Every once in a while, I find myself inspired by someone’s digital content. In response, I’ll create an online post similar to what inspired me, and I’ll share it on a platform. I never expect any claim to fame, but, in December of 2020, that changed.
As I have mentioned in previous articles, I’m an avid anime-watcher. I’ve wanted to share that side of me with others for some time, especially when I lacked peers who enjoyed it. After creating an anime video edit that December of 2020, I posted it to Tik Tok and ended up receiving tons of views and likes. To date, I have 2.3m views, 543.1k likes, and 14.1k comments on the edit.
Inspired by my own success, I continued to create anime Tik Toks. Although none of my videos have done as well as my initial post, my page has grown in followers over time. Now, I like to call myself a Tik Toker with 15k.
The irony of the situation is that I once refused to download the app. Tik Tok once seemed like a waste of time and energy and like a place full of bad influences. Of course, some people use the app for the wrong reasons, but others use it for good. Those are the people that we should support through the app. Tik Tok can be a way to inspire others through art and creativity, and it can be a great way to share tips, tricks, and valuable advice.
With my new mindset, I’ve been able to really enjoy using the app as well as social media in general. I’ve been introduced to new people and communities online, ones that exist all over the world, (I have even responded to comments on my Tik Toks in different languages to be as inclusive as I can be). I’ve connected with penpals, through chat boxes, who have similar interests to my own and who like my content. I’ve found ways to bring my creativity to life and to share it in one place, and I have found joy in a hobby that I can just have fun with for myself.
Tik Tok has also been a method for me to intertwine many of my interests. For example, sometimes I create edits but other times I create fashion Tik Toks (typically by creating outfits to represent different anime characters). Other Tik Toks I make incorporate crafting, acting, practicing cinematography, and just being myself.
While I like to tell myself that I don’t create Tik Toks for likes, the support is motivating. I hope to continue making Tik Toks for as long as I can, as it gives me something to look forward to. With my personal weekly to bi-weekly Tik Tok deadlines, I can enjoy pushing myself to create new videos that are unique in their own ways. Sure, I follow trends from time to time, but I also like to remain as individual as possible. Creating my own vibe and aesthetic through content, captions, color palettes, and responses to comments just get my creative juices flowing, whether I spend hours on a video or just a few minutes. I have so many ideas for the future of my Tik Tok, and I can’t wait to see what comes next!