What It's Like to "MAKE IT"

[@vanneistat]

HATS, T-Shirts & Sweatshirts: spiritedman.com

[@yeungeddie]

You're underrated

[@NikonFM2n]

Hey Van FYI someone is trying to lure me into a scam on your comment section using your logo.

[@ryanm4319]

For me it’s the Success=Relief aspect. Much of “success” is just the calm relaxing simplicity at times of not having to worry about paying bills, and fixing your car, or buying a house. The general relief of making a lucrative amount of money doing what you love is a true game changer to your quality of life and perhaps more importantly stress relief. Great video as always thanks Van

[@piccalillipit9211]

I just commented the following: *IN 2015 I HAD MADE IT - I WAS WORTH $6 MILLION* the only problem was I wasn't actually happy... And thats the deal right? You make lots of money and magically your life is like the movies. Only its NOT. Its NOT like the movies and after the novelty wears off it can start to be very very empty and hollow. You see I fell for the western BS that money is everything. I sold Bulgarian and Polish cosmetics to American and British consumers and i could NOT have cared less about them... I was saved from this when I suffered brain damage in a mugging, 18 months later I was homeless and bankrupt on the streets of Bulgaria. I now live a very tiny, very frugal life as an author and I am HAPPY. My morals are twofold: 1) If you are chasing a dream - make damn well sure its YOUR dream and not the one programed into you by society or parents 2) The secret to being rich is to learn to spend less than you earn - spending is infinite ---§--- The only thing I truly LIKED about being wealthy was not having to add up what the shopping cost and not crawl under my own car in the rain to fix it. I came from an incredibly poor family, went to school in black trash bags too poor to afford coats. Adding up the things as you put them in the trolley at the supermarket was just what you did. And that is an unbelievable amount of stress in your life...

[@jendrivesajeep6656]

@@piccalillipit9211 what incredible insight! I'm sure there were so many more lessons you learnt along the way that you will be forever be grateful for even if that meant going thru tough times, I really like your outlook & appreciate you sharing it. I think if you went a tiny bit deeper, you would find money never meant material things to you - it signaled validation & that you "deserve" those things. (Stress free afternoon, a RESTful nights sleep) Not entitled, because I can tell you are not like that. Deserve as in worthy of those things. I hope that makes sense. Best of luck to you & your future. 😉

[@piccalillipit9211]

@@jendrivesajeep6656 - OH thank you so much. You are 100% correct - money was a validator of my existence.

[@KingCease]

I kinda did that without being financially successful. Just kinda stop “needing” to be successful. Became a nomad lived in my car and traveled where I wanted when I wanted. That actually became my success story. I felt Abundant l. I had the time freedom and mobility to do and go what ever I wanted.

[@piccalillipit9211]

@@KingCease - GOOD ON YOU...!!! I write in my upcoming book that living in a van cos you are homeless is degrading and miserable. Living in a van cos you want to is incredibly liberating and wonderful... Perspective and social pressure - its what makes the difference.

[@RachaelPadilla]

The tension created by your story of experience gained so beautifully told had me at the edge of my seat. Thank you for sharing your experience with the rest of us.

[@Liam_Mac]

Best way to describe it

[@tlcrf80mins73]

This is the 35th year of my career. The two things I've learned are: that everyone is winging it; and that you only have to be half a page in front of everyone else. Relief is still the overwhelming manifestation of success. PS - hat ordered 😁

[@TroyShaw]

I agree. As adults we're still just making it up as we go along. It makes me realize, we really don't know what we're doing and no wonder the world is screwed up.,

[@eddiewalker7252]

Hence impostor syndrome.

[@smustipher]

Lol...the winging it part is right... I almost panicked when I sat down to plan my year and realized that a lot of my career success just came from me trying a lot of things, some of it flopped terribly, some of it worked out fantastic. I still don't "know" what I'm doing though. Keeps me humble and hungry.

[@benmiller6687]

The thing that always strikes me while watching this channel is how cool it must be to have all this footage of your life, to be able to reflect on it, and help others. Really good one this week man.

