Farewell Twitter: Reflecting on My Social Media Journey

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Two years ago, I took the plunge into the world of Twitter with a singular goal in mind – to amass a substantial following for my journey as a memoir author. Little did I know that this step would lead me on a rollercoaster ride through the intricacies of social media, ultimately culminating in my decision to bid farewell to the platform. As I reflect on my time on Twitter, I can’t help but acknowledge the significant changes it has undergone, especially with its recent transition to “X” under the ownership of the controversial Elon Musk.

My initial foray into Twitter was driven by the realization that having a robust social media presence was paramount for aspiring authors. In these two years, I’ve devoted relentless effort within the writing community to cultivate a meaningful following of 6,000 people. It was a journey marked by camaraderie, support, and the joys of connecting with fellow writers and book enthusiasts. My feed was filled with posts about books, writing tips, and positivity.

However, as Twitter shifted hands and Elon Musk took the reins, the platform began to evolve in ways that, to me, felt twisted and contrary to its original spirit. Suddenly, my once book-centric “For You” page transformed into a disheartening stream of hate speech, racism, and explicit content. The experience left me disheartened, making me contemplate leaving the platform altogether.

But hesitation held me back. I understood that publishers and agents often prioritize authors with a significant online following. This conundrum left me in a precarious position. Just as I grappled with the decision to stay or leave, Twitter’s algorithms deemed my posts, which were primarily centered on writing positivity and my personal journey with Sarcoidosis, as scammy, pornographic, and abusive. Worse yet, I was labeled as a robot.

The outcome was swift and ruthless – Twitter permanently closed my account. The mix of emotions I felt was undeniable. I was mad, but at the same time, there was a sense of relief. I had been teetering on the edge, unsure if Twitter was the right place for me. It seemed that I was not alone in my experiences, with many innocent, quiet, and mundane feeds like mine systematically shut down, while hate, violence, and conspiracy theorists thrived.

The decision to leave Twitter left me pondering alternatives. There are multiple other social networks out there, waiting to be explored. However, I found myself weary, fatigued by the incessant noise and negativity that seemed pervasive on these platforms.

So, my blog will continue to thrive, even though I can no longer be found on Twitter. The question remains – how long will this new iteration of Twitter, “X,” last? Only time will tell. As I embark on a new chapter without the constraints and frustrations of a platform that no longer aligns with my values and goals, I remain hopeful for a more positive, constructive, and fulfilling online presence in the future. Farewell, Twitter. It’s time for a new adventure.