Has X Lost its Appeal?: How to Reclaim Your Happy Place on Twitter

As an early adopter of Twitter, I used it to share local information. Lost pets were reunited with relieved owners, stranded cyclists were rescued by strangers - and 'Twitter pals' became real-life friends.

I don’t think it's false nostalgia on my part, but I'm sure it used to be possible to have a civilised discussion with tweeps with whom I disagreed. Unfortunately, these days the social media platform formerly known as Twitter no longer has quite the charm it used to.

I'm often asked if X, as it is now known, is still useful for business. The short answer is that it depends on your audience. The longer answer will have to wait for another post. In the meantime, if you miss the days when everyone didn't seem so angry all the time, you can just read on to find out how you might be able to rekindle your love of Twitter/X.

Tweet Your Way to Joy: Reclaiming X as a Playground, Not a Battleground‍

There's still fun to be had in the 280-character land! It's time to dust off your account and rediscover the joy of X, minus the drama. Here's your guide:

Curate Your Oasis

It's easy to forget that Twitter is a completely customisable experience and you are in control of what you see to a large extent.

• Tame the Timeline - Check that your Timeline is showing 'Following' rather than 'For You' (posts chosen for you by X).
• Silence the Screeching – Mute certain words and phrases from your timeline in the settings. You can also choose the type of content shown and whether videos autoplay or not.
• Cleanse the Stream - Unfollow accounts that aren't helpful or joyful (if this might cause you problems then simply mute them, they won't know).
• Don't miss the important stuff - To be sure you don't miss a particular account's posts, turn on your notifications.

Connect, Don't Conquer

We are hard-wired for connection. We need it. We crave it. We benefit from it. While social media platforms aren't a substitute for real-life connections, they do have a role to play in deepening our relationships with the world beyond ourselves.

• Reply, Retweet, Rejoice - Shift from solo tweeter to active listener. Engage with what resonates, not what enrages. Retweet gems, reply with wit, and watch the good vibes flow.
• DMs - The Secret Weapon: Don't underestimate the power of a Direct Message. Spark conversations, share inside jokes, and build real connections beyond the public eye.
• Find Your Tribe - Seek out communities with shared interests. Join hashtag chats (see the list below), follow niche accounts, create a List of like-minded folk and discover a world where people actually "get you."
• React or not, as appropriate – If you don't like an ad, say so using the 3 dots. Report and block offensive posters. Remember, you don't have to accept every invitation to an argument. Think first: will it make you feel better or worse if you click on a trending hashtag?

Bonus Tip: Be the change you want to see. Spread positivity, engage respectfully and remember, you can shape your online experience. If in doubt use the THINK rule (Is a post True, Helpful, Interesting, Necessary or Kind).

Remember, reclaiming Twitter/X isn't about ignoring reality, it's about choosing how you engage with it. Use your voice for good, nurture connections, and have fun!

Twitter help: https://help.twitter.com/en/using-x

Fun Hashtags:

#ManholeCoverMonday

#AllMetalMonday

#TidesOutTuesday

ThickTrunkTuesday

#TrigpointTuesday

#TilesonTuesday

#TowerTuesday

#WindowsWednesday

#WednesdayWindows

#WallsonWednesday or #WednesdayWalls

#Woodensday

#PubSignThursday

#AdoorableThursday

#MetalWorkThursday

#ThursdayBins

#ThursdayChairs

#Thursgate

#IronworkThursday

#FerrousFriday

#ForestFriday

#FingerpostFriday

#StaircaseSaturday or #SaturdayStairs

#PostboxSaturday

#SpireSaturday

#SteepleSaturday

#StainedGlassSunday

#CeilingsonSunday

#SignsOnSunday or #SundaySigns

#StandingStoneSunday