I like your videos. Thanks for the info so far. I understand though...just do you. ❤

I’d be down to do weekly or no weekly or monthly zoom call with you just talking about whatever and record it if you are interested

I’d be down to hear about your other hobbies or things besides sobriety. I think I’m going to start talking about mma and skateboarding more on my channel. I get bored talking about the same stuff all the time

I feel like you’re a lot taller than I thought you were. How tall are you? Yeah I know what you mean, I haven’t made a video in like 5 days which is the longest I’ve gone without making one, kinda just hit a wall with the inspiration. I need to do one soon. I’d hate to see you go, I love your videos.

It's up to you, Shades! I'd love to see you stick around though! You've got some very insightful content that is helping a lot of people out there, myself included. Don't force it if you're not up to continuing the channel. Do whatever feels right to you! God bless! 🙏

Hi! Well, I think you already answered your question: If you're not having fun or enjoying doing the channel in some way, then don't do it. I agree that having a "successful" channel requires perseverance and/or a lot of luck. Not saying "success" needs to be your goal. Having a place just to be able to talk to people now and then is a sufficient goal. Anyhow, it's ultimately your call. BTW, tell me more about your aviation channel. I myself got a private pilot's license ages ago (I mean ages). I haven't been current for an extremely long time. But it was a blast to do. I've thought about trying to become current again (effectively, get a license all over), but we are talking about a lot of money. It would be extravagant to spend money on such a project. Also, I have a different take nowadays on flying from an ecological perspective (of course, I still drive cars occasionally so I'm being hypocritical). My first flying instructor was a captain in the Israeli Air Force (in the reserves at the time he taught me)! He'd served as a fighter pilot in one of Israel's wars. I felt so cool having him as my instructor. (He was a cool and nice guy.) Anyhow, I didn't accumulate many hours as a private pilot and it took me a long time to get the license, but I enjoyed it all immensely. Maybe the only time in my life I ever credited myself with "bravery," just for keeping my cool in a couple slightly challenging situations. Great fun!!! Anyhow, I don't think you need to make any dramatic decisions about your channel. Just keep it there in case you feel like posting. Good luck! P.S. I love the fog and the railroad track!!!! Sets a wonderful mood!!

I've always found your videos very helpful shades..You're a solid dude brother..much respect...ugh..I had a relapse today...50 days no booze...48 days no nicotine... freaking demonic attack today.. couldn't get cravings out of my head...all started from anger... congrats on your sobriety brother.. God bless you brother 🙏

Hey Shades, I think it all depends on what you get out of it. If making these videos helps you then it’s a win win as it’s helping others. I like your style, it’s laid back and you add humor into the videos. I think YT peak for content creators was during the pandemic as far monetary compensation goes. The subs had to be made around that time. It also has to do with the content to get the right advertisement, endorsement, etc. I may be completely wrong though. Bottom line, I think if it’s making you happy and keeps you sober then continue to do it. If it’s stressful then don’t. I’ll continue to watch if you post. Bdw love the backdrop. It’s spooky 👻. Take it easy.

Don’t stop making videos shades. Much love brotha. 💯

Maybe combine the channels into one drinking while flying

You make fantastic videos and it's helping me stay sober!

You, LD, and Bat Country have been a tremendous help for me. I would certainly be sad to see you go, but whatever brings you peace is what you do. From one aviation enthusiast to another, thank you!😊

Well sure hope you’re still enjoying making videos!! If you make them, I’ll watch em 😃

That's a cool Jeff Phillips (Rip In Peace) line there at the end!🤙

Hey shades. I can definitely feel what you're saying. My opinion is that you keep doing it. Even if it's just one video a month. Your videos really do help. I know they helped me, especially early on. Even if it saves just one person isn't worth it in the end?

If you don't feel inspired don't force it. If you only make one video a month I'll be here for it. My advice is do it for yourself if someone else gets something out of it, look at it like a bonus. Whatever you decide I wish you well.

Hey shades what’s your opinion on relapse

Great information.

There is nothing that makes me lose my shit more then someone buying me liquor. That to me is the laziest xmass gift you can give. One year I got grey goose, I lost my shit and gave it away.

Thumbs Up 👍 and Shared Out! Smiles! Great Video Shades!😊

I want your hat

Where I live Sudbury Ontario Canada even tho its a population of 175,000 it really is just a giant hick town lol. Its a mining town theres nothing up here. So many empty closed down abandoned stores. So this time of year its kinda like canteen/commissary day in prison lmao. A whole lotta Tim Hortons gift cards get passed around. Thats all I get people now like i said theres nothing up here. Ordering stuff online takes forever to arrive cause this place is so far removed from anywhere. Just in case I dont talk to you again Shades Merry Xmas to u and your family. Looking forward to a sober 2025 with the KZbin sober community 💪

In Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol, Ebenezer Scrooge learns transformative lessons from the 3 spirits. With a slight tweak, the messages can work for us too : The Ghost of Christmas Past can reminds us of lost happiness, and the consequences of our un -bridled excesses. The Ghost of Christmas Present shows us the warmth of Fellowship as a sober community and the joy that love and generosity of heart ( caring for others ) can bring, despite poverty. Finally, the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come warns of a possible untimely death or permanent loss of health if we do not Change our ways N O W. Overall, Scrooge learns the importance of caring for The Self as Other through embracing a Sober lifestyle leading to our redemption. Booze in any part my Xmas traditions is an absolute Humbug --

Not the port a potty 🚽 eck lol!!! Glad you were able to get some shopping done. I know what you mean about those questionable gifts that can be triggering though. To be honest, I’ve been through a lot this year so I’m not feeling very festive. I am grateful for all that I have and just wish everyone peace to end the year. Hopefully 2025 will bring more of that and compassion which is what we’re lacking. Take it easy.

