A Quiet Reflection on Staying or Leaving

The decision to leave any ‘social’ platform is rarely straightforward, and my relationship with X (formerly Twitter) is no exception. There’s a certain nostalgia, connections made and communities built, but my growing discomfort is urging me to question whether X as a space still aligns with who I am and what I value.

How it started

I joined Twitter in 2014, after relocating from Athens to Paris. I was searching for a way to connect with the UK’s HR community as I began CIPD studies through ICS Learn to formalise my 16+ years of experience in Human Resources. Back then, Twitter felt vibrant, a hub of ideas and dialogue. It wasn’t just about HR; it was about everything. I was drawn to unexpected corners where creators and dreamers shared their innovations. Twitter offered real-time updates, instant connections, and a sense of being part of something larger.

I remember staying up all night during Scotland’s independence referendum, glued to the live feed that updated me on the latest results. It felt tangible and real. Twitter back then wasn’t perfect, but it was alive and a place where diverse voices came together from all walks of life. It was exciting, energising, and, most importantly, inclusive.

The sale and the shift

But things have changed, and not for the better. Since Elon Musk’s takeover, the platform has shifted—its tone feels darker, and its priorities narrower. Sweeping layoffs, reinstated accounts that once spread division, and erratic policy changes paint a picture of leadership driven by a personal agenda rather than the broader good. What was once a space for collective discourse now feels like an uncouth free-for-all, with a shrinking focus that amplifies the loudest and most polarising voices.

Blue Tick

Don’t get me started on the blue tick. Once a simple mark of authenticity, now feels like a hollow badge. Its meaning has changed. It signalled trust but now it’s merely an indicator of those who value a paid subscription, blurring the lines between genuine verification and purchased ‘prominence’. This erosion of clarity reflects a broader loss of the thoughtful, curated spaces that made Twitter feel mostly trustworthy.

And then there’s Musk himself, his growing alignment with Trump and his potential involvement in a future administration adds a layer of unease I can’t ignore. If X continues to actively amplify certain ideologies while suppressing others, my continued presence feels sort of complicit. Simply being there contributes, however quietly, to a version of Twitter that no longer reflects my values.

I’ve tried alternatives. Mastodon’s decentralised model intrigued me but didn’t hold my interest. Threads feels like an extension of Instagram that lacks the unique spark that once made Twitter special. While they offer promise, neither has filled the gap Twitter once occupied as a space for genuine, varied dialogue.

The Useful

There’s also the practical side. Twitter has been useful – for breaking news, reaching customer service, and participating in discussions like #HRHour. But the discomfort I feel now outweighs the benefits. Even my fondness for the early days, when I built a network of followers and engaged in meaningful conversations, can’t outweigh the growing sense that this isn’t what it was.

More troubling is the quiet way simply having an account supports the platform. By remaining active, I contribute to its ad revenue, its user metrics, and its data pool—all mechanisms that sustain its current direction. My presence, even as a passive user, is part of the system that keeps X running. And that’s not a system I want to support.

No sudden decision

This isn’t a sudden decision. It’s a gradual recognition that the communities I’ve valued are no longer tethered to X alone. Platforms like LinkedIn allow me to engage with my niche in a professional, focused way. Leaving X isn’t about abandoning connections; it’s about choosing where and how I want to engage.

So, it’s time to go. There won’t be a dramatic farewell—just a quiet step away from a platform that no longer feels right. Instead, I’ll invest my time and energy in spaces that still feel authentic, where dialogue and diversity sit at the heart of the experience. It’s not about burning bridges; it’s about finding better paths forward. For now, I’m giving Bluesky a go. I’m not sure I have the energy (just yet) to begin actively posting, but I’m working on transferring over what I can from X to Bluesky. Join me on Bluesky