I Spent 1,600 Hours Typing Other Writers' Books

[@JosephHolschuh]

Van - Love the channel. "Your life's purpose might not be your career" is life-changing advice if it hits the right person at the right time.

[@scottishfanta]

I’m that person, just got a high paying job that everyone’s proud of me for getting. Am I happy? No, will I leave, I don’t know….maybe after seeing this.

[@SiddarthMV]

@@scottishfanta Same here, not a high paying job but a decent one, I am happy ? NO

[@Channel1722]

Good luck guys. Sailing the same boat!

[@hello50881]

I found my thing at 26

[@swayne1441]

People who see their purpose in life as their career sort of weird me out a little. I get it if you are a teacher or run a business selling things you love but people who work at a bank or some other generic "office" job I just don't get it.

[@jakeparker44]

I appreciate how honest and sincere and true this video is. My experience: I chose a career in illustration because I had spent so much time and attention on drawing that by the time I was in my twenties I wasn't qualified to do anything else. The choice was: try and make this art thing really work, or be a janitor. EVERY time I have strayed away from art I have failed. 20+ years later it's working for me. Feast or famine, yes, but I LOVE doing this.

[@egleslowlands]

I needed to read this, thanks!

[@ColinHarman]

I have learned so much from you, Jake, I am certainly grateful for the hard work you have put in. You have brought so much beauty to the world

[@sauravbasu8805]

Can you provide a link to your works ?

[@neilgooge]

@@sauravbasu8805 click on his username, it will take you to his channel, which has links to his web site and his work... both of which, in their own way, you will find equally as inspiring as vans content I am sure. He is truly a stand out creative in the illustration world, and responsible for some of the more recent larger movements in illustration like Inktober.

[@neilgooge]

I have a slightly diffeent experience, with a similar, albeit smaller, outcome. But that has led me to look toward a serious change at this stage. My experience: I chose a career in illustration because I spent so much time using it to build worlds, that people took note of how good I was getting and praised me for it. This had the unfortunate consequence of making me feel I had to do it and so I did it more, got better, got more praise and so the cycle went... Sadly I wanted to write, or at least build worlds, not just illustrate those of others. Now in my 50s I have had a relatively successful career that in all honesty, I do not enjoy in the way you clearly enjoy yours and so am finally looking to change my approach at least, if not entirely the path I have paved for myself. The positive of this is we live in a time where I am fortunate enough to at least be able to make course corrections. Maybe not change course entirely, but at least steer things in a direction which incorporates what I enjoy, with what I am good at as i am extremely grateful that people appreciate what I am good at, even if that thing isn't entirely what I am passionate about. You have been a huge inspiration to me, going back at least 20 years, to a time where we firast met (you were looking for publishers on the first Flight anthology). And you continue o inspire now, not just me, but many. So a huge thanks to you also, as well as the likes of Van, for all you put in to the world.

[@Al1978Newman]

Congrats Van. I enjoy your channel. As a 43-year-old Australian, I'm not sure how to process your comment about 'Decide by 25". I still don't think I've decided or found the Thing that I'm good at and can get paid for. I can't remember where I heard it, but it's just as important to work out what you're NOT as it is to what you ARE!!

[@rowleyzero]

Don’t give up until your last breath even if you do find that thing keep growing, Leonardo da Vinci’s only regret was that he was human and had to die because he had so much more to master, and that guy painted the Mona Lisa.

[@pahwraith]

I was 33 when I re-committed to a career in film. Quit my decent adult job at a hospital to uber on weekends and photograph/film weddings. Im 37 and got hired to work on my first feature as a 1st ac. Best decision I ever made.

[@Nkanyiso_K]

25 is a pretty harsh cut off. I'm 28 I've only just gotten started doing 3D animation which led me back to creating movies, I shot my first short film in 2013 & I'm planning on making another in February 2023 as a proof of concept for my first feature film. I just think people might get discouraged by the idea of being too old

[@amaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa]

totally agree!

[@el.don1975]

What were you doing when you were 5-7 years old. It usually comes full circle if given the opportunity

[@RyeRob.]

It's defiantly situational. My experience is that I had little money and was stressed for too many years of my 20's so I decided I needed to pick something that would bring in the money and do it. I went to a 1 year programming college course and luckily got a job less than a year after it ended. Now, I make decent money doing something I like (I don't think it's my passion though). This has led to less stress and more energy which has enabled me to pursue other things with more confidence.

