The World Feels Dark, But Community Is Our Light
Jan 17, 2025
These days, the world feels heavier than it ever has before. There’s a shadow that presses into my bones—a collective weight that no single person can carry alone. Even as I reach for hope, it feels fleeting, just out of reach.
This is the energy of the moment, isn’t it? A collective fear, sadness, and grief swirling amidst the unknown. Our government has begun a wave of censorship that I always feared. The ban on TikTok is one stark reminder of how quickly spaces for connection and expression can be stripped away. For many of us, TikTok wasn’t just another app; it was a space where we learned, grew, and found joy together across divides.
Over the past eight years, TikTok has been a bridge for countless people—sharing breaking news, fostering creativity, and helping us see life from new perspectives. Its loss feels like losing a piece of ourselves, especially in a time when it seems we need connection more than ever.
Yet, within the darkness, I witness light.
I think of how many of you I’ve met online, through Tim Tok or other social media, and how those connections became so much more than likes and comments. Social media was a hub that brought us together in ways I never imagined. It created the Co-Conspirators Lounge—a place where we practice community, mutuality, reciprocity, and care. This space, and the people within it, have been my lifeline.
Even in my darkest times, it was the light of other creators and community members—not “followers”—that kept me going. When my family faced the possibility of being unhoused, it was this community that helped us raise the funds we needed. When I struggled to recover from long COVID, it was this same community that surrounded me with care. These moments weren’t just digital; they were deeply human, and they continue to remind me of the power of collective action and love.
Community care is materializing in every walk of my life.
I hope that more people find deeper connections, both online and offline. Social media, for all its flaws, is still a powerful tool for engagement and transformation when used with intention. It’s my prayer that we remember the light it can bring and continue to create digital spaces that feel like home.
In the meantime, let’s ask ourselves:
- Where do I currently experience true community?
- How can I nurture connections that are rooted in care and reciprocity?
- What role can I play in creating spaces where others feel supported and seen?
If you feel the weight of the world right now, know you’re not alone. Let’s keep reaching for the light, together. Let’s keep showing up for each other. Even in the darkest times, our collective spirit will always be the spark that carries us forward.
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