Sam Armytage on why she unfollows people who annoy her on social media

Podcast host Samantha Armytage argues that despite the “faceless yobs who continue to troll”, social media can be a positive space - but only if you make some big changes.

I’m about to write something about social media that you may not have heard from me before. Hold on to your hat. It can be… nice.

I’m not ignoring the faceless yobs who continue to troll. Or that Twitter is a toilet. In fact, if you Google the words “Twitter is...” the proffered answers are “toxic”, “a cesspool” and “garbage”. But there are actually some kind and interesting people out there on the internet.

“I’ve unfollowed all the people who annoy or irritate me – both in the online world and in real life. And it feels fantastic. And freeing.” (Picture: Daniel Nadel)

Some who aren’t trying to flog you anything. And many who even use their real names.

Most of us spend about two hours per day (yes, it’s true!) scrolling, stalking, judging, liking and sharing. And we all know it’s good for connectivity and consumerism. Blah, blah.

I’ve never been the type to think Facebook friends were real friends. Well, I’ve never been the type to be on Facebook for starters. I’m old-fashioned, and I use the term “friend” to describe people I actually know – the people I like and count on.

Plus, having temporarily stepped out of a 22-year career in television, there’s nothing I love more right now than an introvert. Show me someone who’s not trying to tell me how fantastic they are and I’ll buy them a drink. Hell, I’ll shout them a double.

Google tells me there are about three billion people using social media worldwide. Although, as a highly discerning generation X-er, I reckon I actually like about 12 of them.

So perhaps social media isn’t the right place for me right now, you may be thinking. Well, no. Because, as it turns out, it’s not all bad.

I’ve got to this fantastic age and stage where I’ve unfollowed all the people who annoy or irritate me – both in the online world and in real life. And it feels fantastic. And freeing.

And through that, I’ve discovered some wonderful, inspiring, kind and creative people – yes, on social media. A beautiful cook in Venice. Another one in Florence. A fabulous writer in Scotland. And a wonderful photographer in Rome.

I’ve done something I’d never done before: I privately messaged these people, with pure intentions, to tell them how much I enjoy their recipes, prose and pictures.

Samantha Armytage features in this Sunday’s Stellar.

How much “inspo” they’ve given me for garden-table settings for next spring, a meal idea for tonight or words to live (and write columns) by. Lo and behold, we’ve struck up what millennials may refer to as friendships. (Haha.)

As they say in the classics, your vibe attracts your tribe. And my discernment has again led me to good places and new mates. Now we just need to wait till the world opens up again, so we can make it to that lunch we’ve been invited to in Tuscany.

A new episode of Something To Talk About with Samantha Armytage is released today. Follow or subscribe wherever you listen to your podcasts.

Originally published as Sam Armytage on why she unfollows people who annoy her on social media