Social media is now THE outlet to express yourself

We all know just how much social media and technology has transformed our everyday lives. How many of us wake up and the first thing we do is check our phones? Probably a lot, and that’s okay. It’s normal to embrace a new dynamic, and technology is not going away anytime soon, so implementing it into different areas of your life is okay. 

With recent advancements in technology, there has been a stigma surrounding social media and how it plays a role in younger generations and society as a whole. Survey results show that 28% of responding Americans think social media is bad for society. I am not denying the fact that there probably are some negatives and health issues related to social media and technology out there, but let’s look on the bright side. Social media is a platform that gives people the opportunity to learn new things and express themselves right at the palm of their hands. 

No matter what your hobby is or what you want to learn, social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram and Facebook cater to your interests and have the ability to really be whatever you want them to be. The algorithms on each of these platforms take data from things you interact with and put more of that same content on your feed. Are you interested in learning how to crochet or play the piano? TikTok will continue to put these types of videos on your “For You Page” so you don’t have to go searching for it on your own. Social media is making your hobbies more accessible to begin and easy to accomplish.

Because social media is so accessible, it is being used as a creativity hub for people to learn from others or share their skills on a wide level. If you are stuck in a rut on your next project, try turning to your favorite platform. There will most likely be hundreds or even thousands of videos to help you spark some inspiration. 

“One of the perks of social media is how it has the power to make things trendy, and ultimately transform specific industries. As a quilter, it’s great to share my passion with younger generations. It brings a whole new life to quilting, and those skills can be passed down to other generations,” shares Corey Pearson, VP of Customer Success at Linda’s Electric Quilters.

Creators on these apps are doing just that, being creative. Social media puts a spotlight on and gives them the opportunity to share their content with a large mass of people. It has even become a job now, where people can get paid for making videos of their craft, life or even daily routine. There are no labels when it comes to creativity, and social media is proving that anyone can express themselves. 

Not only is social media an avenue for people to learn other hobbies, it’s a space for people to learn new perspectives. Understanding that people are different from each other and have different life experiences can help you learn more things about yourself. You never really know how people think, so it’s important to take time to really listen. This can open your own mind to new ways of thinking and can inspire you to create something you never thought possible. Social media is bringing people together in more ways than one. 

“Seeing younger generations get crafty is so fun to watch. Each person has different skills, and it’s never too late to get started,” Pearson said. 

There is a negative connotation surrounding social media, but there are also more positives than you can imagine. Sometimes people feel limited in their creative reach, and platforms are giving people the space to be authentically themselves and share that with others. There is no lack of creativity and expression online, and perhaps that is exactly what people need to grow.