Update August 2026: TikTok wasn’t banned. It’s still alive and kicking and just as much fun as ever.
Social media network app TikTok is set to be banned in the US in mid-January 2025. I’ve been lurking on the app for more than a year now and want to share some creators I love – and five reasons I love TikTok
Late To Join TikTok
I was late to the TikTok bandwagon because I thought it was all about teenagers dancing. It’s not.
GenX is all over TikTok. Generation Jones gets a nod here and there, too, which makes me delighted because that’s the boomer cohort to which I belong.
(Never heard of Generation Jones? Sigh. I’ll write something up on that and share it in the new year.)
And to be fair, you will find teenagers dancing – if that’s what you’re interested in.
5 Reasons I Love TikTok
Educational Content: There are so many terrific creators out there who are educating people about everything from pelvic floor health to style to middle school slang.
Fresh Content: TikTok is engaging and fresh in ways that the Facebook, YouTube, X, Threads, BlueSky, and Instagram just don’t have.
Dopamine: If you’re looking to feel good, TT will give you a terrific hit of the feel-good neurotransmitter dopamine. Just don’t scroll too long (and I’m guilty of that.)
Frequency: Many creators post new content several times a day. Some go live, too.
Innovation: The different types of creators are astounding. I’ve listed some of my favorites, but there’s something for everyone. There are even things you never knew you wanted to be delighted by.
My Favorite Creators
Here are a whole lot of creators I love. To hear the sound on the videos, hold your mouse over the very bottom of the video. Click to remove the X and you’ll hear the sound. Beware: volume level varies from video to video.
Favorite Creators – Educational
- I never felt like I could follow an organizing plan until I learned Kayleen Kelly‘s 3-second rule. Makes all the difference.
- Phil the pharmacist (for real – he is a pharmacist) has plenty of advice and suggestions.
- Danny Shapiro is a former professional dancer who is now a physical therapist. Get exercise tips plus sexy dance moves.
- Looking to up your clothing style? Follow Michelle King Keenan and/or The Payton Project. Both talk about style, fashion, and self-image.
- Julie Jones Designs is a virtual (and in-person) interior designer.
- The Belly Whisperer shares pelvic floor snacks to help everybody.
- Mr. Lindsay is a comedian and middle school teacher who keeps everyone up-to-date on middle school slang. And watch that coffee!
- Jose Monkey, on the other hand, finds people. He does this to remind people of just how easy it is to find you based on tiny clues in photos and videos you post online. Here’s an example.
Favorite Just For Fun TikTok Creators
- This guy does hypnotizing Spirographs. I never did have the patience to do Spirographs like he does.
- If you’re from the Midwest and not following That Midwestern Mom you are missing something, I’ll tell you. Amber makes “Minnesota Salads That Aren’t Really Salads,” sings opera, and a whole lot more.
- I aspire to be a Glorious Broad. It’s short interviews with amazing women.
- Ufflestuff does dramatic readings of classic songs. Here’s Hotel California.
- Loren DiGiorgi has hilarious music/piano puns and original compositions.
- Who doesn’t love a dancing dinosaur?
- There’s always the team at ClickUP that has a series of hilariously unprofessional HR meetings. Corporate humor at its best!
- Loe Whaley also explores corporate humor. I am invested in the future of Project Poodles and can’t wait to see what havoc that new manager Linda creates on the team. Loe also has a great series on how to professionally say things.
- Can’t say I aspire to be a sheepman, but Sean the Sheepman and his sheep-herding dogs will amaze you.
- Chelle Sloan is a spicy romance book author. But during December, she does a 12 Days of Christmas countdown of spicy men.
- I used to have cats, so I love watching Mr. Kitters the cat as he wanders around his neighborhood – meeting other cats, humans, and climbing the odd tree.
Favorite TikTok News Creators
Yes – news. I get more news from TikTok than I do anywhere else. I stopped watching TV news years ago. I barely listen to the radio. I read the local newspaper sporadically and online.
Here’s V explaining the TikTok ban.
Favorite TikTok Food Creators
- Kevin Ashton cooked professionally for years. These days he cooks for a sorority – and shares his cooking processes. Fans call him the “Bob Ross of cooking” because his voice is soooo soothing.
- Baked By Melissa is the founder of the famous cupcake bakery. But in these videos she’s real and inspiring.
- The Salad Lab. Salads – all the time.
- Chef Reactions isn’t a food creator. He’s a real life curmudgeon of a chef turned funny/sarcastic/caustic critique of food cooking videos.
- I can’t not include Dollar Tree Dinners who makes copycat Crumble cookies from Dollar Tree ingredients – and that’s just the start.
- How could you not like a cook who’s tag line is “Don’t Mix It!” — A Quick Spoonful.
- Danny Grubs has a lot of chef friends…and he gets them to cook.
Favorite TikTok Garden Creators
- I adore Jess at You Can Do It Gardening. She gives practical, no-nonsense gardening advice that everyone can do.
- I’ve been following Mike Hoag at Transformative Adventures for a few years now. He focuses on a permaculture and – just like Jess – gives practical, no-nonsense gardening backed by years of experience.
- Seed and Scribe has a sustainable approach to gardening also.
- Floricut Gardens is a flower gardener who has created a dynamic garden calendar for all US Zones.
Some More Favorite TikTok Creators
- Tips from Dead People reads unique and wonderful obituaries. It’s about life, death, and everything in between.
- Rilee is a carry-on only travel queen. Go follow her now.
- And then there’s Victor de Martrin who does gravity falls like you’ve never seen them.
- Elle Cordova is a writer and musician with a devastating sense of humor – especially if you’re a writer. Here’s a little font humor.
People I Know On TikTok
There are even people I know and love on TikTok.
- My niece Tahlia does amazing things with (mostly) antique electric stuff at Marble Switchboard.
- Author friend Adela Crandell Durkee talks about writing and life.
- Social media maven Sara at Travel With Sara gallivants all over the US.
- Hannah at Sherwood Forest Creations is the wife of a cousin’s son… which makes her a cousin of sorts. Anyway – beautiful embroidery and embroidery kits and classes for beginners.
- There are probably people I’m forgetting. 🙁
Why You Should Love TikTok
TikTok is for everybody. It’s a fun and educational social media networking app/website that also supports many small businesses.
If you haven’t jumped on the TikTok bandwagon, now is the time to download the app and explore. You’ll find wonderful creators. There is a healthy dose of spiritual creators and don’t even get me started on the book readers (aka “BookTok”,) writing community, TikTok shop, and more.
P.S. If you’re still reluctant to join TikTok, most of these creators have channels on all the other social media sites. Go find them!
