I can't keep doing this. Big changes to YouTube and publishing for 2025! | Vlog 3 2025

[@cristincarter1]

As a 50 yo, I'm all for this. 4.5 years ago, I found out I had cancer. it taught me that life is VERY short. Any time is the best time to try to do what you enjoy and inspire you. You'll have the rest of your life to couch and edit if you need/want.

[@AndreaJSeverson]

I feel like there's a lot of uncertainty about 2025, a lot of things are changing in the world around me and I have a lot of anxiety about stuff that's out of my control. So I think this is a response to that and me feeling like how I spend my time IS in my control, so I want to spend it this year doing things that genuinely make me happy and inspired.

[@sharlotclark-george3922]

@cristincarter1-I so-o hear you! A cancer survivor here., hoping that you are also on the survivor part of this journey?! I took a similar learning from my cancer journey 6 years since diagnosis, almost 5 years with ‘zero per cent detected’. I would add, that time & life, also passes incredibly fast… 🥰 hear hear! Wishing you well☺️✨🧚‍♂️

[@Mandy_James]

So many times I've felt like something wasn't the "wise thing" to do...only to find out it was exactly the best decision to make. Sometimes the hardest thing is to do after making a decision is to just move forward with it without second guessing it. Also, when you said more scenes with Eleanor and Patrick...O.M.G. Yes! And maybe Jonathan and Celeste too....maybe...please? :D Haha. Don't worry so much girl, you got all this. Making the initial decision is usually the hardest part and you've already done that. It's all downhill from here. Whatever it brings--now you get to just experience it and see what it's like.

[@AndreaJSeverson]

I really want to do more bonus scenes. Just something short and quick that I can do one or two each month. I think it would be fun. Eventually, if I do enough, I can package them in a book to sell alongside the full length novels. Making the decision to put the coaching and editing on pause was definitely hard. Now I'm just trying not to second guess myself every other minute.

[@Mandy_James]

@@AndreaJSeverson there is value in what you're planning to do with marketing your books. Don't second guess-just do it. You've worked hard and your books deserve to make it into even more hands.

[@aletendre6760]

You are right where you need to be in this season of your life. You have a purpose and a passion, you just have to claw past those limiting beliefs and doubt to follow it!! Keep going!🌛🌕🌜

[@AndreaJSeverson]

Thank you so much. I'm trying so hard to remember all of this when the doubt creeps in. :)

[@lhiraeth23]

I subscribed to the channel for Andrea! Not because of age or the “content” (which is lovely) but because of you! I hope you see the KZbin growth you’re looking for in 2025, I think what you’re doing already is plenty! ✨💕

[@AndreaJSeverson]

I am constantly so grateful that I'm building a community of people here who genuinely like me and not just a specific kind of content I make. That is not all that common on KZbin these days, so I don't take it for granted. And I don't want to lose that. :)

[@RBMish]

27:33 good for you! Be brave. ❤

[@AndreaJSeverson]

Thank you! I'm trying. :)

[@cassie_hart]

I wholeheartedly agree that you need to focus on the things you love and want to do most. I've also been in that loop of doing the financially smart thing to earn money but it does tend to take away so much from your brainspace, time, and energy for the things you want to be doing more - and as people with chronic health issues, it's not like we have an abundance of spare energy or brain power!! I'm cutting out things too, and it might mean less money initially, but I think long term, I will end up in a healthier bank and healthier me. I hope the same for you too. It can be scary to go 'all in' and also a bit sad to really face that you maybe haven't been doing all you could have been doing to sell your books (it's me!!). Here's to an awesome year of pushing beyond those comfort zones and meeting our career goals.

[@AndreaJSeverson]

This feels like such a big and scary year with so many horrible things happening in the world around me. I have no idea what this year or next will bring and I just want to focus this year and things that bring me joy and keep me calm.

