You are here on EQD, so obviously you spend a lot of time on ponies. As with all hobbies, it has probably had some kind of affect on your life.
So what is your story? Have you made a legion of new friends? Have you gone out and met them in real life? Did you improve overall as an artist/musician/writer?
What did pony do to you?
748 comments:
It made me mre confident.
ReplyDelete@MyBoyJ
ReplyDelete*more
Curse my problematic keyboard.
I actaully found this on Twitter.
ReplyDeletePonies have given me a legion of friends, believe it or not :D
ReplyDeleteIt also has elped me improve as a musicia as well as a person :D
I found my niche in society
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ReplyDeleteI wouln't be in this world if not for FiM :)
ReplyDeleteIt made me more optimistic about life
ReplyDeleteI've met some nice people on Twitter, I have an absolutely enormous folder of pony images and pony music. And I'm prone to randomly breaking out into huge smiles every time I remember that friendship really is magic.
ReplyDeleteIt makes me happy.
ReplyDeleteSo what is my story? I'll start typing after I eat my plate of ribs right in front of me....
ReplyDelete(Whoops typo)
ReplyDeleteIt definitely opened my eyes to more things... and, although I was already an optimistic person, it made me even happier!
Smile Smile Smile~
not much really except for maybe a slight drop in grades
ReplyDeleteIt made me the more confident, courageous, amazing, funny, etc. person I am today. They saved my life practically. Ponies are the best thing that had ever happened to me, I am very greatful that it exists, if they didnt exist, I would be here right now.
ReplyDeleteI could write several essays on how it's affected me... I really could. It's been quite the rollercoaster. Just as many downs as ups.
ReplyDeleteI have fandom-related responsibilities now @_@
ReplyDeletePlus a gigantic music archive full of awesome music.
what is this I don't even
Ponies have taught me to smile more. I was already a happy person to begin with, but even more so now; the world is a much brighter place to me. It's given me a new group of friends who share a common langauge. It's made me a better person, and I can't say that about any other TV show I've ever watched. Thank you, ponies. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteNo story worth mentioning.
ReplyDeletePonies has inspired almost everything I do now. It encouraged me to build on my artistic skills and branch out to share with other people. This community is absolutely fantastic! I have made many friends who have been so encouraging and helpful to me ^^
ReplyDeleteI've stopped hating people. Somewhat.
ReplyDeleteNow I just moderately dislike most of them.
But not you guys. You guys are alright.
It made my life better and cooler,dont know why
ReplyDelete(i wasn t bullied)
Pinkie pie, more specifically has made me happier and because of that i've wanted to share my happiness with others. Since i have joined in on the fandom i have made so many more friends and even got people i would never expect to become my friend. That is what MPL:FiM has done to me and im happy about it!
ReplyDeleteI spent quite a bit of my life to watch all episodes 3 times xD
ReplyDeletePony... well, apart from making my life a better place, and giving me one more reason to live through the week... They passed me through hard times.
ReplyDeleteBut it's not the ponies I love most... but the fandom and the incredible fans. I mean, how many other shows have gathered so many supporters, and kept them from fighting? It's simply...
Beautiful.
Almost nothing actually.
ReplyDeleteI have no talent in art or music or whatsoever to improve my life.
Pony just became another hobby of mine. Nothing more...
Kind of sad to me...
Ponies made me feel better about myself and truly made me feel happy.It also inspired me to draw again.
ReplyDeleteIt has made me more accepting towards other people and learned me not to judge people for doing what they like to do. It has also made me want more equality in the society.
ReplyDeleteAnd besides big stuff like that, it has made me smile and feel happy a lot of times! :)
Can't...Stop...Reading...Fanfiction!
ReplyDeleteMade me a better writer, through criticism of the way I use/overuse certain punctuation marks, and more confident through praise. Also just happier in general
ReplyDeleteIn addition to becoming more confident, I'm generally happier and more easy going. I've met a group of wonderful people online who I hope to meet in person someday.
ReplyDeletePonies also gave me the courage to follow my life's ambitions, instead of just aimlessly blundering through life.
I am generaly happier and more friendly now, not that I was depressed or anything. It also has some inspirating on my music.
ReplyDeleteSometimes there where hobbies that I feared of ever talking about in fear of being considered less masculine. Then I discovered MLP and fell in love with the show, music, fan made music and art. I found the brony comminuty and felt at home. I no longer fear judgement of my masculinity because of a show or hobby I like. Thank you MLP and thank you brony community.
ReplyDeletePonies made women seem less attractive, and now I'm confused on what species I prefer in bed.
ReplyDeleteIt showed me that Friendship really is magic :)
ReplyDeleteI can honestly say ponies has changed my life. i feel emotions again. i know what it means to have friends and care. i have even been able to find out what i want to do with my life(could say i got my cutie mark finally lol). ive been able to realize that my true calling as an artist and have been getting better ever since i started with this show. i love ponies and i am proud of it. my little pony has made me a better person.
ReplyDeleteit helped (and continues to help) with my depression.
ReplyDeleteMLP:fim have made me lose a lot of sleep
ReplyDeletePony took all my spare time and made me do something useful with it. I also became allot happier after watching MLP =)
ReplyDeleteIn short, I'd say that it has changed my life, no lie. Perhaps not as much as other people, but it definitely has. I've met amazing new friends, discovered new and amazing things, and I have grown more mature as a result.
ReplyDeleteThank you, ponies. :)
It showed me that some of the best people in television work on kids shows.
ReplyDeleteI was saved from myself by ponies, and now, I can't remember being happy without them.
ReplyDeleteIt's opened up a new show for me to watch and community to get involved in. I seriously love the people around it, you're all magnificent, involved people. Avery creative group too. And both the show, and this community seem to act like a creative ecstasy; I can't help but to make fan-work and I can't wait to explore some of the other creative areas of the fandom (I already do fan-art, but I'm poised to break into fan-fiction and I hope to do fan-music when I study up).
ReplyDeleteIt simply gives me the drive to make it through each week. The only brony friends I have are the ones I've been able to convert.
