a life update
Social media–from Facebook to TikTok–has been there for us in times when we need to laugh, when we need to cry, when we need our animal fix, when we want to feel less alone, when we need cooking recipes, when we need trauma-healing tips- It’s provided us with so much wonder and curiosity. We can watch behind the scenes of someone’s life without hiding behind our curtains to spy on our neighbors or eavesdrop on the table next to us to hear the divorce drama of an unknown couple. We can determine what’s a scam and what’s not based on the many thousands of reviews on a trend before buying the one item everyone must have. We can find our next favorite meal by scanning endless recipes and how-tos without needing to attend a cooking class or waste money on a cookbook we only bought to make one dish.
However, it’s not all whiskey and no hangover. After a three-day escapade through TikTok, I discovered its soon-to-be ban, and frankly, I’m kind of glad. Many people won’t agree, nor did they on the app, but I could not care less about TikTok’s success or downfall. This isn’t what I’m writing about anyway. This is about how social media, mainly TikTok, has led to my needing to take a break.
You read right; I reentered the multiverse space of TikTok for THREE DAYS, and it was enough to break me…again. Granted, it wasn’t the whole reason, but it sure didn’t help. I’ve been rather emotional lately. Is it because my sleep meds make me groggy in the morning? Is it because this semester’s homework feels more challenging than in the past? Is it because I keep overwhelming myself with hobbies to the point of executive paralysis? Is it because this month is hard on me every year? Or is it because social media keeps showing me everything wrong happening in my country, with people believing it’ll be a real-life Handmaid’s Tale? While all of these have a factor in my mental state, I can’t put all the blame on social media, even if it is the easy option.
Nonetheless, my opinion of social media, especially TikTok, remains. I’m not fond of it, and I think people will prosper better with less of it. Notice I said “less” and not “without.” I don’t believe social media should disappear altogether. As mentioned in my intro, there are good things about it. Building a community is a huge positive. During my pit of loneliness, when Puerto Rico was hit by two hurricanes within the same month (not the cause of the loneliness), I felt helpless. I wanted to assist in any way possible, but I had no money, connections, or voice. The little Twitter post I made might as well have been useless, crumpled-up trash. However, if this had happened after 2020, the TikTok community would’ve done something about it. That’s what makes it so powerful. Every voice deemed “useless” or “unimportant” could create a community and an audience so simply.
While I enjoy and relish the positives, I can’t ignore the mental anguish and attention incapability it has caused many young minds. Even I, a 29-year-old woman, have trouble transitioning away from the endless abyss of social media. And although I know social media is more fake than real, I still find it difficult to distinguish between them. Yes, you can build communities on apps like TikTok, but this isn’t always good. Why am I hearing about the end times within the Christian community? Why am I seeing America getting compared to a communist country within the political community? Why do I feel obligated to pick a side in almost every aspect? I don’t believe in most things I hear and see on the internet–no one should–but it’s hard to ground yourself in the truth when you get shoved into multi-fabricated ones, you know?
All this to say: I’m trying to be kinder to myself by giving myself a break, especially from TikTok. This all may have seemed redundant for the message given, but my mind is in a bit of a bobble right now, so bear with me. I will still write, but the stories and other writings will be published less frequently–at least until I can think more clearly and concentrate more easily. I have a story I will publish soon, but I’m not finished yet. Wish me luck, and I hope you have a great day/night!
The Writing Artist 
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