Comma after "So"

[Tom]

Hi

Many a time I have noticed a comma after So, and many a time I have not. Is there any difference?

1- So, the meaning that comes to my mind...
2- So the meaning that comes to my mind...

I would request you to elaborate it.

Tom

[Conchita]

Commas almost seem to have become a personal choice. Even good writers do what’s more comfortable for them and some don’t bother much with the little curly thing. It’s probably a question of habit, too. And yet! How many sentences have I not misread due to the lack of commas!

I would normally put a comma after ‘so’ when it has the meaning of ‘therefore’. The lack of one in your sentence doesn’t cause confusion, though.