TikTok Taught Me: Learning, Creating, and Journaling My Way Forward

Journal making supplies

My kids (22, 14, and 14) love to remind me that I’m too old for TikTok. And maybe they’re right. But lately, TikTok has become one of my favorite places to learn.

Sure, it’s known for dances and trends, but scroll long enough with curiosity, and you’ll discover creators who share ideas that inspire creativity, reflection, and growth. Social media doesn’t have to be a distraction.  It can be a powerful place for connection and learning when we use it intentionally.

One night, I came across a short video about something called a Traveler’s Notebook. I had never heard of it before, but as an avid plannr girlie, within minutes I was intrigued. The creator shared how it allows you to combine multiple notebooks in one beautiful cover so you can design a system that fits your life. That single video sent me down a delightful rabbit hole of journaling layouts, organization ideas, and creative expression.
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Before I knew it, I was sketching my own setup, collecting supplies, and building a system that feels like an answered prayer—a way to keep all my mental file cabinets in one place.
These are the journals I have now:

• A daily agenda and task journal filled with meeting notes and to-dos
• A reading journal to capture insights and reflections from my books
• A commonplace journal for quotes, ideas, and inspiration from what I read or hear
• A list journal for goals, gratitude, and quick notes
• A sudoku insert to give my brain something fun to do when I need a break

I love that I can keep them with me at all times. Instead of doom scrolling, I always have something to do—whether it’s solving a puzzle, brain dumping ideas, or writing down a thought I don’t want to lose.
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It’s a simple habit that has made a big difference. Writing keeps me grounded, helps me slow down, and reminds me that my creativity doesn’t have to be perfect—it just has to be practiced.

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The finished product

Learning on TikTok. TikTok may not be the first place people think of for professional learning, but it’s one of my favorite ways to see how others are learning, creating, and living with purpose. It’s where I find quick, visual lessons that spark new ideas.
Over time, I’ve learned a few things about how to make social media a tool for learning rather than a distraction:

1. Follow your curiosity. Search topics you care about—journaling, productivity, leadership, or creativity. The more you engage intentionally, the smarter your feed becomes.
2. Save what matters. I organize saved videos into folders like “Journaling Ideas,” “Creative Systems,” and “Leadership Reflections.” It helps me revisit content that inspired me.
3. Apply what you learn. After watching something new, I pause and try it—whether it’s a journaling layout, a reflection question, or a productivity tip. Learning sticks when we use it.
4. Set boundaries. I use TikTok as a creative break, not an escape. My journals help me redirect my energy toward reflection and creation instead of endless scrolling.
5. Engage in community. Comment, share, and connect with people who make you think. Social media is most powerful when it becomes social learning.

My kids roll their eyes every time I tell them about something I learned from TikTok, and I joke that I might actually start posting my own journaling and leadership reflections soon—to their complete disapproval, of course. But the truth is, I’ve learned that the best kind of learning happens when we stay curious and open to new spaces.

Sometimes that means reading a book or attending a workshop. Other times, it might just mean scrolling through TikTok and stumbling across a video that reminds you how creative you can be.

Here’s to learning in unexpected places, creating systems that bring peace to the chaos, and using every space—digital or not—as a classroom for growth.

Here’s to being a lead learner—in leadership and in life.

Lead. Learn. Live. Repeat.