The truth about being a content creator (or, "quit apologizing and be an artist")

quit apologizing and be a f***ing artist
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[@atomfellows]

This is absolutely the most important video on this site. Watch it. Then watch it again. Take a deep breath. Go into the bathroom and have a good cry, if you have to, then...create that which is most important to you. Create something that sings to the world, "this is me! I am ALIVE!" Because whenever you let fly your art, the world gets a little better. Thank you, Zoe.

[@zoe_bee]

Thank you so much, Atom. You are such a beautiful soul and I am so thankful to call you my friend 💜

[@atomfellows]

@@zoe_bee You as well, Zoe. 🙏

[@ThePowerBunny]

I love seeing beautiful internet friendships. Thank you Zoe and Atom for brightening my day with your comments ❤️

[@billyalarie929]

I love this place, this little corner of the thing.

[@openroomxyz]

@@zoe_bee It really amazing video!

[@joshuacurfman4679]

Thanks for being a fucking artist ❤️

[@foxtail286]

One thing that people often forget is that your viewers, unlike the algorithm, aren't robots. If your work is good and you enjoy doing it, eventually it'll stick and you will have a small community. There will always be someone on your side.

[@zooom-rk2vy]

thank u random human stranger on the internet, i think thsi vid and your comment are the small push i needed to finally actually start my channel.

[@LegalKimchi]

Well, this video is something that zapped me right to my core. after seeing my last video, which took so much work, do less than desirable numbers i really felt close to stopping. i was really close. Then i had a conversation with my wife about it. I told her about the underperformance of the video and she said, "but it is really good and you enjoyed making it. So keep doing that." Basically, be a fucking artist. this video hit the same way. thank you for making it.

[@zoe_bee]

Well, I for one am glad to see you stick around. This platform is made better by your videos, and I believe the algorithm *will* see that one day! ☺️

[@TheMusicalFruit]

Your wife sounds very wise.

[@MulberryDays]

oh hey, the algorithm didn't show me that one at all! and i've been watching a lot of Andor essays lately, and i *am* subscribed. guess i'd better ring that goddam bell. i don't particularly enjoy notifications but i also dislike the machine hiding things from me 😅

[@Davidhadar81]

I love your videos and I wish you keep doing them. That said, I think you have a day job so you can treat KZbin as pure art or a hobby. But I think that Zoe Bee is trying to also say is that once KZbin is your day job "just be a fucking artist" is not enough. That's at least how I understand it.

[@Davidhadar81]

Also, your latest video is now on my watch later list.

[@ericsalazar4027]

"I don't know a punk song that changed the world but, I know a few that changed me."

[@itaiko5498]

Rock on, my dude

[@gatergates8813]

Keep on loving, keep on fighting, and hold on, hold on, hold on for your life

[@janschulte8434]

Changing a couple of lines from KZbin to the educational system und that's how many teachers feel. Torn between "teach how you are told" and "teach as your most authentic self", between "listen to everybody, because everybody is important" and "don't take what your students say in any way personally". Sure, we need to talk to each other, but when you're out there, on KZbin or in front of a class, we're alone on our stage ... so let's be fucking artists.

[@ShinyTillDawn]

Human greed can go inflate itself.

[@pavelandreev4727]

My didactics professor says teaching is not a job, it is art. Why then are teachers asked to be robots that repeat the same shit over and over? Why must they be torn in the way you described? In my country for the last couple of decades a principle of competition was introduced to the educational system. It is failing miserably. I found Zoe's channel researching stuff on motivation in my spare time and it got me hooked. I since learned a lot on cooperation, on the better ways the evaluate knowledge and progress, on the interactions in the learning environment. I am now studying non-formal education and hoping to contribute a little bit to change the educational system, one child/adult at a time.

[@remmytheclown3125]

When you mentioned not only that those numbers represent someone watching your videos, you took the extra time for the viewer to let that sink in instead of going on to the next thing. I always new that's what the data points ment but taking that extra second or two to visualize that it actually impacted someone...I genuinely started crying until the end this video. Thank you... just thank you...I really needed that and didn't realize it. QuQ

[@t.k.5088]

I'll just link your video every time I find another ignorant buffoon claiming "it's easy to make money nowadays thanks to social media and the internet". To you and all content creators out there... thank you, for all your hard work is easily accessible to keep us entertained and informed in a world that demands us to be bitter and unempathetic for profits. - a failed, broke artist

[@Generic_786]

I've always admired you and your content style so much. You've always struck me as highly intelligent, hardworking, and genuine. Seeing you be raw and honest like this just exemplifies this. You are amazing and I have so much respect for you. Truly thank you for all of the things you've made and work you've put in over the years. Some of your work has been essential for me accepting who I am and realizing it's not just me, systems around me suck, people suck, but they can also be good, kind, and supportive. Again, I can't tell you how much you've inspired and impacted me over the years. Keep being you.

[@CJBintheHouse]

Holy fuck I needed this. What’s funny is I’ve given myself the exact same advice, however it’s always good to have my thoughts independently verified. I feel like this advice is made for us just as much as it is for herself.

[@emilianotechs]

ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?!? I've been having the most depressed day completely questioning my artistic motivation. Then I log into KZbin and this is the first suggested video!??!?! The algorithm did good for once! Thank you Zoe Bee!

