Making Witch Social Media a More Positive Experience

[@samanthacameron4805]

I made my online experience better by getting offline. With the exception of KZbin, I’m not on any other platforms. I hope to return someday when I feel I have better handle on how it affects me. You offered some great tips that I’ll keep in my back pockets for later. As always, your insights are valued and appreciated.

[@gastronomist]

The only good social media is no social media.

[@TheMoonlightMage]

Same, for the most part. I got doxxed back in the MySpace days so I do get wary of certain cliques and such especially. Witchtok is just awful tho lol

[@ArtemisNYC]

Hahaha, loved this. It echoes what I tell my friends who feel the pressure to answer every single text message, phone call, and notification, which is "Your phone exists for your own convenience, no one else's." I'm glad you've found a way of curating your feed (and overall internet experience) in a way that benefits you, rather than making it another social obligation. I tend to do the opposite, and follow a lot more accounts, but rarely look at my feed. When I want to know what someone is up to, I go check out their stuff directly (takes care of the pesky ad problem too!) Call me any time you want to be 72 year olds together.

[@iterumm]

i apply marie kondo’s method to my social media: does it spark joy? if not, don’t follow/unfollow

[@damattice23]

You respond really well to guilt. No one responds well to shame ❤

[@micheller3251]

this year I had the realization that social media (facebook and twitter in particular) either make me feel completely overwhelmed or empty and unfulfilled. Even when currating the people I follow and doing regular purges, the content that I'm actually interested in gets drowned in irrelevant posts and repetitive ads and suggestions that I don't care about. And there's just too much different content in a very dense format which does not work for me at all. Most of the time I don't even know what I'm watching anymore. These days I only use youtube and discord (and a bit of instagram). And like you said, I try to make my use of it more conscious and less compulsive.

[@lindsaywilliamson5837]

I was a teen pagan in the 90's when we got our new beige computer, dial up and the beginning of chatrooms. I find so much of what u say very true to my experience. I was considered odd for never having joined any social media. I subscribe to about a dozen people on KZbin and reassess frequently. That's been it except maybe some podcasts. At the beginning of covid I finally caved out of sheer boredom and joined Facebook for the first time mostly because of family but got sucked into witch and pagan groups...I had a crash course on dealing with and figuring out how to try to make social media work for me instead of just sucking the soul out of me and ended up doing alot of what u just talked about and it did help a lot. But I ended up deleting my accounts and just sticking with KZbin and podcasts. I feel so much better now!!! Turns out I was right for 20 years, I didn't miss much and it was an overall insidious negative experience that instead of focusing on doing my own thing had me distracted watching other people. There was some inspiration but mostly wasted so much time sifting thru and fending off garbage.

[@theoccultlibrarian5386]

Thorn is always so no-nonsense. You remind me of my childhood best friend. Anyways, I control my social media experience by using very few apps. I have FB to keep up with family and friends mostly. I use KZbin the most because I enjoy visually learning new things. I very rarely go on Instagram, and I only go to look at others posts, I don't post that much. I don't have a Twitter or a Tik Tok lol. I like to keep it simple, and if I'm using social media it's either to expand my brain or relax my mind. I don't do doom scrolling.

[@drawingKenaz]

Thank you! Yes, I try to have a lot of control too! Facebook was way too much for me, but I feel like I’ve struck a balance on other platforms.

[@Midhiel]

Getting off Twitter was honestly life-changing. I barely touch Facebook. I deleted Reddit, so I can visit it via Google when I'm looking for something specific, but I never browse it anymore. And I've got a hard timer on Instagram. Essentially I'm mostly on KZbin and Discord these days, and I try to be thoughtful about the spaces I occupy in both places. In exchange for being a little behind on the memes, I've gotten a lot of peace of mind back.

[@drawingKenaz]

I don’t think I’ve ever used the premiere feature! Let’s give it a whirl.

[@izzy574]

9am? 🥴 (just kidding). Love your videos, Thorn. Just curious, are you still playing guitar? I heard you're really good! I'd love to see your guitar, or just know what kind you play. Blessed Be 🙌

[@susanthompson5142]

This was great Thorn , I particularly loved , " I'm a 72 yr old man trapped in this body " when you call someone instead of commenting or texting. That's so me. Always enjoy your content, you're so down to Earth and centered. This was really helpful advice. Thank you !!!! 🌟

[@beanbaghagwag]

Great video. I have unfollowed so many people on social media in this last year. Now what's on my feed are the things that make me happy. Beautiful art and beautiful words. I feel so much lighter now.