[@RyeRob.]

@Finnegan Hark I went to a Canadian college which is a bit different than a University, not sure of the U.S. equivalents. It took me around 6 months to get a job after I finished the course. I'm not sure what highly paid means but I could comfortably afford living in a city and have money left over to spend on hobbies and save. I think you can get a good coding job without any formal training but boot camps and college courses (I don't think one is strictly better, just whatever seems like your best option) will accelerate the process for most people. Nothing is guaranteed, it still takes persistence, determination and luck but I think anyone can get there.

[@nick-03]

Yea Advice like that is so dumb ie hard cutoffs, ages, etc everyone’s path and development is so different

[@BenSemisch]

I think I would disagree with the 25 year rule, I think you should always be searching, plenty of people have "broken out" well after 40. That said, I do agree with the spirit of the advice that you should definitely put that hunt on the back-burner while you focus on the career aspect of things.

[@insanedb]

you are over 25 and dont have a life purpose right?

[@daemn42]

It's OK to keep searching, but I think his point was the searching should not be your primary focus through your entire 20's. You have so much energy in your 20's, at least half of it should be focused on building a career even if it's not "your thing". Maybe you eventually stumble on your thing and can switch careers but it's good to have a stable foundation by then. One thing I do see a lot of people do though, is not find their thing, put 100% of their energy into their career and forget to have a life.. They'll complain about how much they hate their well paying job (thus won't leave it), and I'll ask "So what would you rather be doing right now?" and they often can't give me an answer. If your career isn't your thing, then you should at *least* have interests, hobbies, or social activities which at any given moment you can say you'd rather be doing than working. If you don't have that, then find it. Otherwise you'll work till retirement age, retire, and be totally lost.

[@jasrajzlimbu8463]

Same

[@BobbiPhantom]

In an ideal world maybe yes, overall it's good advice to set a mark at around 25. You can't be with your head in the clouds forever.

[@1Schrankwand]

honestly: thanks for this.

[@samuelhopely4853]

Consider a truly good thing: Breakfast of champions took around three years to write from what I can find. You spent three months retyping, tracing and mounting it. Multiple years pass and your work reaches 425,000 people in 17 minutes and 24 seconds, accompanied by crucial and relevant wisdom on the creative process and act of finding one's place in the world. Assume 5% of viewers respond in a meaningful way and take this lesson into practice in their lives; 21,250 people, average age of 25 years leaving and average of 50 remaining years... You turned three months of your time into 1,062,500 years of life that is a graph-able point better than it would be otherwise. Compound this with the other dozens of past projects you share on your channel, and it should become clear. None of your work was ever a failure. It always was a life's purpose, just maybe not your life.

[@10848514959]

That's an interesting thought process, but I definitely think that 5% of viewers responding to this in a meaningful way is a huge overestimation. In reality, you're dealing with a tiny percentage of people that this video would have anything beyond a fleeting interest in it. I'm no expert, but I do have a lot of experience in dealing with analytical data in the realm of marketing. The power of it, particularly in this format, is very small beyond what this piece of content is in reality - light entertainment. If you consider the number of people that will consume this video fully, actually focus on the message , agree with it fully, remember it, and then actually take action based on it is tiny; like close to zero. At a push I would say .1% as opposed to 5%, but even that would be a stretch.

[@Suguitarra]

“It was always a life’s purpose, just maybe not your life” that one hit me hard. Thank you so much

[@zatim6184]

bro was mad high writing this

[@RachaelPadilla]

I'm so glad that you're here for us to enjoy your life's purpose. Thank you for the work that you do.

[@sam123rocks]

I feel like you nailed the title and thumbnail on this one. Draws you in quite well. Appreciated the message in this one and 17 mins felt like 5, thanks for your videos Van

[@JROME69]

Pulled me right in, and I’m 25.. all too good haha

[@empressenskye]

The art is never a failure. I'm glad you still have it because it is such a beautiful piece to see, read and enjoy. It is exactly where it is supposed to be. With you. Also thanks for keeping me sane in a world of absolute boring sameness. You inspired me to reconnect with the thing I forgot I have. Much love from South Africa. X

[@tomleiningerphoto]

The gallery announcement, tape thing needs a video because that looks fascinating. And you could sell plans to your mobile tool board…(hopefully).

