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Yes, that’s right, I still don’t have a TikTok account. It’s a shocker, I know! People are always surprised when they find out I don’t have the app, as they usually ask incredulously, “Why not?!” Well, this blog post goes out to all of them. Despite being a fashion blogger and spending way too much time on social media as it is, I have never really enjoyed the social media aspect of blogging (this really old blog post still rings true today). So it makes sense that I never hopped on the TikTok bandwagon! Keep reading to hear all of the reasons why I’m perfectly happy without the app.
But first, let’s talk about today’s outfit. I wore this summery, boho look last night to hang out with some friends, but I think it would make for a super cute outdoor concert outfit. You may recall from last summer that my halter “top” is actually a skirt! I used the drawstring to tie it around my neck. I love it paired with my olive green eyelet shorts from Loft and my black and gold accessories—the sunglasses match the bag perfectly. These photos are a lot warmer in hue than I usually prefer, but that’s just how the lighting was! Let me know in the comments: Do you like warm or cool pictures better?
Now, onto all the reasons I don’t have a TikTok…
It’s a Major Time-Suck.
I already waste way more time than I care to admit aimlessly scrolling through Instagram. I know myself, and I know that TikTok would be no different—I would feel the need to refresh my feed every five minutes to check out the latest video, instead of focusing on the task at hand, only to realize that an hour or two has suddenly passed without having accomplished anything…
I Want to Focus on One Form of Social Media.
Like I said, I generally dislike social media as it is. But, I continue to use Instagram because I know I need the app if I want to work with brands and get sponsorships in the future. Here’s the thing, though: I’m already not good at Instagram! I’m horrible at it! It has taken me years to even reach 1,000 followers, whereas other people hit that milestone in a matter of months. I’d rather focus my energy into being sub-par at Instagram, so I can get at least a few brand deals, rather than spreading myself too thin and being horrible at all aspects of content creation.
It’s Too Much Effort.
I admit, I do really love those TikToks where people change outfits and have creative transitions between the looks, such as snapping your fingers, putting your palm over the camera lens, etc. Those are fun to watch! But I know that if I tried to make one myself, I would spend hours making it just for a video that lasts a few seconds. That’s not worth the effort, in my eyes. Plus—back to the whole “focus on one aspect” thing—I have other priorities when it comes to blogging. I only have so much time each day to spend working on my blog, and getting actual blog posts up will always be more important than social media content that’s just for fun.
I Never Have Space on My Phone.
Okay, so this one is just a logistical issue, but my phone is always running out of space. I’m constantly having to sift through old photos and delete things that aren’t important. So one, I don’t think I even have space to download the app itself, and two, I don’t have that much space to store content. I think it’s time to upgrade to a phone with more storage…
I Don’t Understand TikTok.
I’ve never been a trendy person, and I just don’t think I would be able to keep up with the latest and greatest TikTok trends. Will someone please explain to me where all of the voiceovers come from?? How does a single voiceover become the next “it” thing on the app? And why was that feta pasta so dang popular a few months ago?
I Think Some of the Videos are Just Plain Stupid.
This has become such a pet-peeve of mine—TikToks (or Instagram Reels) where someone aimlessly dances around, pointing at bubbles of text that appear in order to communicate some sort of message. First off, the bubbles of text almost always appear and disappear too fast for me to read all of it, so I either have to watch the TikTok over and over again or miss the overall message of the video. Second, I do not care about your dancing. Your dancing has absolutely nothing to do with the message you’re trying to convey, so why are you doing it?! Third, I think these videos are just an extremely inefficient form of communication. If you want to provide a list of brands you’ve worked with under 2k followers, or a series of steps to achieve X goal, you should WRITE it out—in an Instagram caption, in a blog post, whatever. Just not in a video of you pointlessly dancing and gesturing to disappearing boxes of text [insert ‘shrug emoji’ here].
All the Good TikToks are Sent to Me.
I absolutely admit that there are some hilarious TikToks out there. For example, I once saw a TikTok of photoshopped groundhogs competing in Olympic curling with dramatic music playing in the background, and it was one of the funniest things I’ve ever seen. However, my friend sent it to me! I didn’t have to have the app to watch that ingeniousness. Whenever there is a really funny, creative, or informative TikTok, I end up seeing it one way or another, either through a friend who sends it to me or on Instagram, since people now frequently repost TikToks onto their Instagram Stories. (Side note: Is anyone else annoyed that their Instagram feeds have become more videos than photos now that Reels has become a thing?)
Anyway, there you have it. All of the reasons I do not have—and will never get—a TikTok. Lots of the videos are really funny and I know I would enjoy having one, but that’s my biggest concern—I’ll never get anything done again if I download the app! Do you have a TikTok? And if so, what’s the favorite one you’ve seen, or what sort of trends do you enjoy watching?
