393- Birth of #BrainsOfAFeather

It has been very long since I both blogged and followed a twitter chat. Indeed, for the former, I've been lacking energy and inspiration, for the latter, most of the chats have been discontinued. 

The previous ones I participated in are usually mental health based, with very rare exceptions of a bookish chat and Melissa's PJChat which I haven't been able to follow due to changes in our sleeping routines.


While skyping with a close friend, Katie and I have decided to create a new chat, which won't be mental health based, but shall include such topics as mental health and illness, as well sa  geeky, cultural ones. 

This chat is called #BrainsOfAFeather. We'll host it in turn on Wednedday's at 8PM GMT. 
The first official chat shall be  on Wednedday 9th of January 2019, but before that, I'll host an exceptional one on 25th of December 2018, around the same hour.

We plan to diverse topics, having a mental health based one every month, whilst the other weeks shall see geeky ones, including books, tv shows or movies, possibly video games, and sometimes discuss more specifics, such as genres, favorites, or relationship between a hobby and our mental health. 

We'll listen to topic suggestions, and chose accordingly.  

The basis we have for it as follows : we want to help creaitng bonds between people who share common mutual interests, so after the first half of the chat, using the #, we'll invite several of you to gather in small groups, say of 4 to 6 people, where you discuss the interest you found together in the general chat, and do so within twitter's direct message function, where you won't be limited in character length and can thus deepen bonds and share more opinions. 

As the creators, we ask you to have constructive discussions as we don't wish this chat to ofset tensions or disrespect, but to really help in building friendships, and if any needs, support or networking. 

At the start, we'll introduce ourselves, ask how we all are and offer support, and then, head into the questions Katie & I would have devized for the week's topic. 

The topics for January haven't been chosen yet, but we'll let you know via our twitter page.

For my first hosting on the evening of the 25th, I want to support anyone who needs company for christmas, as I know it's a tough moment for many who either suffer from season or other forms of depression, or who may not have family or company to share the day with, or may need support and presense for any other reason.

I hope to see you in the chat, and remind you that this isn't meant as a competition of any sort, but only to fulfil needs Katie and I feel, regarding this particular format of chat, creation of bonds, and variety in topics so none of us gets bored or overwhelmed with mental health topics, as they can sometimes become.

If you have any question, use #BrainsOfAFeather on twitter or ask either myself or Katie over there, or on this very entry. 

PS, just like general online rules, we won't tolerate any kind of abuse or sexual harrassement in the chats, public or DM alike, resulting from our chat and we'll ask users to report to us with screen captures so we can warn and ban offenders if necessary. We want a safe space for everyone to get to  know one another but do no accept such usage.