[@MintyVoid]

i haven't dived into the vid, that comment made me so angry. Artists (hi artist here) are also fucking burnt out and miserable. We're not supported or respected enough for it to count. 'Complaining' is a symptom of a need not being met, and this is extremely important to understand. No amount of complaining is too much, and every feeling attached to it is valid and SHOULD be considered and empathized with. I am truly and throughout fed the fuck up with others disregarding others feelings (or their OWN feelings). Complaining, over explaining, rage quitting, struggling, burnout, depressed- every single one of these and more are COMPLETELY NORMAL TO FEEL and are never WRONG to feel. There's a need not being met, the only way to figure it out is to reflect and to try to understand it- explore it. Sometimes that's in the form of a video, or a therapy session, or a heart to heart with a friend or a journal page. Like holy shit LET PEOPLE FEEL.

[@dominictemple]

That last line of your comment is so very fucking true. Well bloody said Minty, well said. Bravo!

[@endlesssorrowfb700]

I interpreted the stop apologizing coment very differently There are so many poeple in this world that hate others in this world because of fundamental differences. Sometimes its best to stop abologizing and be a 'fucking artist' Why apologize for being yourself?

[@jonahblaine]

As an extremely engaged and avid fan of KZbin for 10 years, and as a new and emerging content creator with a young KZbin channel, this video, and the sentiments shared, are incredibly powerful. The form and artistry with which it is constructed, and the emotions and ideas themselves. Thank you

[@gjshomeofsilliness9391]

As a former streamer who got worn down by Twitch's refusal to care about the majority of its streamers, I get this. I so fucking get this, it hurts! Now, I'm considering going back into streaming, thanks to this video. I may do it. I may not. But, I'll think fondly of this video regardless, if nothing else but for it giving me some sliver of hope. Thank you Zoe.

[@samtheanthro]

Well done! As someone who is trying to be a creator and has made way too many videos apologizing about making videos, these kinds of videos from creators bigger than me are really helpful. It can be hard not to get so wrapped up in all the ins and outs of videomaking that you don't actually make anything, or when you do it's something that you're ultimately not happy with. I hope in 2023 I can make myself stop worrying and just be an artist. And I hope that when I fail to meet my expectations I can come rewatch this video and forgive myself

[@maya-claire]

I'm a much smaller content creator in comparison with many of my hours being dedicated to Twitch and I'm tired of hearing people tell creators to "shut up and just keep making content." While I also juggle work and going to school, we're people too, we're not machines. We make content because we love to do it, but especially when making long form content, it's anything but easy and so easy to get overwhelmed and burnout and not handling that will only make things worse. Thank you for making this video

[@HolyKoolaid]

Ummm... Have you been living in my ceiling crawl space?! Because as a fellow artist this was eerily relatable.

[@dominictemple]

Zoe, from the motto of WW2 general "Vinegar Joe" Stilwell, "Don't let the bastards grind you down." You're doing magnificent work and you deserve neither scorn nor shame for admitting that you are merely mortal with all the vulnerabilities therein.

[@chaoticcasserole]

As someone who's recently become a content creator, and actually now has fans that I've never personally met, thank you so much for making this video. Having strangers that know of me, and actually spend time listening to what I have to say is a scary thing, and your videos are comforting and remind me of why I do art.

[@l.s.engler]

What a perfect video to find right when standing on that edge and trying to decide whether to finally take that plunge into make videos. Zoe never misses. Thanks for this, and the impeccable timing, damn.

[@iparihangya]

this is such a good video and also you are absolutely right. my "issue" with apology videos is that it creates a dynamic where the creator owes something to their audience. i dont think that should be the case (especially on here). i love seeing creators post whatever makes them happy, sometimes (most of the time) i have very little to no idea that a thing even exists, and someone manages to talk about it with such passion that it is beautiful. so i think no one owes their audience to "just be an artist" and i love it with my entire heart when someone does stuff. thank you 🤍

[@CrabOnABeach]

it's so weird hearing such a levelheaded and relaxing voice swear so casually XD this video is a wonderful, beautiful masterpiece. You really are a fucking artist

[@jimbrittain402]

I love, love, LOVE the easy profanity! And the repetition? Poetry! Poetry! Take your fucking like, and make another fucking video!

[@EthelThurston]

Not gonna lie, this had me breaking down in tears in the second half. As a trans person currently it feels like so much of my world is on fire, and so whenever I take time away from my work channel to work on my personal one (this one), it feels like I'm failing at what I do. I mean, I already have a channel that makes money, why would I want to create another one? Why would I want a space detached from a decade of trauma? I came out as a trans voice in the secular community at the peak of GamerGate and it's just been a downhill ride from there. And whilst I can't just stop, I do have important stuff to say on trans rights, how victims of CSA are treated, and the way things are going in general right now, I do need space to be... well human. Just this past fortnight I've been drawing art (kobolds) for a video I'd like to do in future, and part of me is afraid about how much time it's taking up, how much time it's taking away from my other work. I always feel like everyone else has this cohesive plan and knows the best way to go about things, and just this... acknowledgement that that isn't the case, it really helps. So thank you.

