One thing that needs to be talked about more is hiatuses. That sounds strange, right? You can also take hiatuses from virtual worlds, just like leaving work or going on vacation. In this case, I will aim this post toward Second Life readers, but this applies to ALL virtual worlds.
Whether it's due to virtual world drama, life getting in the way, or a break due to heartbreak, there are many reasons why someone might leave Second Life for a few months to even years. As odd as it may seem, I find myself going back to it after months and have even gone a year without entering the platform and then going back in. It's crazy just how much changes and how much you forget.
Those who have taken a hiatus know it's like starting over from square one. Many friends on your friend list don't remember you anymore, and the graphics have changed, meaning buying more updates and updating your avatar with the newest heads, body, hair, skin, etc. The list literally goes on and on. However, you can still start over. You already have a major advantage over the noobs, the fact that your profile shows your account has been active for 1+ year, and you already have some of the mesh items. Hence, it's just remaking your avatar to fit how you like it and organizing your inventory. Below are some tips to make your transition to getting back into Second Life more manageable.
Just purge your friend list - typically, this would be the hardest thing to do, but let's be honest, you last spoke to these people long ago. Congrats, you're now a stranger! According to statistics, most people on Second Life are between 32-70+ years old. I hate to say it, but many of them will not remember you due to their real lives. I know tough pill to swallow, but you'll be okay. If it's someone you still talk to through Facebook or through text or someone you know will remember you, then you can keep them but otherwise, purge that friend list. No one on there is your friend anymore (maybe if they are going down their friend list looking for some extra lindens to be sent to them).
"Spring Clean" your inventory - remember that long list of objects, clothes, mesh heads, furniture, and builds lingering around the inventory you haven't touched since last year lent? Yup! Well, it's time to clean it. Organize it and bring life back to the dreaded 23,000 items you've accumulated. Go to a sandbox, or if you have premium, your Linden home, and start going through everything. Start adding things to your avi so you know if it's something you want to keep or purge; go through folders and separate items into sections that make it easier for you to find exactly what you're looking for. This is something I've consistently struggled with for years. After being on Second Life for about 14-15 years, my inventory is completely crowded. Did you know that the more items you have, the slower your Second Life viewer takes to load? Yup! The more you know. So do yourself a favor and "Spring Clean" your entire inventory when you return; it's time-consuming but worth it later.
Work on your avatar - This one might be the most obvious; you need to work on it and bring it back to life. If it looks like one from the prim days, you're now considered vintage. Congratulations on being on Second Life longer than most people still play. In some sims in Second Life, that look still flies; you can be whoever, whatever, and look how you want. However, in a lot of the new sims out of the experience, it is frowned upon if your avatar isn't updated to at least a Maitreya body and free bento head of some sort (there will be later posts on the cheapest bento heads on the market and best bodies to get later on). We are currently on bento, baked-on mesh, bento heads, and bodies. If you don't know these terms, it's okay; you were on a hiatus; welcome back! Time to relearn. I will make a future post with some standard new terms for those of you coming back into this virtual world. -------------- <- (Updates will be posted there.)
If you're looking to talk with people, clubs are where it's at now - Let's be honest Second Life clubs have always been popular. Who doesn't want to sport out their newfound virtual pixels to the world on a gigantic dance floor for all to see? But to be 100% honest, this is where it has started, and this is the only place you will find a ton of people and breedable pet auctions (people love to spend money in here, I don't know about you, but as everything keeps rising I don't have it.). This is the best place to find people; don't let that discourage you from exploring some of the most amazing sims created by users like you.
Would you be interested in exploring? You'll probably be doing it alone; get a buddy! - Find another individual that also likes to explore because, most likely, you and that person will be the only ones there. This is because, just like all games, Second Life has been monetized. People hang out where they can spend money, shops, clubs, and gambling sims. Sounds like real life, doesn't it? As time keeps moving forward, that's what it turns into. To be fair, though, the advertising from these creators is top-notch, so it's straightforward to want to spend real-life money to get virtual currency. Trust me, though; many of these user-created worlds are worth exploring away from the famous places.
These are just a few tips on things you should consider doing after coming back from a hiatus. Second, Life is not for the weak of the heart, and there are always consistent changes. Relearning is worth it from the experiences you take out of it. Just like in reality, it's not all going to be sunshine and rainbows, but just remember that you don't have to put up with anything you don't want to. Peace and tranquility are only a skip, jump, block, delete, and "x" away.
