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The Day the World Stood Still

Writer's picture: SonnySonny

Updated: Feb 3


It happened. The unthinkable. The day everyone feared but never thought would come: TikTok was banned. The world went into collective chaos as millions of thumbs hovered aimlessly, searching for meaning in the void where "For You" feeds once thrived.


For those of us who had come to rely on daily doses of lip-syncs, dance challenges, and oddly satisfying slime videos, it felt like someone had pulled the Wi-Fi cable out of the matrix. Life without TikTok? Impossible. But, somehow, humanity survived. Barely.


What did we do with those extra two hours we suddenly had? Turns out, a lot—and none of it made much sense. From panic attacks to sudden bursts of creativity, the world got a hilarious reality check. Here’s what went down.


1. Panic Attacks and Phantom Scrolling

The first few hours post-ban were the hardest. For TikTok users, the "phantom scrolling" syndrome was real. "I kept opening my phone, staring at it, and closing it again," said Jessica, a 23-year-old from New York. "It was like my thumb had muscle memory. I couldn’t stop flicking up, even though there was nothing to flick."


Meanwhile, others experienced full-blown panic attacks. Entire therapy hotlines were jammed with calls like:

  • "What am I supposed to do while eating my cereal? Just…eat it?"

  • "I tried reading a book, but it didn’t come with trending sound effects or captions."

  • "Is life even worth living if I can't duet a cat video?"


A generation raised on 15-second dopamine hits was suddenly facing the terrifying expanse of uninterrupted reality.


2. The Rise of "Alternative TikToks"

In their desperation, many people turned to other platforms to fill the void. Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, and even Facebook (yes, Facebook!) saw sudden surges in traffic.

"It wasn’t the same," admitted Dylan, a TikTok enthusiast from Seattle. "Instagram Reels felt like eating off-brand cereal. It’s technically breakfast, but it doesn’t hit right."


Some took it even further. One group of Gen Zers reportedly created "Analog TikTok," where they acted out their favorite trends live in front of their friends.

  • Someone yelled, “Can I get a hooyah?” in their living room, only to be met with silence.

  • Another tried to recreate a viral dance in the mirror but ended up pulling a hamstring.

Analog TikTok, while creative, wasn’t sustainable.



3. Discovering New Talents and Rediscovering Old Ones

Without TikTok’s constant pull, people had an unprecedented amount of free time. Some used it to discover new hobbies and talents.


Painting: Thousands of former TikTokers suddenly decided they were artists. Bob Ross tutorials became the new viral trend (in their own heads), but the results were…questionable. Twitter was flooded with “masterpieces” that looked more like “abstract interpretations of paint explosions.”


Cooking: Others flocked to the kitchen, attempting to recreate complicated recipes they had saved during TikTok’s reign. Without the fast-forward button, however, patience ran thin. Half-baked banana breads and charred pasta chips became the norm.

"I tried making that feta pasta thing," said Angela, 28. "I forgot it takes, like, an hour to roast tomatoes. I gave up and ate cereal instead."


Learning an Instrument: Some ambitious souls even dusted off their old guitars and keyboards, deciding it was finally time to become the next Ed Sheeran. One TikTok refugee was overheard strumming “Wonderwall” 47 times before giving up and Googling, “How to make music without effort.”



4. Relationships Were Tested

With two extra hours in the day, people were forced to interact with those around them—and not everyone was thrilled about it.

"I didn’t realize how much I relied on TikTok to avoid talking to my roommate," said Ben, 26. "We actually had a conversation. It was horrifying."


Couples were also affected. For years, TikTok had been the perfect buffer for awkward silences. Without it, relationships were put to the test.

  • "My boyfriend and I had to, like, talk about our feelings," one user lamented. "It was the worst."

  • "My wife started suggesting we play board games. BOARD GAMES. I miss scrolling."


On the flip side, some relationships flourished. One couple reportedly bonded over their mutual inability to recreate TikTok trends without the app’s guidance. They’re now engaged.


5. The Great Fitness Craze (That Lasted a Week)

Another common response to TikTok’s ban was a sudden interest in fitness. With nothing to scroll, people turned to jogging, yoga, and home workouts.

"I started running to clear my mind," said Kelly, 24. "By day three, I was Googling if scrolling burns calories."


The fitness craze didn’t last long. By the end of the week, gym memberships were abandoned, and yoga mats were rolled up and shoved back under the bed. But for a brief moment, the world was healthier—albeit reluctantly.


6. Businesses Got Creative

Small businesses that relied on TikTok for marketing scrambled to find alternatives. Some turned to old-school methods like flyers, email newsletters, and—gasp—word of mouth.


One bakery in New Jersey went viral (ironically) for sending a real person to dance outside with a sign that read, "We miss TikTok, too. Buy a donut to mourn."

Meanwhile, Etsy shop owners began live-streaming their crafts on Zoom, only to realize that watching someone knit in real-time wasn’t nearly as engaging as a 15-second time-lapse.


7. Conspiracy Theories Flourished

Where there’s chaos, there’s conspiracy. Within hours of the TikTok ban, theories flooded the internet:

  • "This is a government experiment to see how we react without constant stimulation."

  • "They’re banning TikTok to force us back onto Facebook. Wake up, sheeple!"

  • "The Illuminati is involved. No further explanation needed."


One particularly vocal theorist suggested the ban was orchestrated by parents to make their teens do chores. Strangely, this theory gained traction.



8. A New Era of Productivity? Kind of.

Some optimists saw the TikTok ban as an opportunity to be more productive. They envisioned a world where people wrote novels, built businesses, and learned new skills.


The reality?

  • A few people did clean their closets.

  • One person reportedly started knitting a scarf, only to abandon it halfway through.

  • Most just replaced TikTok with Netflix and binged an entire season of Bridgerton in a single sitting.

"I thought I’d use this time to learn a new language," said Emily, 22. "Instead, I memorized every line from The Office. Close enough, right?"


9. When TikTok Came Back

And then, just as abruptly as it left, TikTok came back. The ban was lifted, and the world rejoiced. People flooded back to their feeds like long-lost sailors returning to shore.

But something was different. Some users noticed they didn’t feel the same attachment to TikTok anymore."I went back, but it wasn’t the same," said Sarah, 25. "Like, I still scroll for hours, but now I also feel…resentful? Is this what growth feels like?"


Others doubled down, spending twice as much time on the app to “make up for lost scrolling.” By the end of the week, the average screen time for TikTok users had skyrocketed, proving that absence truly does make the heart grow fonder—or at least the thumb faster.


Lessons Learned

The TikTok ban, though temporary, taught us many things:

  1. People will go to ridiculous lengths to fill a 15-second void.

  2. Phantom scrolling is a real (and hilarious) phenomenon.

  3. Maybe, just maybe, we rely on social media a little too much.


But most importantly, it reminded us that when the world feels like it’s ending, we can survive—even if we have to endure awkward conversations, failed hobbies, and a few burnt recipes along the way.


So, if TikTok ever disappears again, don’t panic. Remember, there’s always Netflix. Or yoga. Or knitting. Or, you know, just staring at the wall and reminiscing about the good ol’ days of scrolling.


Until next time, keep scrolling (responsibly)!




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Trudie Weiser
Trudie Weiser
Jan 22
Rated 5 out of 5 stars.

As usual another marvelous essay...my granddaughter's are addicted to tik Tok...

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