TikTok is not just for Generation Z. TikTok was made for motherhood. TikTok was made for millennials…and to be honest, a lot of other generations. And you don’t even have to create TikToks to be on the platform, so let me first explain why TikTok is the best social media for moms out there.
Full disclosure: I am very aware that social media is invasive, constantly overreaching into our personal lives, and I’ll be the first to admit that I’m not really mad about it. I don’t have anything to hide, and if Facebook wants to start sending me unsolicited ads of things that I’ve randomly mentioned in conversation, then let me pause for a moment and click add to cart.
Okay, so let’s dive into TikTok, shall we?
Planning a budget friendly vacation? I’ve got you. Looking for inspired meal prep? I’ve got you. Need some new books to read? I’ve got you. Just need to share some super embarrassing parenting moments with like-minded women? I’ve got you. Need to learn how to swaddle, budget, dance, crochet, DIY a fireplace? I’ve got you!
Recently, I shared a photo of a gallery wall with sconces we hung in our living room. We 
don’t have the electrical prowess to hardwire them in so we used puck lights instead — a little trick I picked up from TikTok. I was very surprised at the reaction from a few friends that didn’t know TikTok had home decor videos. And they do. They have ALL the home decorating ideas, DIYs, hacks and more, and it’s a FAR better use of my time than Pinterest. While Pinterest is great for general ideas, I find myself more and more frustrated because of broken links, videos that have been removed, etc. And a YouTuber personality can take a five minute project and make it into a 20 minute video. I don’t have time for that nonsense. Generally, videos on TikTok can be up to three minutes, and most users are aware they need to hit the highlights quickly so people are more likely to follow them.
Allow me to share some of my favorite home design/decor TikTok videos:
Board & Batten Wall DIY
DIY light fixture
Closet to mudroom transformation
Thrifty accent wall DIY
But that’s assuming you have an interest in home design. If you do, TikTok’s algorithms will learn that and show you the things you have an interest in. TikTok recently discovered that I like to read, so I somehow found myself on the supposed #BookTok niche. And now my Goodreads list is bursting at the seams. One TikTok user created a read-a-long discussion website/forum for The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue that she did in February. I just finished it, but I love the idea of being in a one-book book club without having to commit to reading other books I may not enjoy or necessarily have the time for every month.
You know something else that I don’t have the time or resources for? Travel. Plus, we’re in the middle of pandemic so that certainly limits trips. But I’ll be darned if I haven’t saved a handful of incredible Airbnbs within a day’s drive and learned a lot of hacks about how to save money, especially on flights. We recently started camping, and now I like to use TikTok to search hashtags of national parks we might like to see (much more dynamic than Google images after all). After seeing visits to Rock Island State Park on TikTok, it’s now at the top of my “must travel” list for 2021.
I really could go on and on about the things I’ve learned from TikTok, but showing is better than telling, so without further ado, let me share some of my most favorite TikTok life hacks, and then you can decide for yourself if it’s worth the download:
Best TikTok life hacks:
How to dry shoes
Cleaning cookie & baking sheets
Cleaning your oven
Pottytraining item you didn’t know you needed
Sealing bagged freezer food items
Cutting ziplock bags into two
Peeling potatoes
Folding pajamas to keep matches together
Using laundry baskets for groceries
