Here's Why I've Adopted TikTok's 'Mama Tot' As My Online Mom

There's a reason Ophelia Nichols, otherwise known as Mama Tot, has so many followers on social media. Her uplifting, motivational, relatable content captures the attention of millions who need to hear what she's saying or just need to know they aren't alone.

I've been following Mama Tot for as long as I can remember. I can't honestly remember what it was that drew me to her but once I found her, I knew I had to continue to follow her. I quickly learned that I wasn't alone feeling that her content was just what I needed at random times, and that it always seems to find me just when I need it most.

Today, was one of those times where I needed some Mama Tot motivation. After having a really rough week with ups and downs like a roller coaster (and I'm not a fan of roller coasters), I had a very real moment of wanting to just curl into a ball and forget the world exists for a bit. So, I did what many other people do when they are feeling down, I began scrolling on TikTok (insert eye roll and laughter here.) What was the first video I came upon? The one I needed the most.

"Hey, somebody said you wasn't feeling too strong today," she began the video. Those words INSTANTLY caught my attention. "I had one of them days just the other day. You know what I do? I think you just need some muscle juice, so I'm gonna give it to you right now."

Okay, Mama Tot, you certainly grabbed my attention now! It felt like she was talking RIGHT TO ME! You see, I don't have a mother to lift me up when I'm feeling down, or to encourage me or give me advice when I need it. So, whether you like it or not, Mama Tot, I've adopted you as my online mom. And I know I'm far from alone there, as I've seen tons of comments from her followers saying the same exact thing.

The video continued with Mama Tot explaining what helps her get moving on a day that feels down. "Whenever I'm having them days like that, I just get up and I brush my teeth, and I get dressed, and then I just leave the house. I might not have anywhere that I'm going, but I leave the house," she explained. "I feel like sometimes, like being in my house kind of adds to having those kind of bad days, so I just leave it."

Relatable? YES! More than I can even explain without boring everyone with my typical daily routine. I work from home, which I absolutely love, but I don't leave the house as often as I used to. So, her little piece of advice to leave the house was something that really hit home, no pun intended. And not only for me, but also for many of her loyal followers who also go to her page when they need some added motivation or uplifting content.

"I did that the other day. it helped ?," one follower wrote in the comments. " Thank you for always being here. It means a lot," added another.

So many people in the comments could relate to Mama Tot's video. I wasn't the only person who woke up this morning feeling off and in need of someone to tell me they get it and give advice on what can help.

"I feel this in my soul. I've had lots of those days lately," one person said. "I definitely need some muscle juice. Things have been overwhelming lately. Thank you for always making me smile ?," wrote another.

Other videos Mama Tot has shared on her thriving TikTok page, (she now has more than 11 million followers), are also motivating, but others are funny, and some are just simple check-ins that I never knew I needed, but clearly do.

In one video shared a few days ago, Mama Tot simply has a picnic with her followers and just chats about random things like the food she's eating and the time a bakery made her a cake for reaching 1 million followers, as well as her son who died tragically last year. One of the hashtags she used - #healing. Who knew that such a simple, three-minute video could do so much good for someone's mental health?

One of her followers described it perfectly saying, "Expensive: therapy Free: that lady on tiktok who calls us all her little tater tots. ???" Another person added, "Thank you for eating with us, but I’m more grateful that we got to eat with you today ?."

Mama Tot shares so much of her personal life with her followers and maybe that's another reason why she feels like "home" for so many. In one video, she not only supports fellow TikToker Dylan Mulvaney, but also shares why Mulvaney's video hit home for her. She shows her vulnerability so easily that it's easy to forget that we don't really know her in real life. See video HERE.

In a world that's filled with so much adulting, anxiety, struggles of all kinds, and way too much negativity, (especially online), Mama Tot is the light at the end of the tunnel helping people find their way during rocky times. She's the internet mom that we all need...especially me.