10 days, one app. That’s all it took to throw my life into a complete 180-degree turn. If I’m being completely honest, this article was originally going to be titled something hard-hitting and catchy like “How Niche Twitter is Redefining a Sense of Community,” but as I began writing it, all I wanted to do was gush about how much I genuinely loved all of my followers — and most importantly, my mutuals. (Disclaimer: although I have my personal Twitter account, the ones I will be referring to are my two accounts that are a part of more close-knit, niche communities.)
I don’t remember what exactly prompted me to create the account when I did. Maybe it was because I was feeling a little lost at the time, a little lonely. But nonetheless, I went into it with ground-level expectations and just the hope that maybe it would distract me for a little while.
Not even 12 hours in and I had already hit over 120 followers on one account and 300 on the other, none of whom knew me, with only one tweet to my name and a semi-okay profile that didn’t seem like anything special. It was overwhelming, to say the least. So I indulged in the virtual sphere for a little while, retweeting here and there, liking a picture or two, and the next thing I knew, I had over 50 DM’s from people that I ended up having deep and genuine conversations with. These numbers only grew as the days went on, but my mutuals ended up changing my life.
To the two lovely girls who welcomed me to the niche community and quickly became some of my closest friends: you made me realize that I made the right choice, that right now this was where I needed to be and that I wasn’t alone. Your kindness is so contagious and I wish you only the sweetest of endeavors in the future. I hope you’re by my side for the long haul.
To the Aussie with the absolute best taste in music: you were honest and raw, you were authentic. Much like the rest of niche Twitter, talking to you was a judgment-free zone. We talked about every possible topic under the sun: life philosophies, hopes and dreams, and our greatest fears. You don’t speak too much, but you lead the most intelligent of conversations and have shown me how important it is to be an enthusiast in life. To live life halfway or lukewarm is simply not an option.
To the boy from back home: honest to god, I don’t even know if you’re really a part of this niche, but your tweets never hesitate to make me laugh. (And no, not ‘lol in my head’ kinda laugh. I mean the ‘almost spit out my coffee because I can’t believe you tweeted that’ kinda laugh). Talking to you, I never felt like I had to pretend to be someone I wasn’t or keep up appearances, and I can’t even say that about some of my IRLs. But somehow, you’ve had the biggest impact on my confidence, and even I don’t understand it — but I owe it all to you. We’re each living proof that soft and fierce can coexist and still be powerful. But much like starry nights and Sunday afternoons, you reminded me of home. If our paths ever cross again I’d love to talk soon.
And finally, to my London boy: you healed the pain. Every scar, every broken heart — somehow you managed to put me back together. You treated me better than anyone ever has, and it gave me the strength to let go of a toxic relationship that held me captive for way too long. If there were more people like you in the world, it would no doubt be a better place. You’re kind and pure, and you offer so much love to the world. I wish you all of that and more in return. From across the ocean, I’m sending an abundance of love and gratitude, as I can officially say that you were the best thing these Twitter communities have brought me.
I suppose my final words to anyone reading this is to not underestimate the power of social media networks. I know they get a bad rep for some obvious and valid reasons, but when you use them for good, to make genuine connections, your virtual reality can become your actual reality. Much like the point of my original idea, niche Twitter truly is redefining the meaning of a community — it’s creating judgment-free, body-positive, and accepting platforms on which to explore various cultures and interests, and to build genuine, lasting relationships.