I Have Dared to Unfollow

Empty seat, deserted beach, Opito By, New Zealand
By Val
@valmnz (17100)
New Zealand
May 21, 2016 9:03pm CST
This has been a rare day for me, one where I've time to feel lazy and do whatever I choose. Consequently, I have spent more time on here than I have for a long time. I was going through some of my photos earlier and I felt the empty seat on an autumn day at a place called Opito Bay here in New Zealand, was a bit like my list of those I'm following here. Some of them are missing. Like many, I started here eager to make friends ad followed a lot of new people. Now, I look at the list and wonder who many of these people are. I neither recognise their names, nor have I seen them out and about here at all, especially not interacting with me. So, I've had a delightful afternoon, unfollowing strangers. I'm not sure why I feel the need to do it, but it's making me feel good. Now, I've almost got my list down to a stage where I at least know who the people on the list are. Have you visited your Following List lately and wondered if some of those people are missing?
23 people like this
24 responses
@xFiacre (12541)
• Ireland
22 May 16
@valmnz I've stopped accumulating followers now. I can only cope with so much.
2 people like this
@valmnz (17100)
• New Zealand
22 May 16
I agree, except this week I've added people previously known from both Bubblews and would you believe Triond.
@xFiacre (12541)
• Ireland
22 May 16
@valmnz I suppose those former friendships are more likely to work.
@pgntwo (22412)
• Derry, Northern Ireland
22 May 16
Nothing like a little spring cleaning :)
1 person likes this
@valmnz (17100)
• New Zealand
22 May 16
Except in this case it's during a wet New Zealand autumn
1 person likes this
@valmnz (17100)
• New Zealand
22 May 16
@pgntwo we have enough natural water flow at the moment to wash anything away, it's been raining for days!
1 person likes this
@pgntwo (22412)
• Derry, Northern Ireland
22 May 16
@valmnz Spring I am sure is a euphemism in this case. Don't ask me for what, but it works whatever the season regardless of the direction of water flow down the plughole in the bath.
1 person likes this
@allknowing (130088)
• India
23 May 16
I have scores of them and I know most are not here. Not bothered about them. I am fine leaving them there.
1 person likes this
@allknowing (130088)
• India
23 May 16
@valmnz Atleast I can show off saying that I have well overe 700 plus followers or whatever the number is (lol)
2 people like this
@valmnz (17100)
• New Zealand
23 May 16
@allknowing lol, and you've never seen them since! But at least they were inspired enough to follow in the first place.
1 person likes this
@valmnz (17100)
• New Zealand
23 May 16
As I've said in a couple of comments, not sure what I thought the benefit would be, but I felt like doing it
@Inlemay (17714)
• South Africa
22 May 16
So I am so glad I am till here, how did you get so many followers - I dont follow that many.
1 person likes this
@valmnz (17100)
• New Zealand
22 May 16
Who knows, responding to those who seemed interesting when they followed me. Some were known from previous sites who didn't last here long. Some were really active and I rather liked them but they have gradually disappeared.
1 person likes this
@valmnz (17100)
• New Zealand
23 May 16
@Inlemay less of the old thank you
1 person likes this
@sol_cee (38224)
• Philippines
23 May 16
Gotta check if I have Followers.
1 person likes this
@valmnz (17100)
• New Zealand
23 May 16
It's not my followers I concentrate on, but those whom I'm following
@sol_cee (38224)
• Philippines
23 May 16
@valmnz Yes I understand.
@sunrisefan (28650)
• Philippines
22 May 16
The photo you posted, Ms. Val, brings back memories of our short visit to your country last year. That beachside view is among the many I've seen in New Zealand - clean beaches, benches where you can sit and rest that weary body, and disciplined people not leaving their trash whenever they sat and leave those benches.
1 person likes this
@valmnz (17100)
• New Zealand
23 May 16
@sunrisefan in some like that the current is too swift to make swimming safe.
1 person likes this
@valmnz (17100)
• New Zealand
22 May 16
We're lucky to have beaches like this. Not all of them are so pretty, but most are clean and looked after by local Councils.
