Okay, just in case anyone sees this and starts to feel weird, this isn't aimed at anyone in particular. It's just my own observations (especially over the last couple of days/weeks).

I don't... I don't get why it's such a big deal to lose followers. I mean, I kind of understand that it would hurt to lose a large amount of followers in a short amount of time. But if it's just a couple in a brief spurt when compared to a long track record of maintaining and/or gaining followers, what does it matter?

I've unfollowed a few people in my Wattpad experience. Usually because their personality just doesn't mesh with mine— they're a little too cutesy or crude or whatever, to the point where it makes me mildly uncomfortable— and sometimes just because I don't want a ton of announcements from people whose books I don't read. It's not due to any FAILINGS on their part. They didn't do anything "wrong." It's just not my taste. And I've seen plenty of people unfollow people who aren't following them, or who are following them but don't seem to really care about them. I think that's perfectly valid and fair. Why take it so damn personally?

Honestly (and this is probably an unpopular opinion), I see follower count and reader count as a conduit to attract more people who genuinely like my work and me as a person. I'm solidly sure that a good percentage of my followers either don't read my books or are alt accounts. Which kind of sucks, but hey, it could lead other people whom I haven't met yet to like my stuff. And that's not to say I'm not grateful for the people who have helped me get this far. I just don't see it as that big of a deal when a few drop me.

I've also heard that Wattpad has been automatically unfollowing people sometimes. I'm not sure if these rumors are true or not, but I think it's definitely possible.

Personally, I just see losing followers as cultivating the most positive environment possible. People who need to back off from you for the sake of their mental health (or yours) are valid. You're also valid if it stings a bit. But don't turn it into any party's fault.

Sorry if this hurts anyone's feelings. It definitely wasn't my intention. In fact, I'd welcome discourse and counterpoints in the comments; I'd love to hear more about other people's opinions on the matter!