When Replying to Comments Becomes a Part-Time Job: A Creator’s Dilemma

The hidden emotional labor of being “accessible” in a hyperconnected world

“Engage with your audience,” they said.

“It builds community,” they said.

But no one mentioned the emotional labor.

In the age of digital creation, audience engagement is no longer a bonus, it’s expected. We don’t just make content anymore. We moderate threads, monitor replies, and respond to dozens (sometimes hundreds) of comments daily.

And here’s the kic…