In the fast-paced world of YouTube, one thing is always overshadowed: the connection between well-being and making videos that people love. It's always hard to look after your own mental health while creating content but doing so helps you avoid long-term burnout on YouTube.

According to a Later survey of 600 creators, 

 on social media every month or on a quarterly basis. That's a large chunk of people, so this is a serious issue that many creators face when deciding to start a channel.

As educators, we not only strive to share knowledge but also empower others to find harmony between their personal lives and YouTube careers.

So, grab a cup of tea (or your beverage of choice), and let's explore the psychological effects of content creation and how to strike a healthy balance.

The Psychological Effects of Content Creation

There's no denying that being a YouTube creator is an exhilarating journey. It's a realm where ideas come to life, and our voices resonate with audiences worldwide. However, the excitement can sometimes turn into a double-edged sword. With the constant demand for fresh and engaging content, it's easy to fall into the trap of neglecting our well-being.

There is no longer a clear distinction between work and personal life for many creators since a lot of their life is online. This opens up creators to the world of online negativity, and trolls which has serious psychological effects. As YouTubers, there are certain things that we should be specifically concerned with.

Working in the creative industry often means long hours, tight deadlines, and the pressure to deliver top-notch content consistently. This can lead to burnout, leaving us physically and mentally exhausted, and ultimately hindering our creativity.

Being a creator comes with several benefits, including the ability to travel, make a difference in the lives of people, develop a team and brand, and engage in creative expression. Utilizing these benefits is the best antidote to burnout in general.

From Burnt Out to Refreshed: How to Take a YouTube Break During the Holidays

The social media landscape can foster a toxic environment of comparison. Constantly measuring ourselves against others can chip away at our self-esteem, affecting our motivation and creative flow.

As YouTubers, we strive for excellence in our work. However, the pursuit of perfection can become a tricky ordeal. It can lead to undue stress, self-doubt, and even procrastination, as we fear that our content might not live up to our own impossibly high standards.

The solitary nature of content creation can bring feelings of isolation. Spending long hours behind the camera or screen can leave us craving human connection, which is essential for our well-being.

Balancing Personal Life and a YouTube Career

What feels like a tall order from the outside isn’t always so. While the habits above are psychologically damaging, you can break the pattern by following some simple practices.

Establish clear boundaries between work and personal life. Designate specific working hours and allow yourself guilt-free time for relaxation, hobbies, and spending time with loved ones.

Prioritize self-care activities that rejuvenate your mind and body. It could be as simple as taking breaks throughout the day, practicing mindfulness or meditation, engaging in physical exercise, or pursuing creative outlets outside of YouTube.

Surround yourself with like-minded individuals who understand the unique challenges of being a content creator. Join online communities, attend meetups or workshops, and engage with fellow YouTubers. Sharing experiences and supporting each other can help combat feelings of isolation.

If you're looking for a community of fellow YouTubers to exchange ideas with, join 

 and connect with over 12,000 creators who are passionate about YouTube. 

Embrace the beauty of imperfection in your creative process. Understand that mistakes are a part of growth, and they can often lead to unexpected breakthroughs. Release the pressure to be perfect and give yourself permission to experiment and learn along the way.

Perfection Syndrome is a real thing. In order to get over this, you must accept that 

production is more important than perfection

. Your videos will always have minor flaws, but you can only get better next time if you click publish first.

Don’t worry about your viewers. Owning up to your flaws will connect you with them on a more human level, something every creator cannot give!

Acknowledge and celebrate your accomplishments, both big and small. Recognize that every video, every subscriber, and every positive impact you make is worth celebrating. It's these moments of joy that fuel your passion and inspire you to keep pushing forward.

Balancing personal life and a YouTube career is an ongoing journey, but one that's necessary to pursue. Remember that your well-being and happiness are essential to your creativity and work discipline.

For all other advice related to YouTube, 

check out vidiQ's AI coach and get personalized recommendations for your channel

Representation of mental health through emoticons

Life as a YouTuber can become stressful and extremely demanding which creates many negative psychological effects. But there are many ways to combat it.

From Burnout to Bliss: Prioritizing Mental Health as a YouTuber

Taking a break from YouTube is a great way to rest and recharge during the holidays. But even with those benefits, many creators have a hard time 

. They're in a groove when it comes to posting consistently, and they don't want to lose any views or subscribers.

If so, take a deep breath. Your channel will survive, but only if you plan for the break and communicate the details with your audience. You have nothing to worry about, as long as you don't leave without saying goodbye.

If you need a full plan, here are five tips for taking a holiday break (without hurting your YouTube channel).

1. Announce Your Break in a YouTube Video

First, be honest about needing a break from YouTube. Tell your audience what's going on, and explain 

 you're leaving so they can prepare for your absence. This builds trust between you and your subscribers, which is massively important when you want their attention long-term.

So make a YouTube video announcing the break, and don't hold back when explaining your decision. Are you feeling burnt out? Do you need to spend time with friends and family? Your viewers aren't entitled to a reason, but they'll empathize much better when you share those details.

 posted an effective "taking a break" video. She mentions that besides YouTube, she has a day job and cares for a family member with health issues. Because of that, she doesn't have time to make videos, work, 

In the comment section, no one seems upset about Tengy leaving; if anything, they're offering words of support! One viewer even promised to stay subscribed while Tengy focuses on her needs.

