The Art of Reposting TikToks. I’m dead serious. It is an art form.

I’m dead serious. It is an art form.

You know why? Because it’s one of the ways we as a generation express ourselves. Sad, I know, but kind of awesome too.

What possesses us to hit the repost button? We scroll for hours, and finally come across a TikTok that truly speaks to us, or entertains us until the very end. Some people are scarce about the likes they give out, while some people like almost everything they see. But reposting? Oh, that’s special. That’s sacred! We are putting our names on the video — attaching ourselves to the TikTok and basically saying, “Hey, this is me!” or “I think this is really funny guys, I had to share it with all of you!” And all in the same, we are stamping ourselves to the video for all to see. It’s underground brand work. It’s identity forming. It’s goddamn art.

So what makes us repost a TikTok? I think it comes down to four things:

1. I identify with what this video is saying
2. I wish to identify with what this video is saying
3. I want others to associate me with what’s going on in this TikTok
4. I think this is funny or cool and want people to laugh at it too

Today, the unspoken “rules” of social media span far and wide. Is it really that serious if you post “too much,” or at the opposite end of the spectrum, do you really have to share EVERYTHING that goes on in your life? The expectations change from person to person, app to app, and platform to platform.

BUT, resposting a TikTok? A safe bet for expressing yourself in what feels like a rule free zone. Why? Because it’s not your words exactly. It’s not actually your post. You didn’t have to go out of your way to post it and see how many views or likes you can get. You simply can repost — the work is already done for you. And now you have let the world know, in a small way, what you’re all about.

There is a wall, a barrier, a small gap between our direct thoughts, and those of another, that becomes less intimidating. But maybe we don’t just need to move through others and use that wall of safety that other creators give us.

What about this, what if we were repostable? And this is not just for everyone who wants to be an influencer or create content… This is about the way we live: let’s all start being repostable ourselves. From the way we move, the things we do, how we speak to one another, and what we share. Authentic, unique, entertaining, and fun. All of that to say; just be yourself! That’s how we become repostable.

As a society who has grown up online — posting cringey video stars, Musical.lys, the filters on Instagram back in 2014, the dog filter on Snapchat, and god knows what else on Vine… we have pulled back the reins. Now it’s polished and trendy instagram aesthetics and getting the right angle of your drink on a Friday night to put on your story (both I am so equally guilty for). We now express ourselves in a clean cut light, staying safe.

But maybe we can find a happy medium? Maybe we can express ourselves in a bigger way that isn’t just reposting TikToks or liking a post. Or better yet, how can we express ourselves in real life? The real conversations we have, the real interests we share, the amount we talk or don’t talk, the things we find funny or the things we don’t?

In a world where everyone and everything seems to be a brand, make sure to take a deep breath and have fun with the way you decide to share who you are. Whether that’s posting on your Instagram story, making your own content on TikTok, or maybe just in the way you share the things you love with your friends, be genuine with it. Share yourself in all the ways you truly are because that’s when people feel inspired, are able to build real bonds, and feel comfortable in their own skin — just by you showing up as you!

Be your own niche. Share your own stories. What do you like? What do you find interesting? What’s something that only your closest friends know about you that more people might relate to? The more real we are, the more we double down on the things we love; the happier and more comfortable we will all become with ourselves, and the people in our life.

So maybe that means you keep reposting the TikToks you find interesting. Maybe it means you let your walls down and be more open and honest with who you are to your friends, or maybe you post a little more authentically, or not at all. Because you never have to post, you can post. And in doing so, you can leverage your online presence to be an extension of you — nothing more, nothing less.

By being the rawest version of yourself, you invite the people around you to do the same. Share yourself with the world, and in turn, allow others to express themselves with you.

Cheers to being yourself and making genuine connections with those around you.