[@Barterparty]

Yes!! Sell the how to plans for this! It’s incredible.

[@pepejjgl]

OMG "...then your life's purpose might not be your career". So powerful and perspective changing. Thank You so much for share this.

[@ColinHarman]

If more like this is what Season 2 has in store, I can't wait to be given these gifts. Thank you in advance, Van.

[@CasContents]

I knew who I was and my path/calling whatever you want to call it by the time I was 4 or 6, 7 something like that but a narcissistic presence pushed me off the trail and onto others. None of it was a waste, all of it had a purpose, but it pushed me off the career path so to speak, causing me to miss that 25 year old mark. If when I 'came to' I believed that my opportunity for career was over because I was too old, I would be in a very bad place right now. I appreciate your perspective and see where you are coming from with it but I am happy that I don't believe it myself. : ) Thank you for your beautiful work Van.

[@dorianollez4161]

I agree!

[@medula]

I love your videos and agree with everything you are saying. There is something you said that I'd like to add to. You mentioned something about doing art in middle age and not having as much energy as your 20's. This is so true. I'm a 40 something working artist and it takes some extra soul mining to find the energy. In the last year I stopped drinking, stick to a keto diet, started exercising, and I go to bed and wake up at the same time everyday. My life has always been messy so this was a huge change for me. I limit my consumption of media as well. I've sort of tuned my life for the best creative outcomes, and the difference is enormous. Creativity comes from the mind (and the body), so preserving whatever vitality you have left is tremendously important.

[@TSGEnt]

I don’t know how I missed this. But I just watched it. Two years later after you’re making of it it’s so relevant to my life. Thank you I’d love to sit and just talk to you sometime. That may never happen but I just want you to know the influence you have on this 62 year old man is very profound. We think a lot alike. I’ve done a lot of things in my life, but film making is so very cool. It is my thing.

[@JasonToddRoberts]

I spent two years in an attic applying mathematics to music trying to figure out every possible chord progression, rhythm, and melody. I almost went crazy from it.

[@auberjean6873]

@JasonToddRoberts Wow. Hope you you found something to do with that knowledge that you love.

[@4061earthabcdesong]

Wow X 2 Hope to see Jason share more.😊 (I don't play any instrument but I love listening to music. But last year I suddenly wondered if music, mathematics and frequencies are interconnected. This I found worth exploring after listening to Bach.)

[@Nazdrvan]

This video is extremely underrated for just the first two min if not the entirety. I relate to a lot of the things that make you tick, and I love your discipline and harness you've put on those traits. I describe it to my child as needing to break the horse. Keep doing exactly what you're doing. The library of videos you have are also incredibly underrated as a whole and I'm sure this channel will help and serve many through the years.

[@amaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa]

i just turned 27 and i only started TRYING and CARING at age 25, during covid. as soon as i was able to i started trying to move forward and do my career thing, and do the thing that is my passion - i didnt even know this was a job until 2 years ago so how could i know it was my 'purpose' (although i wouldnt call it purpose, i think its more that it makes sense for me, i love it and i find it interesting) i think the age thing is arbitrary and depends totally on your circumstances. i think its more realistic to say - if you try at something for X amount of years and it doesnt work then maybe change course, the age cut off is assuming everyones been trying that whole time!

[@JayJJay185]

Agreed.

[@canadude6401]

Such a GREAT post from a GREAT channel and a GREAT guy. Thank you Van! ❤

[@OurEpicLives]

I am about to be 27 in two weeks. Almost half way through 25-30. I have just barely identified my passion. I have a very comfy UX design job that makes the money to support the passion (painting). I appreciate the videos I can relate to the videos. I am glad you met your kickstarted goal because we need these videos. Keep it up

[@JROME69]

Thanks Van, this is valuable, I’m 25.. and you’ve changed my mindset. Peace and love my man 🧡

[@kazamanu]

Definitely in my top 3 KZbin channels. Love your way of going slow and explain things with your heart. You gift as a video artisan is a blessing to me Van, even though the process semms to be painful to you.

[@haydenliu5682]

This is an amazing video with a great story and lesson. Thank you for sharing!

