Why do I love media? Well, the biggest statement I can give about that is that it makes me more than I think I could be without it. For me, media are all about the opportunities they give me when it comes to making contact, acting online and finding out more about myself and the world around me.
I have many international friends whom I would have never known if it hadn’t been for social media sites. I am able to talk to them when I don’t know who to turn to, and the other way around too. Besides that, my grandmother is in the hospital right now, and if it wasn’t for media she would feel so much worse than she does now; me, my family and her friends are able to send her texts, photos and videos to keep her involved in the world outside the bed in that boring room.
Through media, I can also make a difference for other people: I can let an artist know that I loved a piece they posted online and make their day a bit better, send someone that seems interesting a friend request which can evolve into an amazing friendship (like a friend in Germany, I have never met her but we have known eachother for 3 years now, and can tell eachother everything), or support someone through patreon or gofundme to improve their life in the most amazing ways.
And of course, I use media for entertainment in the form of music, videos, photos, stories, and more. These are the things that make up a big part of who I am, though they do not completely define me. But it is an amazing feeling to find a new band you like, an inspirational person who changes the way you look at things, or even a word you had never heard of before that describes exactly what you are feeling and why, and helps you understand more of yourself, other people and ultimately, the world around you.
So all in all, media plays a huge roll in my life and it will for the rest of it, and I accept that. I have grown up and evolved along with it, and I can honestly barely imagine it not being there to help me or let me help others. And even though the future of media is uncertain, I can hardly wait to get to know more about it and about myself.
Esmée Wittebrood
Why I Heart My Media 