Among all the other bits of advice people are sharing about using #mastodon, let me give you the most important piece of advice from 30 years of being on online platforms.

**Turn off notifications.**

Turn them off for email, for your phone, for your toolbar.

Nothing is that important. It doesn't matter if your post went viral. You'll find out when you choose to look.

I promise you, it will vastly improve your day to not have "ping" from your phone all the time.

@EricaFriedman Actually, I recommend turning them *on* for Mastodon for the people who are having a hard time breaking from Twitter. It helps forms the habit and you can turn them off later. Otherwise, yes, I agree, I have all other notifications off except for Mastodon (for now.)