The Great Twitter Nightmare…

It seems, lately, that I have been bombarded with replies and mentions on Twitter reminding me of the simple fact that I am not following [said user] back.
Well – I decided to blog about it all and address the issue in one fair swoop – just to save me some time, energy and tears on the receiving end of the tweet.

Yes, this blog may come across as harsh, or mean, or cruel, or just plain funny to some of you who know me.
Again – I am not interested in numbers anymore. Or keeping you, the reader, happy.
I am just doing life, and blogging about it.

The issue of Twitter and how to ‘Do Twitter Right’ has always been an issue since day 1 of the site being invented.
When Twitter was first invented, there were no #Hashtags or @mentions  or anything of the like.
It was simply a way of letting you friends know what you were doing – at any given time.

It has quickly changed in concept to become something that [I don't think] it ever truly meant to be.
A ‘social network’.
*Queue dramatic music here*

You see – I’ve been on Twitter for a little bit over 2.5 years now. Using the Twitter name @ivoryjohn.
I’ve had my fair share of ups and downs.
Following thousands and thousands of people – cleaning house – and doing it again.
Trying to figure out how to properly use this website.

What it has come down to is this:
Following people who I am TRULY interested in, and connected with.
Not random people – in hopes that they retweet my creative tweet, or click my blog, or watch my video…

It is all about being authentic. Not halfhearted ‘I’ll follow you ’cause you followed me…!’ bullcrap.

Being on the road playing music has really shown me how to be authentic with people.
Being able to connect with someone for short amounts of time, make an impact.
But these people? I would never really call them ‘friends’ or ‘long term contacts’

Same thing goes with Twitter – if I get a few follower or three, I try to tell them ‘thank you for the follow’!
We connect for a while, they stick around for as long as they want – and can chose to keep me around on their timeline or not.
If the relationship blooms and blossoms, I will tend to follow them back after a few connections…but usually never after just ONE handshake or hand-clasp-back-pat…you know the kind?

People need to not be scared to unfollow.
Something to remember: Following someone is not an endorsement, and unfollowing someone isn’t a ‘defriend’. It is just keeping a timeline streamlined to what the person wants.
I’ve been unfollowed by many of my closest real life friends – and I have also unfollowed some family, friends, and loved ones.
Simply due to the fact that my timeline was not what I wanted it to be.

My family and friends understand this concept.
There is no possible way that I could authentically connect with thousands of individuals on Twitter.
That would be insane.

All this being said: Twitter is not Facebook.
You do not have to follow back – and, indeed should not follow back – everyone who follows you.
That is just asking for trouble.

The fact that I don’t follow you doesn’t mean that I don’t like you.
It doesn’t mean that you are not an awesome person. And that others won’t enjoy following you.
Just like all those kids and adults I meet in real life.

They all have super deep connections with people – and have friendships that will last a long time.
The fact that [said person] is not MY best friend, or super close connection, doesn’t mean anything.
It doesn’t reflect their character or their likes or interests. It just doesn’t gel with us.
And that should be fine.

All this being said: You do you, and I’ll do me when it comes to Twitter.

Happy Friday, all!