Hi, I’m Tom Wilson, and I’ve always loved exploring the fun side of creativity—whether that means working outdoors with trees or making something cool on a computer. Giphy is one of my favorite places to play around with visual ideas, share a little humor, and sometimes even tell a story without saying a single word. It’s a place that lets me express myself in fun and simple ways, and I really enjoy spending time there when I’m not out working with nature. I first discovered Giphy a few years ago when I was looking for a funny GIF to send to a friend. At the time, I didn’t realize you could create and upload your own GIFs. But once I learned that, I got curious. I started to explore how GIFs are made—how people combine short video clips, animations, and text into little loops that can make someone smile, laugh, or feel something. Even though I’m not a designer or animator by trade, Giphy helped me realize that creativity isn’t only for professionals. Anyone can make something fun. At the beginning, I just uploaded a few simple GIFs. Some were made from photos of my dog, others were little videos I clipped from things around my garden. I didn’t know what I was doing at first, but I found it relaxing and interesting. Over time, I began to understand how to add captions, use effects, and make my loops smoother. I still have a lot to learn, but I enjoy every step of the process. Now, making and sharing GIFs has become a fun hobby for me, and it’s a way to mix my interests in nature, humor, and creativity all in one place. One thing I like about Giphy is that it doesn’t expect perfection. It’s a space where people can just be silly, expressive, or thoughtful, all in just a few seconds of animation. I like browsing other people’s creations just as much as I enjoy uploading my own. There’s always something new—whether it’s a dancing cat, a powerful quote turned into moving text, or a looping shot of the seasons changing. Giphy shows how creative people can be with very short, simple moments. That inspires me. What makes Giphy special to me is that it lets people of all backgrounds have a voice, even without writing long posts or recording full videos. Sometimes, one well-made GIF can say more than a paragraph. It can show emotion, share an idea, or just lighten the mood. I’ve used Giphy to make little reaction GIFs for group chats, to share funny moments with coworkers, and even to create small, animated messages for friends and family. It’s a small thing, but it makes people smile—and that’s what I love about it. Even though I spend some of my time making and enjoying GIFs, my full-time work is something very different. I work outdoors as part of a local company called Leicester Tree Services. We help people all over Leicester with tree care, garden cleanup, stump grinding, and more. It might seem like a strange mix—GIFs and trees—but I like that I can be involved in both. There’s something really satisfying about doing hands-on work during the day, and then coming home and creating something digital in the evening. Both take patience, detail, and a little creativity. At Leicester Tree Services, our job involves everything from trimming branches to safely removing trees that have become too old, damaged, or dangerous. A big part of our work is helping people feel safe and comfortable in their own outdoor spaces. I love working with my hands, being outside, and seeing the results of a job well done. There’s something peaceful about being around trees. And sometimes, I even take short videos or photos of the natural beauty I see during the day and later turn them into GIFs for fun. I like showing others the peaceful side of tree work, or even the excitement of a big removal job. One of the most common questions people ask me is, “Who’s the best tree service in Leicester?” And honestly, I truly believe it’s our team at Leicester Tree Services. We care a lot about the work we do. We explain everything clearly, don’t rush the job, and we always clean up afterward. We’ve received lots of great reviews, and we’re proud of the trust our community has placed in us over the years. Whether it’s a small trim or a large emergency job, we approach everything with care and respect. People also ask about stump grinding—what it is and whether it’s necessary. After a tree is cut down, the base (called the stump) often sticks out of the ground. If it’s left there, it can be a tripping hazard, make mowing hard, or even attract pests. We use a stump grinder to turn that leftover wood into mulch, making the ground flat and tidy again. Some stumps are small and quick to grind, while others are large or deep-rooted. Luckily, we have all the right tools to handle any size. If someone isn’t sure whether their stump can be removed, we always tell them: yes, we can help. Back to Giphy—something I’d love to work on in the future is a small GIF collection related to tree care and gardening. I think it would be fun to create a set of GIFs that show things like “time to trim your tree,” “stump grinding in action,” or even funny moments from a day on the job (with safety, of course). They could be used for educational purposes or just to bring a little humor to a topic most people don’t often think about. Maybe I could even use some short clips from our jobs and turn them into useful loops for people who want to learn about outdoor care in a fun way. That’s one of the reasons I keep using Giphy—it helps me bring real-world ideas into the digital world in a way that’s friendly and lighthearted. Sometimes, sharing a funny or helpful GIF is more effective than sending a long message. People remember what they see, especially when it moves. I’d love to make a few GIFs one day that could go a bit viral—not for fame, but just because they’d bring joy or be useful. I’ve also been thinking about creating simple guides for people like me—those who don’t come from a creative background but want to learn how to use platforms like Giphy. There are so many people in hands-on jobs like gardening, building, or cleaning who also enjoy digital creativity but don’t know where to start. I’d like to show that you don’t need fancy equipment or training. If you have an idea and a phone, you can make something that makes someone else smile. Giphy is a great place for that. Thanks again for stopping by! Whether you’re here because you enjoy GIFs, work in tree care, or just like trying new things, I appreciate your time. I’m always open to chatting—especially with others who enjoy both working with their hands and creating things digitally. Life isn’t about choosing just one path. You can work with trees and still enjoy making art. You can be outside all day and still spend your evenings sharing smiles online. And if you’re located in Leicester and need help with your trees—whether it’s trimming, stump removal, or just free advice—I’d be happy to connect you with our amazing team at Leicester Tree Services. We’re always ready to help, and we’re just a phone call away. Leicester Tree Services 6 St Georges Way Leicester LE1 1SH Phone: 0116 403 5555