To Thread or Not To Thread?

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I’m sure you all know about Threads by now. I only need to log into Instagram where I’m currently being bombarded with ‘JOIN ME ON THREADS!’ messages, and it’s starting to become a little annoying.

If you’re not sure what I’m talking about, Threads is a new, mostly text based, app developed by Meta (the owner of Instagram and Facebook) which supposedly rivals Twitter. It’s like Notes that we have here on Substack. Or so I’m told as I haven’t downloaded Threads.

So, do we really need another social media platform, and should we all hop on the bandwagon and join Threads? Well, there’s a few things to consider first.

Firstly, why, exactly, has Meta created a new social media platform?

I’m just going to say it. I think this is their last ditch effort to make people need them again. Hear me out…

I previously wrote about the downfall of Instagram, and how it is for extroverts now. The comments on that post proved just how much people are fed up of Instagram. We’re just not enjoying the sensory overload we’re getting from the app these days. It’s overwhelming, and many of us are leaving the app feeling tired, stressed and nursing a headache. In fact, many of us are now taking a social media hiatus, and quite a few of us aren’t returning. Not what social media giants want from its users, and I think Instagram know this, hence the new arrival of Threads.

It wasn’t that long ago that we used to love Instagram. We miss it. We miss the good old times, and we want the old Instagram back, but it’s unlikely that’ll happen. That’s why when Threads came, many people jumped onboard because they were hopeful that Threads would give them the connection and reward that the old Instagram did.

After all, it’s new and exciting, and there’s currently no adverts on Threads. Users are not really posting videos and pictures, but more text based posts instead. Therefore, it technically should be a quieter place to be. It’s the opposite to what Instagram is right now, and I can see why that appeals!

What’s the alternative?

But, it seems to me like people are lost. They want to love Instagram again, but that’s not really ever going to happen. They want to still enjoy social media, even though their brain is telling them otherwise. So what can they do? What’s the alternative?

What are we supposed to do with our lives if we’re not on social media? Social media is everything. How can you live in a world where everyone else is doing something that you’re not?

Well, the short answer is that we don’t. We don’t follow our own path because it’s too scary. We certainly don’t want to miss out. We don’t want to be the person who doesn’t understand what other people are talking about. We don’t want the dreaded FOMO (fear of missing out), and so we are all tempted to join Threads.

We join Threads because it’s what everyone else is doing. We know we don’t really like Instagram and how it makes us feel anymore, but there’s this new thing. It’s shiny and people are excited about it. Could this be the platform we need? Will this be the calm, gentle social media we so crave?

Eh, I’m not convinced.

Do we really need more social media platforms?

I think, no, I know that we need less. Less consumerism, less belongings, less distractions, less stress, and certainly less social media platforms.

We have so many, how are we supposed to create content, engage, grow and enjoy each individual platform? How is there any time to do (gestures broadly) all of that as well as everything else we have to do in life?

As a newly discovered HSP (highly sensitive person), the thought of yet another platform, especially one that comes from Meta, makes me shudder at the thought. I need less, not more. With very limited time and energy, I want to consume content that brings calm and contentment, not stress and overwhelm from all the noise.

I can focus my energy here on Substack, and I love everything it offers me. I love the long form essays, short form Notes, Threads discussions, instant messaging via Chat, what else could these other platforms possibly offer me?

I love what I write, I never dread having to make content/ posts, and I look forward to consuming creative posts and having valuable conversation in return. The connections and community I’ve made and grown here are everything and unlike anything I’ve ever known. I’d even go so far as to say that it’s better than the early days of Instagram.

I highly doubt that Threads can give me the same satisfaction, and I’m fine with that.

Ok, maybe I’m being harsh because I’m a minimalist and I’m very content here on Substack. Maybe there are people out there in which Threads will bring them the happiness that they long for in a social media platform, and that’s great!

I think the main point is to find the platform that works for you, and meets your needs. Don’t just aimlessly follow the trend because everyone else is doing it.

If you enjoy creating and consuming videos, then TikTok and Instagram may be best for you. If you enjoy socialising and keeping in touch with friends, colleagues, and family, then Facebook would be great for you. If you enjoy short text snippets of thoughts and musings from those who you follow, then, sure, Threads would probably work for you. For me, I enjoy writing and reading posts from other writers, and so Substack is where I choose to hang out.

What do you enjoy consuming and creating? Which platform is best for you?

Are you joining Threads just because you have FOMO?

I know, as creatives, we like to explore lots of different outlets, and so downloading and trying out Threads was something many of you just had to try. I get it. Otherwise, how would you know whether it was for you or not?

But, you don’t HAVE to stay on Threads just because everyone else is. If you’re happy on another platform, whether that be Instagram, Susbstack, or any one of the other platforms, then you don’t need to move away from it.

Please don’t stay just because everyone else is over there. Remember, you need to find your platform.

So what’s the verdict?

From those who have experimented with the app over the last few days, some have loved it, and some have deactivated their account because they feel frazzled with too many voices adding noise without any real value.

And that’s what it boils down to in the end, isn’t it? Where do you get the most value, and which platform can offer that to you? Find your platform, your value, your audience, and your people, and you’ll never feel like it’s a noisy chaotic place. No, instead you’ll love to hang out there, and genuinely look forward to consuming content. If you haven’t found that yet, then maybe you’re in the wrong place. Download Threads and try that out. It might just be the place. If it’s not, try a different social media platform until you find the one that fits.

Come and join me in the comments (you may find it easier if you download the app) to discuss this further. If you’ve downloaded Threads, how are you finding it and are you still on the platform? Where is your favourite place to hang out if it’s not Threads?

Until next week,