HELLO, "SUBSTACK."
My content creation journey so far and why I'm here.
Note: This was originally posted on Substack.
Daniel told me to create a Substack account.
"I think you'd really like it," he said. "It'd be perfect for you. You like writing, right? You're a writer!"
No, I donāt like writing. Not anymore. Not after switching my career for a fancy writing job in SaaS (Software as a Service), only to burn out from it. Now, thanks to big techās fervent obsession with AI, UX writing roles are few and far between, because āChatGPT can do it better.ā
Iāve been unemployed for nearly a year now and decided to get into content creation. Iāve made a handful of YouTube videos that have garnered less than 100 views. I also have several social media accounts because I prefer to compartmentalize my interests into separate entities. Long ago, someone told me that if you scatter facts about yourself to different people, nobody can know the real you, which makes it easier to protect yourself. I liked that advice because it felt safe.
But perhaps, that is the why Iām not successful at social media. People want authenticity. āWe follow the streamer, not the content,ā one viewer told me, back when I was streaming PokĆ©mon Violet on Twitch. As soon as I started to gain some traction (51 followers, bay-bee!), I lost my job and my self-worth went with it. Suddenly, being live felt too vulnerable, which was why I thought YouTube would be a safer option because I had control. I tried to be authentic though. I talked about my struggles and sometimes filmed myself wearing my at-home clothes sans makeup to let the viewer know that Iām relatable.
My current YouTube banner, a collage of all things Peige.
However, part of being a successful content creator is the hustle that comes with it. I read that youāre supposed to use short-form content to promote long-form content. And I didnāt want to do that. In fact, Iāve hidden my YouTube profile from my main Instagram account. A voice in my head sometimes whispers, āYou know, if you just shared this part of yourself with these people, some will definitely follow you on YouTube!ā
But some of these people are former coworkers and acquaintances whom I donāt even know in real life anymore. Do I want them to know that their former colleague is now jobless, struggles with executive function, and makes body-doubling and clean-with-me videos?
So, why am I starting Substack?
Because Daniel suggested it, and when I went to create an account (it only took him 30 seconds to convince me), I discovered that I had already created one. I guess past-me had the same sentiment.
As mentioned in my blurb, Iām a burnt-out, formerly ātalentedā child that is trying to rekindle a spark for anything, really. Because right now, everything feels exhausting. The only thing I do these days (besides attending my mandatory German classes), is play hours of Death Stranding 2. It was relaxing until I started developing headaches from playing too long. I also nap a lot, ranging from a few minutes to hours.
Death Stranding 2: Sam delivering packages above the clouds.
I donāt know if Substack is an appropriate place for journal-like posts. I just googled āWhat is Substack,ā and the description says that itās a place for āindependent writers, journalists, and content creators.ā Do I count, even though I havenāt found success in this field yet?
Itāll probably take a couple of posts before I find my footing. Iāll also do some research and learn about how people usually use this platform. I plan on using this space to promote my YouTube content, which is currently all over the place, because my niche isnāt niching.
In the end, Daniel was right. I do like writing because Iām a writer. So letās give this a shot.