[@GarryTan]

Damn I remember all of this in my own career. Credit card debt and thinking you’re going to make it, not making it, and then finally actually getting there.

[@cryptoinvestearn]

I'm at the not making it right now, not at the finally getting there stage yet, but I know the work will get me there. My time will come

[@dhariri]

This was the best episode that you have made so far. It was intensely personal, and yet, relatable to anyone pursuing their art. Thank you, Van.

[@SticksAandstonesBozo]

Holy shit what’s it like to meet people who see your passions and supporting you / helping you ?? I truly can’t comprehend it.

[@stevenlippold]

repeating the question 3 times in the first 2ish minutes really turned my innocent journey into an experienced one...

[@nicholasrokitka380]

Man alive Van, you can tell a story, that takes something relatively ordinary and pull out all the tension and learning points. Thank you for what you do.

[@cocothemagnificent]

A 19 minute video the lord has blessed us this Saturday

[@Xeschel]

You’re probably in different time zone cuz I just got super stressed that I only have one day of weekend left

[@de_cokamer]

“Sometimes success is relief”, what a beautiful sentence. Thank you Van.

[@CarcinogenSDA]

This one's a rewatch because I feel like there's a lot to learn from this. Contemporary human culture tends to abstract success an overdramatized thing that happens instantly as a booming moment. But it all makes sense, going back to one of your other videos: your reward for good work is more work. The scale of what you do can grow significantly, but you never just "make it". I feel like "making it" is something that outsiders say about something looking in as part of the fantasy, and one can probably only say they were successful at the end of their career. "Successful" in the current tense can only mean holding the house up. "Success = Relief" is a good analogy.

[@cornfarmer69]

This is why I’m here. That was f-ing amazing Van. I love when you go back in time. More of this please :D bless you sir

[@Neontrifle]

My sentiments exactly, I can't understand why he hasn't got 10 times the subscribers he has.

[@RyanBCreative]

"Sometimes success is merely Relief." That statement holds true for so many people's professions. Wow-what a great way to break that down

[@peterjones5303]

Love! "Innocence to Experience" = "Fantasy to Reality". PERFECT! I have grandchildren now ( I'm 72) and know exactly what you mean- I also "catch a glimpse" of "innocence/fantasy". Thank you.

[@gardenfork]

Same here Van. My first paid gig was a video for City Harvest’s annual fundraiser banquet in NYC, we shot on an Arri 3 with Ilford B/W . My ad agency friends had vouched for me. We shot nights for 3 days. 3 person crew. I didn’t sleep. THAT was an experience. - Eric.

[@rangeroadmoto]

Goosebumps, tension, and things I’ve thought but never explained. This was really beautiful, thank you.

[@topgamer7]

This video embodies what I find the tragedy of life. I seek the innocence, the passion, the dream. I dread the thought that it is a young mans opportunity, lost to time, apathy and safety.

[@SANTINIIO]

Why was I so nervous for something that didn't happen to me 20 years ago?! Great storytelling as always!

[@DangStrang3r]

Mirror neurons. 😉

[@sam_althaus]

Incredible as always. You may not be living like a dentist these days but you sure have touched a lot of peoples lives with your work. I think in an ideal world, that’s what “making it” should be.

[@davidcrouch3226]

For me, parenthood was the ultimate manifestation of the innocence - experience continuum. I thought it was was going to be the end of my life when really it was just the beginning. Powerful story telly this week. Well done.

