Closing My Tindie Store

[@BrianLough]

Apologies for the unstructured video, I thought it would be best to just get whatever was in my head out! I also am not out of the woods time wise yet so I just wanted to get this out here rather than dwelling on it any longer.

[@dennis8196]

You are a great guy, you work hard and have devoted a lot of time to these projects and to helping others. Don't over work yourself, think of number 1 and remember no one else matters if your mental health becomes affected by stress. There is an adage in theaters, and it's something like 'always keep them wanting more' and I think it applies here, if you keep on to of the demands of others they will want more and they don't care about you, so you should only do what you are comfortable with and keep others wanting more when you are ready to offer it, alternatively you can hire staff and make them work for you, if of course you can still do the things you love and enjoy.

[@Average_Geo]

I feel your anxiety and have similar anxiety. The only difference is that you acted on many needs/wants and have to pull back on some of them because life just doesn’t provide enough time for all of them. I look forward to the many projects you will provide and hope to see as many videos about them as possible. Don’t sweat the polish, just make the content 😉

[@jparky1972]

Brian. Sounds like you are doing the best thing for you and your mental health. Let alone your family. I wish you well.

[@IntermitTech]

Hey Brian, I get very much where you are coming from, a while back I was basically forced to look at the same things. At that point in time I decided that making stuff yourself to sell was (almost) never a good idea because you'd basically be shooting yourself in the foot. At first you have time and excitement to make something great, but when that something does actually become popular, suddenly you've shot yourself in the foot, you're stuck making it, supporting it, even just packaging and mailing it out takes huge amounts of time. So everything you liked about the project and you did to make it popular, would automatically be pushed away by sudden "chores" around it basically, preventing you from doing new projects and well, killing your own excitement about it even more, wearing and weighing you down, exactly as you say. I went into the direction of partially out sourcing in that regard, having the production, warehousing, handling and shipping done for a fee, which has helped me keep going and also try and keep up with growth. It's still a very big time investment to guide everything and make sure it goes right, do support, etc.. but without someone else taking care of logistics and such, I would have mentally died inside a long time ago. In part with the money it brings in, I have decided to scale back in hours of my day job and dedicating it to this, but that has to be a preferred choice, if that is not yours, I can fully understand respect that too. So I think you're doing the right thing here, do what makes you happy, especially on KZbin, I for one am excited to see where it leads for you. :)

[@Franske-NL]

Maybe allthingschina can do that for Brian.

[@AdityaMehendale]

*this*

[@UnexpectedMaker]

Good call, and kudos on having the courage to do this publicly.

[@trilbyrollers]

Hey Brian, all the best|! Sounds like a great call. The same happened to me - I "accidentally" became a Tindie shopkeeper. Not your level, but 18 months and 200 orders later and I was done with it. Shutting up shop was the best thing I ever did - no regrets and back to enjoying electronics and tinkering.

[@The22v10]

Kudo's to you Brian, Your Honesty is refreshing ..It's not all sunshine and rainbows. I saw your ESP32 Progy adapter boards and have been a lurker for a while. When I saw how NUTZ the shipping was for a $5 board it was luck you had the PCB link right there so I Ordered 5 at a fraction of the shipping and in 3 DAYs WOW. I feel your angst and family does come first SO Good Luck and I'll check the other sources you mention for your GREAT stuff!! btw ,Very good idea on the IOT diy video. Peace and Be Well :-)

[@Chickey]

Look after yourself and enjoy Christmas. And anxiety isn't silly at all, good on you for releasing the video.

[@jerril42]

Thank you Brian for all of your effort. Best wishes on your future endeavours. Looking forward to more awesome content. Take care.

[@Friendroid]

Looking forward to your next projects 👍👍👍

[@ChunkySteveo]

A hard decision is often the best decision. Stick to your guns, and get back to enjoying making things for yourself - I stopped waiting to build things incase I wanted to make a video... now I just build and enjoy it 👌🏻

[@DigicoolThings]

Sounds like the right decision at this time. When overloaded, the best thing for your health is to identify which projects / tasks you most want to do, and follow your passion! Everything else should just be parked until your time, and sanity, allow. Take a break, re-assess, and first & foremost, take care of yourself!

[@mikedoyle7546]

A time out sounds like it's overdue. Take that time, center yourself and come back to video making when "you" feel ready. Take care of yourself.

[@collie147]

Nothing wrong with anxiety, if more people talked about it and normalised it the world would be a better place! You're a champ and there's absolutely no explanation necessary. Making stuff that makes you happy is paramount for all makers, otherwise you tend to not enjoy it and it becomes a second job. Do what makes you happy and if you feel like sticking it out there for the public, do so. Personally I enjoy watching people make thing that make them happy and represent themselves, their interests and personality.

[@nyinkercom]

You have my full support. ! Take care.

