Fuel Your Creativity Without Your Phone
Written By : Jacqueline Rappa
Like many other Americans, the 12-hour TikTok ban had me in a chokehold. During this period, my thumb kept automatically hitting the app as if by muscle memory. I honestly felt disappointed in myself for relying on an app this much. I don’t love any social media platform the way I love TikTok, so naturally, I thought I’d be on my phone less during the ban. Unfortunately, the opposite happened. I kept refreshing Instagram, hoping something interesting would appear, binge-watched videos on RedNote, and even tapped through Snapchat stories for the first time in ages. I sat myself down to watch a YouTube video, trying to switch to long-form content but still found myself aimlessly scrolling on my phone.
Admitting all this is hard for me. As someone who enjoys reading, writing, and embracing crafts like scrapbooking and drawing, I want to believe I’m above social media addiction. Unfortunately, I’m not. I’ve realized two things can be true at once: I am addicted to my phone, and I love non-online activities. So now that TikTok is back, what do I do?
It’s my goal to create more than I consume. I genuinely love posting on TikTok and see it as a positive way to express myself. I tend to post my writing, thoughts, fashion, and other interests on the app, which actually encourages me to engage in these activities more in real life. Creating content is something I enjoy and consider a hobby, so when I’m filming and editing, I feel fulfilled.
It’s the doom-scrolling that gets me every time. I’ll plan to read on the train during my morning commute, but instead, I get sucked into a TikTok rabbit hole. Or I’ll be walking from my room to the kitchen and find myself watching a video instead of simply just walking. This is where the addiction needs to break. I want to allow myself to enjoy an app where I can laugh, learn, and find inspiration, but it’s all about balance.
Ultimately, I’m happy TikTok is available again and hope it remains a space where free speech is embraced. This year, I aim to be more mindful of how much media I consume. I want to be able to tell myself to put the phone down and pick up my journal instead. Or even just watch a movie without the urge to scroll on a smaller screen. The less I fuel my dependency on social media, the more time I have to be drawn into my present life. I feel more inspired by observing the world around me while strolling through the city—noticing someone’s outfit, for example—than by scrolling through 1,000+ outfits on my screen in just 20 minutes. The simple, everyday moments are what bring out the best ideas in all of us.