On Dealing with Manipulative Behavior

So, as a writer and knit designer, I keep certain social media accounts public. I use these accounts for updating readers, posting about projects, doing pattern launches, sharing photographs and artwork, etc. I am an open and blunt person. It’s my nature. I don’t know what it is about this year, but my “availability” seems to be an invitation to some folks to try to engage me in ways that are disruptive, manipulative, or just selfish.

Part of my move to put posts like this behind a paywall is revoking some of that general availability from those that might weaponize it or even just obsess over it. The assumption is that such types of people would not be willing to give an email address and credit card to continue such behavior. And if they are, well, at least I’m paid for my trouble.

Since around December of 2022, I’ve had an unfortunate pattern of orbiting behavior that has made me feel emotionally manipulated and uncomfortable with my generative process in a way that I haven’t felt s…