It’s no longer a question for me. I’ve deactivated my formerly-known-as-Twitter account. Although it was still easy for me to share posts via the formerly-known-as-Twitter site, I’ve just become so disenchanted with the formerly-known-as-Twitter experience that I’ve decided to just dump it.
I know many of you still use the site and are happy with your community there, but I’ve been spending less and less time on social media. It’s enough for me to check into WordPress on an irregular basis. Generally, I approach most social media sites these days with a Meh.
In and of itself, that’s not a bad thing. It means I’m busy doing other things. Frankly, I don’t know how anyone keeps up with all the sharing on the formerly-known-as-Twitter site and Facebook and Instagram and wherever else people are congregating.
Then there’s Substack. I do some reading over there, but Substack is kind of like a closed loop. The platform has it’s own Twitter-like function but, as far as I know, you can only share Substack posts on it. I have not tried to share other links. I can understand why Substack chose to direct their writers and readers away from the formerly-known-as-Twitter site, but there’s something a little creepy about it. Creepy as in, “We’re special. We don’t want people outside of Substack to come and hang out with us.”
Maybe I’m being hyper-sensitive because I write on WordPress and am only a reader on Substack. I’m not interested in being a writer there even if it’s free (for now). With WordPress, I feel like I can pretty much be myself. I don’t worry about whether readers sign up for emails or even just follow me. I’m not writing to make money or become famous.
Of course I want to be read. I want to make connections. I enjoy the community I’ve found here. Too often, though, on sites such as Substack and Medium, I find writers who start off just writing and sharing and seeming to have a good time and then somehow drift into writing about their stats, their efforts to increase subscribers, etc. Meh.
As you can see, I’ve changed my blog theme/template … again. The thing is, although I don’t want to be a writer on Substack, I like the layout, the simple style of the posts there. I guess I’m just trying to minimize how crazy the world looks to me at times, an explosion of links and photos and emojis and memes.
So, let’s see if this theme sticks. Meanwhile, I have two wool potholders ready to go to a special person.
These potholders were made with Hillcreek Fiber Studio‘s Solar Eclipse bundle of wool loops. While I love the colors with this pattern, I’m already imagining how I might weave them differently.
Thank you for reading. Here’s an oldish photo of Junior (RIP) (circa December 2020). Sometimes after dinner, Junior would insist on jumping up on the dining room table and snuggling. Good times.
Marie at 1 Write Way 