One Strike Policy: Block and Roll
Mute and blocking features should be your best friends. Here's why.
I used to think blocking someone was such an extreme move.
That it should only be used when all other options had been exhausted. I used to think it meant you were cutting ties and that the bridge was permanently destroyed.
That is not the case.
Blocking and muting are perhaps the last defense for your mental health.
Why you need to block more people
Muting also exists.
I’ve been a fan of the mute function on every single platform since the dawn of its conception. When Snapchat allowed you to start muting stories, by God I whittled my friends list down so much that I hardly saw stories anymore.
When iMessage allowed the muting of group chats or specific people—muted him, muted her, muted them.
There comes a point when something stronger is necessary. Noise is noise and that is fine to simply mute. But when the noise is bothering you? When it disrupts your life and causes you angst or anger? The mute function simply won’t do.
Gut up and call them out. If they persist, block their number without warning.
They’ll get the message real quick. If they don’t change, keep them blocked.
The one strike policy
For the love of all that is holy, if you post on social media then you need a one-strike policy.
If I receive one negative comment or somebody who routinely argues with everything I say, they are blocked so quickly it’s almost automatic. I simply don’t have time to put up with it anymore.
Misery loves company and company is easily found online.
One negative comment = lifetime ban. I don’t need subscribers or followers that badly. And I hate to break it to all of you out there who respond “thanks for the engagement.” Comments don’t make that big of a difference anymore. They might help a little bit but a negative comment is not worth the ten extra impressions your post may or may not receive.
For your consideration
If I am able to convince you of one thing—block any rude or negative comments.
The person who brings negativity into your life will likely not turn around and start being positive. Block them and move on with your life. Let the trolls or bots find another comment section to cancerize.
Think I’m bluffing? Comment something negative on this article and it’ll be the last time you see my name on your feed. I’ll do you that favor.