I'm here (on the internet) for communication,information and education and entertainment - a bit like the BBC! I'm here on Substack for connection with like-minded, bright people who share some of my interests and have interesting things to say. It's much less stressful than meetings IRL, I can join in when and where I want (or not) and I feel in control of my engagement.
I like that no-one has expectations of me, mostly because no-one knows me! That's why I love that no family follow me or subscribe. I'm still writing for myself, rather than for an 'audience'.
I definitely do it for connection. I have had some wonderful friendships over the years; people whom I would never have met in real life and whose company, support and humour have really held me up. In a simple way, I don't feel alone. There's always someone out there to chat to.
I've never heard of the term webtroverts, but I love it! That's totally me 🤣. Thanks so much for including my post and so happy to know it sparked inspiration for this post too ❤️
Fellow webtrovert here as well 👋🏼 Really enjoyed reading this Louise. Connection is so important, isn’t it? I write to be of an encouragement and to help others feel less alone on this road of life ❤️
woke up thinking about something very similar today...at a crossroads careerwise (aren't we all, always? lol) WHY for me is always connected to empowering other people to see their brilliance - no matter their education, looks, age, abilities, challenges, etc. etc. I've always thought it made sense to focus on helping them find work that lights them up - but all I really want to do is be still and knit and crochet. Yet every conversation with any person lights me up - so round and round I go. And you've prompted me to clarify there is a difference between a WHY and a WHAT - what I do simply needs to be consistent and remain tied to the WHY and the rest will come.
(And like you, I've been on the web for a very. long. time)
I remember struggling to get my modem to connect to Compuserve, back in the day, and the seemingly wondrous conversations I had with people from all over once I figured it out! Almost 30 years.. thanks for taking me back!
On the surface It’s fairly simple - it makes me happy.
Though to think better about it, I’m a bit older that you, had a father who was ‘into’ computers from the very beginning, so have been using them since I was 13 (pre internet) and the continued for 44 years. Why do I do it, connection for one. Validation (though that’s tricky as like and comments become too important). Safe storage for my work (once on the net, always on the net). It’s interesting isn’t it, I could go on, but maybe I should save that for an essay myself.
Yes, I think they got around but I've traced our family back to the first page of the parish register of a Cambridge village on the Suffolk border. It wasn't Tilbrook then, but passed through a female ancestor. Nothing to discover except their names: they were agricultural labourers for generations. I guess those with a bit more get-up-and-go left.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this, it was fascinating to witness you explore the question with such richness. From here, I can see how writing and sharing your skill is so needed, a bit like the act of knitting itself (or how I imagine it to feel) — a connection inwards and outwards as you make and give, a time to be mindful, to take joy in creating something beautiful, to continue to learn and evolve, to honour a creative tradition and its history, to celebrate the handmade and intentional. Knitting for me always reminds me of my grandmother, I wish I had learnt more from her! xx
I loved reading this - very thought provoking. So I thought I'd simply tell you why I signed up: I have been a life long knitter and enjoy talking to others. And my name is the same as yours! And it is an unusual name. My father's roots were in Suffolk.
Oh goodness, another Tilbrook. Hi there. It's my married name but I believe some of my husbands family were from near Ipswich. His particular branch were from the North East though.
I do what I do because it feeds my soul. The internet doesn't feed my soul but it does allow me to connect with certain people or groups that do. I love the knitting community
I loved this! I, too, have been on the Internet since dial-up first came out. I have several friends that I first met online through Yahoo Groups some 20+ years ago. We watched eachother's kids grow up and leave home.
I can relate with what you said about loving connection but in-person interactions leaving you drained. I guess I'm a webovert too! 🥰
I'm here (on the internet) for communication,information and education and entertainment - a bit like the BBC! I'm here on Substack for connection with like-minded, bright people who share some of my interests and have interesting things to say. It's much less stressful than meetings IRL, I can join in when and where I want (or not) and I feel in control of my engagement.
That's such a good point - it's about engagement and connection but on our own terms. Not according to the demands of others.
I like that no-one has expectations of me, mostly because no-one knows me! That's why I love that no family follow me or subscribe. I'm still writing for myself, rather than for an 'audience'.
