Art and Life Book 3

I think we all kinda knew this was coming

Hi everyone, Cavy here

I've been on Wattpad since June of 2016, four and a half years ago. I've seen a lot, written a lot, read a lot, and made some of the greatest friends I could have ever asked for. I've grown so much as a person, developed my art an INSANE amount, I mean the improvement from the very first chapter of my first art book to now is simply wild!

This used to be somewhere I was very active, made so many deep connections and friendships and joined projects and let out my feelings about whatever was happening in my life through art, writing, and journaling in my books. For a while I even updated as often as MULTIPLE TIMES A DAY (I'm so sorry to my older readers who remember that, you poor patient souls). Obviously, things are different today.

I watched Wattpad grow too. Ads grew more frequent, but my following grew too. Ads grew more aggressive, but the art community of other people like me and my friends and connections grew bigger and stronger. Wattpad changed colors, went from an upside down "m" logo to a proper scribble which I mocked unforgivingly and still do, the orange more aggressive and harder on the eyes. I started losing interest and time in updating, watched people I knew for years slowly leave, made new friends. Grew passive. Watched the notification boards be removed. Watched the ad-pocalypse expand until you're lucky to get some recommendations for similar books after reading a story chapter. Things have certainly changed.

I know I'm late, but today I found out that Wattpad has fallen under ownership of a new company, and I've heard they plan to make it more kid-friendly. My content has always fallen under those lines, aside from vent art and descriptions of violence (I don't believe I wrote any, though) which are arguably more appropriate for an older or at least a more prepared audience who knows what they're getting into. I know my content isn't the kind they're after, but I've been around on earth and on YouTube long enough to know that new rules for restrictions often harm people who they don't intend to, and it takes time to perfect them. How will this new company plan to force things to be kid friendly? What does this mean for the art community on this site? Will it get a chance to grow, or will images end up blocked so inappropriate content can't make its way onto the platform? The short answer is, I don't know.

I turn 18 in two days. I'll never lose respect or the memories I cherish with everyone I've had the honor of meeting here, but I think you've all known for a while that I'd end up leaving soon. To those I've collaborated with, bonded with, argued with, stood beside, supported, even if I never had the chance to get to know you, thank you for making my experience everything it has been. My books will all stay up, as will my account of course, and maybe I'll revisit from time to time to see how things are going, but it's past time I formally take my leave.

May the future bring you all nothing but the best, the present treat you well, and your past make you stronger.
My Discord is Catravy#7152 and it's the easiest place to find me (where I'm most active). If anyone wants I can list off some games I actively play if they have a username/account system, and for a select few of you who I'm closest with if Discord doesn't work you can shoot me a message in DMs on here and I'm willing to give you my email or something. I'll even consider getting a free mobile game or two to stay in touch with some of y'all, you mean a lot to me you know <3

Thank you for everything, Wattpad and my Wattpad family. I love you all, every single one.
-Cavy
(2/18/21)