Read on Twitter
Summer on #edutwitter can be strange. Here are some tips based on observation and experience.
1. If your interactions are enhancing your life by making you laugh, think, learn, then keep going. 1/
1. If your interactions are enhancing your life by making you laugh, think, learn, then keep going. 1/
2. Just because you are included in a conversation doesn't oblige you to interact. You may have other things to do in real life.
7. Consider a complete break if you think it would do you good. OR consider a complete shift in focus for the holiday. My followers will mainly be getting cat pictures until September. (Feel free to mute now.)
I was intrigued by a group of young teachers who told me they'd taken themselves completely off social media because they had gauged their mental health before and after using it and realised it wasn't doing them good. I won't go down this route but admire their awareness.
3. The mute button is very powerful - not just for offensive exchanges but for topics that you're currently not in the mood for. You have more power than you realise and it won't offend anyone if you press it.
Being on Twitter 24:7 is rarely good for anyone. I've seen many genuinely crash and burn as the result of being drawn in (made the mistake myself too). You have more control than you realise.
3. If it starts to appear that everyone else is sorting their displays/classrooms/CPD/wedding plans over summer, that impression is distorted. It's great that people can celebrate their achievements but there is no implicit pressure for you to do the same.
4. If you find yourself getting genuinely upset by online interactions then find a way of stepping away and focusing on the people and experiences in real life.
5. Cultivate and tend to your bubble. Shape it to enhance your quality of life, not detract from it.
6. Choose your battles. Standing by your values is important but you can do it by watching, listening and living - you don't have to respond to everything.
I've just been reminded of the hard bit. When you see people you really rate in conflict and you twitch to jump in to help...
