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HUMOUR has the power to reduce fear and anxiety, resolve conflicts, and help weather disappointments.
As unemployment and the mental well-being of the country’s population are becoming visible pains, many of us blessed with the escape of social media turn to online comedians to forget the pandemic blues – even if for a short while.
For local Internet sensation Nadia Qistina Halim or @nadiahalim.aman, sharing her funny content and parodies on Instagram allows her to “impact people's lives in a positive way!”
On the build-up of engagements the preschool teacher has been getting for the videos she shares on the social networking platform: “It's definitely more fun (than intimidating) because all this while I thought that people won't accept me for who I am but turns out, I was wrong”.
Embracing the funny side
Nadia just loves how her followers embraced her quirks noting, “it's a great feeling to know this”.
“The attention that I am getting shows that I can be myself and everybody can be themselves, too. My follower community inspires me to be a better version of myself.
“After months of listening to my partner about creating a personal brand on social media, I finally followed his advice and posted my first ‘Reel’ (an Instagram feature for users to create 15-second video clips set to music). And it went viral almost instantly,” shared the 27-year-old.
According to Nadia, the funniest type of content is simply her everyday stories that people find relatable and entertaining.
“I gained ideas from my social media following itself. I listen to what they want to watch and do more of that and do less of what has no traction. At the same time, I only pick up the topics that I really have interest in,” she said.
“I find it very energising when I am performing in front of people.
“I look for different forms of interaction with people around me through sports, dance, workouts, hobbies, and communication. My inspiration in life is to just be happy! So in everything I do, I will make sure I enjoy it,” she added.
Nadia also said that it’s very refreshing to have other people in her videos. Her partner of three years is very open to fun and challenging experiences especially if they get to do the content together.
The social side
On the moment she realised her content was a hit, Nadia highlights: “I knew that I needed to use reels (more often) because social media platforms encourage and reward those who use their new features. Realising this really helped my growth in social media”.
Apart from getting to earn money by doing what she loves, the preschool teacher also shares that her Internet stardom was able to help her learn who her true friends are.
Despite having the drive to churn out fresh new content to retain audience engagement, the PJ-born teacher admits that she spends a lot of time in front of the screen.
“And it affects my energy by the end of the day because social media is addictive."
On top of that, Nadia notes dealing with the occasional neigh-sayers can affect her mood but highlights it depends on who that person is.
“Most of the time, I try not to let it bother me.
“You have to learn how to use social media if you don't want to be used by it. There are good and bad sides but if you are using it with awareness and clear intention in mind, it gives you amazing opportunities,” she shares.
‘A-a-ay, I'm on vacation, every single day 'cause I love my occupation...’
Nadya has been in the education industry for nine years, “but it's been five years that I taught in schools, learning centres, and volunteer work”.
“I love teaching preschool students for the same reason why I enjoy being on social media.
“I can be myself and influence young minds in positive ways before they are influenced by the norms of the world.
In her work, she focuses on providing the needed educational support for refugee children as a way to give more value and fulfil her teaching endeavours while still working in an international school.
“What gave me motivation is the need for justice and equality, especially in education.
“My parents always taught me that everybody deserves to be treated equally with respect. Both my partner and I are all about promoting quality education for all children as well as adults,” expressed Nadia.
Sharing on her recent project, she helps in the efforts to run an education centre for refugee children and setting up a social media enterprise called Aman Independent Moms, to assist the refugee community.
There is no doubt that Nadia’s energy is infectious, a delight that helps to cut through the rabbit hole that the Internet can drag you into.
“I think there is no one best way to encourage someone to be themselves,” she said when asked for advice on how people can be more comfortable in their own skin.
“The best way is to paint a compelling future and show them the possibilities by highlighting what they are already good at.”
She added it is only then that their ‘superpowers’ will thrive. – The Vibes, July 10, 2021
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