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Moving on 💚
JustV
Community Manager Posts: 5,577 Part of The Furniture
Story time 📖 ...
Over a decade ago, I joined a place called TheSite and used their Support Chat to get help with a complicated relationship I was in at the time. I ended up coming back and then joined TheSite's discussion boards, and the support, care, and feeling of belonging I found radically changed my life.
Back then I was a teenage college dropout in Cornwall with no confidence, no real prospects, and a bucket of personal problems. TheSite was the thing I didn't know I needed.
I got progressively more involved with TheSite - I held various volunteer roles, did some work experience and some in-person events, and eventually became part of the staff team.
A few good people at TheSite took a chance on me - a country bumpkin with no qualifications, no previous experience working an office job, and who needed more support than most.
I got to move to a beautiful city where I found opportunity, I met the person who would become my life partner, and I was given the tools I needed to build a life. I learned how to communicate (which, it turns out, is like the skill you need), I had the best role models I could possibly ask for, and I met people that are still my best friends today. I learned that I had value, I learned that I could do stuff, and from the confidence of others in me I learned that I could feel confident in myself.
You know what it was like? It was like those sci-fi movies where the characters jump into an alternate timeline where history is different, and there are super-intelligent cat people with their own civilisation, everyone only speaks Spanish, and sandwiches were never invented. It created a whole new reality for me. For the gamers reading, it was like I messed up the story but somehow got the good ending. 🎮
TheSite would later get rebranded as The Mix and it would be my home for the next nine years. In that time I would fall in love, feel my first real grief, and create my first home.
The Mix was my gateway to a better life.
--
I put a big piece of my heart in this community back when I first joined it. I care so deeply about it because it did so much for me. I think that's why I've been here for this long; I know how much communities like ours matter to the people who need them. People live here. I lived here.
Now, after all these years, I need to see what different shapes my life can take and I need to do something that weighs less on my head and my heart. It's also about time I gave way to some fresh eyes and fresh thinking - I stopped being a Young Person™️ a few years ago now (😭)
That means it's time for me to leave The Mix.
--
I want you guys to know that, throughout my time here, the thing I have looked forward to every day is talking to you. You've inspired me, you've educated me, and you've given me faith in our future.
My heart swells with pride when I see you rebuilding your lives after hardship, when I see you coming together to support each other, and when I see you grow and mature as people. I've watched some of you go from lil baby teenagers to fully fledged adults and I feel immensely proud of you all.
Remember that you're on this earth to connect with people, to feel things, and to be seen by others. Allow yourselves the same kindness I see you all showing each other, and be curious in the face of things that don't make sense. Curiosity will always take you to a place of understanding, empathy, and compassion - for you, your loved ones, and even for randos on the internet. 😝
Making this decision wasn't easy for me, but something that made it less difficult was getting to know @ella and @Gemma since they joined us. They have your best interests at heart, advocate for you fiercely behind the scenes, and I know they will always do their best as custodians for this community.
More importantly: you are this community and you are the ones who make this place special.
--
So, I guess that's me... for now.
I'll still be working at The Mix for another few weeks, and I'll pop back into this thread to say my final goodbye when the time comes. You might see me again after that - we'll have to see. 🧙♂️
Thank you for everything. 💚
Over a decade ago, I joined a place called TheSite and used their Support Chat to get help with a complicated relationship I was in at the time. I ended up coming back and then joined TheSite's discussion boards, and the support, care, and feeling of belonging I found radically changed my life.
Back then I was a teenage college dropout in Cornwall with no confidence, no real prospects, and a bucket of personal problems. TheSite was the thing I didn't know I needed.
I got progressively more involved with TheSite - I held various volunteer roles, did some work experience and some in-person events, and eventually became part of the staff team.
A few good people at TheSite took a chance on me - a country bumpkin with no qualifications, no previous experience working an office job, and who needed more support than most.