ReplyDeleteIt helped me stop a drug addiction. Now I go to ponies when I need to cheer up or to calm down instead of other means.
ReplyDeleteI can't thank Lauren Faust enough.
Ponies gave me more inspiration to write and the opportunity to improve my skills.
ReplyDeleteFIM has helped me find what I want to do in life and made me feel like part of something. Helped me get out of a kinda depression like funk and I will be forever grateful to the show and the team behind it for helping me. So ya... That's my pony story. Woo...
ReplyDeletePonies has helped give me a whole new group of friends online, but not in real life yet.
ReplyDeletePonies have opened me up to a huge world of entertainment. If it weren't for ponies, not only would I not met some of my better friends, but I also wouldn't have met the girlfriend I am considering spending the rest of my life with. I can't thanks ponies enough for that.
ReplyDeleteI'm more social, I have a wonderful girl, and I'm more open to people and compassionate.
ReplyDeleteIf it weren't for FiM, then I probably wouldn't be going out to pursue the career that I want to accomplish. I've always been a lover of film and animation, but if it weren't for all the wonderful work that Lauren Faust and her team did on this show, then I probably would've never considered getting into the animation industry.
ReplyDeletePlus, I found a ton of new friends thanks to the wondrous community. So many amazing and talented Bronies.
It made the internet a LOT more interesting and I converted a few friends so we have our hilarious inside jokes :D
ReplyDeleteWell, I met a lot of new and interesting people on Brony meetings ^^
ReplyDeleteAs for my life, I realise I am a much, much more tolerant person now :D Ponies have given me a "I am who I am, and no-one is going to change that" attidude. I like that, I can do whatever I want now without feeling bad and I respect other people more.
Friendship sure is Magic :D
Well it got rid of the depression I had during my last months of high school, it inspired me to study animation and my social life got better. It also filled my playlist with pony music.
ReplyDeletePonies really have changed things for me. roleplay, new friends, new toys, but best of all, in a world where I had gotten bored, they give me new things to look forward to (toys, episodes, roleplays, stories, artwork, music, wow everypony!) Life is funny, I sneered when I first heard about the reboot of MLP, going as far as to share to"coming soon" with friends and a snide comment, but now I am a huge fan!
ReplyDeleteAnd actually ponies opened to me the world of american animation more 'cause i started watch powerpuff girls recently and i see how awesome they are, and how awesome probably all of the staff made by people directly or indirectly connected with mlp is, i just didn't know that there is such a lot of awesome things in this world, that's a great thing i guess :)
ReplyDeleteIt made me more social and smile more.
ReplyDeleteI'm also more confident now, more accepting of others and I appreciate humour more.
ReplyDeletePonies inspired me to draw again when I felt in a rut and didn't feel like it. The stories got me to look at the brighter side of life.
ReplyDeletePinkie Pie cured all my fears.
ReplyDeleteim not kidding.
I found out that I could write a good story - something I'd never even dreamed of six months ago
ReplyDeletePonies consumed... consumed... consumed my life. Rather, it made me open my eyes more to animated cartoons again. That's what I want to be doing.
ReplyDeletePonies ate up a lot of my spare time and the remix community got me back into music and composing, and I dare say that I've improved immensely in the last 6 months, so if nothing else, I'm grateful for that.
ReplyDeleteAside from just that, I've also learned that life is too short to be embarrassed about what you like, and just do your own thing and damn the haters; there will always be people like you you can associate with.
Pulled me out of a deep depression. All the art made me realise what I want to do in my life. Made me more confident in myself.
ReplyDeleteSounds mega cheesy, but it helped me (together with Doctor Who and a few Books from Richard Dawkins) to restore my will to live.
ReplyDeleteNo, I was never ever suicidal, but life just sucked back then, there was nothing but trouble and disasters. It wasn't a good time, so MLP was a beacon of light for me.
Sadly I haven't made any new friends through this show, but I guess that's because I stay in the background a lot.
I would love to write more fanfictions but I'm always so busy, or too tired to do it. I have a busy life with university and other stuff :/
It's not just the show alone of course, the community and fan-created stuff is just amazing and I love so much of it.
Friendship is Magic taught me the magic of friendship. Now I appreciate the people who care for me more.
ReplyDeleteI've had a really rough six months.
ReplyDeleteHowever, over the course of that six months I've met some pretty amazing people through the MLP community. Because of them I've been able to get through what's been thrown at me and I don't feel like I'm doing it alone. For the first time in a really long time I feel like I have friends who don't care that I'm a little crazy or goofy and are beyond willing to pull me up when I'm down in the dumps.
Even though I've only known some of these people for a few months, they've become some of the greatest people in my life.
It made me happier and a more tolerant person towards other people. I also met probably my best friend and love of my life. Thank you ponies, without you none of this would be true.
ReplyDeleteWell, I met the love of my life! I think that's pretty big! Even if we're several (five or six?) states apart, my parents won't be controlling me forever. We met online in August, and starting FaceTime calls in December!
ReplyDeleteNot much. However, hater comments did help to further diminish my faith in humanity.
ReplyDeleteAlso, it let me know that deep down I want to be a pony.
I think I've written more as a fan of Pony than I ever had in my entire previous life.
ReplyDeletePulled me out a creative rut, I guess, made me write terrible fanfiction.
It made me smile. (something I don't do all that often) Ponies helped me through a tough time, and gave me something positive to focus my hobbies on.
ReplyDeleteThe only thing I can think of is that it slightly changed my opinion on buying merchandise of a franchise, which I'm more willing to do now.
ReplyDeleteOnce I find somewhere near me that actually has a toy section, I'll definitely check it out.
Probably because MLP is based around the toys, while most other franchises I like are based around the show/books/movies, but there you go!
How MLP:FiM changed me. Wooow. Okay, well, let's see.
ReplyDeleteAs an artist, which I think it's the biggest thing I do around here, it has changed me a lot. I learned a lot of new techniques, new ways to use my programs and my hardware, and it humbled me. I used to be very stubborn when following tutorials or how to's. Now I don't hessitate to follow them step by step, since I am more willing than before to learn new stuff.