[@hughcaldwell1034]

Trust me, I know roughly zero people with a cohesive plan, particularly who create things for a living. I struggle with executive dysfunction and have problems with long-term motivation. I don't know what to tell you except that you don't need to know everything in advance. You just need to know enough to get through the next bit. That's also hard, I know, but it isn't as hard. I usually start my books having a vague idea of the finale, and one or two plot beats (if that). They serve as a good general guide, but I have to work the details out chapter by chapter, and everything evolves based on what I've written most recently. I feel like the same is somewhat applicable to life, though it can definitely be an anxious way to live. Also sorry to hear about the circumstances surrounding your coming out - that sounds horrible. And it's even worse now. Please let me know if there are any groups doing good work to donate to.

[@TheCarpDM]

Whatever you decide to do, good luck!

[@therobotjesterz]

I knew I recognized your name! I'm subbed to your work channel. Small world.

[@michaelmueller6833]

I grew up with meth head parents and lived in poverty for half of my life, stop being a little crybaby pussy. There are no chicks with dicks only dudes with tits lmao. No one gives a fuck about your feelings over their own 😂🤡

[@hughcaldwell1034]

Well, apparently a hateful comment was removed between me reading it and me getting around to writing this. So glad to see no one responded directly to that little tantrum. I'd just like to say, though - Ethel, I give a f*ck. Loads of people do, and we don't say it enough. It's no good to say "just ignore the negativity" if we don't also strive for explicit positivity. So I'm sending love your way. Never forget that there are countless people on your side.

[@SugarFreeMocha]

I was 2 minutes into this video, and all I can say is thank you. When you're so used to seeing comments like that, it can feel like the only value people see in an artist is their output. That we are our product, and there is no value outside of that. I'm still struggling to dig that belief out of me 'cause of product-first-parenting (good result, good child; bad result, bad child). There's so many areas of our lives that we can be seen as tools that I forgot I loved art because it reminded me I'm human. So, thank you, Zoe. I'm really grateful for this video.

[@Markd315]

Maybe this is not what the comment meant but I took it differently. I figured it meant that the viewer doesn't really care what your excuse is for not putting out a video, or changing your style or whatever. The peek into the kitchen is not always interesting for a casual viewer. As a casual viewer I am going to watch the videos that are appealing to me and skip the apology/meta/negative seeming ones about burnout, your life, etc because I just don't really care about those details even if you are a real person on the other end because I don't *want* parasocial relationships. Of course, that means I'm also exactly the kind of viewer who will affect the analytics and drive your channel growth, so be sure to cater exactly to me and nobody else!

[@LaurentheFlute]

This made me cry, in a good way, so thank you. There are a lot of us out here trying to make things and do things and it's just so, so hard. Thanks for the reminder that it's worth doing even if it's hard and even if it doesn't necessarily go far.

[@SloyXP]

God the waltzing spindle we as creators have to jig just to continue doing ART within this ecosystem is really depressing when you spell it out like that. It got hard to remember that it's art we're making in the end. Thank you for reminding that we do

[@zoe_bee]

solidarity, friend! 💜💜💜

[@nozzwald]

I am currently writing a play with a premise featuring some prominent current events, particularly the intersection of libraries, drag performance, and religious reactionaries. While the topic is not attached directly to my life, the story is fully influenced by my working alongside a terrible person in a special education classroom. It has been over a year in the making and I’m finally writing the dialogue for the first draft. The greatest fear I have with this art is how it will be perceived. This video reminded me how fearless I was just to have the idea for the play. I’m going to write the fuck out of this play and I’m going to share it with the world when it is finished. I deserve my art to be seen and my words to be heard. Thank you for the encouragement to work on this deeply personal and scary piece.

[@curiousboi-w-2438]

this is a great follow-up to the previous videos, where you've talked about your feelings. it summarises things broadly and poetically, and I find the larger picture and wider perspective to be a lovely way to reflect on the situation

[@piculra7441]

Nothing I do is remotely as difficult or complex as video essays, yet I still feel very burnt-out - and much of this video still hits close to home for content creation in general. So I can only guess how stressful high-effort video essays are to make... If someone tells you to "quit apologising and be a fucking artist", that says more about them than about you. Seems they feel entitled to your art...but you shouldn't be obligated to just keep creating more and more until burnt-out to the last cinders. As it turns out, recognising the importance of your mental health is a *good* thing, and I'm grateful for openness about it. Also...art is like charity; creating it is generally a good thing, but it's not an obligation. Any amount of art is above and beyond what should be "required". So...what is there to apologise for? Whenever I see an artist (at least, one who creates content I care about) apologising for anything getting in the way of their art...I think of it as a bad thing that they feel the need to apologise (at least, in cases where it indicates low self-esteem), but it shows the artist themselves as a selfless/humble person, which is certainly admirable.