I got to move to a beautiful city where I found opportunity, I met the person who would become my life partner, and I was given the tools I needed to build a life. I learned how to communicate (which, it turns out, is like the skill you need), I had the best role models I could possibly ask for, and I met people that are still my best friends today. I learned that I had value, I learned that I could do stuff, and from the confidence of others in me I learned that I could feel confident in myself.
You know what it was like? It was like those sci-fi movies where the characters jump into an alternate timeline where history is different, and there are super-intelligent cat people with their own civilisation, everyone only speaks Spanish, and sandwiches were never invented. It created a whole new reality for me. For the gamers reading, it was like I messed up the story but somehow got the good ending. 🎮
TheSite would later get rebranded as The Mix and it would be my home for the next nine years. In that time I would fall in love, feel my first real grief, and create my first home.
The Mix was my gateway to a better life.
--
I put a big piece of my heart in this community back when I first joined it. I care so deeply about it because it did so much for me. I think that's why I've been here for this long; I know how much communities like ours matter to the people who need them. People live here. I lived here.
Now, after all these years, I need to see what different shapes my life can take and I need to do something that weighs less on my head and my heart. It's also about time I gave way to some fresh eyes and fresh thinking - I stopped being a Young Person™️ a few years ago now (😭)
That means it's time for me to leave The Mix.
--
I want you guys to know that, throughout my time here, the thing I have looked forward to every day is talking to you. You've inspired me, you've educated me, and you've given me faith in our future.
My heart swells with pride when I see you rebuilding your lives after hardship, when I see you coming together to support each other, and when I see you grow and mature as people. I've watched some of you go from lil baby teenagers to fully fledged adults and I feel immensely proud of you all.
Remember that you're on this earth to connect with people, to feel things, and to be seen by others. Allow yourselves the same kindness I see you all showing each other, and be curious in the face of things that don't make sense. Curiosity will always take you to a place of understanding, empathy, and compassion - for you, your loved ones, and even for randos on the internet. 😝
Making this decision wasn't easy for me, but something that made it less difficult was getting to know @ella and @Gemma since they joined us. They have your best interests at heart, advocate for you fiercely behind the scenes, and I know they will always do their best as custodians for this community.
More importantly: you are this community and you are the ones who make this place special.
--
So, I guess that's me... for now.
I'll still be working at The Mix for another few weeks, and I'll pop back into this thread to say my final goodbye when the time comes. You might see me again after that - we'll have to see. 🧙♂️
Thank you for everything. 💚
All behaviour is a need trying to be met.
The truth resists simplicity.
Post edited by JustV on
16
Comments
that means all the community team that were here when I first joined have now/ are leaving :,)
The OG community team
- Emma
- Harry
- Aoife
- JustV
Or at least that’s how I remember it lol
Now it’s the new generation of community team
But seriously all the best @JustV ❤️
Want to hurt me… go ahead
Wish to bully me…I’m used to it
Want to talk crap about me…go on then
Want to make me cry…feel free
I’m going to miss seeing you around. You’ve really been someone I’ve looked up to over these last few years. You’ve shown us that it’s okay to feel things deeply and to talk about the hard stuff, and that was really important for me to hear coming from a male and sure, theres been countless number of times where I’ve seen something you have posted or commented and I’ve thought .. I want to be like him
This place wouldn’t have been the same without you, sure you’ve helped me and a lot of others feel safe to open up. So thank you for that 💚
it sucks that the time has come for you to move on but I hope whatever you go on to do next is something you really enjoy and I hope that its gentle on your heart and mind, especially considering you’re an old person ™️
You’ll always be a part of what made this place feel like home for so many of us
Good speed🫡 ⚡️
I truly wish you the best @JustV with your future adventures
Question is....does this mean the last Octi is also leaving alongside you or is the responsibility being passed into new hands
But seriously V it'll be sad to see you go but I suppose there's always a new adventure on the horizon for everyone even if it took a decade! :P working with you through Community champs has definitely been amazing and it'll be weird not seing your orange pixel cat around for much longer! Who's gonna be the tech savvy person everyone at the mix can run too now :O ahah
Take care of yourself V, I wish you the best!
