Kai: Living with “what ifs” is an absolute “no” in my book, so it’s time to stop talking and make a plan: what’s your “why?” » What do you want to share with the world? What can you offer an audience? What do you hope to gain?
Your friends saying you have the perfect personality to create content is not a good answer to any of these questions. Fifty-four percent of Americans between the ages of 13 and 38 would become an internet personality if given the chance and would likely see the same potential in themselves. It’s important to have concrete answers because, promise, creating a podcast will not be the cure for all your FOMO.
Online success isn’t all it’s made out to be, and law school isn’t something you want to sacrifice in the process. We’ve recently seen well-known TikTokers and YouTubers say they’re stepping away from creating full-time to pursue endeavors that give them more fulfillment. For some it seems to be pursuing their education and for others it seems to be finding an alternative career path that can further complement their love for online sharing.
You won’t know what’s good for you until you try. You will continue to wonder for years if you don’t take the plunge. As you mentioned, assess relevance and play it safe with topics and language. You don’t want to share anything that could blatantly affect your career potential when you’re not even sure sharing online is viable, let alone enjoyable for you.
Taking an approach like TikTok creators jordanismylawyer and legalbaddie that balance personal and professional content might be an option. You don’t always have to create an alternate character type disconnected from your daily life.
Ultimately, you need to stop looking to others for validation in your activities, because while the opinions of your friends as well as future law school colleagues, professors, and potential clients are valuable, they don’t mean much. If you go online, there will be people who respect what you do, but inevitably there will also be people who will criticize you. You must be so rooted in your “why” that nothing can stop you from moving forward.
You might end up finding out that online sharing isn’t your thing, but at least you’ll feel really confident in that conclusion. Nothing is worse than looking back and having “what ifs”. Give yourself the opportunity and go for it.
Are you struggling with your online life? Get tips from columnist Jules Terpak
Tell it to the post office
