I’m a simple person with simple needs, and needless overcomplication frustrates me. Finding a happy place is tricky because my mind constantly craves novelty, leading to constant changes and a tendency towards ADD, which contradicts my minimalist principles.

Social media has a negative reputation due to its addictive nature and debates about its true purpose. I’ve never been a huge fan, dabbling only briefly with Facebook, Instagram, Twitter/X and avoiding Snapchat. TikTok is particularly addictive. I only use Facebook to unsuccessfully sell items on Marketplace, so eBay will be my go-to again.

Today, I’m quitting social media. I haven’t actively used it for years, but I’ll start removing my accounts to simplify my online presence. LinkedIn will remain for my professional profile, even though my activity is minimal. I’m also focusing on one X replacement, which is where most of my teaching and learning colleagues hang out and provides valuable information about education in the UK and worldwide.

I’ve considered Mastodon or Bluesky, but Mastodon appealed to me for its ethical stance and open-mindedness. I’ve been experimenting with it, but the community feels niche. Bluesky wins out, and most of my previous X followers are now there. It’s ad-free, and while it’s a social media platform, it seems harmless depending on who you follow.

Today marks a new beginning. It’s time to start closing accounts.