[@nateb7394]

Amazing. This is your gift and this channel is a perfect vessel for it. Your mentor telling you to go back to making films was probably the last thing you wanted to hear-but it was exactly right. We all need a mentor who really knows us and will speak the unvarnished truth to us. Love your videos

[@jeddawson251]

I love the honesty of this channel. It offers such beautiful and relatable insights into the creative journey. I get what he's saying about choosing 'a thing' at 25, no matter where you are in that journey. But a part of you should always still be hunting for that purpose. And when you find it at any age, you got to go after it-and trust in the love of it to make you work (almost) like a 20-year old.

[@JustinThorntonArt]

Great video Van and I love the artwork. Art like this that requires hours of mind numbing repetition is fascinating. As someone who has had his life sidelined by mental health problems several times I feel like the 25 year old thing is not great advice for all people. I think advice of this sort should be highly individualized. But staying with something you are good at even if you feel over it has a lot of merit. And some times not necessarily changing what you do is needed but what you are doing with what you do is the change that is needed.

[@VidJuracic]

Man, this was amazing. And it hit deep. Thank you

[@coachcolville2103]

Van - absolutely brilliant video as always. I think you provide such an invaluable lesson for anyone of any age to learn. I would say that maybe it wasn't a failure, maybe it was a success because it made you realise what you were truly meant to do? Maybe if you hadn't deviated from your path you wouldn't be where you are now? Sometimes it take a long time to realise why something has happened...then 10 years later it clicks and all makes sense...I would also like to add that I think one of the most important lessons in this video is attention to detail (and all of your other videos), the effort you went into making 5 separate videos to send to the galleries (can't believe only one got back!) and majority of people can't tailor their CV to send for jobs stands out to me.

[@chongstarr7836]

Super insightful advice! Really appreciate life coaching video’s like this!

[@alexandreiTF]

I turn 25 in 6 months. I had spent the bulk of my efforts in college convincing myself that I was to become a physician. Right before graduating with seperate degrees in biology and exercise science, i started making a short film about professional track and field. After graduating, I effectively drained my life savings investing into this project until it became a feature length documentary that releases this summer. I came to understand in the past year of working on this film that I would never be granted the freedoms in life to attempt such a granduous thing ever again. I have not "made it" yet and I am unsure if i ever will by my own standards, but I do have people's attention and I know it is now or never. The real world will still be there when I am done trying; it will still be there after I succeed. The real world will still be there when I am done trying; the option to try will not. So, for now, I will try. Thank you, Van.

[@heytimgreen]

I really needed this today. Humbling conversations put things into perspective.

[@awesomeadamfrom2099]

Awesome job van

[@thebushnellfamilyvlogs]

Van, I am so grateful you make these videos. It is so refreshing to have you on KZbin.

[@HowGamersPlay]

Recently got to come back to my retail job (Yes retail) after 5 years after a traumatic brain injury and I realize why I love my job so much. I feel like my purpose is simply to help people, the joy and gratification I get after helping with even the smallest things is amazing. I'm really glad this is the first video I chose to watch after falling in love with the pencil short.

[@JPARKERZ28]

Everyone is built differently brother... cheers 🍻

[@TravisPhillips22]

I wanted to mention I agree with you on the “energy availability” of your 20’s Van. As someone who just turned 30, I have firsthand seen my energy and progress go down. The time I do commit to things is way more valuable. What I think that what you have, and myself more and more, is the perspective that comes from vision. A vision for the projects you do attempt. A vision for your life and family. You trade energy for vision, its like the handshake exchange from your 20’s to 30’s. If you can get ANY hard-skills or find your passion young you will be in great shape!!

[@emraef]

i'm 25, and this year i've decided to do the exact thing you talk about(even before watching). thank you, van

[@kevinbarraco4913]

thanks for this video and happy you found this gig to do! Love the videos and channel.

[@Pedro-fr8tz]

You never cease to amaze me!!! I am 47 now and every time you share a bit of yourself I find some sort of understanding on so much of my life struggles. I wish I knew about the cut off time still in my twenties. Love all your creations in all shapes and forms.

[@JibRealtalk]

Thanks for this. Not only is your work insightful but this channel feels like the next frontier of what youtube could be. It all feels so tastefully done in contrast to the quirky youtube culture that we usually see.

[@drinkingtimepodcast]

holy cow. The hard cut mid computer rant was a beautiful editing choice.