[@ivan_valerian]

This spirited man has a whole garage full of experience and we are here to listen to it all. Thank you for sharing Van

[@mikeideas3919]

Dang Van, that narrative was great, you had me SWEATING for you boys in that ballroom. That sense of relief definitely seems like the end goal/ side effect of making it. I’ve found that the “when I get this” “then I’ll feel this” may be my the most taunting illusion for me at times. Because it compounds (more expensive camera, tool, etc) I’ve been finding the key is lifting myself up through gratitude, feeling like I’ve already “made it”. After all i’m watching incredible KZbin content in the palm of my hands. tapping (quite literally with EFT) into that feeling of anxiety/ stress and transmuting it into relief/ peace. I try to ask myself if the external needs to change in order for me to feel that peace. Van, I think you speak to this at the end, looking at the beauty around you, you tap into that innocence, the dream. Seeing that it’s already there in front of you. You made it!!:) TLDR : look into EFT tapping, it’s wild lol

[@unknown_legend]

The irony is that parenthood is one of the biggest contributors to ‘expectation vs reality’ happiness and the constant shift this provides from one day or week to the next is a huge on our mood and experience.

[@text-107]

Congrats you have been selected among our shortlisted winners from our previous giveaway, contact the number above ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^🎁

[@jeromep976]

Innocence is the desire to reach a destination, whereas Experience is the realization that the journey has been reward. Great work Van…. You will be remembered Like a successful dentist.

[@oatmeal3269]

The transition from naivete to understanding is the development of wisdom. There is no one wisdom that will help you understand every situation. Lord give me the strength to change the things I can, the tranquility to accept the things I cannot, and the wisdom to know the difference.

[@text-107]

Congrats you have been selected among our shortlisted winners from our previous giveaway, contact the number above ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^🎁

[@rockywalterful]

I thought my innocence was extinguished (I’m 40) but then one day I watched your videos and found it again. Thank you for making these movies.

[@Jacob-fr8le]

Watching your videos has been a breath of fresh air, creatively. Appreciate you.

[@ngonzale3]

“Sometimes success is merely relief.” Incredibly done, Sir.

[@GrowthGuided]

You’re good man. Praise God for keeping you sober so you and continue to share the gift he gave you with the world.

[@text-107]

Congrats you have been selected among our shortlisted winners from our previous giveaway, contact the number above ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^🎁

[@niftyfiftyphoto]

It's always profound to look back and find the single moments that lead to where we are today. In many cases those moments came through years of hard work, dedication, and luck, but also in many cases, they are single moments in time that cemented those years.

[@cellogeye121]

That quote about how success is sometimes just relief really resonated with me. It's a feeling I've felt many times before, but that I haven't been able to fully describe until I watched this video. As a creative, the success of finishing a project has never felt like "success" in the traditional sense. It has always felt much more like relief. Thank you for making this video and doing what you do.

[@jimjones7980]

My parents struggled with money. Sometimes due to circumstance. Sometimes due to poor decisions. It was the source of a lot of tension. At the same time, I was a scholarship kid at private schools among children of wealthy people. Their lives weren't necessarily without problems either. I distinctly remember when I was thirteen and resolved to have a life where I didn't have to worry about money, but I didn't necessarily want to be rich. I wanted to be a person without financial worry in as much as I could have a say in that. There have been ups and downs and my innocence was thinking that little financial worry would equate to little worry at all. But, for the most part, it has worked out. That resolve has lead to many decisions that have kept me on the right path. I am thankful to my past self who gifted me my present situation. Great video. Thank you for sharing your creativity and storytelling with all of us.

[@jamesf4899]

OMG, this is the story of "my" life! Well said and as usual, a creative masterpiece!

[@peterh.3008]

really deep: innocence extinguished by my experience.... Leaves wisdom to re live my innocence through the eyes of others.

[@philnixon3157]

You are to me, what Tom Sachs is to you. And I say this with a deep deep feeling of gratitude. You, are my muse.

[@herrinmatt11]

I love the way you just drop in an emotional thing at the end. Makes my eyes well up. The whole video is filled with emotion but the last bit just gets you. Great work as always, Van.

[@nicholasfuric]

Dear Van, I hope this message giver you some sort of quirky joy, as it is meant to. I have aspergers. All videos I watch, go into neat little folders. I have yet to watch one of yours, and manage to put it in ONE. Your videos, go in two: ‘Docu People’ + ‘Poetic’ I love your videos. Thank you for sharing. Every time I watch a video of yours I get a, hitherto rare, feeling of “This guy gets me” I wish you smooth sailing. And when the smooth, invariably falters, that you’re surrounded by supportive boats to help you weather the storms. Thank you, N

[@ioan.panaite]

Great content! Greetings from Romania!