[@angiesteg]

Good luck with everything you have in mind for the channel this year! I'm excited for it. Congrats on tackling that massive hike! 🥾

[@AndreaJSeverson]

That hike was truly amazing. I really hope I can do it again before the weather heats up. Maybe over spring break. I need to make sure I have plenty of time to rest and recover afterwards. I was a little worried I wouldn't be recovered enough in time for the semester starting but thankfully I was. Thanks for watching Angie!

[@sharlotclark-george3922]

Hey there Andrea, I so felt for you in this Vlog! Glad that you finally got to a point where you stuck with the take that you published! Some life decisions feel BIGGER on the inside for me, and that causes anxiety that gets in the way of expression! What a ‘brave edit’ for you. I’m hoping that after-the-fact, the anxiety around putting your difficult decision out there, you feel lighter, and more in-line with what brings you joy & creates resources too, both can be true. Wishing you every success with your new life chapter, your trial & success of what works. It’s all learning isn’t it?! I pledge to writing reviews of your books, hoping to encourage others to do likewise if they haven’t already! Maybe I’m a late catch up on this?! I feel like that is something practical I can do to assist you on you.😃 All the very best!😃 💕🪴🌷🌱🌕✨🧚‍♂️

[@AndreaJSeverson]

It totally feels bigger on the inside of me, I'm feeling better now that I've shared it and feel like I can just move forward on this new path. And yes, reviews for my books and encouraging others to check them out is a massive help. :)

[@daj4740]

Hang in there. You are motivated and you'll do great. 😊

[@AndreaJSeverson]

Thank you so much! :)

[@jordanobrien8915]

I started following you at some point in the past year right around the time you added "in this vlog" to the beginning of videos. I have to say, I do think that makes a difference! I think it helped me stay around long enough to sub off that first video and now I look forward to it at the start of every video! Looking forward to following you through 2025 🎉

[@AndreaJSeverson]

Doing the preview at the beginning adds a bit of extra time to editing but I think it's worth it. I really enjoy putting them together and I'm glad to hear it made a difference in helping you stick around and subscribe. Thanks for being here! :)

[@cindyglass5827]

Jordan, Interesting ... I know many YT'Brs 'wonder' IF that beginning part is 'really worth it' ? I personally believe it is but [imho] only if I'm Brand NEW to someone's channel ... that said, thank-you 4 sharing that w/ Andrea, kind if you ! : )

[@katiemay6560]

I have often found that those moments when my gut tells me it is time to take a different path has never led me astray no matter how much my brain has tried to convince me otherwise in the process. What is the right direction is so hard to see in the present moment rather than when you look back and see that decision to follow your gut meant all the difference

[@AndreaJSeverson]

Thank you so much for the kind encouragement. It means the world having lovely people like you in this community supporting me. :) And omg, thank you so much for reading Candle Shop! I'm so glad you enjoyed the series! That seriously makes me so happy. I promise you I'm working to get the next book in your hands as quickly as possible. :)

[@samward3331]

Andrea, I think our gut instincts are always right, so I think your decisions are perfect for you at this time, I’m off to download one of your books in support! 😊👟📚👏

[@AndreaJSeverson]

Thank you so much for the support Sam, I truly appreciate it. This year I really want to learn how to trust my instincts, I'm not very good at trusting myself sometimes and I don't want to be that way. I hope you enjoy whichever book you choose! :)

[@katies8080]

I'm so glad you are continuing with the youtube channel, I enjoy following your author journey and life journey too. Wishing you all the best for 2025. And you only live once! I follow a lot of blogs and signed up a lot of newsletters but I honestly would prefer to receive a weekly newsletter. As for your skillshare courses have you ever heard of Sarra Cannon's Publish and Thrive course - I can't remember if you've mentioned it on your channel before.

