My Real Life

If you’ve been a long time reader of the blog, or friend of mine, or colleague of mine…heck, or even casual acquaintance of mine…it’s no secret that I am a consumer of entertainment.

I love books, movies, tv, Facebook, Instagram, streaming networks…all of it.

I love a story and I love to be entertained.

Heck, I even have a podcast dedicated to streaming platforms. (Didn’t know that? Check out the Boomtron Podcast wherever you listen to your podcasts)

During the pandemic, I found a new method of entertainment, and it’s the TikTok.

I know all the arguments against TikTok.

These fast snippets of videos will teach your brain to lose it’s attention span. It’s voyeurism at it’s height. China is watching you through the app.

All of that may be true, but let’s be honest; my attention span wasn’t anything to write home about before TikTok, and my Mom taught me at an early age that the best time to drive through a neighborhood is at night so you can look through the front windows of homes and see what people are up to.

And if China is spying on me through TikTok, here’s what they’ve learned: (if you now, you know)

-I like to watch people’s morning routines

-I’m obsessed with junk journals (thejulietjournal)

-I love to listen to people talk about books

-I’m super concerned if Kat Stickler will find love again (katstickler)

-I am of the opinion that GenX continues to be the superior generation

-I know way too much about Matt and Abby and their growing family (Matt_and_Abby)

-I want to be like Cecilia from Svalbard, a small island near the north pole (sejsejilja)

-I’m still mourning the loss of Noodle and it will forever be a no bones day without him (jongraz)

-I’m considering throwing it all away to go live in a van and travel the country (abigailmartin)

However, I’ve also learned some important things on TikTok.

Even in the world of book lovers, which is the largest community I am part of on TikTok, (lovingly referred to as BookTok), people can argue about absolutely anything.

-Kindle v Audiobook v Physical Books

-People who read too much v People who read too little

-People who read literature calling people who read fantasy or rom-coms “fake readers” v People who read fantasy or rom-coms calling people who read literature “fake readers”

Can’t we all just agree that books are the best and leave it at that???

In addition to the things I’ve learned, TikTok has also raised some questions for me:

-I don’t go to a gym, but for those of you who do…are you only allowed to go in skintight clothes? Because all the videos people are making of themselves at the gym are of them in skintight leggings and sports bras. Like, what if the whole reason someone wanted to go to the gym was because they aren’t comfortable in those clothes and would like to get there? I have yet to see someone, even in the background of these videos, in baggy sweats.

-Does everyone reset their kitchen at night? Like, are all of you out there making sure there are no dishes in the sink, your kitchen floor is mopped, and the dishwasher is running before you go to bed? Does nobody just say “Forget it…I’m going to bed?”

-Is washing my face and only using my Olay moisturizer not enough? Because the people on TikTok are using about 7 different lotions and toners every time they wash their face, and I’m sorry, I have neither the money, nor the energy for that before I’m going to bed at night.

-Why aren’t all teachers on TikTok? The amount of free ideas that people are sharing for all grades, all subjects, and all levels is astounding. Forget Teachers Pay Teachers…this is better.

So, yeah, I know TikTok is supposed to be for the younger generation, but believe me, there is a well-represented crowd of people who are 45+ making some amazing content out there.

And sure, TikTok can be problematic, but so can anything if it’s misused. The more you watch of any one thing, the more whatever media you are using will feed you that type of content. I can go for days only seeing book videos, because those are the videos that I watch in their entirety and like. Like a good waiter, the app feeds you what you order.

Would I let Tiny on TikTok?

Nope. Not on your life. Not yet.

But I’m 51 and scrolling through TikTok is one of the things that brings me joy, makes me laugh, and makes me think.

Not your cup of tea? No problem. Don’t go there.

Me?

I’m staying.