[@TheEmbeddedHobbyist]

A wise move by the sound of it Brian, I like videos on the design side of peoples projects and the thinking in the background more than how to use it. Also I like to see projects that fail as you can learn so much from them as experience is gained by how you overcome the issues. I've got a fail video coming up soon, and I'll be hoping that some comments will spread some light on how it failed. All the best and looking forward to the live soldering streams , maybe in the new year .

[@Makerfabs]

Looking forward to your next awesome projects!😉

[@nigel1964]

Thanks for the video. You do what you feel best. With all that's been going on in your life. Take care and thanks for the products and content

[@AnotherMaker]

Brian, I watched this when it first came out but was on mobile so I didn't comment. I think you're doing the right thing. KZbin and this whole world can easily become a weird parasite guiding you to work really hard to get to a destination that you don't even really care about. Fantastic job breaking that cycle and keep doing awesome things. You are such an encouragement to me and the maker community as a whole.

[@doylemaleche9937]

sorry to see you go. thank you for sharing. best of luck. totally understand.

[@MariusHeier1]

Do what's right for you. You can always come back if you feel like it. :)

[@fixitfaster]

Best of Luck Brother.......You'll be back !!

[@MichaelSwan101]

Take it easy Brian, enjoy a long well earned break with the family. We'll all still be here when your ready

[@polosandoval]

I can hear and see your anxiety and it makes me anxious too and there is no need for it. Remember that you can do anything but not everything. Take care friend.

[@frankmcalinden3699]

Take it easy Brian......Do what makes you happy..... take Care !!

[@andymouse]

Good choice for you....cheers

[@hariseldon2577]

You have a young family. There is an adage that children are wasted on the young. Don't let that time, when the children are young, slip through your fingers. It's so precious, believe me!

[@juliocosta5818]

Thank you for your really helpful, well-presented videos

[@jumadhaheri]

We can't thank you enough

[@infusionator]

Hi Brian, I've only been subscribed for a couple of months but have enjoyed watching your videos. Thank you for an honest and heartfelt message. Whatever your chosen path in the future, do it to please yourself above all. One's own peace of mind must come first. De-complicating your life a bit will make your favorite activities and passions all the more enjoyable for you and helpful for others. FWIW you have my complete support. Regards (also) Brian Millan, NYC.

[@imikla]

I am sad 😥, but I completely understand. Thank you for what you have done. Do what you need to do.

[@BurninGems]

Hope it works out regardless. Thanks for the usb power blocker, still use mine for my ender 3 and pi.

[@BrianEhrler]

Sunk cost v. opportunity cost is the root of all good decisions. You are making the right choice.

[@DavidWatts]

Much love ❤️ Brian. The break will be good for you.

[@barryobrien1890]

Yes . Be careful what you wish for. It's hard to stop what you love. You obviously love to do things right so it's easy to spend way more time than you have and a lack of sleep etc. have you thought of partnering with someone else to take care of building , inventory control and shipping. There has to be a small group that could do this work and bring some income to a community somewhere. You are a creative type that should not be saddled with repetitive work.

[@AdamWelchUK]

Well done Brian you’ve made a great decision for you and your family. I understand that pressure of producing things and the anxiety it can bring. I think the last couple of years has made lots of people reevaluate what is important, adjust their priorities and make some difficult decisions. I commend you for yours.

[@danpedersen5816]

Hi Brian! I wish you all the best, the most important thing in your life, that's you, if you don't feel good about things you do in your life, then you have to stop, it's not worth your mental health. Wish you a pleasant unstressed future, thanks for what you have done. Take care of yourself.

[@spikekent]

Very sad news Brian, But, you must do what is right for you and what you enjoy. All the best and I always look forward to your videos, the IOT course sounds awesome.

[@georgef7754]

Do what you need to do. Take care of yourself and your family and come back when, if, you are ready.

[@Colin_Ames]

I am sorry to hear that you are going through this. Shutting down the store sounds like the best thing for you right now. I will be honest and say, that from a purely selfish point of view, I am disappointed that there will be no more web flash projects, but I fully understand why. I look forward to all future videos, once you get yourself sorted. Take care!

[@anotherledfreak8649]

I will admit you sound a little like myself. Big things - Don't worry you can do nothing to affect them. Little things - MASSIVE STRESS! I'm sure everyone will understand. Most importantly you have your priorities right (in no particular order) kids, wife, home. Everything else... sod it! Good move and good luck! 👍👍👍

[@MaxintRD]

Hi Brian, I feel your pain with the KZbin releases. I appreciate your videos and this explanation and can truly relate to what you say. On my side my own quality standards are kind of immobilizing and I'm still trying to find a way to do what I want to do, in the way that I want to do it and make a video about it without the stress and sense of obligation. I've still done projects and maintained my libraries, but despite the countless ideas, interesting electronics and hours of video shot, I have not released a single video... (and I don't even have a Tindie store or a kid..) P.S. wish you all the best, enjoy the holiday season and have a great year ahead!