[@AndreaJSeverson]

Thank you for following the journey! :) And thank you for the feedback about the email schedule. I had a lot of people unsubscribe to the emails when I switched to weekly, so it helps to know that some people do enjoy the weekly emails. :) I have heard of Sarra's course. It's something I'd consider in the future once I max out on what Skillshare can teach me. :)

[@Michelelynnreads]

I was a blogger before I was a vlogger too. I’m all for doing what you love. I started a career coaching business even though my gut was yelling at me the whole time I was starting it, “This isn’t what you want!!” I closed it after a year and started my booktube channel. I also want to write but right now don’t have it structured and therefore it falls off my plate. I’m older than you and I say we’ve got a place on KZbin! Let’s take our space! 🌖

[@AndreaJSeverson]

I really miss blogging, even though I love vlogging even more. I get why I stopped blogging but I'd like to get back to it. And I really want to talk more about being older on KZbin, because I think it's such an important topic. You're right, we need to take our space! There's room on here for all of us. :)

[@MarieAnneMcleod]

I wish you all the best❤❤❤

[@AndreaJSeverson]

Thank you so much!

[@writerwithadayjob]

I like your channel! Your videos have a great variety of content, and I enjoy them. I am an elementary teacher who has decided to finally seriously explore my passion for writing. I am also an anglophile. London is on my bucket list. I am slightly older than you, but I can relate to the things that you share. Your goals/new year videos are probably doing well this time of year. As a writing teacher, you could make some videos/tutorials on the craft of writing. If some of your subscribers want to dip their toes in the writer world, how would they start? What are some books on writing you might recommend? You mentioned Scrivener. I have had it for 6+ years and still don't know how to use it. I would love a video series with short segments covering different features (I just saw that you had them). What tools do you use? What does your desk look like? Some of that may seem superficial, but many enjoy those videos. Even as a writer, you have other parts of your life. You are a college professor; what is that like? As a teacher, I love the classroom, but I am not fond of the admin stuff 🤣How about some more segments on areas you like to walk/hike? Just keep on doing what you are passionate about doing. 🥾🌵🖋📖

[@AndreaJSeverson]

These are all great ideas, thank you so much! :) Thank you for watching, I'm so glad you're enjoying the channel and I love how much we have in common. :)

[@ElizabethRoseNehamiah]

I will be turning 25 this year and finally started writing my first novel after over ten years of sitting on it, and I don’t think I could have picked a worse time. With the introduction of AI and people clearly using it as a tool to write and edit now, I can’t help but think: why didn’t I start five years ago? Ten? The space seems so daunting now. I’m sure it always was in ways but the state of it now and the rest of the world, I can’t help be riddled with regret and anxiety. And in ways I almost feel glad for the TikTok ban, because advertising to booktok is honestly frightening. And to hear other authors, even published ones, struggling in similar ways is sad! I hope 2025 gives way and offers more opportunities and success for you and everyone else here who needs them!

[@AndreaJSeverson]

Write your novel. It's never too late and it's not a bad time. Yes, AI sucks. It makes indie publishing feel even more daunting. There's never a good time, there's always going to be a reason to be worried or intimidated, so you just have to do it. And you can market without TikTok, I don't have it and have never used it for my books. There's no promise you'll become a runaway bestseller, but if you publish your book, people will find it and you just might become someone's favorite author, and I'm telling you, having even one person tell you that you're their favorite author is the BEST feeling in the world. I haven't sold thousands of copies but I know the people who have read my books love them and make me feel like a million bucks. So write your novel and see what happens. :)

[@ElizabethRoseNehamiah]

@@AndreaJSeverson Thank you for giving such sweet advice even though you have your own struggles and life! I will do my best and see where it takes me! ❤️

[@AndreaJSeverson]

I'm always here to give you motivation. One of my big goals with this channel is to encourage others to pursue their writing dreams. :)

[@Fermerswife]

What a beautiful day and hike! Well done 😊 makes me long for summer days here in Ireland, even though it still rains 50% of the time 😂

[@AndreaJSeverson]

It was such a lovely hike. I was so exhausted afterwards but it was worth it. And before you know it, your beautiful summer days will return to Ireland. At that point I'll be complaining about the heat here and not able to go hiking lol!