As a writer, wel, that's also linked to how it changed me as an English Major student. I mean, I'm a spaniard. I guess my English has improved significantly since I stepped into this fandom, and I'm always open to improve my writing and the way I word things out.
But I think the biggest change I experience is as a person. Now I am braver to say things, I am not afraid to share my opinion with people and I think things twice before saying them. I am also more blunt and direct when saying things and giving news. Also I learnt to give things the importance they deserve. So it basically changed my attitude for the better, I hope. And since I love a children's cartoon, I am not afraid of sharing it with whoever asks me for my hobbies. This show, and this fandom, have changed me as a person. And I love it.
ponies finally got me to try and write for pleasure instead of for that "yay" paper due in class. Know I'm far from perfect, not even close to good. Still, It got me started. Also gave me something to do!
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ReplyDeleteSomething to look forward to
ReplyDeletea way to connect to people
inspiration for art
and keeps my chin up
Ponies gave me a new show to watch, helped me meet a lot of cool people, and became the one thing guaranteed to put a smile on my face. Gotta love 'em.
ReplyDeleteIt's really taken up a ton of my life. Part of it is that it's allowed me to restart some of my passions in life. I love video editing, and making PMVs is a way to actually do some editing. I love working with maps in starcraft 2 and Warcraft 3, and my pony sc2 project is allowing me to work on that when I had given up my previous project in the sc2 editor. Without pony fanfiction, I probably wouldn't read as much. Basically this fandom is so expansive so I can find ways to connect things I like in life to this show and get excuses to do things I love doing.
ReplyDeleteMeanwhile, its also made me happy. I love watching the show and seeing fan produced things. Season 2 especially has been really incredible.
This fanbase is also what gives me confidence in humanity after reading comments on espn.com that basically read "big 10 sucks" "SEC sucks" "SEC peple are uneducatd" "red wings fans dont deserve their team and are the worst people ever", and other things like that that just make me cringe, and that's even when you leave out the trolls on that site. I enjoy reading comments, but sometimes even I get depressed with them. The comments from this fanbase are sometimes overreactive, but for the most part very pleasant to read, and that's an awesome thing.
Ponies has made me be more outgoing and friendly to most people, because I used to be terribly shy. They make me happier in general and that attributes to my cheery demeanor.
ReplyDeleteIt makes my math skills look even MORE useless. What the hell can MATH do to contribute to a fandom?
ReplyDeleteI think it has given me reason...for what? I don't know. I just feel happier overall.
ReplyDeleteI'm optimist about the things i do.
ReplyDeleteChange my life for sure :). I'm so happy now
Heck where to begin! For starters the show has taught me that even if something sounds impossible, its not! I've become more tolerant to others. I'm currently trying to make my school a better place.(its really awful) And the list just goes on! I'm a pourd brony and will make a diffrence to others one step at a time!
ReplyDeleteThis show has made a way happier person. My life has never been that great, there has always been at least one thing eating at me, making me depressed and always stressed, but since watching this show I've been a extremely happy and positive person. And if I ever get depressed I easily push it aside by watching an episode or just listening to Smile.
ReplyDeleteIt has actually much more than just a positive outlook on life and a bad case of sleep deprivation. I have found that I have become less judgmental and more open to others opinions especially those that involve orientation and other strange interests.
ReplyDeleteIt changed my in more ways then I'm able to describe here and all of them are positive. Best of things is that it just unlocked something that was inside me all the time it just took some realization.
ReplyDeleteThree things worth mentioning:
ReplyDelete1. I always have a smile on my face now, whereas before it was a scowl was pasted on my face.
2. I'm more trusting towards people.
3. Like Pinkie, another person's smile makes me happy. And I have no idea as to why.
Well, ever since Pony hit, I've gained a few friends (online), and I've been able to improve the writing skills I forgot I had.
ReplyDeleteNothing dramatic. I enjoy it for what it is and I've continued enjoying it even when I got made fun of for it.
ReplyDeletePonies changed my life, i became friends with a whole lot of different people because we're all bronies and i learned to love
ReplyDeletePonies made me more confident in speaking what I think, I used to be the quiet, stay out of the way type of person in school. It also made me look odd cause I'm the biggest person at school weighing over 200lbs and 6ft tall at 14. Now I'm the leader in every conversation with a much better attitude toward life, honostly, I was suicidal before this show, I was pushed around a lot. Now I'm always like 'Come at me bro' if anyone messes with me. So thank you ponies, and thank you bronies, you really made my life better!
ReplyDeleteI'm a lot friendlier towards people. I'm still not exactly open about being a Brony to people I know because I'm still afraid that I'll have to deal with ridicule all through High School (still only a freshman :/). Not only am I friendlier, I also trying to be a better person.
ReplyDeleteAlso, ponies have killed my computer storage space xD.
Oh man! Where do I even begin? There's so much good that ponies have brought into my life.
ReplyDelete- I've always been an open minded person. But being around this community has taught me to be even more open minded and really take in everyone's take on things
- Every day seems that much brighter thanks to this series. Just seeing how cheerful the gang is and watching their "day to day" activities is always fun to watch.
- My eyes and ears have been opened up to different forms of entertainment. Particularly music. I've heard all kinds of awesome music, both original as well as songs used in PMV's and similar media. Some of the songs I listen to today is all thanks to this community.
- Art. Now granted, I haven't really done anything since the Artist Training Grounds, but I'm steadily working on something. But if it wasn't for this, I never would have taken that first step.
- I get to interact with a lot more people that I would have ever imagined. Just being here, talking with you guys and the people I've met in other social channels is pretty awesome. Of course that's just here online. It's a different story in the real world; I'm an absolute train wreck around new people. But it's something that I'll continue to work on.
I'm sure there's more good that this series has brought about, but it's not coming to me right now. But this show, and you guys, are now a part of me. One that I'll carry with me long after the show has ended and until the lights go out. And that's something that no one will be able to take away from me.
