Vigilant readers may have noticed last Thursday that there was no new Forum Decorum article in the Storque. It was a busy week with the holidays, travel, end-of-the-year projects, reflecting back on 2007 and planning for 2008. And boy – did we need a break! Every once in a while, it's good to step out of normal routines and get a fresh perspective. This can be said about Etsy's Forums, too.

The Forums can sometimes be a little bit like a reality TV show. Take one big house, add a bunch of very different people, put them through a series of challenges and, oh yeah – put cameras in every room and lock the doors so they have nowhere to retreat. In no time flat with all that togetherness, things are bound to get intense and people get a little kooky. Thankfully, the Forums give everyone the option to step away.

There are many wonderful frequent readers and posters in the Forums. Some might even consider themselves addicts. There's a Get off Etsy and Get to Work support group on Flickr. And just this week, there was a thread asking if a member could voluntarily be banned from the Forums because she just couldn't help herself. Whew! It's easy to get intimately involved in threads and lose sight of that growing pile of dirty laundry in the hamper or the dog that needs a walk.

We love that our community is actively involved in the site, helping others and building friendships. This is great stuff! But it's also important to remember that there can sometimes be too much of a good thing. Take it from someone who regularly spends eight or more hours a day on the Etsy Forums – setting a schedule for your Forum time (or at least making an effort to take time off) can be beneficial for your sanity and personal relationships.

New Year's Resolution 2008: Remember to take time for time off from the Etsy Forums once in a while!  

Also new for the new year: we're going to move discussion of Forum Decorum articles to the Forums! (Makes sense, huh?) Please share your thoughts on this article with the community in this companion thread: Absence makes the heart grow fonder?

In the Forum Decorum series, Lauren (stellaloella) and RobWhite of the Community team explain some of the finer points of cultural etiquette in Etsy's community spaces. When something is an official site rule, we'll be sure to link you up to the DOs and DON'Ts or Terms of Use. Simply consider these as tips for avoiding a forum faux pas.