[@Fermerswife]

@ that is very true I won't envy your heat in summer! Wish you all the best for finding your balance too!

[@SunflowerPrincess14]

Oooo! Writer advice would be amazing! I’m taking my fiction writing seriously this year, and I saw you had Scrivener videos. I’m going to watch those once I’m ready to sit down and write

[@AndreaJSeverson]

I definitely want to do more writer advice focused content, whether here on the vlogs, on the blog on my website, or both. :)

[@nadiajohnson5733]

Anytime I make a pivot like you’re making, I always think back to all the other times I was able to do the thing that scared me most. It is never a bad thing to invest in you, and I believe you will reap the rewards. Just know we-as a community-are rooting for you. 🌕🥾🥾🌕

[@AndreaJSeverson]

Thank you so much, this is such a great way to think about it. I really appreciate your support. :)

[@emiliabolsas]

I have been living on a full-time freelancer salary since summer 2023. All of my work dried up at the same time in September 2024 - multiple clients who had nothing to do with each other all ghosted me. I have since found out this happened to many other freelancers, too, now including you. I took a survival job for the holidays and now have restarted my full time corporate job search again. It’s a weird time.

[@AndreaJSeverson]

I know I could have tried harder, but I just was feeling so burned out by spending all of my time dedicated to coaching doing everything but coaching. I'm not ruling out returning to it one day, but it wasn't working for right now. I'm sorry to hear you and other freelancers are also struggling. I hope you find a full time job soon, and that it's something that's a good fit for you. It's definitely a weird time.

[@Avionne_Parris]

🌕 Love those foxy fingerless gloves you wore on your morning hike, Andrea! Greeting Saguaros isn't weird; I talk to plants and animals all the time... Disney princesses do it, no one bats an eyelid so do you 😅. As for the coaching & editing news, it is a risk but I admire your gumption to pursue your dreams - You will be rewarded- No risk, no reward, right? For the record, you are not "old and boring" - you were never that and never will be! It's not a jewel in our crown so we won't ever mention it again 😊. You put so much time and effort into your vlogs and it shows! Seeing a fellow author and writer living her best life while documenting the high and low minutae of life inspires me to keep going. Please don't sell yourself short - Just like you found Tamzin and others through KZbin, you'll find your people and the right people will find you ❤.

[@AndreaJSeverson]

Saguaros are so special. They feel like they have their own soul. I feel the same about trees. There's just something about knowing they've stood there for a hundred years or more and thinking about what they've seen over that time. I really hope that this decision works out. Because I don't want to think about what the compromise will have to be otherwise. So it's going to be an interesting year. :)

[@sharlotclark-george3922]

Ps, I’m also letting all the ads run without skipping, a little more Adsense for you! I’d be interested in hearing about how the ads linked to your videos works, is it as simple as letting the ads run?😃

[@AndreaJSeverson]

So, from what I've seen, if you watch 30 seconds of an ad before skipping, it means more Adsense revenue for me. If an ad is less than 30 seconds and you watch it in its entirety, I get the Adsense as well. So I wouldn't suffer through some of the really long ads they put on sometimes, but watching 30 seconds would be a huge help. I'll try to mention this in a future vlog. Thank you so much Sharlot! You're the best! :)

[@Moorvieh]

Maybe seeing it this way helps, This may not work out. But this isn't failing. It's just a sign that you might again need to adapt and change. As you probably do all the time. So failing seems a hard word for me and with that, I feel, that you're very hard on yourself and you've very high expectations on yourself. Be kind to yourself, you deserve it.

[@AndreaJSeverson]

This is such a great perspective, thank you for sharing this. I'm really trying not to see these pivots as a response to "failure" but just that I'm being pulled in a different direction and that's okay. I'm definitely very hard on myself and have impossibly high expectations, this is something I'm really trying to let go of this year.

