so it's no secret that i play imvu. though... "play" is kind of a place holder name since i can't really call what i've been doing there, "playing." in reality, imvu is an online virtual world where people use 3D avatars to socialize and express themselves with artwork and fashion. did you know that imvu can be a full time career? well, that's what i've been doing there ! according to wikipedia, imvu has one of the largest catalogues of virtual goods in the world, with it's users creating pieces that can be sold for imvu's form of currency, credits. credits can be bought with real life money to purchase imvu clothing and accessories created by users called "creators."  if you become a creator on imvu, user's purchases of your items earns you credits, or real life money ! i've been paying my rent for the last year with earnings from imvu and while it's been a great "side hustle" it seems to be somewhat of a toxic space.

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In the last year i've met a lot of people on imvu. some kind and some well... not so kind. there's a crazy mount of drama there for reasons i can't seem to pin point. people are constantly at each others throats for stealing content, for copying content, for making lower quality items, etc. ive found myself in the centre of harassment and bullying that ultimately seemed pointless. my question to all of it is, whats the point?

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i started imvu to express my passion for fashion and maybe chat a little bit and meet new people with similar interests. i'm sure a lot of others in the game did too... but...the fun of imvu is lost if you're copying others, no one will want to purchase from someone known to attack others and it's no fun to be at war with people over fashion. it's meant to be self expression, not a weapon to hurt others. it just seems like even outside of imvu, fun is lost when everything becomes a competition. believe me, i know a certain amount of competitiveness can be healthy. it can help to motivate us to improve ourselves. HOWEVER. competition isn't so great when it becomes a war. friends of mine have had to wipe all their feed posts because of jealousy that manifested itself into harassment, friends were lost and feelings were hurt.

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it seems to me that life is so much more fun and productive when youre focusing on yourself. theres a little saying a friend of mine taught me a while ago, it says "no one can compete with her because she doesn't compete with anyone." she's just doing her own thing ! when i started adopting that mindset, my whole world kind of flipped. every day i'm focusing on what i want, what i can achieve next and the kind souls by my side who support me through it.

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while i've seen this imvu thing kind of flip some people upside down, i've remained mostly unscathed. yeah it wasn't always pleasant, but i can't let a few angry people behind a screen dictate the way i'm going to live my life and have fun, especially if it's helping me make profit. After all, there are over 7 billion people in this world, what do i care if a few of them don't like me?

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xo sugar xo