Great intro! Keep it up man, you stupid goody goody haha

We’ve made it ok without alcohol gifts & Christmas parties 🎉 🎉🎉🎉🎉 Have a wonderful weekend Shades & Everyone ❤

Thumbs Up 👍 and shared out. Have a great weekend!😊

I've been under the care of my Psychiatrist for years now, but just recently started therapy. It's helping me a lot so far.

Hey shades great message today. Therapy has been stigmatized for far too long. We can all benefit from speaking to an impartial person who will just listen. The key like you said is finding the right one and not giving up on trying until you do. Hope you’re well take it easy.

Started Psychiatry in 2008 and have never looked back. Great MD, I believe in medication management for alcohol use. Psychology helped somewhat(PHd), but I've found you can get it done yourself. You know you better than anyone.

Help bro I've been relying on Im not shades- I. Not little h a slayer- butt I find myself not ok with 6 beeres at 6.6%-7.6. Reason being you are lemming h b's I will meat in field no homo. By now you may want to smell my taint cooking on your chin- so you want to rep the demon inside you or would you like me to set trip on an ignorant slow? Figure it out I will show up to fight even though I don't want to fight but work through your dbag problems

Great video man. I just celebrated 8 months on the 8th and was starting to think I was in the clear. Got whacked with a craving pretty hard yesterday. My wife came home from work and she had had a beer at a friend's house. I went to give her a little smooch and smelled it on her breath and a craving hit me hard. I didn't give in though, and instead chatted with my sponsor about it. It passed pretty quickly but man, if I didn't have the tools AA has given me I don't know what would have happened. Just reminds me that this is still and will always be a one day at a time thing. Thanks for the video man.

In my opinion, one of the only good things from covid was that employers relaxed their rules on taking sick days. I never wanted to go in sick, but if you only get 6 sick days a year, you have to to go to work sick. Then it gets spread around and other people are sick. Now, i cringe if someone is on the bus or at work sick. I wish they would stay home and get well and not spread it.

Thanks for the video Shades! Appreciate you taking the time to make them. Well done on nearly six months, that's amazing! 👍👏

People really need to stay home when they’re sick and it’s contagious!! I’m so sorry you went through that Shades. That’s not cool at all. I’ve dealt with it before too.

Oh cool about your Grandfather, Pilot is still here in Texas 🎉 There’s a Pilot Traveling Center near me. “Flying J” 🎉❤

Hey Shades~ I like the new Shades 😎❤ Have a Blessed Day 🥰. When I had acute liver failure from taking Wellbutrin I was having a dream while in ICU I was on a merry go round & later years God kept showing me a dog chasing his tail in my mind. Finally I couldn’t stand that idea of me being low down as a dog and I finally submitted to God, took up my cross and detoxed myself off of cigarettes, pain meds, adderal & zanex. It took a few attempts for the pain med & zanex because those were easily attainable then, but finally detoxed for the last time in 2019. Like you mentioned, I was sick of detoxing, it gets harder each time. So now, I really don’t feel I will get hooked again because I have placed my full faith into Jesus. 🎉❤

Thumbs Up 👍 and shared out.

Hey shades - nice to see you. Wow almost 6 months that’s great!! What has been your longest stint in sobriety if you don’t mind me asking? Like you said once you have AUD there’s no turning back. You must treat the substance as an extreme allergy that will kill you. Thanks for the message and hope you’re well.

I lost my mom to this disease a year and a half ago. I found her in her car. She was 72. I tried so hard to help her. I even took the battery out of her car one time so she couldn't leave. She would walk to get more liquor. I went in and out of the hospital with her due to things that would happen when she was drunk. It is so hard. I've never been into alcohol but I have leaned on other things to help me cope with pain. That's why I watch this channel. You help me as well. Thank you.

You are knowledgeable, coming from a detox nurse. Stay healthy

For me it’s thanksgiving. The intro goes hard tho 🔥

I’m glad you are feeling better!!! ❤ I’ll never drink or take any substance ever again! Lost my daughter to cirrhosis on Dec 22,2021. I don’t believe my husband will ever drink again. He was a severe alcoholic. Hv 2 sons, 1 has alcoholic tendencies, but believe he has quit for good after loosing his sister. I think we have all learned a very hard lesson & we tend to stick close together nowadays. Thanks be to God I must say.

Christmas is harder for me I've had bad personal losses around holidays, so I am just trying to get through it every year.

Hey Shades - ok so first off super cool intro of you dancing 🕺 and having a good ole time. As for triggers, well I guess I don’t really have any. I would just drink to enhance the experience which comes to find out I never needed to. Of course I do have bad days where I’m bummed out but I allow the moment to pass and focus on the new day. Glad you didn’t catch a GMO virus 🦠 hahahaha and are doing better. Have a great time at the parade.

Christ is the hardest for me. I’ve lost so many people to death. It makes me miss them. Thumbs Up 👍 and Shared Out! Thank you for the video! PS I’m sorry to hear that you’ve been sick too. I hope you’re feeling better now. Take good care of you!

We are heartbroken, my daughters friend husband just told my daughter after 5 years her friend fell off the wagon. She was doing so good. Say a prayer for her.

I came here and subscribed after finding you on LD's channel. You're a really cool guy and have nothing to be ashamed about.

I dont drink but i use to smoke, 15 years non smoking. But the point is 24/7 would think of it , i would notice it everywhere. Now i can go into a store with a wall full of cigarettes behind them and i dont even see them. So its all addi tion and in time you dont even see them. Thank you for your chanel.

SHADES i just went through the comments of both channels, i saw nothing but thank yous for your honesty. You both are doing a service, that helps others. The glasses are in the title Shades. I saw 99% Good info.