Thanks so much for stopping by the blog today, and I hope you’re having a great Monday.
-Grace
Outfit Details:
Patterned Skirt Worn as a Top: Hand-me-down, last worn here | Green Eyelet Shorts: Loft, $25, last worn here | Black Sandals: Dillard’s, $30, last worn here | Gold Sunglasses: Sungait Sunglasses via Amazon, sent to me as PR, last worn here | Black Elephant Crossbody: Francesca’s, $20, last worn here
I don’t have time foe much apart from blogging and some rime on Instagram. I can’t keep hp with posting on Facebook or pinterest for rhe blog let one try my hand at tik tok. And i am still at leas than 400 followers lol. Wbo knows when. I will bit 1000!
http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com
Yes, you’ve got it!! Thankfully I have my website auto-post posts to Facebook so I never have to go on there. I need to get back into the swing of Pinterest, though!
So creative to use your skirt as a top, Grace!
I prefer the written word, which most social media isn’t about. It’s all about pictures, videos, or quick sound-bites, but I enjoy reading a post and hearing a person’s voice that way.
You’ll laugh, but I don’t have a phone…or a laptop…or a tablet. We have a home phone that plugs into the wall, and my blog is my only media outlet. No Facebook, no instagram, just my blog. So, stick to your guns and do what you enjoy!
Good for you Sheila!! That’s awesome. I prefer the written word, too, but we do seem to be in the minority.
Plain stupidity- haha, nice one. I don’t get the reason why some tiktokers are like hella famous (by posting just some random crap, ig?) and then people who are actually talented are slept on. Tiktok even decreases sustainability! I just don’t get it.
TikTok has been banned in India, though. But many other apps have slowly creeped in!
awesome as always Grace!
That is such a good point! It’s honestly kind of unfair, lol. And yah… it seems that replacements always come around…
High-Five, even I am not on Tik-Tok. I genuinely feel that one is not required to present on every social platform. I am happy in having my account on few of those.
Same here! I totally get that!
I don’t have a TikTok account either and not planning to sign up for one either! Don’t we really have already enough platforms with YouTube, Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, etc? For many people, social media accounts are just for gaining new followers and making money.
I was reading that when it comes to TikTok, once you reach 1k followers, you can go live and start receiving gifts from viewers that convert into actual money. At 10k followers, you are eligible to enter the creator fund and TikTok will pay you based on your video views.
What happened to use media platforms to raise awareness about important topics such as global warming, hunger, inadequate sexual education or the fact that mass killings still happen
So true! Social media has soooo many problems! I find myself sometimes guilty of only caring about followers, too.
Another cute outfit, love your style Grace!
I am also bad at instagram (and Twitter) although I made them not even a month ago, so maybe I should patient, haha. I have been thinking about also getting a tik tok, but like you I am still on the no side. It does seem like it’s the “new thing” that’s getting a lot of attention, though. Going from no social media to creating a blog and then getting social media to promote it has been more than I’m used to. I’m just easing in lol.
That’s a good plan! Trying to manage it all is SO overwhelming… I have a few social media accounts but I spend the most time on Instagram.
Grace, this outfit is so cute for summer vibing! I just picked up a really darling skirt with a drawstring that I absolutely intend to wear as a top just like you have with this one. And I am totally with you on TikTok and social media in general. I despise it all, I don’t understand it, and I don’t really care to take the time to understand it. I honestly think that social media is going to come to a fiery death in the near future anyway. And I will be glad that I focused most of my attention on my blog rather than on social media. In fact, I don’t even accept collaborations that require social media posting! While I don’t have a TikTok account either and never will, it is an amazing tool to use when my 8 year old throws tantrums! All I have to do is point my phone in his direction and threaten to post his tantrum on TikTok and he stops immediately. The funny thing is that he doesn’t even realize that I have no idea how to post a video on TikTok! Haha. Shhhh…don’t tell.
Shelbee
http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com
That’s hilarious, Shelbee! And I really really hope social media has a fiery death soon… lol. I’m shocked you can even find collaborations that don’t require social media – everything I find at least requires Instagram! That’s why I still have it in the first place!
Grace,
Super cute look. I also don’t understand the draw of TikTok and like you, I’ve seen the best ones through other sources.
Rena
http://www.finewhateverblog.com
Thanks Rena!
After saying I wouldn’t get a TikTok account for ages I finally caved and got one a few months ago. However, after making a few videos I started to get a bit bored by all the silly stuff people post. There’s some really creative content out there but it often gets lost in a sea of nonsense. There’s a lack of originality too – everyone seems to jump on the same trends with transitions and music. Maybe I just need to find more interesting accounts to follow!
Emma xxx
http://www.style-splash.com
Thank you for those insights Emma! I can imagine how it might get boring after a while… And it just seems to be so much work to create such a short video!