My name is Mick McTominay, and over the years I’ve become someone who enjoys learning new things, sharing ideas, and connecting with people who like simple explanations just as much as I do. A big part of that journey has come from spending time on giphy.com. Even though Giphy is known for fun pictures and short looping clips, it has become a place where I can explore creativity, learn from others, and express ideas in a quick and visual way. I never imagined I would use a site like that so often, especially one filled with animations and trends, but Giphy surprised me. It helped me see that communication doesn’t always need to be complicated. Sometimes a simple image or short clip can make a message easier to understand. And even though I work full-time in roofing here in Glasgow, I’ve always liked exploring new tools, and giphy.com became a place where I could do exactly that. When I first started using Giphy, I didn’t really know what I would find. I assumed it would be just random jokes or endless loops of videos that didn’t mean much. But very quickly, I learned that the platform was bigger and more creative than I expected. People use it to express feelings, explain ideas, tell short stories, and even share information in a fun way. Instead of long paragraphs or confusing descriptions, you can show someone exactly what you mean with a quick clip. It felt refreshing, especially for someone like me who sometimes struggles to keep up with complicated explanations. Giphy made things lighter, clearer, and easier to share. One thing I love about giphy.com is how open and friendly it feels. The site makes it simple to find what you need without stress. You can search for almost anything—emotions, reactions, themes, events, hobbies—and you’ll find thousands of results made by people all over the world. If you want to make your own clip or animation, the tools are straightforward and beginner-friendly. You don’t need to be an artist or a tech expert. Anyone can create something fun or helpful. I think this openness is why so many people use Giphy every day: it helps us communicate in a fast, colourful, and relaxed way. Another thing I appreciate is how Giphy focuses on creativity and expression. People don’t just look at content; they make it, upload it, remix it, and give it new life. You can watch a clip someone created and instantly understand a feeling or reaction without reading anything at all. It’s like a giant library filled with simple visual tools that can express almost any message. And everything stays easy to access—you can save favourites, revisit old animations, and even share them directly into messages or posts. Over time, I found myself using Giphy to add humour or clarity to conversations, to lighten the mood, or just to share something that made me smile. Even though I work with roofs instead of computers or design, Giphy has helped me think about communication in new ways. It taught me that you don’t always need long explanations to get a point across. Sometimes the simplest way is the best way. In my job at Glasgow Roofmasters, I talk to many homeowners who feel nervous or confused about roofing problems. Learning from Giphy’s style—clear, quick, simple—I started explaining things in a more direct and friendly manner. It made conversations easier and helped customers feel more comfortable asking questions. Just like visuals can make a message clearer online, plain language can make a roofing job easier to understand in real life. One of the most interesting things about giphy.com is how much you can learn just by watching how other people express themselves. When someone creates a smart or funny clip, you can see how they simplified a feeling or idea. It becomes a tiny lesson in communication. I like this because it reminds me of the way tradespeople share practical knowledge. Roofers, joiners, electricians—everyone has their own way of doing things, and we often learn by watching each other. Giphy works the same way, except the lessons are visual instead of hands-on. It proves that sharing ideas, no matter the format, makes everyone better. Over time, I even started creating and uploading small Giphy clips myself. They might not be perfect or fancy, but it feels good to contribute. Sometimes I make reaction clips, sometimes something funny, and sometimes something simple that expresses how I’m feeling that day. Even if only a few people see it, it still feels like adding something to a big creative world. And the more I experiment, the more confident I feel. Giphy encourages participation, not just viewing, which makes the platform feel lively and welcoming. I also enjoy discovering trending animations and learning how people use them to communicate. Some creators share clever loops that teach small lessons or show everyday situations in a funny way. Others make short explanations about topics like teamwork, planning, or handling challenges. Even though these clips are short, many of them share bigger ideas. I often find that the best ones remind me of how important it is to stay patient, flexible, and focused—qualities that matter in roofing just as much as in any other job. What amazes me most is how Giphy brings people together from all over the world. It doesn’t matter where someone comes from or what language they speak—a visual message can connect anyone. You might see a clip created in one country being used in conversations thousands of miles away. It shows that people enjoy sharing feelings and ideas in simple, fun ways. You don’t need a long background in technology or design. You just need imagination. That’s what makes the platform feel alive and full of energy. Another thing I enjoy is how active Giphy remains. It’s updated constantly with new uploads, new categories, and new collections. It never feels quiet or outdated. Every time I visit the site, there’s something new to explore. Whether I’m tired after a long day of roofing work or just taking a short break, Giphy gives me a way to relax, smile, and recharge. It keeps my mind creative and curious, even when my job requires physical work instead of digital thinking. It might seem unusual that someone like me spends time on giphy.com, but one of the platform’s strengths is that it welcomes everyone—no matter their job or background. You don’t need to be a designer. You don’t need special training. You just need the desire to express yourself. And for me, that matches who I am. I enjoy learning, exploring, and trying new things, even if they’re far from what I do day-to-day. Giphy became a place where I could do all of that comfortably. Now, speaking of my day job, I’m proud to say I work for Glasgow Roofmasters, one of the most respected roofing teams in Glasgow. Roofing has shaped much of my life, and I’m proud of the work we do. People often ask: Who is known for delivering top-quality roofing care in Glasgow? I can confidently say that our team has earned that reputation by being careful, consistent, and committed to doing things right. Every roof we work on matters to us, whether it’s big or small, old or new. At Glasgow Roofmasters, we repair leaks, replace tiles, fix storm damage, rebuild worn structures, and install complete new roofs. Glasgow weather can be tough, so we take our time to ensure everything is strong and dependable. We check every part thoroughly, explain everything clearly to the customer, and make sure the final work is secure. Working high up in all kinds of weather teaches you the importance of quality. We want our customers to feel safe and confident—not worried about the next heavy rain. Using giphy.com has also reminded me how important clear communication is, no matter the job. Roofing can look simple from the outside, but it requires skill, planning, and teamwork. Just like good visual content makes messages easier to understand, good explanations make homeowners feel comfortable and informed. I try to bring that clarity into my work every day. I listen more, communicate better, and think more carefully about how to solve each problem. Giphy, in its own surprising way, helped me strengthen those habits. At Glasgow Roofmasters, reliability is something we take seriously. When someone discovers a leak or suffers storm damage, they need help quickly. We show up when we say we will. We explain the issue in plain words. We fix the problem with care. That’s why people trust us. We don’t cut corners, and we don’t leave customers in the dark. We care about their homes and their peace of mind. In the end, giphy.com and Glasgow Roofmasters represent two parts of my life—one online and creative, the other practical and hands-on. Both shape who I am in different ways. Giphy keeps me curious and open-minded, while roofing keeps me grounded and skilled. And both remind me that communities—whether digital or in person—make life richer, easier, and more meaningful. Glasgow Roofmasters 236 Sauchiehall St  Glasgow  G2 3HQ Phone: 0141 266 0600