It's given me the inspiration to pick up all kinds of hobbies I either have stopped doing or just haven't gotten around to doing, like reading (if it weren't for fimfiction, I would probably never read) and music (in between all the incredible musicians in the fandom, I've decided to get my act together and start making music). It's amazing what ponies will make people do.
ReplyDeleteI'm really Asocial and as such I don't have that many friends, but MLP led me to getting counselling for what turned out to be Social Anxiety and Self-Esteem Issues.
ReplyDeleteAnd I joined the team working on Budding Friendships, so now I have something to work on.
In all honesty it's just made me happy, filled me with massive amounts of glee, something I thought was beyond me (I'm not depressive or anything just emotionally numb and feeling most emotions past an extremely shallow level is beyond me. I've also stopped hating people in general. There's still the select people I know that I'd like to high five with a chair but I've started liking people in general especially bronies, I love bronies. I'm Still a dick though probably always will be, but I'm more social social than before and actually choose to hang out with my peers (another thing I thought beyond me)Yeah ponies are awesome
ReplyDeleteI was always digging myself in a rut and this show has helped me get out of that rut.
ReplyDeleteI have yet to meet any new brony-style friends in life (IRL), but the series has affected me dramatically.
ReplyDeleteThese ponies unlocked one of the biggest and largest tidal wave of emotions and splendor in my entire life. No longer to I hate others out of blind dislikefullness or the opinions of others. Through these kind symbols of tolerance and friendship, I have learned to love and tolerate all, no matter their actions (except Jonsey :P).
I may still be a closet brony (such a lonely life :( ), but I still love and adore this strong symbol of friendship, kindness, and magic for all that it is worth and then some.
Wow, do these kind of discussions garner a lot of posts quickly. Also, didn't we do this at least several times before here? lol
ReplyDeleteHonestly, this wasn't my first fandom similar to this one. So I've been somewhat used to this general feel and community for well over a decade now. It's true. all fandoms and communities have different feels to them. None are exactly the same of course. But many have sorta similar lines they that run along them.
Hmm, what have ponies done for me... well, it gave me another fun community to take part in. Many new friends to talk and hang out with. I'd say it perhaps helped me shape my artistic skills a little more as well, yeah. Something new to draw, etc. Really though, it's about the community and friends it beings with it. :)
It delivered me from my pessimistic mood; it made me believe humanity is not that bad after all; it made me appreciate music very different from what I used to listen to; it changed my perspective about most things; it made me a lot more open minded; yes, it changed my life in about two months.
ReplyDeleteAnd of course, ponies. Man, how I love this community.
Ponies made me give up playing game(s) I was addicted to (EqD updates so often ._.) and helped me get over my porn addiction. Also, it has given me a crap load of awesome music and art and inspiration to do something with these hands of mine (which I now hope would be hooves ;)).
ReplyDeleteIt really hasn't, overall. Made people look at me weird when I say I like it, but they looked at me weird anyway. My family thinks I'm insane, but they did anyway. Made me happy for a little bit, though. Gave me something to look forward to on saturdays. That's really it. My writing still sucks, I can't draw to save my life, and I have no musical talent anymore (burned it all in 7th grade with 26 compositions). In the end, I'm exactly the same, just with more pink in my room than I thought would ever exist there.
ReplyDeleteIt shows me that men like me can have no shame in liking something that is targeted towards girls. In fact, it gives me hope that there will be more shows aimed at little girls that will have appeal outside their targeted demographic.
ReplyDeleteIts easier to say what I think, and not be discouraged by negative comments or stuff like that. Basically it made me more me.
ReplyDeleteFriendship has affected my entire life forever and will continue to this tradition from now on. The funny thing, I had to make a speech about Friendship in school today and people really appreciate it because of my passion and guts to speak in front of the class with confidence!!! ^_^
ReplyDelete*cough*
ReplyDeleteThis ain't what I meant at all
*cough*
inspired me to write.
ReplyDeletegot me to not kill myself.
I had went through a really bad break up mid September and I discovered ponies a week or so later. Curiosity got the best of me and I started to really enjoy it. I was still hurting, but everytime I watched MLP I was just overcome with joy. It helped me get through a really hard time, and the day I got my ex to finally watch it she told me she still loved me. It's probably not true, but I feel that I owe my relationship to the show. I also feel that I've learned something. One, don't prejudge anything. My initial perception, and probably the perception of most other bronies, was that the show was dumb and girly. Then once I gave it a chance I was amazed. I also learned to love and tolerate, and I'm doing my absolute best to uphold that. Finally, I've learned to never underestimate the power of people. If there's one thing this community has shown me, it's that there are still good people in this world. It also got me back into writing after a long period of writer's block/laziness. I've just started a fanfiction that I hope a lot of people will love and can hopefully draw attention to my book. I never thought I'd ever thank a show about multi-colored ponies and their lessons on friendship for my success but I would proudly admit it.
ReplyDeleteI'm not a creative person, i study maths and play tennis. But it has got me some good friends, some good music/stories/pictures, and of course entertainment from the show, makes me happy watching the show! and being a part of the fandom.
ReplyDeleteI could echo much of what's already been said here - it's all true. I am a happier, better, less judgmental person for having known ponies. I also never truly knew what obsessive fandom was until I found them. ;)
ReplyDeleteAs many people, it made me much more optimistic about life and made me look differently on the matters of friendship, believe it or not. It has also made me more confident about myself.
ReplyDeleteErtty75
ReplyDeleteAre you me? I was 200lbs, 6ft at 14 as well xD
Well, actually I was 6.3, but close enough.
6.4 1/2 at 15 :/
The show's great and fun and kind of a big pick-me-up at a bit of a rough time in my life. More than that, though, the fandom is terrific. It got me back into writing for the first time in about ten years. It also gave me impetus to start learning music composition and practicing my guitar in earnest (also things that have been lying largely fallow for a long time).
ReplyDeleteI should add, ponies really took over my life. Too much to be honest.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I noticed I hated a lot of people and groups who might not deserve it. I try to not hate anyone so that showed how much I was failing.
My Little Pony changed my life and I had made lots of friends thanks to the concept and lessons I learned from this show!!! I love My little Pony more than anything i have ever accomplished in entire life!!!!! ^_^
ReplyDeleteHmm an interesting discussion.