1 person likes this
@sunrisefan (28650)
• Philippines
23 May 16
@valmnz That's true and I understand there are beaches where people are told to avoid swimming because it goes deep right at the edge of the shore.
1 person likes this
@dodo19 (47034)
• Beaconsfield, Quebec
22 May 16
I have done it once or twice. I have wondered what has happened to some.
1 person likes this
@dodo19 (47034)
• Beaconsfield, Quebec
23 May 16
@valmnz oh good to know. Lol. I wouldn't unfollow you either. I have unfollowed some who haven't been here in months.
1 person likes this
@valmnz (17100)
• New Zealand
22 May 16
And I hope you haven't thought I'd unfollowed you - I just haven't got as far as you yet
1 person likes this
@nitsbubb (1309)
• Pune, India
22 May 16
Hi, this is nitsbubb from &bubblews. Nice to find you here. As you are aware, I am from India. I appreciate that you have stop following someone!
1 person likes this
@valmnz (17100)
• New Zealand
22 May 16
Hullo there, nice to see you again. What took you so long?
@marlina (154183)
• Canada
22 May 16
That is a good idea, I should go and do some unfollowing.
1 person likes this
@valmnz (17100)
• New Zealand
22 May 16
I feel good and now have only about 90 left on the list
@jaboUK (64363)
• United Kingdom
22 May 16
I very rarely follow people unless I get to know them first, so my list remains manageable. People do leave the site though, so they need to be weeded out.
1 person likes this
@valmnz (17100)
• New Zealand
22 May 16
Yes, a couple of quite good friends from Bubblews came, stayed for about three missions and haven't been seen since
1 person likes this
@Jessicalynnt (50525)
• Centralia, Missouri
23 May 16
Every couple of months, I weed that out myself!
1 person likes this
@valmnz (17100)
• New Zealand
23 May 16
Gosh, you must have a well organised list by now!
1 person likes this
• Centralia, Missouri
23 May 16
@valmnz it's not too bad, it IS about time to do it again though
1 person likes this
@boiboing (13153)
• Northampton, England
22 May 16
I don't use it very much - other than to use the 'follows' and 'their discussions' list. And if anybody I follow isn't active, then they don't pop up on the new discussions.
1 person likes this
@valmnz (17100)
• New Zealand
22 May 16
That's why I wondered about doing it, but I did feel better after it was done
@miniam (9154)
• Bern, Switzerland
22 May 16
Hope you did not delete me from your list.You are right,l also see people who follow me but i have never seen them post here will soon have to do the same thing,.
1 person likes this
@valmnz (17100)
• New Zealand
22 May 16
Many have long since disappeared from the site.
1 person likes this
@miniam (9154)
• Bern, Switzerland
22 May 16
@valmnz True, some people come and go as quick as they come
1 person likes this
@bwjsdems (496)
• New Zealand
22 May 16
I'm still too new here and trying to find old friends. I do suspect that many have been and gone, so I may still unfollow some in future.
1 person likes this
@valmnz (17100)
• New Zealand
22 May 16
I started off being selective but that didn't last. As you predict, many come and go.
1 person likes this
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
20 Jun 16
I had a bit of a clean up a few months ago. I un-followed someone recently due to their stupidity. It's no big deal.
1 person likes this
@beenice2 (2967)
• Sackville, New Brunswick
7 Sep 16
Vale, I don't have a big list that I follow.
@jstory07 (133805)
• Roseburg, Oregon
22 May 16
I go and do the same thing every once in awhile.
1 person likes this
@valmnz (17100)
• New Zealand
22 May 16
It seems like it might be a sensible idea.
@Tampa_girl7 (48855)
• United States
22 May 16
I need to check mine out.
1 person likes this
@valmnz (17100)
• New Zealand
22 May 16
Some people hadn't been on since not long after they first started, others I didn't even check on.
@Drosophila (16573)
• Ireland
22 May 16
I sure do
1 person likes this
@Lucky15 (37346)
• Philippines
22 May 16
Might check them.later.;)
1 person likes this