How I Really Feel: A Thank You for (Some of) You
But if you’re reading this, it’s you. Here’s why I’m retiring my texting number and focusing on the Living by Experience community.
Over the years, social media has become a bit of a love-hate relationship for me. I don’t dislike social media itself, it’s the big corporations that run it that I have an issue with. One moment, you’re inspired to share your thoughts, and the next, it feels like shouting into the void.1 Lurkers abound, engagement dwindles, and algorithms do their best to hide anything meaningful. It’s frustrating, and frankly, I’m over it.2
Let’s be honest: people scrolling endlessly without engaging feels like a one-sided conversation. I wonder if maybe my content isn’t good enough (self-doubt loves to sneak in), or maybe we’ve all grown a little too comfortable with passivity. Expressing your emotion by vividly clicking the “like” button, reduces us to the same robots that run the algorithms: ones and zeros. But here’s the thing: engagement is what keeps any community alive. And that’s what I want to nurture—the people who interact, share, and take the time to be part of something.
Why I’m Saying Goodbye to My Texting Number
For a while, my public texting number felt like a direct antidote to the algorithm madness. It gave me a way to connect with some of you on a more personal level, without the interference of some robot deciding whether our conversation “deserved” to happen. But as my blog readership has grown—week after week, in fact—I’ve realized where my focus truly belongs: on the Living by Experience community.
Texting was great while it lasted, but it’s time to put my energy where it matters most—on the space that’s thriving, active, and inspiring me to create even more valuable content.3
My Living by Experience blog has been a passion project for years, and seeing its growth without resorting to annoying ads or clickbait is something I’m deeply proud of. If you’re here reading this, you’re already part of that group. And for that, I thank you. 🙏
What’s Next: Living by Experience
I’ll admit it—I’ve been frustrated with social media. The way algorithms decide what you see and what you don’t makes it nearly impossible to stay connected in meaningful ways. Unless it’s someone’s birthday, a baby being born or someone passing away, most posts vanish into the digital abyss. I don’t want to fight robots for visibility anymore. I want to connect with people who are truly interested in my work, not just scrolling past it.
The Living by Experience community is where my focus will be from now on. It’s where I can share content that matters and engage with people who care. If you haven’t already joined, consider this your invitation to jump in. Share posts that resonate, comment on what you love (or don’t), and let’s build something together.
So, here’s to fewer distractions, more meaningful connections, and doubling down on what works. Thanks for being here—you’re the reason this all matters.
Wilko
P.S. For the nostalgic texters out there: it’s not goodbye forever. You’ll just find me where the real conversations happen. 😉
Further reading
Thanks Elon Musk - my Twitter engagement has been pretty much zero. Twitter used to be one of my favourite social media platforms before it become “X”. More detailed post to follow.
As I’m writing this, I’m on a hiatus from Facebook too. Read the story here. So far I don’t miss it, as I feel I’m more directly engaging with people, and saving time to read interesting books and articles that have been on my Wishlist.
I’ll be retiring my texting number in the next week or so. Please continue to engage on this blog, directly on www.livingbyexperience.com or by using the app. 👇
