Since the influx of sorority Tumblrs over the past six months or so, more and more people, especially Greeks, have become familiar with this social media site. It’s provided chapters with the opportunity to showcase their members and sisterhood—but I hate to break it to you, Tumblr is far from being simply glamorous and clad with beautiful sorority women.

I remember the good old days before joining Tumblr; I would spend my hour long breaks between classes reading for class or studying for an upcoming exam. Now I sit continuously scrolling down the blue screen in the hallway, laughing to myself at the random posts, and seriously being completely unaware of my surroundings. Ever since signing up, I’ve been addicted. Literally addicted. I can’t get enough of finding random blogs to follow and adding to my own blog. The more time I’ve spent on this under-the-radar website, the more I’ve learned of its diversity.

Let’s start with the basis of Tumblr: everyone’s blog is extremely different. My blog, for example, is pretty much a collection of cats, books, flowers, quotes, macaroni and cheese, et cetera. I follow a random bunch of blogs, and even though they typically reblog the same genres of posts I’m interested in, I’ve become immune to the occasional NSFW post, strongly opinionated post, or downright offensive post. That’s one of the things I’ve come to love about Tumblr: you really never know what you’re going to scroll upon. So, take caution if you sign up, especially if you’re on it in public.       

Before joining, I didn’t realize how much of a culture and community Tumblr truly is. The number of notes, or likes and re-blogs, some posts get is astonishing. Current events are typically spread like wildfire with comments upon comments written by users, and social movements seem to be propelled further by witty images and text posts. For example, the feminist movement is prominent on Tumblr, but not always in the way it’s typically displayed. Tumblr is different than other social media sites. Tumblr users are, in one word, hip. They know how to connect to our generation because they are our generation. The Tumblr community understands injustices, corruption, and issues, but they also recognize where accolades are due.             

I love the simple, positive posts that come across my dash—GIFs of people doing everyday but extraordinary acts of kindness for others, salutations to the American troops, scientists making world-changing discoveries, and puppies. Everyone loves puppies. All in all, it’s a cluster of everything. Tumblr isn’t obviously personal like other social media is. It’s a representation of the planet we live on, and what the people on this planet care about, laugh at, and appreciate. It’s a breath of fresh air compared to the posts about people’s lives that we honestly do not care about. Like no, I don’t care about that picture you posted where you’re obviously intoxicated. But yes, I do care about that picture of the mother and son golden retrievers, and that GIF of panda cubs rolling around.             

Branch out! You can do it! Submit yourself to a lifetime of strolling by signing up for Tumblr today. It will be the best, worst decision you will ever make. That’s my promise.