TikTok
Yes, this app is getting its own blog post. I genuinely believe your life will be better if you download it, and am fully committed to persuading you to do so.
An FYI before we start: Every video included in this post was saved by me over the past two years and then put in that specific spot for a reason, sooooo turn your volume on and click to watch them as you read to see some of my favorite TikTok content.
Ok! Now let’s begin…
I don’t care who you are, what you did, as long as you love me, where you live, how old you are… I swear, this app is for everyone and anyone. Because the algorithm is creepily personal and awesome.
Let me backtrack and explain:
I first heard about TikTok years ago (I’m such a hipster) while teaching. A few of my students had it and were obsessed. So, I chalked it up to a teenage fad. Since it started connected to the Musical.ly app, I thought it was basically just young people creating and sharing short lip-sync videos. No, thanks.
And then 2020 happened. Quarantine + Newborn = alone-ish, unemployed, and awake all night long. So, like 850 million other people during the pandemic, I downloaded it.
And quickly realized how wrong my initial perception was.
According to Wikipedia, TikTok is a video-sharing social media app “that hosts a variety of short-form user videos, from genres like dance, comedy, and education, with durations from 15 seconds to three minutes … [it] allows users to create short videos, which often feature music in the background and can be sped up, slowed down, or edited with a filter.
They can also add their own sound on top of the background music and “duet” other user videos.
The “For You” page on TikTok is a feed of videos that are recommended to users based on their activity on the app. Content is generated depending on the content a user liked, interacted with, or searched. Users can also choose to add to favorites or select “not interested” on videos for their page.
TikTok combines the user’s enjoyed content to provide videos that they would also enjoy.”
Be warned: it’s addicting. It’s just clip after clip of content curated specifically for you.
For example, my “For You Page” is full of 30-year-old moms who love wine; Starbucks employees sharing techniques; book nerds listing recommendations; a mix of celebrities casually serenading me; wheelchair users offering tips…
Within 10 minutes, I will have learned a parenting technique, seen an easy recipe to try, watched a toddler do a new activity, listened to a comedic political rant, been briefed on current world events, discovered an adaptive tool to buy, heard a new song + dance trend…
As far as having a chronic illness goes, this app is GREAT for 1) giving your mind a necessary break 2) connecting you to countless other people like you 3) introducing tools/mindsets/techniques that can genuinely make parts of your life easier…
All back-to-back, with no searching required.
But YOUR homepage might be completely different from mine! The app improves every time you open it since there’s basically a growing database of your likes & dislikes.
Like I said, super creepy, but (unlike other social media platforms) I’m only exposed to content I actually enjoy.
I also really love the fact that it’s videos – and this is coming from someone with a severe fondness for reading. But being able to watch someone do something makes me much more likely to actually try it. Modeling is one of the strongest teaching techniques.
Plus, some of these videos are hilarious. When you don’t have the time, or energy, or motivation to find a movie or show to watch, TikTok has done the work for you and can have you laughing within minutes.
Listen, is every single video a useful, entertaining gem? Nope. But is it definitely worth downloading and trying? Absolutely, yes. (Should you have read all that in an Elyse Myers voice? Also, yes.)
Now, excuse me while I go find real pants to wear for the next Bones Day.