Last week, during the whole #HB2 twitter thing, I started thinking about my social media voice, ’cause it’s sort of interesting to me to see how it’s changed.
When I first started the blog, I sort of felt like I was walking on eggshells – a little bit. I’ve always been opinionated of course, and I’m not embarrassed about any of my core beliefs (which basically revolve around equality for all).
But I felt like I always kind of timidly whispered them, trying to make sure I never offended anyone.
But recently, I’ve been sort of sarcastic on twitter and even maybe a little yell-y. The world has been a little nuts lately. And I livestreamed multiple legal events (with a little live-tweeting on the side) in Texas, because the way the GOP treats women astounds me.
I’ve found it interesting to step back and see how my online voice has changed over the past year and half that I’ve been pretty active on this crazy internet thing.
But now, I think I’ve sort of swung a bit too far to the other side of the pendulum. I don’t want to read some angry twitter feed all day every day! That’s not fun. That doesn’t put me in a good mood. And I don’t want anyone to feel that when they’re reading my feed.
Anger and sarcasm don’t really add a lot to society (except when it’s done ever so perfectly on The Daily Show and Colbert Report).
I’m still going to be allowed to get angry, of course. And I kind of like that I’m not afraid to be opinionated online anymore. (Hey, if people don’t agree with my views and that makes them not want to follow me, what do I care, right?)
But I think I need to couch my thoughts in a different way. I saw a tweet (I’d attribute the author if I remember who said it) that said something along the lines of “Wouldn’t it be great if we lived in a world where George Zimmerman offered Trayvon Martin a ride home to get out of the rain?”
And that was a perfect tweet! It got across the fact that the situation did not go well. But instead of a bunch of outrage, it just put a little helpful, positive idea in the world.
I want to try to be more like that. I’m not gonna be perfect. But I’m gonna try to at least be better.
I’ll also admit, I love some super-sarcastic comedians on twitter. Sarcasm and correctly worded anger can be hilarious sometimes – sometimes being the key word.
Recently, I unfollowed someone because they were getting just too judgmental and sarcastic with every tweet. It’s like, “You have a seemingly nice life. Is every single coffee shop/yoga studio/park/etc. really that much of a chore with people that annoy you all that much? Do you have to point out every flaw in every person who tweets you or approaches you on the street?”
The feed not only stopped adding to my day, it kind of started detracting from it with my eye rolls or small sighs at ridiculous tweets. So, I unfollowed him in favor of following @DanaCarvey whose feed is wonderful! He does little self affirmation tweets and “wisdom alerts.” I smile every time he comes in my feed. (He’s so worth a follow!)
But, as much as I think people should totally follow him, I hope they’re not doing it as they’re running away from my feed.
So, I don’t know… Social media voice. Just something to think about. I’m gonna keep working on mine. How do you feel about yours? Has your changed over time like mine has? What are you working on in your social media voice?