We Make TikToks, So We Can't Enjoy Anything 😒

Another Monday, another article. We’re glad to be here with ya’ll!

You may notice only two photos introducing this week’s themes. That’s because Tejas is enjoying the fruits of his hard work as a creator to the fullest - he’s been out of the office for a couple of days, and hasn’t had a good opportunity to sit down and write.

Fear not, Sean and Danny will hold it down this week, as they explore the boundaries between being a full-time creator, and just a regular person.

Let’s dive in!

Lights, Camera, Life - Sean Oulashin (@seanoulashin)

Dude. Last night was a movie. Actually, forget that - my entire LIFE is a movie.

Gen Z colloquialisms aside - yes. My life truly does feel like a movie, but maybe not in the traditional sense. Instead of 90 minutes of untethered drama, cinematic dutch-angles with dolly-zooms, my life is a series of short-form vertical stories that live on an app controlled by a user’s thumb.

Yeah. I can’t stop thinking about TikTok. Like… ever.

Since becoming a full-time creator, the line between when I should be experiencing a situation presently, and hitting record has become pretty blurred. In literally any situation, I’m usually thinking to myself “how can I turn this into a piece of content?” “What’s the hook of this dinner party I’m at?” “Where’s a good place to prop up my phone? OOH! Maybe I should use the wide lens!”. I’ve almost forgotten what it’s like to not feel responsible for providing an audience with content.

Sigh. What has my life become? In those moments where my mind is clouded with becoming a short-form Scorsese, I hear my mother’s voice - “Put that damn phone down, you’re on it too much. Is it really that important?” Her scowl bores into me like a laser beam.

Well… yeah. It is important.

But other times, I’m reminded of a wonderful fact - storytelling is a superpower. ESPECIALLY when it comes to short-form content. Being able to effectively communicate your emotions, your thoughts, and your experience of something you enjoyed or something that made you feel good, in under a minute (to borrow words from Tejas) is a hack!

TikTok takes up a majority, nah, all of my life. And while it might sound like a burden, it’s actually quite nice. It’s trained me to be the most effective communicator possible, divining true purpose for my content - making videos that help.

Communication is everything. So what are you waiting for? Get to work! :)

The Duty To Capture - Daniel McMahon (@dodford)

In sixth grade, I went on a school trip to France. It was my first real trip away from home without my parents. We were going to a zoo, museums, all those touristy things. I was excited.

But, like I’ve always been - the closer it got to the day the more I dreaded it. Was I nervous? Overthinking it? Or just not ready to leave my Xbox? I’m not sure. The point is - on that early morning - I didn’t want to get out of bed.

“I don’t wanna go, Dad.”

“Well, here. Take this camera and show me everything you saw.”

It was a lightbulb moment. With this camera, I had a purpose. Sure, it was just to show my Dad some photos of penguins. But that duty to capture, that reason to go, gave the trip a whole new significance.

I’m sure many of you relate to that feeling of being really excited for something - but the closer you get - the more you want to curl up under your blankets and go AWOL.

To me, holding a camera is what gives me the energy to leave the house. It can even make a social event more enjoyable.

The problem is - you can lose yourself in the idealised “scene” and forget that you’re really there. I’m sure I’ve pissed friends off in the past when they just want to enjoy their drink and I’ve got a camera in their face.

In the moment, you’re thinking:

• How should I transition into this scene?

• Do I have the necessary coverage?

• Will the emotion carry?

You can forget you’re sharing a moment.

In reality - I can’t complain. I’m surrounded by people who know I love this - and respect my way of saving memories. After all, video is the best method of cherishing our experiences. I’m not gonna be stopping.

Even if you’re not a “full-time” creator, do you find yourself struggling with whether or not to pull your camera out? How do you decide when to, or when not to?

If you do shoot on the go, we’d love to see what you’ve captured! Drop a link down below, and like always, we’ll respond to every single one. 🤠

See you next week, explorers. Stay frosty.