I definitely do it for connection. I have had some wonderful friendships over the years; people whom I would never have met in real life and whose company, support and humour have really held me up. In a simple way, I don't feel alone. There's always someone out there to chat to.
Exactly this. And really we are the first generation who have this available to us aren't we. It makes me feel very grateful.
Me too xx
I've never heard of the term webtroverts, but I love it! That's totally me 🤣. Thanks so much for including my post and so happy to know it sparked inspiration for this post too ❤️
It's a brilliant word isn't it. It definitely captures our "introverted but social" nature
Fellow webtrovert here as well 👋🏼 Really enjoyed reading this Louise. Connection is so important, isn’t it? I write to be of an encouragement and to help others feel less alone on this road of life ❤️
Oh I love that 'why'.
And having read your writing I'd say you've absolutely nailed it.
Oh, that is so kind of you to say Louise, thank you 🥹🥰
woke up thinking about something very similar today...at a crossroads careerwise (aren't we all, always? lol) WHY for me is always connected to empowering other people to see their brilliance - no matter their education, looks, age, abilities, challenges, etc. etc. I've always thought it made sense to focus on helping them find work that lights them up - but all I really want to do is be still and knit and crochet. Yet every conversation with any person lights me up - so round and round I go. And you've prompted me to clarify there is a difference between a WHY and a WHAT - what I do simply needs to be consistent and remain tied to the WHY and the rest will come.
(And like you, I've been on the web for a very. long. time)
That's such a great way to look at it. I love how much collective experience and wisdom we have in our online community here.
I remember struggling to get my modem to connect to Compuserve, back in the day, and the seemingly wondrous conversations I had with people from all over once I figured it out! Almost 30 years.. thanks for taking me back!
On the surface It’s fairly simple - it makes me happy.
Though to think better about it, I’m a bit older that you, had a father who was ‘into’ computers from the very beginning, so have been using them since I was 13 (pre internet) and the continued for 44 years. Why do I do it, connection for one. Validation (though that’s tricky as like and comments become too important). Safe storage for my work (once on the net, always on the net). It’s interesting isn’t it, I could go on, but maybe I should save that for an essay myself.
It's such a thought provoking question isn't it. The deeper you go, the more you think about it.
I can’t believe I’ve never heard Sara say webtrovert before, but it’s certainly feels apt! 💛
It's just a perfect description isn't it
Yes, I think they got around but I've traced our family back to the first page of the parish register of a Cambridge village on the Suffolk border. It wasn't Tilbrook then, but passed through a female ancestor. Nothing to discover except their names: they were agricultural labourers for generations. I guess those with a bit more get-up-and-go left.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this, it was fascinating to witness you explore the question with such richness. From here, I can see how writing and sharing your skill is so needed, a bit like the act of knitting itself (or how I imagine it to feel) — a connection inwards and outwards as you make and give, a time to be mindful, to take joy in creating something beautiful, to continue to learn and evolve, to honour a creative tradition and its history, to celebrate the handmade and intentional. Knitting for me always reminds me of my grandmother, I wish I had learnt more from her! xx
Oh me too, my Nana taught me to knit the basics but I took it for granted at the time. I'd love to have learned more about her life, and knitting.
Hi Louise
I loved reading this - very thought provoking. So I thought I'd simply tell you why I signed up: I have been a life long knitter and enjoy talking to others. And my name is the same as yours! And it is an unusual name. My father's roots were in Suffolk.
Bea Tilbrook
Oh goodness, another Tilbrook. Hi there. It's my married name but I believe some of my husbands family were from near Ipswich. His particular branch were from the North East though.
It's a creative outlet for me. Writing I mean.
I do what I do because it feeds my soul. The internet doesn't feed my soul but it does allow me to connect with certain people or groups that do. I love the knitting community
I loved this! I, too, have been on the Internet since dial-up first came out. I have several friends that I first met online through Yahoo Groups some 20+ years ago. We watched eachother's kids grow up and leave home.
I can relate with what you said about loving connection but in-person interactions leaving you drained. I guess I'm a webovert too! 🥰