ReplyDeleteTo me, FiM has done something I didn't expect it could happen: started writing again. I had some stories back then, but for some reasons I couldn't focus on them, though I still have some drafts.
FiM made me write fanfiction willingly (non-commissioned), and have tried my best to improve as a writer. Maybe I'll find my stories here someday. Thanks to the writing, I was introduced to Ponychan, where I met awesome friends like Jmozz and Dublio among others, and created my own bearded ponysona and, after so much writing and reviewing, became one of the PonyChan crew.
I'm not exaggerating when I say that this is the first show I've embraced with so much love. Sure, I wasn't able to stand certain characters, but now I can with most of them. I was a huge fan of Slayers when I was a child, but I never reacted at anything watching that anime as I did when I heard our beloved Derpy talk.
The show reminds of... I cannot say "better times", because it wouldn't be fair, awesome things happened back then. But reminds me of different times, when things were simpler. To my beloved ponies, to whom I owe this enlightenment. Thank you.
Fun has given me a more positive outlook on life and reinforced my faith in friendship
ReplyDeleteMy family has a long line of depression passed down, and while I'm a generally happy person, I always hit random spouts of sadness. The show, as well as the community, helps immensely with dealing with that. I've also taken up a new language, a new instrument, I've begun drawing (And I've already surpassed some of my artistic friends who have been drawing for a year or two, simply because I draw ponies and I've been so enthusiastic about it that I draw all the time.). Who'd have thought a children's cartoon would help me improve not just as a person, but improve my skills as well?
ReplyDeleteNeedless to say I've met so many friends in the community that encourage and help me with my art, my music, my writing, and I've also converted most of my friends (Though my best friends still don't watch the show, they support it whole heartedly and have tried it, saying it's just not their thing but they love bronies to death.). I've gotten much more good out of this than I've gotten bad, the only bad being had is ridicule from people on the internet.
Even my family supports it at this point, using the logic of "At least he's not doing crack and in a gang.".
The community and show have also improved my social life, mostly outside of the brony community, by giving me more self confidence. I'm the last to think I'm a catch for the ladies, but I learned the other day when I went out to eat that I'm actually a pretty good pick around here in southern Louisiana. I'd have never had the confidence to believe that if it weren't for my friends.
In summary, this community has improved my life psychologically, emotionally, and physically. There is no aspect of my life that wasn't improved by this show and the community that followed. I'll have been a brony for exactly 365 days on the 24th, and my only regret is that it took until February of 2011 to find the show.
My little pony gave me a more optimistic approaches in my life forever!!!! ^_^
ReplyDeleteLet's see... Ponies has eaten up a whole lot of my time, but it has also made me feel a lot happier and more open-minded. Not to mention new appreciation for artists and art in general. Overall, I love what it has done to me.
ReplyDeleteThe list is endless and i have been a Brony for about a month now...
ReplyDelete- Happy, is the word that would tell my story the best.
Just an off note: This is greatest community anyone could ever ask for <3
Oh, yes, I've also listened to more types of music (such as techno) due to remixes from the community's AMAZING musicians, and read amazing fan-fics from genres I would have never read 7 months ago.
ReplyDeleteFIM* damn auto correct
ReplyDeleteIf it weren't for the show if fact I dont look at it like a show I look at as a life changing experience before my friend told me about the show I was a boy who want to be a alone sitting it the dark thinking how life is cruel loseing my girl friend was the biggist thing ever but now I look at life with friends who care about me so I speak to you lauren faust and the team thank you.
ReplyDeleteMarshmallows are now erotic to me
ReplyDeletei was a closet classical music listener... becoming a brony and coming out of the stables with that help me become more bold and open to say "yes i love classical music!" ima colorado mountian hick and i love the music! i regret nothing!
ReplyDeletewhen I was young I was too busy to make any friends. This silliness was not worth the effort it expends. But My little Pony opened up my eyes. The truth is crystal clear, like splendid summer skies, oh what a terrible surprise..
ReplyDeleteFriends, happiness and drive. What more could you ask for?
ReplyDeleteMLP help me to meet new people, and also give me more confidence with drawing and writing, something i never expect to do right.
ReplyDeletePonies brought me out of a long depression, I was very much an introvert and would never lea ve my house to do anything besides going to work. Now, I am happier and healthier, I have many friends, both in and outside the fandom.
ReplyDeleteHeard about it on Know Your meme and Tv Tropes. I watched and loved it, obviously. It's helped me through some less... good times, when I was feeling a bit angry, sad, etc. I myself am rather uninvolved with the fandom, but I see all these great things that have happened to so many people. Like, if a brony says something about being made fun of, or shunned, or kicked out, even disregarding their brony...ness, immediately people try to help them through. All the charities, all the grateful-ness, all the Love and Tolerance. Amazing how all this could spring from a kids show, but that's been said a million times already, so I'll finish off with the one word that encompasses this entire fandom....... Okay, forget it, can't think of one.
ReplyDeleteOverall, It has made me a nicer person.
ReplyDeleteMy Little Pony managed to open up my more optimistic side. Thanks to Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy, mostly, i've improved on my actual behavior around others, and i've even picked up on a few lessons from the show.
ReplyDeleteNow, without EQD, i wouldn't have been able to pick up on this as much as i did, so you guys are deserving of thanks too
It's made me a better scientist! Always so much motivation to be had from ponies. Also, it's impossible to be sad anymore. Something goes wrong, and I just watch a bit of ponies. On top of this, the whole world just seems happier, nicer, brighter, and more honest now. As far as friends go, I've definitely converted many people to bronies at this point.
ReplyDeleteI have joined many Brony websites and met tons of friends online. I've gone to a lot of Meetups and sucked in all the Brony awesomeness in me. It has dramatically improved my drawings / art I done but of course it ponies now. Friendship is Magic had canned my life a lot and takes a big affect on me so far and not intend to stop this fandom just yet as long as I can keep on flying around ponyville.
