feeling more disconnected from people; making friends was also my favorite thing about fandom and nowadays it doesn't feel the same anymore. I've been online for yearssss with varying animanga/video game interests but last year really made me step back and say, "Wow, I don't recognize fandom culture anymore."

Hope you get the most out of the challenge, and I look forward to seeing more of you around <3

[alchemicink]

Hello 😊 I remember you're the one that posted about the musicals and movies recently! (I just realized I never got around to commenting on the movie post 😅) I'll subscribe back too!

Fandom culture definitely feels like it's changed the past few years, and it just feels harder to navigate. But it is nice when we still do get to meet new people! Hope you have a fun time with Snowflake this year too

[autumninpluto]

That's totally fine!! And thank you, I hope so too <3