[@drawingKenaz]

Same! And thank you! I follow artists and cute animals, political movements, my favorite news sources, and lots of scientists and writers. It’s made me a lot happier!

[@kerriewyer]

Yes to all. Having been a ‘content creator’ and making the downshift into using social media for pleasure instead of work, I’m stunned by how free I feel not having to offer up days and weeks of my life to entertain people for free. I’m also a minimal follower, and I tend to follow and unfollow and follow again if someone catches my eye. I’ve learned the hard way to be very selective in my social media diet

[@ashenwalls3558]

I love that I can silence people/accounts on fb! And occasionally just taking breaks where I'm just not on social media is suuuuper important.

[@Bramble1976]

I deactivated both my social media platforms a couple weeks ago because I was fed up with the whole thing, frankly (for me) it's unproductive time, made me feel bad about myself and was ridiculously addictive. I'm much much happier and grounded without it and it's doubtful I'll bother with it again. Xxx

[@scruffylookingnerfherder1983]

I’ve been struggling a lot with social media recently. I think I’m seeking validation online way too heavily. If I post something I constantly check who saw it and if they replied to it. Whether I post something funny, helpful, or vulnerable. I’ve also been posting a lot of vulnerable stuff on close friends and not getting the kind of validation I expected. It’s become so toxic and I want to step away.

[@danisimpson5710]

Something I try to do to improve my social media experience is not to scroll on my phone first thing in the morning or right before going to sleep. That way I'm not starting or ending my day thinking of something or someone I saw on whatever platform and wondering why I'm not doing what they're doing or whatever it may be. It just makes my thoughts spiral. Also I didn't know you could block hastags or words lol so thanks!

[@daveymcteer6804]

Wow I am so impressed as I know you as an online content creator to post this theme. Such integrity. I love it. In my ctpsd work I cut Facebook for a week and that was 5 weeks ago. I was shocked that I don’t miss it and I feel much more balanced and myself. For me my inner critic was activated by what I allowed in my feed. I don’t know if I’ll go back to Facebook or not but it’s nice to know I don’t have to. Yes, everyone is becoming a brand. I’ve got friends that have changed to suit their online brand and they aren’t the same anymore. Weird how we are having to learn to navigate this technology.

[@lindsaywilliamson5837]

Popped back to say I checked out maintence phase podcast and love it!! Really good and very entertaining🤣thanks

[@drawingKenaz]

Oh I’m so glad! Isn’t it great? They crack me up, and it’s so smart.

[@lloyddragon2036]

totally agree about the follow-follower ratio. there's absolutely nothing wrong with having an uneven following to follower ratio. i absolutely hate how people think they're entitled to a follow back. no one is entitled to anyone following them. like if you follow me and i don't know you, it's not rude of me to not trust you, and not be interested in you, just because you're interested in me. it's just....so many people today think they're entitled to things they're totally not entitled to. you absolutely do not have to follow anyone back.

[@S.L._]

Thanks for making this video. I had to get off Facebook, a long time ago. I still have an account, but I currently only use it to access pages that only have a Facebook account (like for businesses without their own websites). I don't have an Instagram or a Tiktok. I initially started my Twitter account years ago, intending to promote a blog. But I wound up not posting to the blog, and uncomfortable with the concept -- and realized I really still couldn't stand social media. So I detached the blog from it, and these days I primarily use it to follow members of marginalized communities -- some of which I'm a member of and some of which I'm not -- for news and perspectives that don't get a lot of representation or coverage in mainstream society. But I have been looking for ways to manage that. I do almost always feel worse afterwards, but in the same way that I do after reading the news. I don't comment though, I only lurk, and I try not to spend too long on there. I do follow several people from the witch, Pagan, and polytheist communities on KZbin, as well as Tarot and Booktube KZbinrs, fountain pen channels, and some LGBTQ+ KZbinrs. Also several mental health professionals, some historical channels, and some cute cat channels. I comment on KZbin intermittently, and mostly on the pen channels. I also don't have my own own KZbin channel, and most of the time, I don't particularly want one, though I enjoy watching other peoples channels. I do wish blogs and old-style forum-type websites were still more of a thing, though. I know you were joking, but I can totally relate to being 70's-something person who is afraid of the internet in the body of someone in their 30's.

[@shawndrachavarria2805]

Your approach to social media is, in my opinion, a very healthy, functional, and practical way to stay safer, sane, and enjoy the experience 🌹

[@tmlizzy]

100% agree! I don't like to follow for follow. I follow people and accounts for the same reason.