[@masonstruckadventure9368]

I'm deeply moved by your innocents and that right there my friend is success! Beautiful. Thank you for sharing

[@SDSBBQs]

As a caterer, I have those moments after almost every big cook / event. The relief is an event that was successful.

[@DiegoPereyra]

What a voice you have man... I don`t mean the sound of it, I mean the voice of your soul... Very inspiring. Cool.

[@jeantv1996]

Very good video. Had me on the edge when the film was rolling in front of the crowd

[@text-107]

Congrats you have been selected among our shortlisted winners from our previous giveaway, contact the number above ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^🎁

[@shadyhamam]

This one hit hard, Thank you for providing such content, I believe I'm right there right now in my life, in that moment of converting from innocence to experience, and it hurts a lot.

[@wavetro]

you're my favorite youtuber right now. amazing insight

[@mtmccornack]

Sometimes all I got is a heart felt "Thank you for that, I needed this!"

[@microminstrel]

Why was MY heart in my stomach during the (re)telling of the projector debacle/success? Whew! Lol. Absolutely AMAZING storytelling, Van. One of your best (and they’re all pretty damn amazing).

[@Major_Winkee]

This should be mandatory viewing for anyone in their late 20s.

[@carltonrose5728]

Struggling with life and direction at 25 years old gets easier and easier with every story you share. Finding gratitude with every perspective that you allow to expand my perspective further thanks van

[@JewiMacca]

I admit i almost turned the video off because I wasn't sure i was ready for it, but I'm glad i stuck with it. What a fantastic build up and story. Thanks for sharing and constantly planting seeds of wisdom in our minds.

[@cheeterpasteen]

Right now I imagine my children , though they're just a gleam in my eye yet, that I will have with the love of my life and how I can leave an impact on them to appreciate their innate freedoms and sheer luck to be alive. (Innocence) And one day I will look back and realize the experience of that goal, what truths I will imbibe I cannot imagine. But the wildest part is, that if you pay attention to people who are alive ON PURPOSE, such as yourself, we can get a real glimpse of what that experience is going to be. "We won't remember what a person said to us exactly, but we will most certainly remember how they made us feel". You make me feel hopeful friend, Cheers to you.

[@serradojapi]

Mama mia! You are a genius! Your brother’s best video was the one that brought me here!

[@rebar-king]

My gal who I met 10 years ago has worked for HBO the last 27 years in a high profile position. She’s done with the industry. It chews you up and spits you out. No guarantees in life. Making it = waking up in the morning and putting my feet on the ground.

[@aspire5544]

Such a great video. As a Filmmaker on the verge to professionalism, I learnd alot from this Video. The Video feels like a compas for the life as a Filmmaker (or any other profession). I find myselfe between the second and third story. And sucses was always an important thing for me. So seeing someone reflecting on his path, feels empowering and humbeling to me. Thanks Van

[@Letterjay]

This video just changed my outlook on everything for me when it comes to my favorite thing ever, making films.

[@teslafudge1585]

Many of your videos create important experiences. I think about these on repeat in galleries.

[@stanleyfamUK]

Van you are an abstract artist of immense calibre, using storytelling as your canvas. The angles you come from and the strokes you paint with visuals, sounds and narrative are just wow. Enriching. Thank you for another. J

[@garrisonhoffbeck1968]

Holy shit, Van you just gave me an idea. Thank you.

[@plhrph1]

Fantastic introspective stuff. I've found the ability to live in the moment while also being able to analyze the moment clearly is elusive and rare.

[@RobPanico]

I think another, broader way to illustrate Innocence/Experience within the craft itself is the product vs the process. Innocence is fixating on the final product, process can be sloppy, but by hook or crook, you're getting to that finished product. The Experience is enjoyment and relishing every step of the process, the final product being a culmination of all of those steps. Loved this video, terrific insight and wonderful stories!