[@GelatinSkeleton]

this made me cry 🥺 in my head i was crafting a kind comment for you to combat the painful things people were saying to you, but at the halfway point when you turned it around i just started sobbing. i’m not a youtuber but i’ve just gotten much more serious about writing and the only things that keep me going (after a long string of bullying about my writing from a former “friend” group) have been the handful of times someone told me my work really meant something to them. i dunno, i guess the long and short of this comment is that it meant a lot to hear, indirectly, from someone i look up to and respect,,, that i’m *also* an artist. sending you much love. i didn’t realize how much i needed this until i heard it. i hope in my heart of hearts that even if you ever decide to stop making videos that you’ll always be creating something. your voice is powerful and unique and the world is better for it. thank you. ❤

[@nathanrohde3440]

Algorithms and competition are a brutal and unforgiving mistress. Threats of violence are inexcusable and can be overwhelming if you don't have certain adaptive and maladaptive coping mechanisms. There should be criminal consequences but law enforcement doesn't take it seriously.

[@RattlesnakeJakey]

Been really stuck on a piece of music for weeks and oddly I think this is exactly what I needed more than anything else. Thanks, Zoe, you're a brilliant human being and you do amazing things.

[@tverdyznaqs]

Yeah, I'm always thinking about this tension between the contradictory goals of artistic expression and content creation and how its present is basically any act of creation a human being can engage in, weather we like it or even are aware of it or not. Every content creator is an artist, and even artist is a content creator, those 2 roles always end up coexisting in conflict that can't really ever be resolved as far as I can tell. And since this conflict is inevitable, we can't really judge it to be 'good' or 'bad' because it just is we have to accept it as a kind of inherent part of the creative process. Unfortunately, that lack of resolution feels really unsatisfying and my brain keeps trying to find a way to somehow resolve it even though it literally knows it can't. This is really frustrating to me and I felt this same sort of feeling coming from you through this video, so I'm glad to know that, at the very least, we're all in this together, that this feeling is universal, to an extent. I hope what I wrote made sense, I had a really hard time articulating those thoughts haha, but I'm glad I tried anyway. Thank you for making video that regularly give me and others such opportunities to reflect on interesting philosophical questions like this :3

[@tnlegends1512]

Short but powerful, I truly love your view of the world and find it inspires me to question my own and better it. Regardless of if you have time to read this, thank you Zoe!

[@LadyGoggles]

i needed this. i really, really fucking needed this. i want to be an artist so badly but i look at my work and think... im not there yet. i haven't been as actively creating due to grad school commitments and offline responsibilities/problems. i've neglected my passion projects here on yt and elsewhere because i don't feel i'm good enough, especially when the numbers and data points seem to prove that. i want to so badly to be an artist that can survive off her creations and be known for them, but my fear and trepidation and self-doubt hold me back. but this... helps. a great deal, more than you might know. so thank you. and happy 2023.

[@raphaelworkman_]

WOW! Luck is right! I just got really lucky. I encountered a very inspiring quote, then as I was writing it down in my journal I was inspired by my summary of it, so I wrote that down. Then I saw your video. WOW! I created a voiceover and after editing it, I didn't think it was good enough so I changed my recording studio and recorded it again. I didn't like that either. The recording is fine and LibriVox is volunteers anyway so why am I being so hard on myself? I have a parody video sitting on the proverbial shelf collecting dust because my vocals aren't exactly where I want them to be. Why am I waiting? Anyway, your video is exactly what I needed to hear to propel me into the new year! The last few lines are still ringing in my ears making me want to do it MY way because there IS NO RIGHT WAY. The main thing is for me to just DO it, not wait anymore. Thank you so much, Zoe, for this video, but also for all your videos. I learn so much and I enjoy your art. I fancy myself a writer and admire your writing as well. Here is the inspirational stuff that hit me hard and when combined with your video will ring in the new year for me: "Your 1st voiceover will be bad. Your 1st video will be bad. Your 1st parody will be bad. Your 1st podcast will be bad. Your 1st ANYTHING will be bad. but you can't make your 100th without making your 1st. So put your ego aside, and START!" Then I thought: "Fail faster so you can succeed sooner!" Then I thought: "Try stuff! Make stuff! Do stuff! Create stuff!" Zoe, please keep up the good work. Don't listen to the negative because there are way more of us who love you than those who don't. Happy New Year! I can't wait to see what you do next!

[@Owesomasaurus]

Top tier script read from Zoe. Top shelf editing and composition from the editor. Great work from all involved.

[@RobinWatson27]

Honestly a little baffled that someone who thought like that could end up watching this channel. Okay just got to the second half of the video. Wow Zoe thanks so much for putting that into the world

[@scott1138]

I don’t regularly comment. I like Zoe Bee but I am not the biggest fan. But this is a fucking artist at work. She is inspirational. Vulnerable, personal, touching, smart: these recent videos are the action in response to the Banksy quote “If you get tired, learn to rest, not to quit.” I for one will be here to watch and listen to what you have to say, when you are ready.

[@ericsalazar4027]

Zoe in a real way you help me want to read and engage in art in a way that was in many ways extinguished after highschool lit classes kinda killed my joy of diving into literature and media.

[@MotherKojiro]

This kind of thing is so important, and it isn't being said enough; the fact that you could just use the first 4 minutes of this video as a pretty spot-on "Welcome to KZbin" is proof of that. You keep being you, take good care of yourself, and I'll be right here in the stands.

