Hey guys! I’ve been on Booksta/Booktok for about two years now and am just not loving it anymore. I feel like the dynamic has changed so much and instead of a fun space to share my silly little book reviews and fun posts but not it just seems like all hustle culture. Personally, I have zero interest in being a book influencer, if that is your thing, I am 100% supporting you and rooting you on but my page started just as a place to meet and connect with other readers because none of my inperson friends read but I swear it has lost that community aspect. It just seems like everyone is only interested in building a platform not connecting and making friends. (not saying you can’t do both but it just feels like everyone is trying to become the next big account). So many accounts want that follow for follow or grow their page, which is fine, it just isn’t what I’m looking for.
I just feel like the community space I had is gone. Every time I log into my account, I am overwhelmed trying to catch up and comment on my mutuals posts and it just feels less like a genuine want to comment or connect and more like I ‘have’ to so I’m still engaged with. This leads me to being on my pages for like 2 hours a day just trying to engage and then try to still make time to make my own content and read. I am seriously in awe of people who can do all of this and still read like 10 books a month, I do not have that ability lol.
Maybe I am just on the wrong side of booksta but lately I swear in the last 3ish months I’ve seen just so much negativity there. From spoilers, bullying, accounts stealing each others content, or just mean comments on each others accounts, it just opens a door to negativity I don’t love seeing all the time.
Is anyone else feeling this way or is debating deleting theirs? I’ve taken a few breaks and enjoy the calm when I don’t feel rushed to read or comment on everything I can. I’m just worried about losing the small community I’ve found and am wondering if maybe a discord or something would be a better fit.
by Justan0therbooklover