ReplyDeleteToo sum it up for all of us: Drastically expanded our mental horizons, and made us happier :3
ReplyDeleteI've started reading fanfiction. >_>
ReplyDelete[/not the most exciting story]
What hasn't it changed in my life?
ReplyDeleteIt's that one thing that can make me laugh when the whole room is quiet. I've also improved as a drawer; I've never loved drawing more. I've became more open-minded, especially to music. I love songs I'd never even consider listening to prior to joining the fandom.
I've also become much more judgmental to other people and their interests. I've learned to accept my friends for who they are- they may not be the prettiest or most popular, but they're my true friends and that's what's important. Our fandom accepts each other for who we are. I love it!
I've been a brony for around seven months now, but since I'm a middle-school brony I'd be bullied to no end if people found out. Since I take things way too hard already, I don't need that extra stress.
All right, enough rambling. Bronies for LIFE!!!
For me, I've found myself feeling less stressed from my GCSE's and my family issues.
ReplyDeleteNow, Everyday I wake up with a smile as i put on fandom music, laugh and cry when I read stories by fans and knowing that I'm apart of something that is breaking up social conventions that have bound up our community.
I proud to be a brony and no-one will stop that.
FIM has killed me with cute 1337 times and counting.
ReplyDeleteNo! No! I mean LESS judgmental! Major derp.
ReplyDelete@MyBoyJ Too bad it didn't make you more competent in your typing skills.
ReplyDeleteIt gave me hope for the internet and hooked me up with a once in a lifetime opportunity to work on an awesome MMO! Seriously, this show changed my life.
ReplyDelete@Psycho Twi
ReplyDeleteYeah, I hate being the person whose 5in taller than everyone! And wow 6.3 at 14!
It hasn't. It's a show I like to watch, and that's all it is. I've developed no new friends from it, there are no extra songs on my iPod, I haven't written a shred of pony fiction despite my love of writing, and I am the exact same person I was when I discovered the show.
ReplyDeleteAside from how each episode brings a big grinning smile to my face, it's also led me to so much great fan made stuff, like music, fics and art. It's also opened my eyes to how much people can really creat marvelous things from such a simple thing like a kids cartoon.
ReplyDeleteI've never red any kind of fan fic beofre I started wathcing FiM, and I'm so glad I discovered them, for hot damn, some of those are really amazing, be it they are funny, silly, scary or just so captivating.
Reminded me of who I am and try to be (which is a lot like Pinkie Pie). It also made me realize that good people actually exist and this world isn't completely corrupt. Really has had quite the impact on me. (btw I'm not being sarcastic)
ReplyDeleteMLP helped me on a couple of things
ReplyDelete1. Better understanding of the human emotions
2. Making me to start drawing
3. Stopped from killing (suicide) my self do to a depression
and no i am not joking
I found a lot of friends that care for me, I also feel more confident in myself then i did before.
ReplyDeleteIt's given me a reason to wake up early on Saturday mornings :P
ReplyDeleteWhat about you, Seth?
I remember seeing my first MLP:FiM video. It was "A Mare's Gotta Do What A Mare's Gotta Do", featured on VG Cats. At the time, I knew neither this series nor Dr Horrible, so it was twice the great discovery.
ReplyDeleteSince then, I haven't done much for the fandom, although I did "convert" one other person. For the most part, this series just makes me smile, smile, smile.
I've meet a lot of new and interesting people and it helped me with my boredom during the summer. Also it makes me feel better when life is very challenging.
ReplyDeleteBut, there are some downsides to it. I now procrastinate to PONI PONI and I tend to PONI PONI until late at night like at 3 AM or something during school days..
My confidence has skyrocketed. All my life, I was someone who just reacted. I never tried to be the proactive one, and make things happen. I was always waiting for something to happen so that I could join in. This would leave me bitter and feeling left out of things a lot.
ReplyDeletePonies have turned that 180 degrees. I decided that if I wanted to be a part of something, then *I* would need to be the one to do something about it. I organized my region's first meet up, I created our facebook group that is now almost 300 members strong and growing, I've run a pony panel at a local convention and will run more in the future, I've auditioned for, and gotten, voice acting roles in high profile audio dramas and comedies (The Vinyl Scratch Tapes and Doctor Whooves Adventures to name the biggest), and I've been able to make so many more friends through all of these endeavors than I ever had pre-ponies confidence levels. Ponies have given me the inspiration to become a leader and to learn how to network like never before. These are skills that will actually be valuable in the "real world" and not just in online forums.
So, ponies have changed my life for the better. Much, much better, in fact.
Lets see it started with one of my friends who I met playing Dawn of War telling me about MLP as a series saying it was the best thing ever. Then I told him that he was crazy (as normally his tastes are odd), then since I had just had a wonderful match as Chaos I felt good enough to listen too him. I didnt like the show at first but I couldnt stop watching it then I became a raving fanatic. The rest is pretty much the same.
ReplyDeleteSimply put, it has helped brighten my mood and keep my spirits up. When I watch, read or look at anything pony related I can't help but smile.
ReplyDeleteMy only regret is that I lack the skills to contribute back for all the great fan content I enjoy, but hopefully I can change that soon.
It allowed me to made some pony friends at Taste of Animethon, which inspired me to make an Edmonton area pony group on Facebook that has nearly 50 people already!
ReplyDelete21 minutes of super cute pony's so that i forget the cruel world and fucked-up so call't society for a moment.
ReplyDeletei really look forward for every episode it cheers up my day!!!
Improved, and is still improving my writing.
ReplyDelete@derp
ReplyDeleteWell the show can work wonders, but it can't do everything.
I should also mention that it has inspired me to draw and write for public consumption for the first time in my life.
I have become a better musician.
ReplyDeletePonies reminded me that life is dull without a full range of emotions and you should embrace all of them. They also helped me be a better DM oddly enough =P
ReplyDelete@Bombedrumbum I to have gotten a lot of friends out of Pony
ReplyDeletealso gives me a place to unload the crazy
Better Question: How hasn't it affected me?
ReplyDeleteUmm, good stuff. I've met lots of new friends irl and online.
