Hey everyone. I just wanted to let you guys know that I have been thinking about leaving Scratch. I haven’t made a sure decision yet, though, so I might stay. Here are the reasons why I’ve considered leaving: -Safety concerns. While this isn’t a huge issue on Scratch (as far as I know), I’m still afraid of predators, hackers, and other unsafe things that can happen when you share yourself publicly in an online space. I know how to deal with those things if they happen, and I know how to keep myself safe, but those things still scare me. Even though nothing bad or weird has happened to me on here recently, I’m still afraid. Especially after the raid on December 7, 2024 (if you know you know). -Personal regrets. I’ve done things on this website that bring me shame and regret. I don’t really wanna share them here, but… yeah. -Other feelings. Scratch no longer feels as fun or as exciting to me as it used to be. Last summer and fall, I used to be excited to go on Scratch, make projects, and talk to people. There’s still things I like about it, but things have changed since I shared my first project here last summer. I can’t put my finger on the reason, but Scratch just doesn’t seem to sparkle for me the way it used to, and sometimes it just feels like a drag rather than fun. -Time. I have become better at managing this, but Scratch takes up a lot of my time, and some of that is time I wanna spend doing this like getting closer to God, my family, and journalling. Even if I don’t leave, I might not make super big projects anymore unless it’s something I’m really inspired to make. Don’t worry, I have 2 other projects I’d like to release before I leave (if I do). The first is an intro for an Inside Out x Hamilton MAP by @MintySnickerdoodle, and the second is a quiz that helps other Scratchers decide whether they should leave Scratch, take a break from it, or stay on it. I hope it’ll be a tool that helps others make the decision that’s best for them, just like what I’m trying to do right now. I hope (if I decide to leave) that no one else leaves, too, just because I left. I’d want others to keep spreading my Scratch legacy and remember the impact I left on them, even if I’m not here. And even if I do leave, I might still decide to come back, check in on things, and make a new project every now and then. Just because I’m not here as much doesn’t mean that I’ll be gone forever. Again… I still haven’t made up my mind about this. I might still decide to stay. But if I do leave, I hope everyone remembers me fondly and continues to spread my Scratch legacy far and wide. Love, Diana (@GrapePickle22)
