Ten Years on ... What Does Supernatural Mean To Me?

[dizzojay]

This was a question posed at positively_spn and it really made me think.  In the end I decided that I wanted to share my answer (with some embellishments now I've had time to think about it) with my F-list seeing as it concerns you all ...




I discovered Supernatural on Christmas Day 2009, and, yes, it changed my life forever.

Of course, in the very first instance it was the J's drop-dead gorgeous looks that drew me in (yes, shallow, I know), but as I began to feverishly catch up on all the seasons I'd missed, I began to realise the sheer depth of these characters and the intricate and tumultuous story behind them.

I'm not a huge TV watcher, but there have been shows before that I've watched and really enjoyed, such as Doctor Who, Torchwood, Star Trek TNG and many British comedies, but I never once felt the urge to write fanfiction or make fan art about them (I didn't even know such a thing existed for a very long time), and I still don't. I'm simply content just to sit and watch and enjoy them.   Something about Supernatural affected me differently; maybe it's because I discovered Supernatural at a time when I was exceptionally emotional, working through the most raw and overwhelming period of grief I've ever experienced after losing my lovely Grandad that autumn; maybe it's the wonderful way the cast and crew value and interact with the fans; maybe it is simply that J, J & M are such beautiful people inside and out; whatever it is, I still haven't quite put my finger on what it is!

But, as fabulous as our little show is, the thing that changed my life was discovering and entering the Supernatural fandom in May 2010. It's not that I was lonely or isolated before I discovered Supernatural; far from it. I had a great network of friends, but the additional friendships and experiences that have opened up to me are mind-boggling. I count people from all over the world as friends now; people I would never had met under other circumstances, many of whom have made the transition from on-line to real life friends.  And the best thing is, these are people that share my inner nerdery, which is the one facet of my personality that I was never really able to share with most of my 'pre-Supernatural' friends.

The fandom also gave me the opportunity to rediscover a love of creative writing, a hobby I'd long since given up on for lack of inspiration and lack of a readership. It also gave me the opportunity and purpose to teach myself how to do digital art (something I'd never even thought about before), and the confidence to attempt drawing people again; something I hadn't done much of since school because I never really felt I was much good at it. Having the actors at cons tell me how much they like their portraits and how flattered they are, has made my confidence soar.

One thing I have said several times before, and that currently still stands, is that Supernatural is my first and only fandom and I think it will probably be my last. I feel like I have truly hit the motherlode on the first try, and I don't believe I could ever be lucky enough to repeat that experience. Any other fandoms would probably feel like a pale imitation of what I have right now. The Supernatural fandom will eventually dwindle after the show is no more, but I will be there until the bitter end!

But mostly, Supernatural will always be special to me because of the friendships I've made. Very precious and amazing friendships, and to those people I'll just apologise profusely now - because I'm afraid you're saddled with me for life!

Comments

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

I couldn't have put it better. Oh and this? "Supernatural is my first and only fandom and I think it will probably be my last." Yeah, me too. I can't see any other fandom matching up - or any other show having quite the same impact in terms of generating ideas (though that doesn't mean I don't dabble occasionally in other fandoms, I can't see me getting absorbed in the same way).
And in conclusion

[jeweledvixen.livejournal.com]

This is wonderful. I just found SPN last year, through Milly. She finally convinced me to watch the show, so I did and now I'm hooked for life. I'm also grateful for all the new friends I've found through the SPN fandom. I don't mind being stuck with you for life. It's a privilege.

[borgmama1of5.livejournal.com]

I never once felt the urge to write fanfiction or make fan art about them (I didn't even know such a thing existed for a very long time), and I still don't. I'm simply content just to sit and watch and enjoy them. Something about Supernatural affected me differently

This. Exactly what happened to me too!

And the friends!

[milly-gal.livejournal.com]

I couldn't have put it better myself honey! The only difference is I did actively participate in other fandoms and still do on occasion, but that just leads me to be able to say with absolute clarity that you're right, and as lovely as other fandoms are they pale in comparison to this family!

[be-my-precious.livejournal.com]

what a wonderful expression of your love for this show. i know we don't know each other, but i do follow your journal, which i love. i also follow jj. i too discovered Supernatural when i was at an emotionally raw time mentally and the show itself seemed to mend my heart and mind. i've just recently gotten into following other people who love the show, even though i've been watching for years now. i hope it inspires me to write, because i love to, but i thought i lost the knack for it long ago with my mental illness and all the meds that come with it. i know if i had the strong ties you have with so many people that i would just be INSPIRED to write. the reason i waited so long to join fandom online (my first was twitter) is because i have SO many friends that i'm close to that love Supernatural as well, and i always felt content with them. but then i remembered back to other fandoms (HP and LOTR) when i felt so CONNECTED. i think being connected like that to the Supernatural fandom, however, would be an even greater experience because i love the show, the characters, the cast, etc. so much more than i've ever loved anything else in any other fandom. so thank you for sharing that. i miss it.

[sasha-dragon.livejournal.com]

*Hugs* I couldn't have put it better myself, and I'm more than happy to be saddled with you for life. I just feel sorry that you got lumbered with me. Like you I think this will be my only fandom because really how could anything else compare?

So who knows at the end it might just be us huddling together singing Carry On My Wayward Son. But until then we're all in this together and long may it continue.

[jj1564.livejournal.com]

I love what you've said here, especially "And the best thing is, these are people that share my inner nerdery" yes! It's so wonderful to be with people who completely understand how we feel about the show and the cast - and who giggle at the word 'pudding'!

Supernatural has a special place in all our hearts and has inspired so much creativity plus created so many friendships I think we'll all be a family forever - so yes you're saddled with me too!