[@TempestuousInquiry]

A lot of what you talked about in the beginning of the video are some of the biggest reasons why I haven't really made the jump to put my art out there. My anxiety overwhelms me when I think about everything that I need to think about... But the tears started flowing as soon as the comments came up. Knowing that my reactions to the content that I adore is being seen by the people who created it really warms my heart, especially since most of my reactions are just me sharing how much the content has meant to me. If you're a creator I know it's hard, but there are people out there genuinely influenced by your work and really feel joy when they see you succeed. ♥

[@tativi99]

i've been following your channel for a while now and your content is always worth it, but this video just got me pretty emotional even though my area of art is (I think) quite different from yours thank you zoe, with admiration from the other side of the equator and language barrier not withstanding ♡ the sensitivity you bring to your videos is comforting as it is moving

[@arainnsolo713]

I keep coming back to this, and today this inspired me no not only write a 2500 word piece around it, but writing it reminded me how it felt to live in my passion. And to stop trying to do the dance so much, remember who I am and what lights my lamp. So thank you. You're making a difference and inspiring others to make their differences along the way.

[@donschamun273]

Way too many people cannot be trusted with the distance and the anonymity that the internet provides. Their empathy doesn't stretch that far. But their entitlement swells. You do you, Zoe. We're here for it.

[@giudalberto]

Ok. I loved your content before, I'm trying, losing my energy pursuing what I'm doing, but what I love about art is that there's enough place for everyone's voices out there, and we need them all. I personally need one as yours to speak out. Wanted to tell you. Thank you for every effort you put into this, tiny or gargantuan as it might be, and thanks for THIS video in particular

[@LoveLearnShareGrow]

You don't ever explicitly say what those words mean to you, but I get the sense that you interpret "Quit complaining" different than I do. Because as a content consumer, I relate to those words. When I see them, I think of the many, many, many times content creators will apologize for not releasing content on schedule. But I don't give a fuck about the schedule. Maybe "the algorithm" does, but if I like your content, I'm gonna watch your new video when it comes out. I'm not going to unsubscribe because it's late. I probably won't even notice that it's late. The people who notice are the "die hard" fans who either want you to take breaks when you need to, or absolute lunatics who get angry when free stuff is not available on Thursday at Noon sharp. You don't need to apologize to either group. And everybody else doesn't even notice. So don't apologize! The algorithm doesn't give a shit about your apology, if that's what you're worried about (and that is an understandable concern). If you want to make a video about your struggles in your chosen career, absolutely go for it. Everybody has problems with their careers and lives, that's a legit topic of discussion. But week to week, when you need to skip a video or whatever, don't apologize. Just do what you need to do. Maybe I'm the one interpreting those words wrong, but I can't help but agree. Content creators should stop apologizing for being imperfect. Only crazy people expect you to be perfect. And those people who send threats and shit? Oh my god, please report those to the authorities. That's not ok.

[@jadefalcon001]

One of the many things I love about your work, Zoe, is that you can take the scary, the sad, and even the mean and abusive things in the world, and you do your capital-F capital-A Fucking Artist alchemy to them. You transmute them into these amazing statements of affirmation, hope, encouragement, and insight. You are a Fucking Artist(tm)! The fact that you can do this kind of magic is irrefutable proof that you're a GREAT artist, too. Thank you for all your work in 2022. I eagerly await your creative adventures in the coming year. P.S. - I was pretty floored to see my comment show up in the video like that. I am humbled and also deeply pleased that such a comment was a comfort to you in the face of negative reactions. You're a good egg, Zoe. I'm glad to have found you and your work.

[@ectooo]

this one is so powerful. I might actually become a creator next year...

[@JamesonHuddle]

But Zoe! Listening to all of your audience and not reading all the comments is impossible! I really like the video, thanks for swearing. Very motivation, much wow

[@zoe_bee]

It's almost like the creator economy is purposefully built around impossible standards because it values money over people's well-being.... 🤔 But seriously, thank you for being here and for being so supportive across these past couple years. It means a lot 💜

[@ShinyTillDawn]

Impossible standards are what Instagram, the adult industry, colleges, and the American Dream are all about.

[@cubancarp3019]

@@zoe_beepeople who change their genders are animals

[@cubancarp3019]

@@zoe_beepeople who change their gender are ugly freaks

[@cubancarp3019]

@@zoe_beewomen who kill unborn babies deserve domestic abuse

[@Krazylegz42]

Thank you Zoe. I've been hanging around on youtube long enough to know that it's fucking hard to be a youtuber; there's always something to improve, there's always mistakes, there's always a new algorithm to chase. But you're fucking doing it, you took the leap and you went full time and you're still here. You're the fucking artist we can all aspire to be

[@Scorialimit]

Your video on motivation and the school system really helped my stepsister. Her class was considered unteachable when she started, but as of now a few students are actually passing. I don't want to undersell her people skills and ability to teach, but I do think the ideas you had really made a difference on that class!

[@shovel4040]

Amazing. Just amazing. How does this channel not have a million subscribers? That's the question I've asked the first time I saw one of your videos, and it's the one I'm asking now. This whole channel is solid gold, both in terms of content and quality, while managing to stay beautifully honest. Thank you Zoe. Amazing work.

