TikTok Goes Dark

TikTok officially went dark due to the ban upheld by the Supreme Court. The ban was under the guise of a threat to national security data. Interestingly, the only social media that has been banned is TikTok. Like millions of users of the app, I joined in 2020 during the Pandemic as a way to escape. I was laughing and being entertained but I was also learning and healing. TikTok has become more than an app for trending sounds and videos, it has become a form of community for millions of people around the world. TikTok is a platform filled with individuals being silly or educating people on a variety of topics from history to mental health. Another thing that makes TikTok so unique is the algorithm which really curates content for the individual user. But the most powerful tool of TikTok (in my opinion) is that TikTok allows people from around the world to experience and discuss topics and events in real-time which challenges a scripted narrative.

Interestingly, Facebook and Instagram haven’t faced the same fate as TikTok and that has so many TikTok users asking why? We know the answer, this ban was never about a threat to national security… this ban is about money and control.

Personally, I don’t think this is the end of TikTok, however, the next 24-48 hours will give us a better idea of where we stand.

Be intentional and get your Pink Back

Happy New Year! Many of you know that I don’t believe in New Year’s resolutions but I do set goals throughout the year, which I find easier to achieve. I had set the goal of being more intentional in my life. For example, I am more mindful about what I consume, how I spend my time, and who I am spending it with. Many of you know that I love fashion but few actually know that I love history and learning interesting facts about nature…this has a connection, I promise. While scrolling on TikTok, I learned a very interesting fact about my favourite animal..pink flamingos.

TikTok has been instrumental in me being intentional in my life. It has challenged my perspective on life in general. I follow, Shawnda, on TikTok and she shared that female Pink Flamingos lose their pink over time while caring for their young; they lose their pink to the point they turn grey or white. Flamingos’ colour can fade or disappear for many other factors as well such as environment or food but I find it fascinating that Pink flamingos are pouring everything that they have such as energy and food into their young and you can physically see the drain on them.

The creator poses the question “What is causing you to lose your “pink?” Who or what are you pouring into that is draining you of your energy, your inspiration…of your “pink.” Shandra then follows up the question ” How are you going to get your pink back? As a lover of all things pink, I had to make a post on this intriguing topic.

Personally, I realized I was losing my pink when I was over-extending myself. I would always say “yes” to my friends and my family even though I was beyond exhausted. I was the only one working on my marriage pouring everything I could into a relationship that was beyond repair. My environment was pure chaos and I felt pure exhaustion every time I would walk into the house. I literally could not heal and be productive. I had lost my pink.

Now I’m getting my pink back, literally and figuratively. “No” is a complete sentence. If at any point, I feel that I’m overextending myself and my pink is starting to dull, I step back and course correct. It’s been 2 years since my divorce and I started to get my pink back when I realized that I really did everything I could to save my marriage before signing the divorce papers. I have been very intentional about my environment; I’ve literally surrounded myself with pink. My bedroom decor is in pink, my bathroom is pink, my kitchen accessories are… you guessed it..pink.

I truly believe that everyone looks amazing in pink and it gives you an instant glow, even if you’re going through difficult times. So, I challenge you, to identify what is draining you of your pink and what are you going to do to get your pink back?

Happy New Year and get your pink back!