[@cindyglass5827]

The word & concept of ''failing'' has always been interesting to Me ... that said, I do ''not'' see it as a 'purely' Black & White OR ''all'' or ''nothing'' 'issue' - as so many do, & for that [itself] I'm *truly* Thankful ~ ... Currently & over the years I've had soooo many friends, family members, clients etc who 'to this day' '''struggle''' over the Olde' Pass OR Fail type of Philosophy which was 'unfortunately' [imho] 'ingrained' into our 'psyche' since we were children : ( ... It truly 'breaks my Heart' b/c ''it need NOT, be this way'' : ) At the end of the day, IF we would just would take a moment [OR actually many of them] & ''breathe'' - Our paths would [eventually] straighten themselves out [ totally for the GOOD & for Our BEST : ) ] thus, We'd be Living the Life that we Truly WANT & What we really NEED for Our Physical & Mental Health ! : ) [that said, that could be a Job that pays Less OR More, it could be a Move [in living, career etc], it could mean developing New Hobbies, Friendships etc : ) 'Failing'' should NEVER be seen as a Negative, but ACTUALLY as a ''GIFT'' - that ''xyz'' - was just ''Not Meant to Be'' : ) After above, if all of that STILL : ( Does NOT Bring someone total PEACE & JOY - then I always ASK people the following Question : IF YOU [100%] knew that you ONLY had ''exactly'' 1 Year left to LIVE - then You'll be Dead, What would YOU do ??? ______fill in one's answer here ______________ & Usually, there-in Lies the ''true Answer'' / our Straight Path / our Compass to a Happy/Happier, more Joyful & Peaceful LIFE : ) [period] ... Cindy : )

[@AndreaJSeverson]

I think that's where I finally got with my coaching business. My heart just isn't in it right now, and if I knew I only had one year left, that's not what I would want to spend that last year working on. Thank you for sharing this perspective with us in the comments Cindy! :)

[@lhiraeth23]

Woops wrong spot

[@philippamuir332]

I was working full-time and doing evening studies taking exams and in the end I could cope no longer so I gave the exams up because cramming for exams as well as doing a full-time job wasn't doing me any good at all

[@AndreaJSeverson]

It's so hard studying for something while working full time.

[@devorikimbro6996]

I know you listen to some Taylor Swift, but her song "It's Time to Go" might really help/resonate with you right now. Best of luck!

[@AndreaJSeverson]

I just pulled that song up, and it definitely resonates. I'll be listening to that on repeat for a while. :) Hope you're doing well Devori!

[@philippamuir332]

Try not to burn yourself out especially as you have health issues. Its a bit like raising a family. Imagine if you had your full time job and had a couple of toddlers. Mind you you would have a partner to help so that would not be so bad. Please look after yourself and pace yourself and get plenty of rest

[@AndreaJSeverson]

Putting the coaching business on pause is definitely a decision made out of a need to cure my burnout. I just can't keep splitting myself in so many different directions.

[@Folkloriccottage]

May I ask? What is your PhD in?😊

[@AndreaJSeverson]

I have a PhD in English with a focus on Writing, Rhetorics, and Literacies. :)

[@JagVentures]

⛰you really inspire me with your work ethic. Keep pushing, writing takes time and as someone with similar aspirations, we have to hone our craft. Would you ever move to the UK?

[@AndreaJSeverson]

Thank you so much. :) And I would totally move to the UK. It's always been an issue of getting a job/visa to be able to move there. But hopefully one day. :)

[@JagVentures]

@@AndreaJSeverson aw hopefully it can work out well for you. It’s something to look forward to when you do move over.

[@emiliabolsas]

I have been living on a full-time freelancer salary since summer 2023. All of my work dried up at the same time in September 2024 - multiple clients who had nothing to do with each other all ghosted me. I have since found out this happened to many other freelancers, too, now including you. I took a survival job for the holidays and now have restarted my full time corporate job search again. It’s a weird time.