Existential Crises & Faltering Motivation

I noticed this post on your Patreon, and that was my impulse to finally subscribe, so you most probably don't know me. And even though, you've been an inspiration to me, no exaggeration, I'm being 100% honest. You reignited my love for this kind of content/ Just when I was starting to feel like all that's left unwatched is 24-minute reactions that contain two "heh" and three "oh" each and end even before the ED ends, I found someone that actually offered some value added besides the value of watching the anime episode alongside someone. Someone that actually tries to understand what he's watching and even spend some time analysing it on a much deeper level than I've ever seen, instead of just taking everything at face value because they have 12 seasonals to churn through so they spend the minimum time possible on each episode. I agree that hour-long analysis of every episode of every show isn't needed. After all, what's there to analyse and frame-by-frame in a given random slice of life romcom? But not doing that when watching, say, Flip Flappers would come off as, dunno, shallow? That's why I appreciate the fact you're willing to spare some additional time post-reaction on analysing the episode, or at least talking about it, even if just a little bit. I really, honestly, wholeheartedly do. There is definitely value — and a lot of it — in what you do. On a bit of a side note, you also were an inspiration for me to also try and create this kind of content. Now, I haven't released anything of the sort yet because I'm a clinically-perfectionist depression-ridden little shit with executive disorder and I constantly second-guess myself whether what I made is good enough to show it to the world, but after hearing you talk about why you started a couple of times, hearing you talk about how you started, I decided — which is not something I do often of my own volition — that I want to give it an honest shot myself as well. That's what I meant when saying you've been an inspiration. You also showed me that this kind of content can actually bring some value added and doesn't have to consist of a rando with a bad camera, a bad mic, and barely-understandable enunciation staring at a screen for 24 minutes, that perhaps I, too, can bring some value to people, bring my own perspective on things, maybe talk about things they haven't noticed, or make viewers feel good about noticing things I haven't. I've been rambling for far too long now, I feel, but one last point about the value of anime that you also touched on. Yes, it has value, it absolutely does. It can change lives, it can save lives too, like it probably saved mine. Where you have Precure, I also have a show that I feel had a lot of impact on me — New Game — a fairly normal CGDCT show, but the journey of the main character, and the troubles one of the side characters went through resonated with me in some weird way. Did it make me a better person, did it make me worse? I don't know, but it definitely did have *some* impact on who I am today. As did every other show I've seen. Any kind of content we see we internalize to at least some degree, after all. There, this rando fresh $1 supporter is now done talking lol. Believe in us who believe in you, if nothing else, and you'll pull through it. I have absolutely no doubt that you will, and you will come out stronger.

Angius

So much this, I can attest to that fully. I stopped doing YouTube because I was moving, getting into a new school, stuff like that, took a bit of a break... that turned into 5 years or so. Every time I take a break from any hobby I see myself not notice the flow of time, and here I am, month later, not knowing where to start. Setting an alarm, every day at 1900, and doing *anything* at all helped immensely. Sometimes I open my project and edit a single line of code, sometimes I open OBS and shift some element 5px down, but I'm doing *something* and it does help.

Angius

Motivation is unreliable. Action means everything. The problem with taking a break is that 1 day suddenly becomes a week, then a month, then things get abandoned. This has stopped so many things for people, be it projects, channels, campaigns etc. Motivation is something you grow through action. But that doesn't mean you need to keep a constant high level of it. Do something once a day toward your goals. It doesn't need to be much. Just 5 minutes to jot down notes, or something minor. This will keep a sense of accomplishment in your brain. It will also start to build motivation again.

YukoValis

I think the background items could maybe use an update. I feel like they've been the same since I started watching.

Willhart

Just a personal anecdote--I recently started drawing again after an 8 year art block. And one of the biggest impetuses for that was hearing you articulate the value of art and creation over the 2 years I've been watching your channel. I know I count myself among many who appreciate the value of your work. So when you need to take time to deal with blocks or the ever-ongoing crisises involved in creation or existence, I hope you are able to do so. Good luck going forward!

Amy Cardin

Having listened to your opening thoughts, I guess I'd like to offer my own. It's really cool that you're a creative storyteller in general! Not every D&D campaign will be a winner, nor will the inspiration be easy every time you need it. You'll write many more stories, and each one will be practice to build on (at least, that is what I told myself with college essays). Taking time off when you need it is right, and each time you struggle through the creative process new heights can be reached. I think you're in a position now, where you can create content that has personal meaning, and you've gained enough experience to share those creations with the rest of us (if you choose to)