I joined Twitter on the 4th February 2009. In the 131 days since I’ve found that Twitter has the marmite effect – people love it or hate it. It has provoked debate, discussion and almost argument both on Twitter and in real life. Work related Twitter (@DROdurham) has really caused a stir and split of opinions at work.

From a personal point of view I don’t understand why people feel the need to tell me I’m wasting my time or telling people too much about my life. Why do people care so much about how I spend my time? They do not have to use Twitter. In fact very few people I connect with on Twitter are people I already know in real life. I have Facebook for that kind of connection. Even if they are on Twitter they don’t have to follow me or interact with me.

My Twittering began thanks to Chris Moyles (@CHRISDJMOYLES) of Radio 1 fame and Phillip Schofield (@Schofe) back in February. At first I didn’t get it. I really struggled to understand how to use this Twitter thing and why I should bother. But then I went and injured myself, followed shortly by a few weeks of being pretty ill, with all that time on my hands I finally tried to understand what it was all about.

And finally I got it. I found a way to use it that suits me. And I’ve gained so many benefits from it.

Firstly the Twitter Book Club (TBC) developed. Justine (@JuzzyB) and Collette (@Collette87) were getting to grip with Twitter at the same time as I was. We discovered a mutual love of wine and books and for the past few months have been reading books and discussing them online whilst drinking wine. We’re now planning a TBC meet up later in the year and despite our variance in age and geographic location have built a friendship that may not have happened otherwise.

There’s my love of Liverpool FC. Being new to Durham and having no one to go and watch matches with was pretty rubbish during our most exciting season in 19 years. But with Twitter I could listen on 5 Live whilst chattering away to fellow LFC supporters (@LiverpoolFan74 and many more!) I also had an interesting discussion with Stan Collymore (@StanCollymore) about women’s management roles in Premiership football. Sadly (but understandably) he got frustrated with the abuse towards his account set up purely for the reason of discussing football, but I hope he gives it another go next season.

Not only has Twitter enhanced my virtual life, but also my real life. I write this blog and for the first time ever I actually have people heading to helenthornber.com to read it. And bugging me if my writing lapses. With the ambition and desire to eventually make a career out of writing an audience is essential, and is something I now have.

My photography has taken off thanks to Graeme Watson (@GraemeWatson) both on and offline. And I have discovered other local photographers such as Steve (@steveapple)
I have met real life people in this new city I live in. Charlie (@snowandsunshine) and James (@_elj) are just two of the people that I have met via Twitter.

In fact, since moving to Durham, you could say that Twitter has enabled me to do the things I’ve always wanted to do and I’ve let lapse. I moved to Durham to make the most of life outside of work and now I’m reading, writing, photographing and football supporting. I’m doing the things that I missed out on in London because I was too busy. Twitter hasn’t been a waste of time at all, but a way of connecting with people locally and world wide, finding information and developing interests I’ve been neglecting!

p.s. If you want to find me http://twitter.com/helenthornber