Why I started using Threads after distancing myself from the exhausting world of social media
"Social media is just... exhausting."
Have you ever felt that way?
I have, many times.
Or rather, I've felt that way all along.
On Instagram, there are beautiful photos and stylish daily lives,
On X (formerly Twitter), there are sharp opinions and high-minded interactions,
On TikTok, there are sparkling smiles and dances...
"Posting equals standing out," "Social media is for people with exciting lives."
I couldn't keep up with that atmosphere.
Posting is scary. So, I just watched from the sidelines.
It's not that I wasn't interested in social media.
Actually, I wanted to try posting something myself.
But I was scared.
• What if I get slammed for saying something weird?
• It would be embarrassing if no one reacted.
• Is there even any point in someone like me posting?
That anxiety was always somewhere in the back of my mind.
So, I remained a "viewer only."
Watching those who post with a sense of envy...
Meeting Threads. Maybe this is a bit different?
Then one day, I happened to come across the word "Threads."
It seems to be a text-based social media platform created by Meta, the same company behind Instagram.
I started it with a somewhat light heart, and that was the beginning of everything.
At first, I thought, "Is this another flashy platform like Instagram?"
But it was different.
• No photos or videos needed
• An atmosphere where you don't worry about likes
• Many people are just expressing their "true" selves
• Some people even post 10 times a day
Before I knew it, I had started posting here and there too.
What makes Threads different from other social media?
In a word, I think it's a "social media platform where you can post without the pressure."
You don't have to say anything useful.
You don't have to make anyone laugh.
Just put your thoughts into words.
"Coffee tastes good this morning."
"I feel a bit better since I reduced my screen time lately."
"I bought this the other day and it was great, someone should try it."
To those "monologue-like" words,
someone reacts with "I get it."
That loose sense of empathy with strangers brought a little bit of joy to my days.
Even with zero followers, someone was watching.
What surprised me was that even without followers, someone would see my posts.
On other social media, if you don't have followers, your posts don't reach anyone.
But Threads is designed so that "someone's posts flow into your timeline,"
so in a good way, it's easy for "passersby" to see them.
That's why I was able to take the plunge and start posting.
I didn't have to feel pressured to "increase followers" or "make something go viral."
It was the first time I felt that way.
—
Small changes after continuing to post.
As I continued, small changes began to emerge on Threads.
• I started connecting with people who share the same values
• It became fun to have people react to my words
• I started thinking about making posts that might be useful to someone
• And, I even earned a little bit of "revenue"
For someone like me who thought "posting equals self-expression,"
the experience of "being useful to someone with my own words, being thanked, and earning a little money"
had a very significant value.
Things you should know to take the first step.
You can start Threads without any special skills.
No photos needed, no video editing required.
All you need is "your own words."
I truly believe that choosing Threads as a first step for a side hustle was the right decision.
Above all, the biggest gain was that the image of "posting equals something scary" was shattered.
—
Next time: "But does that really generate revenue?"
I'm sure some of you thought that.
Actually, at first, I was also skeptical, thinking, "Posting won't make money, right?"
But Threads has a "little trick" that leads to revenue.
And it's zero-pressure, just communicating naturally.
In the next article, I will specifically share
"how I monetized using only Threads without hard selling."