[@ShinyTillDawn]

The KZbin algorithm is as garbage as Grammarly

[@GregCubed]

I’ve been doing KZbin for about 4 years (3.5 on my current channel) and you really hit the nail on the head. I’m glad you emphasized how it’s mostly just luck, and how there’s no formula for getting anywhere. For over 3 years I only had only gotten to around 300 subscribers, then one video a few months ago blew up and grew me to over 2,600. Was it any different from the videos I made right before and after it? Not really. It just happened to be the right thing at the right time for me. And so we keep on creating

[@kylearchung8229]

I believe that artists should have a good amount of contempt for their audience. To create things in spite of your audience. The common folk don't know what they want. They don't know art. Give us what you consider to be art. Even if nobody gets it, they'll know it's good.

[@cheerijessie]

Oh my goodness this was beautiful I'm blessed and privileged in life to have a circle of friends and acquaintances who are wonderfully creative people. Some are very apologetic too and it just, y'know it hits me in the heart because it always feels like somewhere along the way they got convinced by someone or something that they take up too much room. I don't know what their inboxes look like so I don't know if people just don't get how much work is involved, or if they're just not forgiving, or if I just think I take up too much room and it's the old "we see things as we are" situation. I don't know Anyway, I started watching your videos within the last year and I'm enjoying them. You do great work and have a lovely gentle style, and this video really resonated

[@chu-gacha1172]

Being an artist in the digital age seems to come with drawbacks that we aren’t necessarily able to address completely due to the ever changing nature of the Internet, and the internet being relatively new. What it means to be an artist has changed, but so have we culturally in a meaningful way. Everyone complains about the Internet causing all of these types of issues, and while that’s true it’s probably just as true that it majorly exaggerated issues we already had to an absurd degree while creating new ones. I love videos that address the structural problems with being a content creator, usually adding new prospective about the issue that the other couldn’t put into words. late stage capitalism and 24/7 access to a wide net of content, communication, and profit is unsurprisingly accelerating society at light speed towards what was already inevitable. (If you’re interested in videos that do a deep dive into this topics, I highly recommend CJ the Xs video on Jeff bezos, surprisingly relevant)

[@ShinyTillDawn]

You can make AI art and legally commit copyright infringement. That's how twisted the Internet is.

[@chu-gacha1172]

@@ShinyTillDawnyeah, there’s the human part AI misses so of course it has to steal human art while leaving the actual artists without recognition.

[@guidedexplosiveprojectileg9943]

@@chu-gacha1172 i love real art

[@bertberw8653]

I am an educator and one of your videos profoundly changed the way I view my job and how I approach it (the one about grades being a scam). I feel like I'm a MUCH better professional now because of the light bulbs that your video turned on in my head. Watching that video for the first time was definitely one of the most relevant watershed moments in my career, and I'm grateful for you for doing that. There you go, another positive message to strengthen your spirit. I hope you have a great 2023 Zoe.

[@30secondsflat]

This video is a work of art, and we are all glad you made it (as we are glad your channel exists)

[@avidrucker]

Agreed!

[@kassemir]

Not gonna lie, at first I kinda thought Zoe snapped. Glad to see the positive vibes won out in the end :)

[@ashemountain]

I can't help but remember when an author friend of mine's dad died. Approximately a week after it happened, she got an email from someone telling her to get over it and get back to work. Wow!

[@mab_cat]

As someone who's torn in a million directions and wants to make ALL THE THINGS, this is really helpful. Thank you!!

[@jocloud31]

I am 2 seconds into this video and am TOTALLY pissed. That comment was clearly written by someone who has never had a creative thought in their life

[@MegaRonTV]

Ending the year strong. This was really an important message to me, as someone who regularly feels handcuffed by feeling that whatever I put out now or in the future has to be perfect. Great work, Zoe! And best of luck in 2023 to you and all you artists out there, watching.

[@durrbill]

absolutely adore this video, even as a somewhat smaller creator every little point you talked about was something i've felt before, keep fighting the good fight! :)

[@oricoriander]

I'm not an artist, not a creator, not anyone who's done what you do, but this video is important and I'm glad it's here.

[@phoenixly]

Awesome video as someone working towards being a content creator its a good reminder that every data point is a real person and its also comforting to know that Im not alone in many of the struggles I face. Thanks for the amazing video I will definitely be coming back to this one when Im demotivated in the future

[@HeatherBrookeiv]

I've just come to so many of these realizations myself, and it's so funny, it's as if as soon as I realized (really deep in my soul realized, not just mentally) that I need to just CREATE suddenly other people saying the same thing are everywhere and I am encouraged over and over again! It's fantastic.

[@cuckoophendula8211]

Thank you so much Zoe. I'm a newer subscriber who subbed just because I saw one video about your video on conspiracy theorists. It happened to align with something that I eventually wanted to share with the world (a book that muses on why a lot of risk factors for drug addiction and falling for a cult overlap so much). I've been lacking motivation to follow through with it, and I really needed to hear what you said here today.

[@DezMarivette]

Love love love the encouragement you just shared. Thank you for the beautiful reminders and the gentle nudge to explore our voids. What a beautiful way to describe it.

[@hashdankhog8578]

this is incredible, the double meaning of "You are a fucking artist" is perfect and really highlights your message.

[@hikariblue]

In a year where I have tried to be too many things to too many different types of people, and questioned my own value as not just an artist but sometimes also a person, this is everything I needed to hear. Your channel has resonated on a real level with me, as a reminder to be genuine, that it is possible to be kind and thoughtful and supportive of others, that there is no shame in showing our flaws. I don't make videos, but your message is so in line with the kind of work I want to make. And I for one am so glad I found you, and that this video found me right now, when I needed to hear it most. Thank you.

