Hey kids, today we’re gonna talk about
BOUNDARIES
I think we can all agree, as roleplayers, that there have been times we have felt pressured into doing something we don’t want to do. Be it write a certain topic/au, talk with certain people, write with certain characters, or any other common rp interaction. These situations can be highly uncomfortable, and due to circumstance or fear of retribution, sometimes it can be difficult to say NO. Other times, we may be on the other side of that. We may have been told about something we’ve done, causing us to be unintentionally stepping on toes, and in turn making us nervous about upsetting people.
Regardless of what experiences you’ve had, I’m here to tell YOU, that:
BOUNDARIES ARE IMPORTANT!!
When you see a roleplay blog call themselves PRIVATE and SELECTIVE or EXCLUSIVE, that does not mean you can’t talk to them. In fact, it’s usually encouraged to have interaction through asks. Asks let an rper get to know you, get to see you’re truly interested instead of just being a number in a followers list.
Being a private blog does, however, mean that they have certain reasons why they prefer to limit their interactions with people. THEY ARE NOT OBLIGATED TO TALK TO OR WRITE WITH YOU.
It’s a part of life that not everyone is going to get along with you, and that’s just reality. You need to accept that things don’t always work out. Can it be disappointing? Of course. Can it hurt? Absolutely. But no matter what, if you’re not receiving the attention you expected, you move on. You do NOT send passive-aggressive anons to the private blog to criticize them for not talking to you. That is NOT how it works in the real world and it is NOT in any way okay.
Another important thing about boundaries, is many times these boundaries can be found in RULES. Read people’s rules. It’s not that hard. If you can’t read a roleplayer’s rule list, you’ve got no business roleplaying at all. I’m sorry, but it’s the truth. If there’s something in their rules that you don’t understand, ASK FOR CLARIFICATION.
Last, but not least, even if someone you wanted to write with doesn’t wish to write with you, don’t let that deter you from trying elsewhere or anywhere at all. We’re all human. We all want to make connections and make friends. But respecting boundaries is CRUCIAL to creating and maintaining lasting, MEANINGFUL friendships among roleplayers.
TL;DR: Respect someone’s boundaries, or don’t talk to them at all. Don’t be a dick.