[@samanthazone7128]

Van excellent self analysis, story telling, and ultimately being a mentor to your viewers. Using your path as a universal quest for all of us as we try to determine our life's purpose. What is so interesting to me is why or how you decided to title this video the way you did.

[@nickwit21]

There's so much value in these short videos you create. Informative, interesting and thought provoking. Thank you!

[@NathanKontny]

Really appreciate you opening up about your own struggles and journey through this. You're helping a great deal number of us.

[@irasnadimo]

man i can't TELL you how valuable this video was for me. it was the right video, telling the right story, at the right time. thanks OG.

[@JosepRenovatio]

I believe your creativity fits every canvas and media. You can do everything you want; videos and conceptual art. Keep sharing these messages. Thank you for your commitment and work ethic.

[@eizom3773]

I followed ur channel since weeks from created, glad to see your way channeled to higher things. Greetings from Lima Peru

[@Barterparty]

That invitation dispenser!!! I have no words!! That is the most incredible, beautiful thing I have ever seen!! And the books on paper, amazing! I would pay to see it in person! Love your work, love your Chanel, keep doing you!

[@eatmoremusic3650]

VAN! so glad this is how things worked out, big signs from above and this whole endeavor has I spired me beyond my own understanding. Thank you

[@contouraerials]

I think the message of this video is different than you suggest. Keep creating and you’ll eventually find something that works. It sounds like your channel wouldn’t of come about if you hadn’t created those gallery pieces and had the experience with them you did.

[@lomodiquanh]

Master piece - Love the message behind it

[@peterdemuth]

I'm 38 and I'm attempting to change my career because I was full in my work since I was 25. Not easy you are right... but I'm not giving up on it... yet. Thanks for sharing your story and thoughts!

[@nasergivechi]

I am 38 and on the same boat. I can not imagine to continue what I have doing anymore. 25 sounds unrealistic.

[@patrigate]

Dude I love you. This is now the third video from you I watch. I commented under the second video I watched. When you told that story about typing this book I couldn't stop laughing anymore. You are the most unique person I know and you are probably unwillingly or not be a great role model for on my way to becoming an artist.

[@thinja]

I’m 27, still figuring out if what I am doing is my thing or if I should explore more. This video taught me to go all in. It’s time to commit.

[@yogiew7]

Don't stop exploring! Just do what you enjoy the most! The only thing that is important is to keep being busy. Personal growth isn't a straight line!

[@AtaraxiaStorytelling]

I'm glad you exist on youtube, you are a role model for story telling to me

[@SeekersofUnity]

You’re a legend already.

[@goon6373]

I had this daily little task I did in the first grade where we got engineering paper and did a similar thing to what Roman Opalka did where we just wrote numbers. I had such a drive for something so arbitrary that I was consistently at the top of my class when they would check the progress of all the students. Might have to revisit that feeling soon. thanks for a video prodding at that memory I forgot I had

[@tobiasfenkart9892]

Man... you gave away so much wisdom I wish I would have known at the age of 20. Thank you Van. Love your Channel - This really feels like your thing! Keep going.

[@925blues7]

Van is hands done one of my favorites on KZbin! Does anyone else agree?

[@determineddad7935]

By far one of the best channels

[@JROME69]

Completely original too

[@925blues7]

@@determineddad7935, A channel that faces the reality of life rather than distract us from it! Van shares his wisdom through artistic unconventional means and it is truly refreshing to find someone different and completely unique.

[@laraoneal7284]

@@925blues7 I love this guy. Just discovered him yesterday. I had to sub. Then I found his brother. I’d love to know how they were raised .

[@hkj73]

Hey Van, I'm glad you came to that realization because I enjoy your profoundly creative videos. They're inspiring, informative, & entertaining. Love the music too. Keep'em coming & we'll be watching.

[@dvstylr]

i cannot believe how similar this story feels to my own right now (aside from literally all the details) and this is the third f*cking time that i have gotten this overwhelming feeling while watching your videos-- it's that "ok, i'm not alone" feeling.

[@marniejade]

Thank you for sharing your story of failures; and how you found success. Love your channel! I personally think you can find you true calling or purpose at any stage in life, but yes for career the earlier the better for sure.

[@andrewbartlett269]

You are a natural story teller and a very creative and talented man, so you are doing the right thing.

