Happy New Year my lovelies! It’s been a whole year since I dipped my toes into the world of blogging and content creation, and I just want to share some personal reflections and things I’ve been thinking about.
Thank you
First of all, THANK YOU SO MUCH.
Thank you for reading my blog posts, despite how inconsistent I’ve been.
Thank you for watching my TikTok videos, despite only posting once in a blue moon.
Thank you for commenting, liking, sharing/reposting, and all the good stuff.
Thank you for the feedback, both positive and constructive. I really, really appreciate it!
Thank you for 1.4K followers on Twitter/X, 13K on TikTok, and to my lovely, lovely 76 blog subscribers.
From a blogging perspective, I understand how challenging it can be to grow readership, especially in such a niche topic with already established figures.
However, for a first year filled with stumbling and struggling, I am thrilled with the progress I’ve made—in fact, it’s beyond my expectations.
And you made it possible, so I am eternally grateful!
Also, I’ve noticed some people who comment often, whether on my blog or on my socials. Just know that I see you, and I really appreciate you. 😘
Now, let’s get personal…
Heart-to-heart
✤ Still a “casual,” I think?
I think it’s valid to say I’m now an actual blogger / content creator (?). However, I’ll stick to labeling myself a “casual,” considering my inconsistency and the constant craziness of my work (I’m a researcher and I travel a lot 😩).
But damn, what a massive learning curve it’s been. And I’m still so baby at everything, with much left to learn.
That said, I’ll be taking things much more seriously in 2024. More on my plans and goals later!
✤ The impostor syndrome hits hard sometimes.
One of the challenges I’ve wrestled with since I started this whole thing is overcoming impostor syndrome. As a newcomer in the space, it’s tough to feel like what you contribute adds real value.
To be honest, I still don’t believe I bring anything particularly special to the community. Like, there’s always Billy if you want Japanese otome news, Chloe or Mirai if you want walkthroughs, or Naja if you want indie otome news. We also have content creators like Lin, Luli, Natalie and Sammi who always keep things fun and engaging.
And I can’t count the number of times I’ve asked myself, “What the hell am I doing this for?” 😂
However, whenever I’m on the verge of quitting, something always happens. Like someone commenting on my post and saying something nice, or a new subscriber or follower notification, you name it.
Your support and engagement have been my lifeline to keep pushing forward!
At the end of the day, I’m just another fan expressing my love for this niche. So, even if I don’t add something groundbreaking, that’s okay. (I say this now, but I struggle to even hit post sometimes, haha!)
✤ Some “failures”…?
I feel like I missed out on many good opportunities last year.
Few indie publishers reached out to me to try their games, but it was during a turbulent personal time, and I never got to respond (and it’s too late now).
I was also included in the press release email from a big (?) publisher once. I sh*t you not—I’ve never felt happier in my life. But I think I’ve been removed since, for whatever reason. 😂
Another one contacted me to help share about their upcoming game, and I said “yes, absolutely!”
But I never received the press release material.
I was crushed. My blog is very news-focussed, so it would have been super cool to get the tea early and be timely with my posts.
But perhaps my blog is too new and too small for them.
Or maybe I do a terrible job at sharing the news… who knows.
I’m frustrated, but it is what it is. I’ll just do what I can and move on!
2024 goals
✤ Blogging / content creation goals for 2024
My main goal for 2024 is to grow my blog and post more often.
I love otome news, especially on the unlocalised front—so it remains a priority this year. I try to be as prompt as I can, but please bear in mind this is all a one-woman show!
I also plan to broaden my coverage to include R18 otome games, as well as delve into more mobile and PC otome games.
Now, I know people don’t really come to my blog for reviews. However, it feels like a waste to have a blog about otome games and not share my thoughts on them! I cleared 13 games last year, with 6 games close to completion—surprising given all the circumstances.
This year, I’ll make an effort to be more diligent with posting reviews or even just first impressions. I plan to speedrun older games I’ve played so I can write about them as well!
My steamy otome games listicle is one of my best-performing posts, and I’m really thankful for that! Re-reading that listicle made me realise how much it screams “amateur blogger” 😂 but I’ll leave it alone for nostalgia’s sake. With a better understanding of various game genres and themes, I feel ready to write more listicles this year!
All in all, I see this blog as still being in its early stages, and I look forward to being more consistent with it and seeing how it matures over time.
In terms of social media, I’ll still mainly be active on Twitter/X as usual since that’s where I primarily get my news. But I really want to try to interact with people more often this year! Don’t be shy to interact with me. ⸜(｡˃ ᵕ ˂ )⸝♡
I’m not sure why, but lately, I’m just not vibing with TikTok. My views and engagement have not been great, so it’s been a little demotivating—perhaps people are sick of what I post 😂 I’ll see what I can do this year!
