TikTok goes your clock

I used to browse TikTok most evenings until I decided to delete it around a year ago. I used to consume a whole lot of transient, tantalising garbage.

I would thow out facts I'd seen on TikTok into conversations, or opinions I hadn't delved further than thirty seconds on. It's a recipie for knowing sh*t.

Looking back, I had learned nothing of value, and I realised so much time had been wasted. My attention - measured in time, was the base metric.

I have family and hobbies outside of work, mainly making music and playing with my kids - I'm now wary of my phone as direct competition.

Scrolling fast paced video feeds is utterly mindless, not mindful. It steals our attention. TikTok learns exactly what keeps you watching, at your most base human instinct. Disjointed soundbites and scroll-bait videos aren't a mindful way of either learning or being entertained.

“But I just need to relax after work and the kids bedtime”— I'd almost forgotten that my hobbies and passions are actually relaxing. Sitting with a guitar doesn’t take much effort, but social media takes even less. It's become way too convenient.

An hour on TikTok every evening quickly adds up. What might I achieve with seven spare hours a week dedicated to a passion?

I've since spent some time making my passions more convenient. Keeping the guitars set up ukulele's littered around the house. All I have to do is put my hands on one.

Life is waaaay better without TikTok. Delete it now.