I have spent a lot of energy focusing on all the negatives of social media so I wanted to mention all the blessing that came to me through social media - all the reasons I wouldn't be where I am without it.
YouTube lead me into the greater world of music. Here I found many of my favourite songs and created my own style from the easy access to music that YouTube provides. My main reason for YouTube is to listen to music. There are many other tools that one can listen to music on but the way YouTube is set up it is the most convenient and effective for finding music you may like but don't know of yet. I can search a song I already like, find other songs that are related to my chosen one, and search through playlists with songs that I already like and songs that people with similar music tastes introduce me to. It is here that my nail art passion was kindled and grew like fire. I started watching tutorials on how to do different designs and quickly became obsessed with nail art. I found a hobby that I didn't even know about. I learnt so many tricks and became pretty good to the point that I could have started up my own little business but decided against so. YouTube really opened me up to new ideas and new possibilities. I could extend myself beyond what I could without it by recreating and adapting ideas from those on YouTube. As I got better and better, receiving compliments and been provided with opportunities to do other girls' nails my sense of competence increased significantly. I found something that I was truly good at.
Facebook linked me to my friends from all over the world. I come from a place that isn't very eventful so people are constantly leaving. I travel a bit too so being able to stay in contact with all my friends is very difficult. Thank goodness for Facebook, which allows me to stay connected, even to strengthen my relationships. Through Facebook I kept the friendships that might otherwise have withered over time. I am able to reach the ones I miss dearly such as family. Facebook is my key to home. I can feel a slice of home when I talk to people I used to see all the time. It fulfills my need for relatedness while I feel so alone, being so far away.
Finally, Instagram and Pinterest, they allow me to share my experiences through photos. I can bring those not with me on my journey around the world as though they were right here with me.