✤ The only way is up. (I hope)
Closing a major life chapter last year, I am now ready for a new one to unfold. Being alone has never brought me so much happiness and peace, and I’m starting to feel somewhat whole again.
It’s also comforting to know that 2D men will never betray me. 😆
Otomeology is the manifestation of my coping mechanism amid life’s craziness. Despite moments of doubt, I’m grateful I pushed forward and brought it to life! It has been a source of strength, and helped me grow out of my comfort zone.
Whether creating short video content or blogging, it’s been a lot of fun to have something to care for and nurture. My blog, in particular, feels like an extension of me.
Maintaining this blog has also forced me to read more native Japanese material, which has been tremendously helpful for learning. But I still struggle quite a bit—hopefully things get easier as I do more of it!
I hope you’ll stick around with me in 2024.
With love,
~Vira
It’s hard to believe that you’ve only been blogging for 1 year 😲 In my opinion I think your blogging style is pretty great so far!
Also I get what you mean about publishers or creators reaching out to you for coverage of their games. If it makes you feel better, I hardly get those emails anymore maybe bc I’m on a blacklist for having a bad track record of completing games and reviewing them 😂 Don’t worry and keep your chin up! If you haven’t tried, you could always approach publishers first hand and ask them to be added to their media list or something.
Anyway I’m excited to see you review games often as well! I like reading people’s different opinions as everyone seems to have different observations and opinions.
Looking forward to reading more from you in 2024!
My favourite blogger is here (freaks out) !!! Thank you Billy~ it’s been a journey but I feel like I’m getting there!
😂😂 thanks for sharing, everyone has different levels of time commitment though! I have never considered approaching them first—I’m scared of being turned down cause this site doesn’t have millions of visits or something (my fragile heart just kennot~) but I suppose there’s not much risk to them since they’re just sharing information early 🤔 I’ll think about it!
Reviewing is actually a much harder gig than I thought, especially because I’m not particularly observant or analytical with games so I just end up discussing how I feel or how I view things but anyway, I’ll definitely do more of it this year!
I also look forward to reading more from you in 2024 💙
Aaaaa I remember finding your blog one day when I was looking for info about 9rip and I was just amazed by how organized and detailed everything was. I dont usually follow blogs much since I’m still pretty new to the community but I immediately subbed to yours when I found it, it was an instant connection! Your articles feel both friendly/chatty while also being very informative so its really comfortable and fun to read through, I can definitely feel the effort you put into articles which is kinda crazy to me since you’re so busy with work. I’m usually too drained to even play otome myself after a long day LMAO.
I cant wait for your future posts in the upcoming year \o/ I hope its a great one for you (and otome) and you achieve your goals! Happy new year!
Thank you so much for your kind words donut-chan 🥺🥺🩵🩵🩵 you are too kind I swear aaaaa wishing you a wonderful 2024 as well! Hope to see you around some more and talk about otome games and cute 2D men~ 💕
Just a thought about the Indie devs who contacted you.
I think it’s not too late to contact them. Just send a short message, say thank you for reaching out, but that it wasn’t a good time for you in RL, and that you’d be happy to work together in the future. Don’t let the brigde crumble by not getting in contact. That way they’re much more likely to reach out to you again in the future.
I love this suggestion… I’ll do that! Thank you so much ☺️
I’m starting 2024 on my own after ending a longterm relationship. Just stumbled across Otome games a month ago and your Blog has been a great help! Looking forward to adding many more Husbandos to my list
*Hugs* things will be alright 🩵 and welcome to the community! I hope 2024 treats you kindly and looking forward to chitchat more about our 2D husbandos ☺️
I am so glad that I stumbled upon your blog and it became one of my favorite blogs 🙂 I love your style and how organized and visually pleasing the blog is! (it’s easy for me to find what I want and read them again. Plus I enjoy your tiktok vids too 😂)
I think it’s normal that the publishers reach you out then later poof. It comes in and out lol Don’t worry! More opportunities to come and it’s not too late to contact them hehe you have nothing to lose! ⭐️
I look forward to reading your blog’s more game snippets, news, reviews, opinions, etc. They help me to keep going and work harder (bye-bye wallet for new games HAHA)
I am excited to play Sympathy Kiss soon!
Take care of yourself and Happy New New Year! 🌸
Chochomatte-san~!! Thank you for your sweet words 🥺🩵 and I feel like I don’t have a lot of my TikTok audience that also read my blog so YOU’RE A PRECIOUS BEAN 🩵🩵🩵
Thanks for the encouragement! I sure hope more opportunities will come this year~ but even if nothing changes, I’ll be okay!
I HOPE YOU WILL LOVE SYMPATHY KISS I love that game sm 😫 and otome games are indeed the only thing wrecking my wallet right now LOL and RIP to yours 🤣🤣
Let’s continue to gush over hot 2D men in 2024 🫶🏻