So I pop in time to time to the forums, I get overwhelmed with everything I miss, and then I don't come back for ages because I feel bad about missing so much.
How do you keep up with the conversations?
#1 Website for Digital Scrapbooking and Hybrid Crafting.
For me, it's probably different... than the typical member. I have a couple forums I focus on and then I just check in on my interests for that day, which aren't always the same. Personally I don't think you should overwhelm yourself. Make it fun. Check in for 15 mins every couple days and just read what you want to. No reason to feel guilty. We aren't the judging type here at PS, I promise!
I know that I've been around over two years here and I remember you Amber, so you must participate more than you realize, and I for one don't think you have any reason to feel bad about living out life and making it by when you can. {{{huuggggs}}}
I was super active before fall semester started, but now I just take five minutes a day and hop on. If I see something that really grabs my interest, I'll make a post. I'll download a few little things, and then I am done. I used to feel overwhelmed, but then I realized that I just needed to let it go, or this would be a chore and not a way to relax.
For me, it can be hard when I see all the little red notifications if I've missed a few days or a week! It's hard not to go into every single one and see what I've missed. I only joined in April or May, but I missed several weeks during the summer when my mom was in hospice, then passed at home, her service, etc. But when I came back, it wasn't hard to catch up - I just visited the threads that interested me. I'm usually one that joins a board and wants to be "all in", but ya just can't all the time. This is for enjoyment, dismiss the pressure!
-Lisa
I like the way this forum is set up ... it's so easy to see what you are interested in and whether it's a new topic and/or messages with the names right where you need them etc. On days I don't have a lot of time I will check in and take a look to see what's going on ... if it interests me then I will read but you can't feel you have to read each and every message. The internet can eat up your life if you let it and never feel guilty if you can't be there ... there are usually enough members around to keep it going. It's quiet right now ... Christmas lol
... I make time for my 'real' life away from the computer so I keep in touch with family and friends and work on my real live touchable art 
Thanks for the support, y'all
I'm a newbie here, but I don't think the forums are here to make you feel guilty. Everyone has a life and only so much time in a day. I will not be able to keep up with every forum topic and every discussion, it would consume my life. Join when you can, enjoy the community, recharge your spirit, and then you can better deal with everything that is going on in your day to day life.