With so much content on the Internet to occupy us, it's very likely that the videos our favorite YouTubers spend hours making just fly over our heads. The reality is YouTube creators and influencers keep me in touch with the outside world, and make me feel normal -- if that is even possible in these times.
Sure, I do fall down the spiral of videos occasionally when I should be working on an assignment, but they also lift me out of my procrastination at times. This past weekend I could not for the life of me do my work, and what really felt paralyzing was that I could not even find joy in my usual relaxing activities. Simply put, I was suffocating in the emptiness of life. I then watched a few videos of my favorite YouTubers and what they're doing to survive quarantine: painting, cooking, spontaneous workout challenges, and failing fearlessly at all of these things -- but having fun nonetheless. After perhaps years, I took up painting again. I took out the acrylics lying in the back of my closet and the sketchbook collecting dust on my shelf and calmed my mind.
Before the pandemic, I took for granted all of the simple joys in life and spent my time complaining ironically about my lack of time. Now, I've watched vlogs with a new perspective: an appreciation for content that inspires me to enjoy life. In the dark moments of this quarantine when my life feels like it has no meaning, I am grateful for the media content that guides me into a positive mindset.
The power of media and online content is at its peak at this moment in history. While news outlets run constant updates on Trump's misinformation on coronavirus, YouTubers help us feel like we can somewhat control the reality in which we are living.