[@text-107]

Congrats you have been selected among our shortlisted winners from our previous giveaway, contact the number above ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^🎁

[@MaCoffeesOn]

I love, absolutely LOVE, the way Van tells a story. I'm captivated each and every second of your videos.

[@HabanosChris]

Love this one, so insightful & fascinating. Love the notion of fantasy of success vs reality.

[@filmwithhannes]

For the first time in my filmmaking career I am going to make it big. Can’t say what it is going to be, but keep a eye on this channel, I can say it will be big and it is after very very hard times. I studied film and TV Productions and only am I making it after 9 long years, but what I can say to young filmmakers, success comes in your life if you keep on keeping on even when everyone tells you that you are making a big mistake or that you must get a stable job and do this little “work/project” when you have free time. I say, make a video every day and make it better than yesterday. This is also making it. You will have something to show if someone wants to give you a chance to MAKE IT.

[@alanwolfe2417]

I love it, "Sometimes success = relief".

[@natebaird]

This is very relatable. For me, in the journey to finding 'success', whenever I find it I'm just terrified of losing it. Losing it becomes my worse nightmare. In the past year, I 'lost' some success that I had found but it ended up becoming one of the best things that has ever happened to me :) Here's to the journey and thanks for making this video and telling your story so eloquently, Van.

[@alexfredericks]

Though we have never shaken hands, it is a pleasure to know you.

[@hutchinsonpatrick]

This was fucking incredible, man. These little glimpses into the past are magical. Thank you for working through easy and hard to deliver this.

[@text-107]

Congrats you have been selected among our shortlisted winners from our previous giveaway, contact the number above ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^🎁

[@iMusicShuffle]

This was an amazing journey you took us on. It made me understand how your videos are so damn good. You’ve experienced a lot success or relief as you like to say. The music was amazing to capture those big moments too. Such an amazing story, such an amazing life you’ve lived and I think it is great that you may still experience or at very least witness innocences again with your boy.

[@DaliwolfBacon]

I will never forget this video for as long as I live.

[@TheRuralOnes]

I worked in video production from 2006-2012, first camera was a DVX100B ;)…your description of Freds birthday night put my stomach in my throat. I’m not sure how I found your channel but boy and I enjoying it! Thank you!

[@AlexanderRodriguez-ni4kt]

I got to say, I’ve dabbed watching your other videos, but this one really captivated me, had me and wouldn’t let go, I loved it.

[@RobertNowland]

Most KZbin videos I come out of them not feeling satisfied, like the promise wasn’t delivered and I want to click onto something else afterwards, but Vans always leave me full, like a good hearty meal haha

[@text-107]

Congrats you have been selected among our shortlisted winners from our previous giveaway, contact the number above ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^🎁

[@Mcm4]

The tub part is cinematic genius. Absolute genius.

[@laserdummy]

This one hits home so much. Thanks for the beautiful work, Van.

[@tanettemeditationsforwellb8866]

Thank you Spirited Man .... sending you droplets of amazingness to help fill your cup for the next adventure

[@michaelmacminn3407]

I love the candle in the bath scene! So creative and a beautiful finish to yet another well told story.

[@LukaDukic]

wow, what a video, never heard anyone summed up life of a regular guy trying to make it better then you, and the kid part, I totally relate to that, great job!

[@acesontilt77]

I find you so completely relatable. Listening to life's adventures through your videos has made me realize a lot about my own innocence. I think that innocence is meant for the young and not the old. We all were once happy with the simplest of things but now the only things that make us happy seem to be our innocent children. Please keep putting this real content out in hopes that it catches like wildfire. Thank you and God bless.

[@NBAYUGIOH]

Bro why was I on the edge of my seat during the second story. Incredible video

[@leewilliams4541]

Had me glued to the edge of my seat there, tension from start to finish. As I was once a videographer I can relate to the experience!

[@text-107]

Congrats you have been selected among our shortlisted winners from our previous giveaway, contact the number above ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^🎁

[@miguelcorderos]

I absolutely LOVE the way you told this story and how this channel is developing. Thank you from the Netherlands!

