In spring 2020, I crafted myself 5 rules for how I would engage on Twitter. Generally, I think they've worked well for me:

1. Tweet with intent 🖋️
2. Stay positive 🙂
3. Engage in good faith 🫱🏿‍🫲🏻
4. You don't owe anyone a response 💁🏻‍♀️
5. Never feed the trolls 🧌

1/9

First, a disclaimer: These are the rules I try to follow. But I'm not perfect - I've broken them; I've made mistakes.

But in general, I've stuck to them. I do think they've allowed me to have a better social media experience in the last 3 years than many, & I'm grateful.

2/9

1. Tweet with intent 🖋️

I try to not to tweet reactively or randomly. Doesn't mean everything has to be science, but does mean I try to ask, "why am I tweeting this? what am I trying to accomplish?" This keeps me more focused in what I choose to share.

3/9

2. Stay positive 🙂

Sometimes a real challenge in the last 3 yrs, but if I'm criticising or sharing bad news, I try to include what we can do about it (provide actionable next steps) & a reminder that it's never too late to try to do better (hope). Prevents helplessness.

4/9

3. Engage in good faith 🫱🏿‍🫲🏻

See also 5 - but I try to read responses/Qs in the best light I can, if someone seems to genuinely have a question or misunderstanding. Responding in good faith has often turned a bad interaction around & left both of us happier!

5/9

4. You don't owe anyone a response 💁🏻‍♀️

This one is a big one for me. This is Twitter, not a conference or meeting. I never have to respond if I don't want to or don't have the energy. Nobody can demand a response from me. It's my time/energy to give if I so choose.

6/9

@firefoxx66 sometimes you give the energy to those who you do the same to you