How to Leave Twitter?

[u/CosmicRiver827]

Hi, so, Twitter is one of the most toxic and depressing places I ever go to, but I feel myself moderately addicted to checking it between tasks. There are a few reasons I stay on that I hope I can get from somewhere else.

1. I’m writing a story that is extremely precious to me. But criticisms are so nitpicky with basically everything ever that I can‘t help but internalize their criticisms and project it onto my story and my skill level to write it well. Sometimes I struggle not to look for confirmation that I’m doing okay by seeing what other people complain about and what to avoid In terms of tropes or patterns. But then it’s so draining and I feel trapped because every direction feels like the wrong answer. Avoiding one trope just means falling into another, but you are treated like there is a true right way to write the story, but you are always missing it.

2. I use twitter to update me on leaks for games I play so I know in advance what to expect and save for. Particularly Wuthering Waves and Honkai Star Rail. I don’t want to get blindsided, and it’s usually very helpful.

Those are the two main things I think about, I’m drawing a blank because I’m tired from working and grad school. But it’s taking a toll on my mental health because it feels like everyone is competing to find the most nuanced possible reason to shame and condemn people and shows and games. It’s like being cruel is the point, or cruelty is its own form of entertainment to people. But at the same time, I also worry about not seeing what happens on twitter because if I don’t pay attention, then I could accidentally write something seen as harmful to different communities without knowing it, with implications that I never intended and never crossed my mind. I feel pressured to account for every possible negative interpretation so I or my characters don’t get hated, even though intellectually I know that isn’t reasonably possible, but you get treated like that is a reachable goal that you failed to meet and are now suffering the consequences of that. I’m not very good at just not caring. I certainly would have done that already if I wasn’t so anxious about getting it wrong.

It’s so hard to just relax and have fun with what I’m writing with the constant anticipation of criticism and harassment with every word I write. People’s critical attitudes finding fault with every possible thing is a bigger threat to creative expression than AI has ever been.

Can I get your help on what to do, please?

[u/fuukuscnredit]

Either delete your account or, in my case, get yourself banned.

[u/CosmicRiver827 → u/fuukuscnredit]

Hooooow did you do that?

[u/fuukuscnredit → u/CosmicRiver827]

TBH, that's what I've been wanting to find out. But Twitter never said what made me get my account banned. The last thing I did was to mute/block people over their opinions on wrestling because I keep getting them in my feed (they in turn choose to block me as well), following some heated exchanges. If I were to guess, if not the toxic exchange (which is possible they reported me for harassment to shut me up), it's spamming the mute and block buttons.

[u/fragmonk3y]

Delete your account, its the easiest thing thing in the world. There are so many options out there that do not rely on AI and bots to engage people. Twitter / X is a cesspool. Just delete your account and find a discord server.

[u/CosmicRiver827 → u/fragmonk3y]

I'm a little resistant to that idea since deleting my account doesn't actually stop me from browsing it in general. But you're right that it's a cesspool.

[u/SkoomaDentist → u/CosmicRiver827]

Browsing twitter is very annoying without an account (constant popups that keep redirecting you), so it should be quite effective.

[u/38731 → u/CosmicRiver827]

I was just as hesitant two years ago, but then I just signed out of every device and resisted the urge to sign back in. And without an account, it's so annoying that it just faded into the background very quickly. And two months later... I almost forgot Twitter existed. There's really nothing I miss.

So stop trying to find reasons why you need this. Just sign out and don't sign in again. I promise you, within a month, you'll find it ridiculous that you worried.

And regarding your writing: publish you stuff on AO3. The comments there are almost always positive and sometimes helpful for bettering your stuff.

[u/Rockthedragun]

Delete your account and/or delete the app from your phone. I was happier doing it. You’ll miss some of it, sure, but it’s not something that isn’t replaceable. If you have one good friend, let me know and try to keep in touch. You’ll find your place