[@ryaneasterling8945]

I know you get hundreds of comments on every video, but I hope you know how touching stories like these can be when shared with such craft, tact, and honesty. Your channel is philosophical in a way that almost nothing I've experienced in the modern day has been. Your videos make me stop, think, and appreciate - how could we ask for anything more? Thanks, Van.

[@RedValleyMilsim]

So well done. Innocence really is precious. I feel like it goes hand in hand with the mysterious unknown that we can marvel at. "The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and science. He to whom the emotion is a stranger, who can no longer pause to wonder and stand wrapped in awe, is as good as dead; his eyes are closed." -Albert Einstein

[@jamwall1]

I work in technology and that projector story gives me major agida. Especially the part where Fred's mother comes over.

[@miscibi]

thank you for existing. this is great. i don't often comment on youtube

[@vincebalsamo]

Thank you for making this Van!

[@carlgoetzinger6876]

I feel as though I’m in the transition period between the two. Where I’ve surpassed the innocence but also haven’t fully actualized the experience. It’s an interesting transition but an amazing experience.

[@Walkie.NoTalkie]

I discovered your channel today and this thumbnail and title spoke to me. The content was fantastic and it felt like it’s a lesson I should pay for. Thank you for delivering videos like these, Thank you casey for introducing me to your brother on an also great video and thank you KZbin for hosting you both. I cannot afford to pay for this lesson yet, but when i do, I will.

[@PaulaHeartland]

Beautiful teaching telling, experienced telling of your creative life. All the way to tears now wetting my cheeks. Beautiful. I feel met here where I am today. Thank you ❤️

[@PaulaHeartland]

(My breath catches every time I see your boy in the bath turn his head away from the flame, every time, even though I know his hair doesn't catch fire.)

[@Sadsoft]

This is great! Thanks I had one experience not anywhere near the value of this and it turned me in to an anxious control freak when ever I play a show. What ever I can do to make sure I don’t fail on stage I grasp so tightly to that it gives me a rush on stage then a crash of mental destruction after the show even if nothing went wrong

[@KelvinMedinathezarkman]

This fulfilled man is amazed with how this spirited man articulated "Innocence" and "experience" through his examples I would say that innocence to make it would be the idea of achieving something not fully understanding what it's like to actually undergo the process of becoming while experience is the becoming "actualized" wherein you fully understand and know what it takes to achieve. An amazing video with a little bit of Phenomenology right there Van, my philosophical muscles were pumped by this video!

[@ThePenatron]

This search for a “oh!” Moment is why in hobby hop. I do it to learn the “oh!”

[@borderlands6606]

For creative people, success can sap the life out them. Even if the financial metric works out, they are at the whim of non-creative or abusive sensibilities, or become abusive themselves to maintain success. It's a double edged sword with your soul on the line.

[@chrisd5133]

well said.

[@matt_freund]

Now I‘m interested what the buttons on his desk are

[@wade2361]

Same. He's done it in previous videos too.

[@coscorrodrift]

fr I think it's a Nintendo Switch joycon but I cannot fathom why he would be using one of those to control anything. I assume it's for some kind of Teleprompter, or maybe to signal where to cut in clips

[@Myfellonmebadgirls]

I think he likes this part the next. Susan

[@pheasantpluck]

@@coscorrodrift had the two exact same thoughts on what it could be used for...nice one thought partner :)

[@beachedwhale9497]

Slide changer for his notes? Seems like he presses it in between thoughts and sentences.

[@aaron_osborne]

You’re as great of a storyteller as Casey. I’m so glad to be watching this current video.

[@gauravsood753]

Love your content, from India 🇮🇳

[@thomashogan5017]

When you said succesful dentist.... that was super funny. really cracked me up.

[@PersecutedTruth]

What is so crazy for me, is that I am literally going through this in my life right now.

[@RSHKMS]

this is your best video so far. so far. I know you're going hella places but, this is it. this is great and it's the piece we were missing in KNOWING you. brilliant!