[@vincentnonnenmacher9352]

It’s heartbreaking to see that you stress yourself about others when choosing to relief the stress in yourself Brian ! You make the right decision if this is soaking your time, brain power for no good reason and most importantly unbalance your happiness on all levels, as we are excellent in falling into self inflicting guilt without any negative feedback (weird word but you’ll understand) to stop it going deeper and deeper. There so much sadness in your eyes except when you’re glimpsing about future projects and new way you could advance (and share inventions and way to help), that there should be not doubt that this is the way to go, and egoistically see other videos, projects and shared thoughts on common interest. We’ll wait patently for that :-) Prends soin de toi

[@JeremyCook]

Your store will be missed, but makes sense. All the best!

[@UndernetSystems]

Sad to hear that the store is closing, hopefully you get a lot more time to do the things you truly enjoy :)

[@0miker0]

You’re doing the right thing and a happy family life comes first. You only live once and have to do what you love. I’m pretty sure you will sleep better once you’re free of stress.

[@paultargett5211]

Much love Brian and completely understandable, I’m doing the same (on a smaller scale) when I sell the last couple of my stock. The priority has to be you and your family.

[@fredflintstone1]

Good to hear you are looking after yourself and that you will be doing videos, and less on the selling, my thoughts are if you are not enjoying it then stop, life is too short to be unhappy:-)

[@jstro-hobbytech]

The same thing would happen to me brother. I feel as if I missed out but seeing your videos have been great.

[@ByronWatts]

Amazon FBA might be an option. Ship them a big box of stuff and have prices high enough that you make as much money as you need or want to. No time shipping afterwards.

[@peter.stimpel]

Your own speed is the only one that is right for you. Strong decision! Enjoy the time you won by making it.

[@maicod]

you seem tired and I think it's a wise decision Brian ! Best wishes , Maico

[@TheTinkerDad]

Tbh, it's totally understandable - if something that starts as a hobby begins to feel like a burden, it's always a nice decision to take a step back and ask yourself "do I really want to do this?". Can't wait to see your future videos on arduino/microcontroller topics :)

[@pauldusa]

it seems many like you and will miss you, good luck Brian, hang in there, the next door will open for you I'm hoping

[@tlamont941]

Sorry to hear you are closing down mate. It's all good, you do you. We will survive.

[@cursoderobotica]

Hello Brian!! I understand your situation.. It happened to me last year.. I closed my shop in my web and I foucused in make tutorials and courses for my web and Udemy.. less stress! Cheers!!

[@georg_sev]

You are too good for this world. Do your own thing and do not care what the others say ( except your family). No need to apologize anything. You did a good job here and a lot of people will be sad about your decision. But the most of us will understand your decision.

[@grumpysteelman]

Take care of you first buddy and you’ve made your mark. Hope you decide to fire it back up at a scale that’s more manageable. There’s always college kid “interns” that could be a great help to you and the community.

[@Hasitier]

Look after yourself and don’t burn out yourself. Having a wife, children and a house besides a daytime job is a lot of stress (I am in the same situation and thankfully don’t have a spare time business).

[@tsxownz]

young man find your center.... psycological help is everywhere and is money well spent.... be well and hope you overcome whatever is bugging you!!!

[@heliocastro8120]

If possible a few weeks on the beaches of the Bahamas with the family and disconnecting from this pandemic world contributes a lot to the health of body and brain.

[@MAYERMAKES]

You may want to open a smander store instead.... Maybe we can arrange a way for you to not have the stresses and still make stuff available for people.

[@sebastiansombra]

I find your projects very interesting. I imagine they are no longer fun for you when they produce so much stress so it makes sense to take a break. Do what is the best for you! By the way I tried to buy some ESP32 shields but Tindie doesnt ship to my location, are they available anywhere else?

[@BrianLough]

Colin's store should ship most places: store.eplop.co.uk/

[@sebastiansombra]

@@BrianLough Unfortunately it doesn´t either, it seems Mexico is not an easy destination to ship stuff :)

[@Chickey]

@@sebastiansombra If you have a look now it should work. I would highly advise using registered / tracked post however.

[@arturo182]

♥

[@imbw267]

Take care of yourself dude! You only get one life.

[@rarenu]

Thank you for your service to the hobiest. Wish you all the best in whatever you do in the future.

[@jorcoco5300]

"what you need to do AROUND THE HOUSE" ? Looks like the reason for your stress is not your passion, but your wife...

[@SurajGrewal]

Sounds like success killed your store

[@maicod]

yea success doesn't mean hard labour and wearing out