Leaving Twitter

(Image - geralt on Pixabay)

I’ve been thinking about this for some time now and I’ve finally decided the time has come for me to sign off Twitter.

To be perfectly honest and transparent, the reason I joined was, it’s deemed to be one of the things new writers should do. And, I admit, I had more fun than I thought I would because social media doesn’t make me feel comfortable at all.

So, I started following people and was pleasantly surprised to find people following me. Though the majority of my ‘followers’ aren’t those I’d consider readers/writers. But, hey ho, I wasn’t bothered.

Then my interest was diverted – in a good way – by horses and, more specifically, the wild horses of America and the awfulness they’re subjected to. By those who are supposed to have their best interests at heart.

I had what eventually became a not-very-nice experience on Twitter and took a break for a while.

When I returned, I just focussed on having fun and, for the most part, only keeping up with those whose ‘company’ I enjoyed. Even then, I had another not-nice experience. Ah well…

But, more and more, especially in light of what’s going on now, I’ve come to the conclusion that deleting my Twitter account is the best thing I can do for my own emotional well-being. Because, at the end of the day, that’s what matters most to me.

I can still keep in touch with the people I like on Twitter as I regularly visit their blogs and have, likewise, bookmarked the sites of the horse and wolf accounts I enjoy. So, I’m not seeing it as a loss at all.

I know most writers find the ‘writing community’ helpful and supportive. Personally, I’ve not experienced that much despite the continued support I showed – because I wanted to, not because I had to. But there’s a limit to everything especially when it seemed to be a one-way street. And I know a lot of it is down to algorithms. But I don’t want to spend ‘x’ amount of time each and every day trying to do whatever I’m supposed to be doing to ‘work’ it.

As I said earlier, I’ve never been comfortable with social media and the only social media-type thing I enjoy is my blog. Despite being an introvert, I find social media like FB and Twitter off-putting as nothing compares with a genuine, deep-diving, face-to-face conversation that isn’t limited to character numbers. Where I can really truly get to know someone and say what I think without the ‘danger’ of being jumped on because I happen to have said something that’s seen as a dissenting view.

Another thing that doesn’t sit right with me is what I see as Twitter’s hypocrisy. There doesn’t seem to be a ‘one rule covers all’ policy. Why are some people banned on Twitter or their accounts suspended, usually for stating things that are blatantly obvious, while others are allowed to carry on even when they spout openly hateful things?

A normally guarded person – until I get to know people and even then, it depends – I find I’m even more guarded when I’m on Twitter and that’s quite wearying. Also, I don’t like how I react to certain things I come across.

I don’t think it needs saying, but I’ll say it anyway – these are all my views on how I feel about Twitter and nothing against those who enjoy being on it. It’s just not for me.

The one and only thing I appreciate about my time on Twitter is that I’ve met some lovely people.

Still, come Monday, 11th May, I shall be deleting my Twitter account.