ReplyDeletePonies gave me a new thing to obsess over and a place in the world. Ponies also helped me unlock a writing talent I didn't know I had!
ReplyDeleteI've become more optimistic and the message of love and tolerance really does affect me. Whenever someone does wrong I tolerate them more than I used to. I've become more accepting of people and met other bronies who I've become friends with.
ReplyDelete((seeing as I'm canon, I'll put up the parenthesis as to not utterly shatter the fourth wall. I used to be just another parasprite in various places, as well as the living embodiment of Cupcakes Pinkamina. I decided I would just give up and join the herd, and it was by far the best decision I've made in a while. That and erasing many accounts of hatred when I discovered remaining open minded was a far better choice than shutting myself to other ponies and their ideas, and that also allowed me to find a few friends here and there, IRL and on the internet. All I really have to say though is that I can't thank EqD enough for changing my initial opinion and reactions towards bronies at first, which were incredibly biased and based around the hypocritical motto elsewhere that I realized everypony here does abide, of "love and toleration." So I genuinely thank you all, bar Tekaramity for that terribly fake HP cover post! No, I'm not serious. But really you are all amazing keeping up a site like this. P.S. I even dyed my hair blue, and no I won't post pictures of myself anywhere.))
ReplyDeleteI'm a nicer person now...I think.
ReplyDeleteIt made me at leave the house once to get me a Pinkie Pie figurine, so it got me at least some fresh air :D
I might want to learn making music after finishing my upcoming final exams
ReplyDelete95% of the music I listen to is mlp remixes. Well, other than that I'm not sure how else it affected me. I'm a closeted brony
Well, I've missed the shows of my childhood. Today the shows have no message to youth, unlike old Disney and other shows.
ReplyDeleteMLP:FiM is the beautifully animated legacy of old 'moral' TV shows.
...and it actually drove me out to start writing fanfics. I've always been quite shy about writing creatively, leaving it to some school assignments. Now I started writing on FiMFiction and it feels awesome.
...confound these ponies, they drive me to writing fanfics...
but seriously, it had a huge impact on my life. It lessened and removed some of my old habits, gave me some beautiful songs (contrary to "Sex" this and "Rape" that), it clears away grim thoughts I have and... that's about it.
tl;dr, I know.
Fun has given me a more positive outlook on life and reinforced my faith in friendship
ReplyDeleteFun has given me a more positive outlook on life and reinforced my faith in friendship
ReplyDeleteI'm a little bit kinder.
ReplyDeleteAnd I learned to do vectors to create shirts.
And I grew interested in animation.
And dubstep.
So yeah a hobby that spawned more hobbies!!
Inspired me to write :'D
ReplyDeleteOh as for what its done for me lets see...a lot of new friends though 70% of them live across oceans so its unlikely ill see most of them anytime soon. As for life skills its helped me with I would say its really helped me in becoming a microbiologist by increasing my level of confidence and getting me through some of the more stressful weeks of college.
ReplyDeleteIt changed me, but I can't say how much.
ReplyDeleteIt made me realize I didn't like my life, but that I could change it so I would like it.
Now I am considering writing fan-fiction, but I am not sure how or where to start, but at least now I know I would do something I like
@Christian Asch
ReplyDeletelol, just a quesion? How did ponies make you like dubstep? Alex s?
It let me have the power to push past all of life's bad moments, and taught me how to take all of my future problems in stride. Not to mention that if they do manage to bring me down, I can just think of Pinkie Pie bouncing around and instantly get in a better mood. It also introduced me to a constant stream of new reading material (libraries run out fast) and kickass(flank?) music to listen to. I REGRET NOTHING!
ReplyDeleteI have Asperger Syndrome. I've been depressed due to several bad friends' influence. I had no goal in life beyond finding a career that was tolerable.
ReplyDeleteMy friends from Ponyville erased my depression, taught me social skills and theory of mind, and made me search for my "cutie mark." I realized my primary skill-set, my secondary skill-sets, and how I want to change the world. I am now a public speaker on autism issues, soon to be a blog author and podcaster too.
Well, first of all, it captured me against my will. I was convinced that ponies carried some sort of mind control.
ReplyDeleteActually, I still think that might be the case, but now I'm so thoroughly brainwashed that I'm glad they captured me.
I first heard about ponies through a very minor community based around an entirely fan-made Sonic the hedgehog game. Eventually, I got fed up and came to check it out; the conversion process was a painful one, but all doubts are gone now. They have been since about the start of season 2, actually.
I have converted a grand total of 1 person to Bronydom. Curse my extreme inability in real life social situations!
And I guess I have ponies to thank for improving my writing, too. The longest and highest quality story I have ever written BY FAR is my surprisingly popular fanfic, "Shipping and Handling". I've been writing fictional stories (both general fiction and fanfiction) for 12 years, so to discover that my most successful project of all time is based around FiM is... an interesting feeling.
EQD specifically also helps me get through college. It's easy to get depressed living up here without many friends; my first year was hellish. But this year has been fantastic, because when I'm feeling down, I just come hang out on EQD! I've visited the site AT LEAST once per day, every day, since August 22, 2011.
So yeah, I love the show, and I love contributing what I can to the community, even if its only fanfics. Let's us pony onwards, everyone.
i became kinder and spend more time with my younger siblings because of the new saturday episodes
ReplyDeleteno more depression!
ReplyDeleteOh, and I've made some new friends, and kept the old despite some bad arguments, all with these skills I learned from the show.
ReplyDeleteI work as a game designer. If that sounds cool to you, the reality is that I spend 8+ hours a day in an office working on games I don't consider to be at all good, dealing with people who discourage all innovation and instead want me to copy bad features from other games.
ReplyDeleteThe pony fanbase has been a huge motivational boost for me to work on hobby projects in my free time. Seeing all the amazing talent making artwork, music, animation and games makes me want to do the same.
In my day job, I've felt like my artistic ambitions are being extinguished by the realities of the industry. Working on my pony games in my free time is a huge, huge breath of fresh air that keeps my mind clear and makes me want to develop as a game designer.
Too much to write about.