[@seapineapple1239]

Thank you Zoe for this video. It's happened before, but once again you're videos have really inspired me to try my hand at video essays. I really like how you talked about how the community is there and we all want to see each other succeed. The part about how each view and comment is a person really spoke to me, and I really want to be able to speak to people like that too. Just thanks for everything this year. I'm sorry it was such a rough year for you, but you genuinely moved me so many times this year, and I really appreciate it. Keep doing what you're doing, you really are a great artist.

[@DarvusIX]

This... hit hard. I've never fancied myself an artist, but I know burnout and just how debilitating it can be. In my case... it festered for years before the bottom dropped out, making me all but useless as a "contributing member of society", watching as the business I'd tried so hard to build collapse around me. I felt my anxiety rise as you discussed all the different roles needed as a YT creator, because it's the same thing I experienced in a very different field. It's utterly maddening and can break anyone who doesn't manage it properly (and sometimes not even then), no matter how good they may be. I legit cried. I could hear the frustration and weariness in your voice during that first half and it resonated so deeply. Then I heard the genuine hope, determination, and affirmation during that second half. I've heard people speaking with authority trying to convince themselves as much as anyone else of something they're saying, knowing with every syllable that they didn't believe a word of it. That you were able to do that with truth, honesty, and genuine vulnerability says volumes. Rather than convincing, however, your words were both encouragement to others and acknowledgement of yourself: You are valid. You are worthy. YOU. ARE. A. FUCKING. ARTIST. As long as it's in your best interests to do so, please keep it up. Your work matters.

[@ari88elle]

Thank you for this. I'm not even a content creator but this hit me. This performance demands, productivity demands, they are impossible to meet. And we are made to feel insufficient when we don't do the impossible. When we are human. Also, while I do understand constructive criticism, I'll never understand why people come to someone's channel just to put them down. Thanks for not giving up, but if you do, know you won't be forgotten.

[@Starshine1229]

This is beautiful. As a content writer I feel like I'm hitting a wall at times, but most times I love writing and it feels great when people resonate with my stories. Even the educational articles I write have a big impact. Yes there are days I want to quit and feel discouraged by the mean spirited comments people say, but it motivates me to.try harder and keep going. We're fucking artists, and that in itself is an amazing feeling. 💖

[@Chris-bb9st]

I actually never leave comments on almost any of the videos I watch, but this video was indeed a masterpiece. The dramatic shift between the pessimistic first half, where you repeat the one negative comment (and my goodness, imagine the experience of the person who left that comment watching this video for a moment) while revealing the unrealistic expectations placed on content creators, and the second half, where optimism and confidence are put on display with the repetition of a part of the same negative comment, is so powerful. Although I have heard many content creators in the past say they read comments, this video was the most efficacious in the sense that it actually caused me to leave a comment. What I want to say, if you end up reading this comment, is that almost every video I have watched from you has been well-produced, insightful, and, a lot of the times, evocative of emotion. There are some artists who work their entire lives and fail to produce art like that. You should be extremely proud of the work you produce and the success you have had from it. Making this video, which no doubt will go on to inspire many content creators that are down on their luck, is a gesture of reaching out and love that I admire deeply. Well done, Zoe.

[@gracefay8620]

This was such a wonderful, comforting, kind video :) Thanks for making feel worthy and able to write and draw and paint, I worry people will react badly to my creations but I know that… I’ll be alright :) Thank you Zoe :)

[@TyBriLong]

I’m not exactly sure when I subscribed to you. But I was going through my subscribers list and just watching and catching up on other people’s videos. You’re at the very bottom because of your name starting with Z, and I clicked your channel and this was the first video I clicked(Because clearly I subscribed for a reason) You have absolutely no idea how touching and beautiful this monologue is. You hit every nail precisely for what it is. Nailing down what many content creators are anxious and scared about but circling it back to such a succinct point that all art is… scary, but it’s also uniquely always going to be a form of self expression. Something completely unique to each person. A version of themselves that they put onto paper, or into a video, or music, etc. I’m not even kidding when I say this was the most encouraging and motivational video I’ve seen on KZbin in over 5 years. And I used to watch motivational videos to wake up every morning. This is an Absolutely beautiful reminder of why I’m subscribed.

[@pavelandreev4727]

Hey Zoe, I love your work, I love your channel, I love the fact that you are here, struggling but fighting, touching so many people. I believe that to be a true artist you first need to be an honest person, so I say to you: chapeau l'artiste! I will also add that you and people like you inspire me with your bravery to be a F-in artist myself, in my own little ways! Love from Bulgaria! Thank you!

[@TheRadBaron]

you made me cry! i came here thinking "oh look zoe's got a new video, i'll do what i always do and watch it while eating" and i got tears on my pizza!

[@notbenh]

**standing ovation**

[@ericnute]

It's been a year. Thank you for sharing, Zoe. I'm looking forward to seeing your art, your insights, in the coming year. Thank you.

