update contribution guidelines

.github/pull_request_template.md

@@ -0,0 +1,21 @@
+<!-- 
+Ensure your pull request adheres to the following guidelines:
+
+- Follow the format `- [Name](link) - A small description.`
+- Maintain alphabetical order in each category.
+
+**Submitting Your Own Project?**
+
+If you are the author of the project you are adding, please be aware of the following:
+
+- Self-submitted projects must meet a popularity threshold:
+    - **GitHub:** Minimum 50 stars.
+    - **Other Platforms:** Comparable community interest.
+
+I apologize if this feels like an arbitrary hurdle. Unfortunately, to keep this list focused and manageable, 
+and to ensure it highlights projects that have demonstrated some level of community validation, 
+I need a way to fairly filter submissions. I simply cannot include every project, and without some kind of metric, 
+reviewing and rejecting projects becomes very subjective and unsustainable.
+
+This check is an attempt to introduce a degree of fairness and objectivity to the process. Thank you for your understanding. 
+-->

CONTRIBUTING.md

@@ -11,8 +11,22 @@ Ensure your pull request adheres to the following guidelines:
 - Follow the format `- [Name](link) - A small description.`
 - Maintain alphabetical order in each category.
 
-Thank you for your suggestions!
+**Submitting Your Own Project?**
 
+If you are the author of the project you are adding, please be aware of the following:
+
+- Self-submitted projects must meet a popularity threshold:
+    - **GitHub:** Minimum 50 stars.
+    - **Other Platforms:** Comparable community interest.
+
+I apologize if this feels like an arbitrary hurdle. Unfortunately, to keep this list focused and manageable, 
+and to ensure it highlights projects that have demonstrated some level of community validation, 
+I need a way to fairly filter submissions. I simply cannot include every project, and without some kind of metric, 
+reviewing and rejecting projects becomes very subjective and unsustainable.
+
+This check is an attempt to introduce a degree of fairness and objectivity to the process. Thank you for your understanding.
+
+---
 
 ## Updating your PR