Want to hurt me… go ahead
Wish to bully me…I’m used to it
Want to talk crap about me…go on then
Want to make me cry…feel free
Poor V pouring his heart out into this thread just to get a slagging 😖😂 tis all luv
Big big hugs V, take care and look after yourself
p.s here's a pizza and cookie off me because I wish I could send you something but unfortunately I haven't got magical teleportation powers *yet*
TL;DR .. I’m old, im tired , im leaving
I'm really glad I've been able to affect you positively, and for what it's worth I think you're a great example to this community (especially young men). You're a very capable and intelligent guy and I hope you can find your way to a safer, happier life where you can be who you want to be.
I'll take it easy in me old age 👴
Edit: it's funny, the day you first asked me if I was leaving was around when I first made my decision, and in my head I was like "wait, how does he know?!"
You've shown a lot of personal growth in the time I've known you as a community member, partly through the community champions as you mentioned. Do take time to recognise that growth and appreciate the work that you put into it under the surface - it's not easy to do.
Plus now the community has a resident artist!
Hmm I didn't think about Octi... maybe I need to make a plan to steal it before I go 😝
Thanks so much for the kind words!
It's been wonderful to see you get so involved with this community and I'm really glad you were able to find us when you did.
I'll always love it here, and maybe I'll be back!
PS, digital pizza and cookie appreciated
Me and @Chloe234 defo didn’t have you portrayed in it as wild 🤪
Want to hurt me… go ahead
Wish to bully me…I’m used to it
Want to talk crap about me…go on then
Want to make me cry…feel free
Thank you very much for your kindness and I’m sure you will continue to grow outside of the mix but I wish you the best
You were one of the very first people I came across when I joined the Mix several years ago. And only with your support, guidance, and patience for my list of questions, was I able to join the mod team.
You've been a pillar of the community here for so long, and we'll really miss you! Thank you ever so much for all you've done for the Mix, it's a better place because of the time and effort you've poured into this place.
Wishing you all the best for the next chapter in your life, we'll be here cheering you on and praying for your success!
And as @Amy22 said, all before your debut album too!! I was looking forward to a catchy Christmas EP
I truly wish you well on all your future endevours, thank you for all you've done for the mix
I don’t know what to say 😭 I can’t believe you’re leaving! I don’t know how to say thank you for everything you’ve done for this community and making The Mix an amazing place! You and your team are amazing and I wouldn’t know what I’d have done without you and everyone. I wish you the very best, and we will definitely miss you so much!! Thank you for being here for us and for being one of many people we all need ❤️ you made a difference, and I hope you’ll remember that!
I totally didn’t get a little emotional while reading your goodbye message! 😭
I can imagine V, in his old age, rocking in his rocking chair, looks at the last Octi sitting on his windowsill - a tear rolls down his cheek... "I did some good in the world"
Its really sad to see you go, but nothing can last forever, and you have a sequel to write! "JustV Part 2" XD
Make it good!! 💚
...
(Oh no, I think we kept pestering him about leaving that he actually did it...
PS. On my first ever post, you asked me what my fav videogames and board games are, I then asked about yours... Am still waiting for a response
But I really get you
You’ve really been there for me through so much and so many things in my life, so really a massive thank you for all that you’ve done … even if I did accidentally call you your full name in chat once 🙈
Truly thank you for everything ❤️
thanks for everything
Aw but what about a thread specifically for it, like long term old users. Where if people wanted they could comment their update but I mean literally like once a year and make a specific month. Like everyday January or December we could all make our comment and read how others have been. When I move on from here I won’t forget about the people I’ve meet here or the site it’s self and most users I haven’t seen in real life but I know my mind would still think about how they are doing and I’d remember to check every year if we did that lol
But yeah that’s probably just me cause I dont like how we have to move on from people like suddenly never hear from them ever again i always find sad with these sort of things and similar when work with mental health professionals and they move on and stuff.
Actually thinking of it having a thread for old users for mini life updates would be very nice actually because they are still there but its just like life updates really. The people I met here too I will never forgot either because everyone here is considered family to me in a way