[@shake3039]

I‘m a hobbyist writer, I write when I have the time to. I even show my writing to others from time to time and I‘ve been debating on if 1. I should try and invest more time and effort into writing since I enjoy it so much and 2. Weather or not put it out there for others to see. This video has shown me that the answer to both is yes and, that I am a fucking artist! Thank you Zoe for making this and for giving me the courage to try my hand at content creation. Since it doesn’t really matter what people say as long as I so what I live.

[@thisiseeade]

I admire you a lot, Zoe. Ty for this video. There are so many random 'youtube education' channels that fail to ever address how success is so often driven by factors that are completely outside of a creator's control. I've been at peace with that for a while, but I'm glad this video exists 💖 happy new year

[@walrusmaximus]

I love your videos so much. Not only because of the subject matter but also the way they're presented with genuine emotion. Thanks again, and have a great new year!

[@dcauwatchtower]

Thank you, Zoe. I really needed this.

[@mattiesavannahpahl9934]

Hi James!

[@justinmccrindle3718]

Love this so much. It was beautiful. What has blossomed out of your channel during this new bit of self-discovery has been inspiring. Thank you, truly, for sharing it all.

[@framemygaze]

This was such a brilliant, powerful video essay, i adore it!!!! The first half encapsulates viscerally how fucked the physical and mental labour placed on creators are. KZbin has not designed a friendly, self care place for it’s workers. Your voiceover is super articulate and such a great analysis of the insane, contradictory messages and expectations asked of creators. The editing and pacing is so perfect, and well done, it mimics the overwhelming stressful vibe perfectly. You also really capture the dehumanising, invalidating way some people speak about creators. Love the texts popping up, and your use of clips!! This second half of the video was so perfect, so reassuring and beautiful. Such nuanced, genuine advice. Everything you said was so true and what I needed to hear. I’ve only one made one video essay so far and it was the culmination of about a year of work. I’ve felt all the things you described in the video, and I like how you capture the contradictory, take care of yourself but also push hard to succeed with the algorithm. This was exactly the thing I needed to hear, I was already planning on taking as much time as I need to make my next video essay and it’s nice to have that validated. It’s so easy to feel like maybe I should push myself. But I’m not a corporation, I’m a single person, and I can take time to make gorgeous video essays I enjoy

[@tayloreh]

Thank you for this... for putting voice to how stressful and hypocritical it can be to be an artist, especially in a digital space. TBH I identify more with the first half than the last... The truth is there is a bit of a formula to success, even by your own admission. However, out of the platforms out there, youtube is probably the healthiest to work on and attracts people with greater attention spans and an interest in actual growth, but it doesnt mean that youtube artistry is a truly liberating experience. I would view it as a stepping stone while finding investors to make the projects you care about the most. I also dont want to be a wet blanket, but I feel like some positivity on this platform in the comments is always insincere, people trying to 'out positive' each other for likes on their comment... its a phenomenon nobody talks about because theres no way to measure it and it seems accusatory of ones fanbase to inquire about it. Definitely highly agree with the community aspect, the right people make any creative proccess worthwhile, even if it underperforms... i think we are all trying to find a healthy internet space to work out of, and I do genuinely like your content, ideas and personality, so not farming likes here ;) keep going!

[@easyflamer]

I don't feel like an artist, but you made me feel like my work is art and i teared up from that. Thank you so much for making a wholesome video to call in the new year

[@ixfalia]

This is why I'm subscribed to you. You're amazing and you make my life even just a little better with the work you do. Your apologies help me remember that I'm a human in a world of humans and my mistakes and failures don't define me, it's what I choose to do in response that does. Thank you. Keep shining, you're already great just as you are in the way that you are.

[@infamousXsniper055]

Wow... I'm not a content creator myself so idk if other content creators agree with this but this was a really great way to communicate the struggle of being a content creator. Even more impressive is how well you reversed the tone of the video. A few encouraging comments turned around the tone of the video and communicated hope which can be found within the struggle of being a content creator very well. Thank you.

[@NichePlays]

It's stuff like comments that open this video that make me want to make a private discord for creators to just trash people with comically bad takes like that. The number of fallacies and weird intitlement in content creation sucks most of the fun out of it and I hate to watch creators I really like (like your channel) burn out because of it. Like I personally went from just wanting to make simple/easy to watch videos to wanting to challenge myself to make weirder and more unique stuff, only to now just be focussed on wanting to make stuff I like in a vacuum (without worrying about anything outside of the quality of the video itself) without suffocating myself lol.

[@victor_bueno_br]

I'm not even a content creator (yet, at least. I'm starting a band soon) but that "you will be alright" at the end broke the tears out of me

[@ThePowerBunny]

Omg thank you for this video!! I feel stuck in art and you helped me push through a writer's block. I so appreciate you Zoe and I appreciate this channel!!

[@andregordon2599]

I fundamentally disagree with that comment dismissing the strife of content creators. I want the content creators i enjoy to actually enjoy life and not make things under diress or feel some sort of pressure, it ethically bothers me. Take all the time you need and do what it takes to make you feel better. I'm always gonna be there, and support where i can. I would like to hope the vast majority of the community you actually want to folow you would think the same way too.

[@onyxcat146]

Thank you for this. I’ve been feeling pretty low about the stuff I’ve been making. This was some much needed encouragement 😊