TikTok Ban
I haven't said much about the TikTok ban, because it's eating me alive and I don't know how to make sense of it.
I first started TikTok three years ago. Living on the road had it's lonely moments and I needed somewhere to turn for connection. I started out making these silly little lip syncing videos to trending audio, and when my small list of followers realized I was a full time vanlifer, the questions started.
"Where do you poop?"
"How do you make money?"
"Whats dating like?"
"Where do you poop?"
My page evolved into a Q&A, and my following got quickly got up to 30,000.
I was stunned. I didn't know how to process it, so I introduced my new friends to my, then, 6 year long obsession: The Colorado River Crisis.
I didn't expect it to go anywhere, but I was met with nothing but enthusiasm that mirrored my own.
My 136,000 friends followed me down the river. They cheered me on, shared information with me, spread the word, walked their own walks to support me through a period of no phone service, and at the end of the hike when I needed financial help to complete my goal, they pulled me out.
I've made more lifetime connections off of TikTok than I can count. So many people that i can grow with, and so many memories that start with the words "my friends would love that".
I hope this isn't goodbye. I hope something amazingly wonderful (but probably planned) happens and I get to keep my friends. But if it is, I'll still be reaching out into the content void, trying to find them again.
As TikTok faces potential bans and restrictions, many users are reflecting on its cultural significance and the relationships fostered through the app. TikTok has not only revolutionized social media but also created a unique platform for storytelling and community engagement. The ban raises questions about the future of digital content creation and how influencers can adapt. Users who found solace and connections on TikTok, especially those in niches like #vanlife and #nomad lifestyles, are particularly concerned. The platform provided a way to share experiences and build communities around shared interests. As potential alternatives emerge, it is important for creators and followers to explore new avenues for connection while recognizing the impact TikTok has had on their lives. Whether through live streaming, blogging, or other social media platforms, the need to cultivate genuine relationships remains paramount, despite the changing landscape.
It’s sad that TikTok is banned right now. I learned so much from TikTok.