This has been my husband's experience with Twitter. He used to be a videogame creator critic and his mental health has improved massively since leaving the Bird. While there's good, there is a LOT OF BAD.
Also, Nicole, please start a book club. Every suggestion you've ever made has been incredibly enjoyable, we have the same taste in horror and I'm almost finished with Vampires in the Lemon Grove AND I'LL HAVE NOTHING TO READ.
this is great, Nicole. i'm learning a lot lately about the distinction between being validated by Online and being validated in person by being present for people.
Hello I'm sorry to report that I was that stoned emailer, I have felt weird about it ever since but I am glad to hear that maybe it resonated with you. When I become stoned it feels very important that I share my big, honest feelings with people; it is fortunate for all that cannabis is currently not legal in my state.
I miss the daily weird questions where I knew the community would be kind in interactions and have fun stories - that was a side of humans and Twitter I really enjoy.
though I had nowhere near the same kind of following you did/do, I got off all the social medias in October and November of last year for similar kinds of reasons on a much smaller scale, and it's made my life a LOT better too. I think I am better at my job and a better partner and friend and sister and daughter and Person In The World these days. I do sometimes miss the opportunity to connect with other people that your threads in particular used to give me... the dopamine hit of thousands responding to "tell me about a time when!" is real, and so is the snark, and so is the pain, and so is the human connection, the broadening of experience, and hopefully the wisdom. I think having been part of that made me better than I was before, too, even if it isn't good for me right now. I don't really know what to do with all of that, but I'm glad to be listening to you and talking to you anyway.
I have, for the first time, kinda pondered getting off Twitter. And this confirms my suspicions that I need more friends elsewhere first. Which is a good thing to know and work towards.
The second- most thing I miss about you on Twitter was all the interesting, kind, thoughtful people who would engage.
The first- most thing I miss is sending your tweets to my sister and chatting about them. We both miss that very much. Occasionally we replace it with texting about Care and Feeding. (Neither of us have kids.)
So my goodness. I loved this so very much and understood it too. I miss our bird site interactions, but this has pushed me to maybe just email you (not stoned even) and just let you know you were a positive force in my life and maybe we could keep that going in a way. - Dan
Seasonal Affective Disorder usually brings me down hard, but my husband died in January, so I haven't noticed the darkness much...but I'm not noticing the slightly increasing light, either.
The thing I wonder is how a person makes themselves do the things that will help them feel better. I mean, I'm going to be dealing with his death whether I exercise or not, but would the exercise help me breathe a little? Would it clear my head a little? Probably. And a little improvement would count for a lot right now. I just have never known how to take those steps.
I miss you terribly on Twitter but I'm very glad you're feeling happier and healthier. Thankfully someone there suggested I find the newsletter and subscribe so I'll get your occasional updates (and more regular ones once I can subscribe).
You're such a bright spot. I'm very glad you exist Nicole.
Reading this has made me so happy & I am so glad for this balance of nourishment & ease & good work you describe.
Iāve also been feeling a difference post-my-own-bird-site-hiatuses, so this was an especially timely read. One hopes for escape velocity, creative-career-wise, without losing the things that for so long made the bird site (the best term) worthwhile.
Also, processing being autistic enough to say Iām autistic has been both hard and peaceful.
This has been my husband's experience with Twitter. He used to be a videogame creator critic and his mental health has improved massively since leaving the Bird. While there's good, there is a LOT OF BAD.
Also, Nicole, please start a book club. Every suggestion you've ever made has been incredibly enjoyable, we have the same taste in horror and I'm almost finished with Vampires in the Lemon Grove AND I'LL HAVE NOTHING TO READ.
this is great, Nicole. i'm learning a lot lately about the distinction between being validated by Online and being validated in person by being present for people.
Hello I'm sorry to report that I was that stoned emailer, I have felt weird about it ever since but I am glad to hear that maybe it resonated with you. When I become stoned it feels very important that I share my big, honest feelings with people; it is fortunate for all that cannabis is currently not legal in my state.
I miss Jesus Wednesday a lot! Good to see that I'm not the only one going through a season of madly yelling at God.
Thank you.
I miss the daily weird questions where I knew the community would be kind in interactions and have fun stories - that was a side of humans and Twitter I really enjoy.
Tea in the afternoon sounds like a dream
though I had nowhere near the same kind of following you did/do, I got off all the social medias in October and November of last year for similar kinds of reasons on a much smaller scale, and it's made my life a LOT better too. I think I am better at my job and a better partner and friend and sister and daughter and Person In The World these days. I do sometimes miss the opportunity to connect with other people that your threads in particular used to give me... the dopamine hit of thousands responding to "tell me about a time when!" is real, and so is the snark, and so is the pain, and so is the human connection, the broadening of experience, and hopefully the wisdom. I think having been part of that made me better than I was before, too, even if it isn't good for me right now. I don't really know what to do with all of that, but I'm glad to be listening to you and talking to you anyway.
I have, for the first time, kinda pondered getting off Twitter. And this confirms my suspicions that I need more friends elsewhere first. Which is a good thing to know and work towards.
The second- most thing I miss about you on Twitter was all the interesting, kind, thoughtful people who would engage.
The first- most thing I miss is sending your tweets to my sister and chatting about them. We both miss that very much. Occasionally we replace it with texting about Care and Feeding. (Neither of us have kids.)
I'm so glad you're well.
So my goodness. I loved this so very much and understood it too. I miss our bird site interactions, but this has pushed me to maybe just email you (not stoned even) and just let you know you were a positive force in my life and maybe we could keep that going in a way. - Dan
I am truly glad that you are not missing Twitter, EVEN THOUGH I very much miss you being on Twitter.
This was lovely to read.
Seasonal Affective Disorder usually brings me down hard, but my husband died in January, so I haven't noticed the darkness much...but I'm not noticing the slightly increasing light, either.
The thing I wonder is how a person makes themselves do the things that will help them feel better. I mean, I'm going to be dealing with his death whether I exercise or not, but would the exercise help me breathe a little? Would it clear my head a little? Probably. And a little improvement would count for a lot right now. I just have never known how to take those steps.
I miss you terribly on Twitter but I'm very glad you're feeling happier and healthier. Thankfully someone there suggested I find the newsletter and subscribe so I'll get your occasional updates (and more regular ones once I can subscribe).
You're such a bright spot. I'm very glad you exist Nicole.
Sending you such love. xo Thank you for this. And for being you.
Reading this has made me so happy & I am so glad for this balance of nourishment & ease & good work you describe.
Iāve also been feeling a difference post-my-own-bird-site-hiatuses, so this was an especially timely read. One hopes for escape velocity, creative-career-wise, without losing the things that for so long made the bird site (the best term) worthwhile.