Why I Am Taking An Indefinite Hiatus From Social Media Starting at the End of 2024

As we enter 2025, I’ve decided to step away from Social Media and its relentless pace, which seems to reflect the world around us.

While I’ll still occasionally post via Micro.blog, check replies and DMs occasionally, and keep my personal Bluesky and Mastodon accounts active, email is the best way to reach me. My personal site and blog are in progress, and I hope to include a comment section while keeping it spam-free.

My home business is no longer on Social Media.

Grateful for Connections and Friendships

Social Media has brought me incredible connections and friendships that I deeply value.

I’m committed to staying in touch through other channels, such as WhatsApp, Signal, or email. My phone number is on the contact me page if you want to reach me on WhatsApp. If you want my Signal username, please ask me for it.

For my home business, my website forums and Patreon (each with a modest $5/month fee) are great alternatives for staying connected and supporting my work.

The Flaws of Large Platforms

Platforms like Twitter once felt like hubs for ideas and conversation, but their choices have amplified rage bait and divisiveness over substance.

Newer platforms like BlueSky have taken strides to address some of Twitter’s worst traits—it’s undeniably more pleasant, but the same systemic issues crop up.

Like all Social Media networks, it struggles with moderation, scale, and the inherent challenges of keeping meaningful interactions at the forefront.

Rage bait, hot takes, and virtue and value signaling have replaced meaningful and thoughtful conversations.

No matter how many keywords or users I mute or block, they find their way into our feeds depending on the way people phrase things.

A major dealbreaker for me is that mutes and blocks don't apply to Quote Posts, Reposts, or links. I'm not okay with being forcibly exposed to certain content. You can turn off ALL Quote Posts and Reposts, but a blanket solution isn't what we're looking for, now is it?

Why Smaller Communities Stand Out

Smaller communities, such as Mastodon instances, prioritize connection over metrics, fostering spaces built around shared values and thoughtful discussion, or at least that's the intention. However, how people use social media hasn't changed, and that's a problem.

Content Warnings are offered, but rarely used. What I said about mutes and blocks still applies on Mastodon.

Even smaller communities aren’t perfect. Moderation is inconsistent, and unwanted content from other instances still seeps in due to lack of sufficient moderation. I'm not knocking moderators. It's always impossible to keep up, and everyone makes mistakes.

There is a lot of value in what Mastodon offers, but it still feels lacking in many ways. I hope it improves and appeals to more people over time. After two years of using it, I honestly don't feel it's made much progress.

Finding Value in Intentional Spaces

Podcasts, Newsletters, Blogs, and forums offer opportunities for conversations free from algorithms and attention-driven content.

Blogging, in particular, allows for deliberate, meaningful expression that resonates with those genuinely interested in the topics at hand. It’s not about reacting to every trend, but crafting ideas worth exploring, and encouraging critical thinking, something that is sorely lacking these days.

Looking Ahead with Optimism

I’m putting my time and energy into spaces that reflect my priorities and values, and I don't need daily reminders of the shit going on in the world. I recognize that's a privileged thing to say, but I also don't control any of it beyond my vote (don't worry, I'm not getting political).

Sharing my thoughts on Social Media gets a little bit of traction, but it's mostly meaningless, and certainly not something the masses are paying any attention to.

My Twitter account is gone. Twitter is dead and replaced. I deleted my Facebook, Instagram, and Threads accounts.

I’m still observing how platforms like Bluesky evolve, but I’m not convinced that Social Media can be fixed. I think it's a failed experiment so far, but perhaps the best parts could be reinvented? We would need different priorities.

Instead, I’m optimistic about the potential of smaller, more focused communities and tools prioritizing human connection over scale.

Whether or not I return in full to Social Media in the future, I’m excited to spend my time and energy in more meaningful ways. I hope you'll join me.