[@worldofblacksea]

Thanks for doing it. Keep doing it and good people will continue showing up!

[@sanyamvarun6967]

Van, this channel has been a blessing for this 22 year old that thinks he is good at multiple mediums (Films, Design, Art, Motion) and isn't able to figure how or what is gonna give him that Dentist paycheck. I felt so heard seeing you go through the same confusion and frustration of finding a career. I may have abandoned film too early. I am 22. I am gonna try it all. To the fullest. And figure out what will keep me happy with that dentist paycheck and not give me a heart attack. Thank you for this video, you are an inspiration.

[@HabanosChris]

Van rules. Love when he does these kinda existential artist vulnerable things. First half of my life was definitely very restless searching for calling/career purpose. This is also interesting cause I guess Casey stuck with film ultimately and Van explored other paths. I’m glad he did cause I like who he has grown into.

[@notme756]

love the channel, im 25 right now and have had my engineering job for 2 years but things are only now just starting to click and I feel this momentum building, which im hoping will continue to build. Ive always wanted to contribute to space projects and now i am, and i can feel the hunger and im learning about different disciplines within space vehicle design and want to switch to thermal design once I feel like ive gleaned all I can from my current role. Doesnt necessarily feel like my "purpose", but my purpose is to be happy and I feel like improving my skills and constantly learning is a big part of that for me.

[@yesterman]

Van, I've been following you for some time and I saw a lot of what you did with your brother. The truth is that I have always admired the way you see the world and the way you create stories around everything that happens in your life. You and your brother have been a great influence on many, including me. But seeing this video, I disagree with some of what you say. I understand what you are trying to communicate to young people, about not wasting their 20's, but being a person of almost 40 years, I can tell you that until I was 35 years old I discovered my purpose in life and I think there are many people who are even older and they end up finding it very late in their lives. We don't have all the time in the world, but we have what we have left to keep looking, I think.

[@SarvasvKulpatiYT]

This is up there in the top 5 videos on this channel. Van has literally decades of stories and lessons from creative pursuits, and I don't think I could get enough of them

[@xxGravyBabyxx]

Van Before I watch this video, I just wanted to say that you are a great inspiration for my creative mind. I binged watched your videos after a brief hiatus (been busy with the lady and life), but I am glad you continue to make wonderful and creative videos on this platform. While creating a KZbin channel has always been a daunting task for me, I have thought about creating some neat edited videos for my Instagram page so my friends can enjoy them. Thanks for letting us find our spirited man, whatever that means for each and one of us.

[@web95]

I LOVE your channel! I respectfully disagree with your argument Van. I think it is possible to have that approach, but it is also possible to have several of these purpose finding missions in life, and that through the missions you can bounce around from one passion to another. And if you are REALLY lucky, maybe multiple passions can coalesce into one career.

[@TheLikeys]

This hits hard - but is such useful advice for me (starting in my twenties now). Your story and videos are so inspiring. Thank you so much for making these

[@L0J0]

Dang Van, you really blessed me with this video today. Thank you.

[@neilgooge]

Theres an amount of poetry in the fact that one of your beautiful failures, a straying from your purpose, or your passion, an small detour in an atempt to find your thing, or your passion, has become a backdrop to your passion, or your thing. While also being, in my humble opinion, one of the best backdrops to any channel I see on youtube that uses a backdrop of any sort. I find your channel to be one of the most inspirational places for a man in his 50s, with a relatively succesful art career and life under his belt, yet still looking for that "thing"... because to date, everything I have achieved has not been it. As you say here, I haven't allowed that search to get in the way of still living, but I am actually hoping that at this stage, I may actually find that thing as I do look toward a different direction. Different directions with a similar destination, and using a similar vehicle, to the ones that have brought me so far, but a different direction none the less. So thank you for that.

[@winstonfj4174]

love you van. as long as you keep uploading, Ill be here to watch

[@elizabethflores5571]

You're such an inspiration... makes me not want to give up looking. Thank you, Van.

[@lucasstegmann]

Dude, I'm 100% sure this is your purpose! You're a catalysis of inspiration! love & respect brother

[@TomBlatildush]

I adore that Van allows himself to both be the blueprint of what to be (spirited man), and the blueprint of how not to do it. I’m in my 20ties and utterly lost. I’ve been ignoring what I already knew was my purpose, for fear of not making it. Meanwhile I’m going nowhere. It’s time to stop waisting time, and get back up on the saddle. Thanks, Van. For being so open

[@surfcruzer]

Dude, high level channel.

