Community, Creativity, Connection: It All Started With Tumblr…
Welcome back to my small corner of the internet! In the digital landscape of the internet, there are many platforms where creativity knows no bounds. For me, it all began with Tumblr, an infamous picture blogging site that captured my imagination like nothing else. If you don't remember Tumblr, that is definitely a reality check for me that I am surely getting older. Nonetheless, little did I know that this virtual haven of aesthetics, emotions, and culture would be the catalyst that sparked my interest in writing and blogging, leading me on a transformative journey of self-expression and creativity.
I use to spend HOURS on Tumblr ya hear me! Hours, that turned into days and would lead me down a rabbit hole of photos. Tumblr is where I discovered some of my favorite songs. I use to be a huge Asap Rocky fan and Tumblr is where I listened to his first album. Artists like Joey Bada$$ (I just listened to 95 Til’ Infinity for the millionth time) and Honey Cocaine (what happened to Honey Cocaine) were living rent free on my Tumblr feed. It is where I first discovered other teens my age who were interested in some of the same things that I was.
I first discovered Tumblr through Pinterest. One day I was on Pinterest saving pictures to my board and I accidentally clicked on a photo that took me to an alternate site. As I stumbled upon Tumblr, I was immediately captivated by the visuals it offered. The site was like a treasure of art, photography, and creative edits that appealed to my sense of aesthetics. ALL THE VIBES! I spent hours scrolling through beautifully curated blogs, exploring captivating images that seemed to weave stories of their own. The curation of colors, quotes, and artistry was nothing short of mesmerizing, and it opened my eyes to the power of visual storytelling.
Inspired by the creativity that flourished on Tumblr, I began experimenting with my own content. I began editing pictures, crafting heartfelt poetry, and writing short stories (some of my poems are probably somewhere out there still floating around.) I would kill to read them now! The site's supportive community encouraged me to share my work, as they posted their own think pieces and fandom content. It was like finding my tribe – a group of like-minded individuals passionate about art, writing, and self-expression. When I first began creating this space (beingalexisprothro) I wanted to recreate some of those same feelings I experienced in my Tumblr days. The biggest thing I think tumblr offered was connectivity. I had virtual friends that would check- in from all over, reposting pictures and commenting on my think pieces. Community was one of the first things that I noticed about Tumblr and it quickly became a defining feature of Tumblr. Unlike the fleeting interactions of today's social media apps, Tumblr fostered deep connections between users who often formed tight-knit communities centered around niche interests. Whether it was a love for a particular TV series, a shared enthusiasm for a subculture, or a passion for social justice causes, Tumblr provided a space for people to come together, exchange ideas, and support one another.
As I continued to write and create, I discovered my unique voice as a blogger. Tumblr allowed me to explore various writing styles and themes, enabling me to find what resonated most with both myself and my audience. It was on this platform that I learned to embrace my imperfections and vulnerabilities, understanding that they were integral parts of my creative journey. If you did not get to experience Tumblr at its peak, you missed an ERA!
In an age dominated by algorithm-driven feeds and fabricated social interactions, the nostalgia for Tumblr in the 2000s serves as a reminder of what once was – a reminder of a time when the internet felt more personal, more human, and more connected. Though its glory days may have passed, the spirit of Tumblr lives on, and serves as a testament to the enduring power of community and self-expression in the digital age.
Tumblr was more than just a picture blogging site; it was the spark that ignited my passion for writing and creativity. Its visuals and emotional appeal opened the floodgates of my imagination, leading me to explore and nurture my talents as a writer. From the mesmerizing aesthetics to the genuine community support, Tumblr has forever left its mark on me, and to think it all started with Tumblr.
Comment below and let me know your experience with Tumblr Do you think it will ever become popular again?