ReplyDeleteAll i can say in words is... it changed my life
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ReplyDelete@thundermaniac This is just my two cents, seeing has how I haven't finished any of my stories, but I'd start with a slightly altered version of Brad Borne's advice: For your first fiction, do something you yourself would want to read. Of course, he was talking about flash games, but why shouldn't it apply elsewhere, right?
ReplyDeletewell, i have had no major contribution towards the fandom other then introducing a few people. but the fandom has made me a happier person overall, and given me something to look forward to, some form of meaning in this empty, lonely life i have.
ReplyDeleteOoooh, let's see... I been happier in life. I haven't improved a lot socially, but I learned a whole lot about the internet that I never knew before (I'm one of those over-thirty types and you kids with your "chans" and "internets" scare me...). Anyway, I'm actually starting to write a fanfic, which is something I never considered doing before. Also, I've lost about 25-30 lbs. since I began watching the show!
ReplyDeleteIt made me much more tolerant and peascefull, it also inspiered me to make lots of things like writing fanfiction, it also made me join a great community as the brony community is.
ReplyDeleteI couldn´t really thank the show enough for what it has given me.
It made me go insane with a lust to make a name for myself, realize that no fandom is as humble as this one (though there are dicks on here, too...), EqD is VERY picky about what they let in, I'd be better off making my stuff without trying to get onto some website, I own a horse. (Disconnect)
ReplyDeleteNot sure exactly how much it's affected me personally. I'm still the same. I think for starters it introduced me to Hey Ocean, which has some music I really enjoy. The show itself also has many songs that I love. I enjoy interacting with the show's talent(when I am able to), and I am overall very appreciative of the time and talent it takes to produce this work.
ReplyDeleteOverall I like being a brony. I have high hopes for this community that we, or at least even a part of us, can somehow alter people's perceptions of internet culture. One of the things about this subculture is that we have almost adopted a "just in case any 5 year old girls are reading this" kind of attitude. Not always, but I do notice that our language is a bit more civil than what other internet fanbases are generally know for. Of course that's from what I've seen. Lastly, I hope this educates people to the overall talent that IS in the world of children's animation. I've actually enjoyed other children's programs prior to this, most notably Max and Ruby, Dragon Tales, and Timothy Goes to School. On the surface, they seem like rather silly shows, but deep down you can see there is some quality and though put into it, even if lacks parental bonuses. Also Emmy is Fluttershy.
It made me more open minded for one. It also let me connect to a large group of people I would have otherwise never met. I'm glad I found FiM, or rather that it found me!
ReplyDeleteWell, what with having pretty much no friends, ponies has given that to me in the form of you guys. I formed a little group of about fifteen bronies (with help from Jelfes) and we have lifted each other up like nobody has ever done to me before. Without ponies, I would be very sad and lonely.
ReplyDeletePonies give me friends. Ponies make me happy. :)
For me it's really just made me so much happier as a person. Ponies can cheer up even the worse of days.
ReplyDeleteGreatly improved my english and made me take up writing as a new hobby.
ReplyDeleteAnd just thinking about ponies can make me smile not matter the situation.
If it weren't for ponies, I would be wasting my life playing xbox all day. I would never have gotten off my ass to start painting. Or attempting music. Or to make something more of myself.
ReplyDeletePonies opened my mind to what future careers I might have. Ponies gave my life some meaning, some definition. Sadly, Maine bronies are a rare breed, so pony-based friendship opportunities here are scarce.
I've read more fanfiction than I used to.
ReplyDeleteI've improved my skill on the keyboard by learning pony songs and might be making my own music (pony-related and not) soon.
I've discovered amazing new music.
I'm a more positive person.
I have a new thing to look forward to (almost) every Saturday.
I have one more thing in common with a few friends of mine.
Overall, I'd say this was good to me.
I met my first Pony in Second Life and sort of backed into MLPFiM from there. I still don't consider myself a Pony\Brony but I love the show and have met a scad of new Pony Friends in SL and live there in a Pony Sim called Trotsdale as a protective Canon creature called a Canis Major. MLPFiM has cleared up a great deal of my cynicism and gave me a path out of the stew of sex\fetish gratification that was the majority of my SL experience. I love my new 'G' rated digs (I own and live in a park there) and the real warmth of having Friends who aren't looking to get something out of you.
ReplyDeleteI don't know who's going to read this, but... well, I guess I should put my story down sometime. Even if no one reads it.
ReplyDeleteThis show has pretty much re-invented me, in so many ways. Before the show existed, I was alright. I had a few friends, a couple hobbies, and a so-so future. I never knew it at the time, but I never had anything to look forward to, it was just life, being a routine, getting up, talking with friends, going back to bed. I had no goals, no milestones.
When I found the show, I watched it, it was fun, I enjoyed it a lot. But it wasn't until that gap between the two seasons that I actually went and sought out the community. Thats when I realised how incredible, no, phenomenal it all was. There were stories being written about the characters, even the background ones that I wish had lines! There was original music inspired by the show, which as a musician, was of great interest to me. All the beautiful artwork, games being made, animations from fans. I thought I'd found someplace to visit often.
Then I found the people. The bronies.
My life story is probably similar to a lot of people, lonely school life, stressful teenage years, spending hours on the internet. I've been to many communities, visited many fandoms and hangouts, from comic book forums to art boards, from virtual worlds to mailing groups. In all that time, I have never, EVER found a community so accepting, so warm, welcoming and friendly. Yes, even furry. I LEFT furry for this community, for Celestia's sake.
I found the music and the fan stories the most intriguing, and spent hours and hours listening and reading, filling that gap, counting the days until the next season started. I joined an RP group, so I could pretend I was part of the show, and it was a lot of fun, and still is! I work on a lot of pony music, hay, I've even had a piece of my own featured here on EQD, and that was an exciting day for me.
The show itself has done a lot for me. It gives me a lot to think about, a lot to dream about, and a lot to smile about. But more than that, it's given me you guys, the community. Without one, I wouldn't have the other, and both have made me a happier, outgoing, creative upbeat person.
And hey, who can say no to Pinkie Pie, right?