After ten years, it's time to stop weekly videos.

Summary

In this reflective video, a content creator marks the 10th anniversary of their YouTube series, sharing a candid journey of growth, experimentation, and personal challenges. Despite the success of their channel, the creator acknowledges burnout and the overwhelming demands of continuous content creation. They reveal their decision to take a break, explore new creative projects, and prioritize personal well-being over the pressures of growth. While the regular uploads will cease, the creator remains open to new ideas, signaling a shift in focus towards more experimental and fulfilling endeavors. The video ends on a sentimental note, appreciating the audience's support.

Takeaways

• 😀 This is not a typical YouTuber burnout-apology video, and the creator is not leaving forever.
• 😀 The creator has been producing content since 1999, with varying success, but the format that worked was 'Things You Might Not Know.'
• 😀 The first video in the series was published on January 1st, 2014, exactly 10 years before this one.
• 😀 The creator set a goal to upload a video every week for 10 years, and successfully achieved this goal without missing a single week.
• 😀 Despite having occasional guest videos and filler content, the creator maintained consistent quality over the years.
• 😀 The creator is now taking a break to avoid burnout, despite the success and joy the job brings.
• 😀 The creator recognizes the unsustainable nature of the workload and the increasing complexity of the job.
• 😀 Two options are presented: either continue expanding the business and managing employees, or scale back to prioritize personal happiness.
• 😀 The creator has chosen to scale back and not continue at the current pace, but will still engage with other creative projects.
• 😀 While the channel format may change, the creator will still be involved in other projects such as podcasts, newsletters, and experimental content.
• 😀 The creator expresses gratitude to viewers and contributors, reflecting on the milestone and acknowledging the desire for a break while leaving room for future content.

Q & A

Why does the speaker mention that this isn't a typical YouTuber burnout-apology video?

The speaker clarifies that they are not presenting a dramatic farewell or a typical apology video. Instead, they're explaining their decision to take a break after a long and fulfilling decade of work. The focus is on reflection, not self-pity or melodrama.

What did the speaker mean by 'I’ve been throwing stuff at the internet since 1999'?

The speaker is referring to their long history of creating content online since 1999, even before their current, well-known YouTube channel. This phrase conveys the idea of consistently producing content, despite limited initial success.

Why does the speaker not like the first videos they made for the 'Things You Might Not Know' series?

The speaker admits to disliking those first videos because they were poorly made, with little research involved. This highlights their growth and increasing standards as a creator over the years.

What was the significance of the first video in the 'Things You Might Not Know' series?

The first video marked the beginning of the speaker’s successful YouTube journey, launching exactly 10 years before the current video. It set the foundation for the format and tone that would follow, despite being initially rough and informal.

How did the speaker maintain consistency over the 10 years of creating content?

The speaker set a strict schedule for themselves, publishing one video every Monday at 4pm, without missing a week for 10 years. This consistent output helped build the channel and establish their reputation.

What does the speaker mean when they say they never 'broke the streak'?

This phrase refers to the speaker's commitment to publishing a video every week for 10 years without fail. Even though there were challenges and occasional filler content, they maintained their goal of consistent uploads.

Why does the speaker say they could 'keep climbing the ladder' but choose not to?

The speaker acknowledges that they could pursue bigger projects, build a business, and hire employees to expand their brand. However, they recognize that this path would not be personally fulfilling for them, as they dislike the idea of becoming a manager and prefer the creative freedom they currently have.

What is the speaker's decision after 10 years of weekly uploads?

After 10 years of maintaining a weekly upload schedule, the speaker decides to take a break. They need time for personal reflection and to focus on their life outside of work. The break may be temporary, and they might return with a different format or new projects in the future.

How does the speaker view the pressure of success on YouTube?

While the speaker acknowledges the success and fulfillment they’ve experienced, they also recognize the growing pressures and the exhaustion that comes with it. The increasing demands for higher-quality content and business expansion contributed to their decision to step back.

What will happen to the speaker's other projects, like the podcast and newsletter?

The speaker assures viewers that their other projects, such as the podcast 'Lateral' and their newsletter, will continue. These initiatives will still be active, even if the weekly YouTube videos stop, suggesting that they’ll focus on these and possibly experiment with new types of content.