[@chrisclark5135]

Welcome home, Van. So glad you're here!

[@dougmac444]

I appreciate your channel, your work, and your talents. Cheers from Vancouver 🇨🇦

[@dbolt2w]

As a 24 year old completely stressed out and working way too hard in a restaraunt I needed to hear this. Time to cut back on hours and enjoy life a little bit and let things come to find me. I want to be a sous chef so bad and I have spent the last 8 years honing my skills. Did a semester for marketing fresh out of high school after taking a huge load of AP’s my senior year and burned myself out on school. I think maybe it’s time to go back. Thank you Van, your videos help remind me what’s important in these uncertain times.

[@davidpoon1010]

Thanks for your sharing on this. Most people would have labelled it a failure but I didn't hear you use the word once in this video. It's all about the journey.

[@RSHKMS]

this one cut pretty deep. not gonna lie. I hope and predict we get to have a conversation about this (and many other deeply connected things) in the future. love the channel. love the series. here's to year two and beyond! 🍾

[@mazzy6559]

When I was 20-25 I had no idea what I wanted to do. I wanted to explore. I did some traveling, indulged in things i probably shouldn't have, did all kinds of stupid stuff. I look back now that I'm older, there is nothing I can change, I'm happy to have those experiences. I have a job/career that pays the bills, barely in 2022, but I'm still happy

[@wayofthelatebloomer]

Thank you for sharing your origin story. I can relate to kind of being lost to finding my thing, and often I still doubt it. Fortunately, I have a stable and flexible job (nursing) that provides me with plenty of free time to do the thing that I think is my thing. You and Casey are the only ones I hit the notifications bells for. Love your videos!

[@allandp]

In the first 5 minutes you just described the ages 25-36th of my life. Great insights btw. Thanks.

[@fohtheim9864]

I have tried so many times to find “my thing”, I’ve come to find out “my thing” is to just be free of money, to have my time be my own and not someone else’s. Good start

[@chrispetrienet]

Thanks so much for posting this great video - so many things resonated in a different domain - for me in music getting sidetracked on many things throughout my life. Still learning the same lesson in my late 30s. Helps a lot to hear others’ stories and it is rare like this

[@PatGavinProductions]

This is solid advice. Sometimes doing what you love for a job makes you hate what you used to love. Life moves very fast and you will get left behind if you are not careful.

[@udayrajbiswas]

Thank you Van, I am 24 and still stuck as to what my calling is, please keep making such videos.

[@bkbinj6320]

Van, Thanks for your perspective.

[@adamwright8371]

Interesting video, Van. I knew since I was 10 years old that filmmaking was my thing. I’ve been doing it my whole life and am at the point you were at previously. It’s not a compulsion for me anymore, instead it feels like a chore. I’ve been searching for something else, but maybe I just need to be okay with the fact that it feels like a chore right now, be patient, and wait for the enthusiasm to come back.

[@wavetro]

oh the timing of me finding this video lol. this was brilliant advice that i'll keep in mind- thank you Van!

[@johnflynn6140]

this is 100% your thing your a great film/video/youtuber/creator whatever you want to call it you're very good at it.

[@thisisnotrobi]

Mr. Van. Im so inspired by this. I started a podcast and doing a creative journey. I teach poetry to kids, and hope to make art a job. Just to support my volunteer work. Want to go to the Middle East agin. But yeah man. I love the typewriter and adventuring you do. I do typewriter poetry and now I van life in my car. Yeah man, thanks so much for these videos. I could cry from this video. May blessings tear you a new one.

[@BugAndAHalf]

MAN THE DAY I FOUND YOUR CHANNEL WAS THE BEST DAY AND THE BEST THING THAT HAPENNED TO ME. SIR YOU ARE AMAZING YOU ARE INSPIRATIONAL AND YOU ARE AWESOME

[@TonyNelsonCamping]

The insights you present are GOLD. Anybody that needs to reassess their way forward needs to visit here often. 😎👌🙏🏻

[@daGOODkine]

Love you man. Thanks for this , don’t ever stop