1 - Personal Video Habits

Personal Video Habits

My personal video habits play a significant role in my daily life, shaping how I spend my free time, entertain myself, and maintain my academic responsibilities. From the moment I wake up to when I go to sleep, video content is almost always present in some form. I use a wide range of platforms, including TikTok, YouTube, and a variety of streaming platforms. Because these platforms are so easy to access, watching videos has just become something I do without really thinking about it. My video habits are heavily influenced by short-form content and constant availability, which often leads to worsening my procrastination tendencies.

Short-form video, particularly TikTok, dominates my media consumption the most. TikTok is the platform I use the most because it is easy to access during short breaks throughout my day. I find myself scrolling when I wake up, between tasks, and whenever I have downtime. Because the videos are so short, it never feels like a big time commitment, even though I often end up spending more time on them than I mean to. The endless scrolling format encourages passive consumption, where I am not actively choosing content but instead letting the algorithm decide what I watch next. This makes TikTok both entertaining and distracting, as it easily pulls my attention away from more productive tasks.

My TikTok screen time. 

In addition to short-form video, I regularly consume long-form video through streaming services such as Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, and HBO Max. Recently, I've been watching the show All's Fair on Hulu, starring Kim Kardashian. Unlike TikTok, I am more intentional when choosing shows or movies, but these platforms still play a passive role in my daily routine. When I am at home, I almost always have the television on, even if I am not actively watching it. In these cases, long-form video functions more as background noise. This creates a constant media presence that fills silence and boredom, reinforcing my reliance on video throughout the day.

I usually always have Golden Girls on in the background.

YouTube plays a unique role in my video habits because it combines both intentional and passive viewing. I regularly watch YouTubers whose content I enjoy, often returning to the same creators for entertainment and familiarity. This type of viewing feels more personal than other platforms, as many YouTubers build ongoing relationships with their audiences through consistent content and personality-driven videos. In addition to watching creators, I also enjoy watching podcasts and music videos on YouTube. I usually listen to podcasts while doing other things, like eating or doing chores, but I watch music videos more intentionally because I enjoy the visuals and usually search for specific artists or songs.

One of my favorite YouTubers is DanaBaby.

I love watching the In Your Dreams with Owen Thiele podcast. 

One of my favorite music videos to show people is Lana Del Rey's Ride.

Although video provides entertainment and distraction, it also negatively impacts my academic productivity. I often use video as a way to procrastinate, especially when I feel bored or unmotivated. The constant availability of video makes it easy to delay assignments or lose focus while studying. While I am aware of this habit, I have not made significant changes to reduce my video consumption.

In conclusion, my personal video habits reflect the broader influence of modern mass media, where constant access and short-form content shape daily routines. Video serves as entertainment, background noise, and distraction, but it also interferes with productivity. Analyzing my habits has made me more aware of how deeply integrated video is in my life and how it affects my time, attention, and academic responsibilities.