Like others have said - oh wait, *Hugglesnuggles* - we understand.
Since (again, as others have said) I've been there before too and I suppoooose that's kind of where I'm at now, this is my advice! To both you and everyone else - since, apparently, this isn't an unusual occurrence.
I'm not the most concise... speaker/typer/whatsit. So lemme try and communicate my opinion as precisely as possible! I have friends from when I first started role-playing, and we don't talk much. But luckily I've snagged friends that understand. One in particular, who I consider myself very close to despite never physically meeting, I met when I was fifteen. He became my role-play partner but unfortunately, 'cause life happens and this is the internet, we lost contact completely. When I was eighteen I found myself looking into my screen of another online game, considering if this player having the same name as he had had, three years ago, was just a coincidence. I whispered him and such and anyways, hilarity ensued. And now we're twenty and still chit-chatting. We haven't even played a game with each other in like, a year and a half, and it's been even longer since we role-played. We don't talk every day - but also, sometimes we do. He's going to university, I'm a lazy bum. He also has come to understand that I can be unnecessarily avoidant of things, even a little "hello" from my dearest friends. Not to assume things about you, or anyone else here, but I think that probably rings a bell with some of you. Sometimes we only talk to each other when the other is going through some emotional turmoil and needs a ♥boost. And we love each other for it.
You would consider role-playing a hobby, yes? It's not your job or career, so commitment and effort is completely up to you. It's involves communication, because it's essentially collaborate story-telling. True? So you do want to be kind to your fellow man, as well as establish a set of rules for yourself and others so boundaries are not crossed for either. Also, like I mentioned above, this is the internet. A lot of people that use it struggle socially. The fact that you sometimes experience a difficult time with keeping up and maintaining virtual social obligations isn't that strange! While I'm sure these people appreciate your apology, I personally don't think you have a whole lot to apologize for. I mean, this is supposed to be for fun! And I think others should be more understanding of that. Again, life happens. This is meant to be something relieving, enjoyable - and a bit (or a lot) of an escape for most of us. So to be dramatic and take it personally and be a little jerk about things not always going your way... really, relax. We're all just here to role-play. ♥
Speaking of which, if anyone wants to! *Waves hand*
Edit - I hope this was a little bit helpful for reflection and not just incoherent ramblings. ;_;
Just in case: TL/DR Since this is a hobby that is shared with others friendships will be made and some won't last. It's sad, and it sucks, but that's how relationships work. You can't keep them all - and if you can, you're not being yourself. The people that stick with you will truly like you for you (even if the internet distances and obscures a lot) and will understand whatever you is. Find those that can be patient with you, 'cause that's what you deserve. Anyone unwilling - well you're not really losing anything, are you? That's how she rolls.
Since (again, as others have said) I've been there before too and I suppoooose that's kind of where I'm at now, this is my advice! To both you and everyone else - since, apparently, this isn't an unusual occurrence.
I'm not the most concise... speaker/typer/whatsit. So lemme try and communicate my opinion as precisely as possible! I have friends from when I first started role-playing, and we don't talk much. But luckily I've snagged friends that understand. One in particular, who I consider myself very close to despite never physically meeting, I met when I was fifteen. He became my role-play partner but unfortunately, 'cause life happens and this is the internet, we lost contact completely. When I was eighteen I found myself looking into my screen of another online game, considering if this player having the same name as he had had, three years ago, was just a coincidence. I whispered him and such and anyways, hilarity ensued. And now we're twenty and still chit-chatting. We haven't even played a game with each other in like, a year and a half, and it's been even longer since we role-played. We don't talk every day - but also, sometimes we do. He's going to university, I'm a lazy bum. He also has come to understand that I can be unnecessarily avoidant of things, even a little "hello" from my dearest friends. Not to assume things about you, or anyone else here, but I think that probably rings a bell with some of you. Sometimes we only talk to each other when the other is going through some emotional turmoil and needs a ♥boost. And we love each other for it.
You would consider role-playing a hobby, yes? It's not your job or career, so commitment and effort is completely up to you. It's involves communication, because it's essentially collaborate story-telling. True? So you do want to be kind to your fellow man, as well as establish a set of rules for yourself and others so boundaries are not crossed for either. Also, like I mentioned above, this is the internet. A lot of people that use it struggle socially. The fact that you sometimes experience a difficult time with keeping up and maintaining virtual social obligations isn't that strange! While I'm sure these people appreciate your apology, I personally don't think you have a whole lot to apologize for. I mean, this is supposed to be for fun! And I think others should be more understanding of that. Again, life happens. This is meant to be something relieving, enjoyable - and a bit (or a lot) of an escape for most of us. So to be dramatic and take it personally and be a little jerk about things not always going your way... really, relax. We're all just here to role-play. ♥
Speaking of which, if anyone wants to! *Waves hand*
Edit - I hope this was a little bit helpful for reflection and not just incoherent ramblings. ;_;
Just in case: TL/DR Since this is a hobby that is shared with others friendships will be made and some won't last. It's sad, and it sucks, but that's how relationships work. You can't keep them all - and if you can, you're not being yourself. The people that stick with you will truly like you for you (even if the internet distances and obscures a lot) and will understand whatever you is. Find those that can be patient with you, 'cause that's what you deserve. Anyone unwilling - well you're not really losing anything, are you? That's how she rolls.
