Embarking on the EC&I 831 project filled me with pure joy and excitement. As I eagerly scanned through the course syllabus, exploring the various options provided by Katia, one particular skill caught my eye—embroidery. Instantly, my heart leaped with anticipation, knowing that this project would allow me to express my creativity, add a personal touch, and bring beauty to the world through this ancient craft.

My fascination with embroidery dates back to my twenties. Even on social media platforms, my search history betrays my deep passion for this art form. From scrolling through countless embroidery patterns to immersing myself in intricate stitches, I have been captivated by the artistry and elegance of embroidery.

From my perspective, Embroidery offers a sense of mindfulness and relaxation. As you thread your needle and begin stitching, you enter a meditative state, focusing solely on the rhythmic motion of the needle and the gentle pull of the thread. It becomes a soothing and therapeutic experience, allowing you to unwind and find solace in the creative process.

For my project, I have decided to dive into the world of social media to explore the vast array of embroidery stitches. With platforms like Instagram and YouTube as my guide, I will embark on a journey to discover and learn various stitches—Whether it’s the delicate satin stitch, the textured French knot, the rhythmic backstitch, and many more. The process of learning something new may be lengthy, but when passion fuels your journey, time becomes irrelevant. Every stitch will be a step closer to mastering this art form and bringing my artistic visions to life.

Embroidery opens a world of boundless creativity, mindfulness, and personalization. Whether I stitch for pure pleasure, create unique gifts that carry a piece of my heart, or simply indulge in the joy of exploring a new hobby, the magic of embroidery awaits me. So, I am going to grab my needle, select my thread, and let the magic of embroidery unfold before eyes.

Social media and open education are closely intertwined in my perspective. When we think of social media, we often associate it with openness and accessibility for everyone. Social media can be both productive and unproductive, depending on our individual preferences. Each person uses social media according to their own choices. Speaking from personal experience, I consider myself an introvert who enjoys observing others on social media platforms while preferring to stay behind the camera. Recording or taking selfies makes me uncomfortable. Despite being a millennial who grew up without social media, I am an active user of all social media platforms.

Sometimes, I reminisce about my pre-teen years when I used to play with friends, siblings, and classmates without relying on gadgets. We engaged in activities that required physical and mental strength. Today, seeing children constantly occupied with gadgets from a young age makes me feel sad for them because they may miss out on creating cherished memories. I often wonder how the children of Generation Alpha will reminisce about their childhood when they reach adulthood.

However, the benefits of social media are numerous, and it has transformed our lives in countless ways. Personally, I use social media not as an outlet for self-expression but to actively stay updated on various platforms. These platforms include Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, WhatsApp, Twitter, TikTok, Telegram, and many more, all of which help individuals stay connected with the world. Among these, my favorite apps are Instagram and Snapchat. I actively use both platforms. Instagram allows me to explore a wide range of topics. I follow celebrities, influencers, friends, and family. What I appreciate most about Instagram is the diversity of content it offers. I follow accounts that provide motivation for life and decision-making, food bloggers, entertainers, educational pages, travelers, meme creators, and inspirational accounts. I have learned a great deal from this platform, and it has the power to instantly change my mood.

Snapchat, on the other hand, is where I mainly chat with my friends. I find it to be a safe platform in terms of privacy. What I particularly love about Snapchat is that it shows memories from previous years every day, instantly uplifting my mood.

After a certain phase of my life, social media has had a profoundly positive impact on my life. There was a time when I felt apprehensive about it due to a past relationship. There’s a long story behind it, but it led me to stop using social media for a while. When I eventually returned to it, I felt uneasy because I was afraid of becoming “social” again. However, time heals all wounds. I slowly regained my comfort with social media and began using it again a few years ago. Although I still don’t share much about myself on social media, I use it for personal growth. I hope to fully return to normalcy in due time. Social media has aided me in healing from past trauma as I listen to motivational speakers on Instagram and YouTube. I greatly admire Jay Shetty’s videos, which inspire me to lead a mindful life.

The way we use social media depends entirely on our individual preferences. While everything has its pros and cons, it is up to us to determine whether we use social media for productivity or merely for entertainment, comparing our lives to others and subsequently feeling down about it.