[@polishfolkwitch]

This was great! My guess is the shift towards everyone suddenly becoming a "content creator" on social media happened in the pandemic - when everyone was in lockdowns, suddenly online spaces became substitutes for social life, education, work etc. And now that the world is moving on from the pandemic, I'm noticing the opposite trend - people moving away from spending so much time and effort online. Seems like a natural shift dictated by global environmental factors. Just a guess tho, I don't have actual statistics 😆

[@Tiptoefoot]

I haven't really thought about social media like that before but I totally agree thank you for the video very insightful. 👍

[@dylanmagoiofthethalasso4032]

I work with the Hellenic Gods and when I found out that Tumblr can mute things I immediately muted # percyJackson, we all know what that means. I work with Poseidon and it was annoying because of that fandom, granted I like the fandom but I'm looking for Hellenic posts. A few days ago I was watching The Price is Right and one of the prizes was a "content creator package" and Drew said along the lines of "back in my day that was called a camera". I love how you described yourself as a 72 year old man 😂🤣 A few years ago I got a message on Tumblr from this guy saying that my page is...interesting, which I get because I could repost a post about witchcraft, a photo of nature, a shirtless dude, and repost art tips in a span of 5 minutes 😂

[@HollarMoonMountain]

Honestly I’m ready to just unplug. I’m not really finding a lot of nourishing content online. I’ve unfollowed so many pages,channels etc. I’ve even stopped posting myself. For myself it is losing its luster.

[@daveymcteer6804]

Yes I totally understand. Isn’t this post confirming!!

[@Bramble1976]

I deactivated all my social media platforms a couple weeks ago (only had FB and Instagram) Best thing I've done for years, in no hurry to get them back, life is so much more fulfilling.

[@alittletookish]

I'm the same way! I'm very selective of who I follow on any social media specifically so that I can curate my spaces. I don't want to see drama and depressing stuff. I want my spaces to bring me joy. having this approach has kept Twitter from feeling like the "hell scape" ppl describe it as. also psst if you use the "see latest tweets" as opposed to the top tweet stuff you don't see all the bs stuff abt who liked a post or followed an acct etc. which i am so glad abt bc idgaf that someone I follow liked a post lol

[@alittletookish]

and THANK YOU for mentioning the ig shift! I hate how much of a shift it's undergone. I miss when ppl just posted their lives instead of worrying abt having a themed page. like pls post your cat then your food then this cool thing you did then more food etc etc. I'd much rather see the mixture than a page that's nothing but books or nothing but games. I miss so much when ppl did that. honestly have deliberately been posting random shit on my own ig bc I miss it so much lol

[@Ale-tt8vp]

I love the premiere feature, I hope you use it the future. I'm really exited for this topic.

[@crazy4catsRL]

I’ve definitely unfollowed people whose posts have caused general upset to my emotions. Helps a lot!

[@stillarobyn]

Don't go on social media every day! Don't feel like you need to read every post on your feed like reading the morning news. The algorithmic feeds (as most are) are already keeping stuff from you, you might as well let social media happen to you rather than digging to find everything. (Put alerts on for friends/accounts you want to see every update from.)

[@lloyddragon2036]

something that sucks is that i had to unfollow an account i think it was just called feminist even though i agreed with their posts; there were so many misogynists and hateful people in the comments that it became really unhealthy for me to even follow them because i couldn't restrain myself from arguing with some horrible people who were just there to spread hate. i just had to block the account because it was affected my mental health so much. it really sucks that i had to do that but yk, you gotta do stuff like that sometimes.

[@septegram]

Wait, we're a hot commodity? {scurries off to write a book}

[@drawingKenaz]

It still doesn’t pay as well as a desk job (and most of the time it doesn’t pay at all), but there’s definitely a demand for people to create witchy media! I think most of the people profiting aren’t actual witches though.

[@septegram]

@@drawingKenaz And I already have a desk job. OK, back to just trying to be a better witch, I guess.

[@CricketsBay]

My own KZbin experience would be vastly improved by being able to block people who have not commented on my videos. Stalkers, ya know. Not fun.

[@frateraurum]

c'mon... take that seventh step. get to kevin bacon, you'll be glad you did.😀

[@drawingKenaz]

🤣

[@ladyblindwolf1490]

🌛🌛🌛

[@heathersmith8549]

I went off of Twitter and Facebook about six years ago. I still used Instagram for the eye candy, mainly following artists, witches and writers. But a funny thing happens when you don’t log into your Facebook account for six years. They deleted it which was also linked to my Instagram. I thought about going Gramless but felt a little disconnected. About two months later I opened a new Instagram but I’m selective on who I let follow me and vice versa. It feels much more peaceful though I’m still pretty good at finding things that waste my time lol