Two YouTube comments, where viewers are supporting a creator's decision to take a creative break

Are you leaving YouTube for two weeks? Three? An entire month? Be sure to let your audience know no matter what the time frame is. This little piece of honesty helps them manage their expectations around not seeing your content for a while.

You might be taking a break from YouTube, but that doesn't mean you have to disappear! Many creators plan ahead by filming videos to post in their absence. So instead of getting no views, they stay relevant through the holiday season and continue to grow their channels.

. This is where you set aside 1-3 days to record lots of videos, one after the other. Then you'll use the schedule feature to have YouTube publish all of the videos for you. 

To viewers, it will seem like you never left!

4. Stay Active on the YouTube Community Tab

There are other ways to keep viewers engaged besides posting videos. You can reply to new comments on your channel, create some YouTube Stories, or do our personal favorite: post on the 

Within this social network, you can post images, GIFs, polls, and other content to nurture a relationship with your viewers. So if you don't feel like posting videos, know that it takes 

 to create Community posts and connect with your viewers.

Two YouTube community posts from vidIQ. One showing a poll, and one asking viewers a question.

5. Tell Viewers What to Expect After a YouTube Break

Lastly, don't leave YouTube without giving your viewers something to look forward to. That could be a vlog they requested, an exciting collaboration, or a meet and greet you've been working on. Now's the perfect time to share those plans, so people have  reason to return to your channel.

It's been a long year, especially on the internet. We watched "

" become an actual product, played "Jiggle Jiggle" by Louis Theroux a gazillion times, and watched the 

 share his buttery pastime. Now it's time for a reset — maybe even a digital detox.

By following these tips, you can take a well-deserved holiday break from your YouTube channel without hurting your performance or viewer engagement. Happy holidays!

A man vlogging while holding up the peace sign

Have you made YouTube videos non-stop this year? This holiday season, take a break from YouTube so you can relax, recharge, and restore your creativity.

New creators have a lot to learn when they join YouTube, TikTok, or any platform for the first time. For one, there's the task of turning random viewers into loyal, long-term fans. After that, making money from content becomes a real possibility.

What rarely makes the list, though, is understanding the creator economy, 

which is estimated to be worth $104.2 billion

. After all, who has time to explore the vast content ecosystem? That means learning to thrive on multiple platforms, understanding all the money-making tools, and keeping up with industry news.

Which raises an important question: Is learning the creator economy worth it for everyone? Should it be required for every YouTuber, TikToker, or anyone building an audience?

Jim Louderback and Renee Teeley, co-hosts of 

, say, "No." Only certain types of creators need to go that far.

"If you just want to get noticed, have fun, and find a girlfriend or boyfriend, you don't need to follow the creator economy," Jim says. "But if you're planning to make a career out of community-first media, then the second thing you should do after posting your first video, podcast, or episode is subscribe to The Creator Feed."

The Creator Feed is a weekly show exploring industry news, trends, updates, and how all of it affects creators. For instance, 

, and how can entrepreneurs leverage that perk? Will AI-generated art change the look and feel of YouTube thumbnails forever?

No matter the topic, Jim and Renee break down the major points, share insights, and advise creators on how to move forward.

They can do this because they're both content experts. Jim is the editor and publisher of 

, a weekly newsletter presenting news, strategy, and analysis on the creator economy, web3, and the metaverse. He's also the former general manager of VidCon.

Renee is a creator economy executive and the former senior vice president of Content and Community at TubeBuddy. She has helped creators and brands grow their businesses through video and is a longtime creator herself.

Want to explore the creator economy? Listen to The Creator Feed podcast on 

, or your favorite podcast platform. You can also read this fun interview with Renee and Jim to get acquainted with the show!

Q: Why did you start The Creator Feed podcast? What's your ultimate goal?

: We had nothing better to do at the time. No, seriously, there was a gap in the market between more interview shows and pure tip shows. We wanted to fill it.

We cover the mix of creator business news, advice, and insights for those who are higher-end or professional creators. We're great for people who aspire to 

, as well as the Creator Economy Curious (CEC). But really, professional creators are our target.

Q: Have you seen creators directly benefit from following news in the creator economy? If so, how?

: Absolutely. Many creators are building businesses and offering products and services to help others. Following news and trends can highlight gaps in the market.

For example, Paddy Galloway noticed a market gap for creator resources and developed a job site for YouTube creators called 

Q: There are so many places to make and monetize content. How can people learn about the creator economy without feeling overwhelmed?

: Start small. Listen to our podcast. Read my newsletter. Follow some smart folks on Twitter and LinkedIn. Go to some events like VidCon or VidSummit.

But in the end, make a bunch of content, experiment, and find out what works for you. We have ideas, but no one has the answers to every question. And every creator is different.

Q: On your podcast, how do you determine which news is most important to share with creators?

: I talk about what I think is most interesting, important, and strategic. Or who I want to make fun of that week. Depends on the mood.

: Same as Jim. I try to pick stories that will impact creators. I especially like discussing complex topics to provide some clarity or at least our opinion on what it means for the industry long term.

Q: For each piece of news, you share the pros and cons creators could face. It's very balanced and honest. What guides your process?

: Be honest, and be beholden to no one. I worked off and on in corporate America for most of my career and found that it's hard to say what you think at a big company. My paycheck — or lack thereof — is not determined by any company, platform, or creator. It's freeing and fun.

: Same! We're having honest conversations about the creator economy — the good and the bad.

Q: Speaking of pros and cons, creators have mixed emotions about how YouTube will monetize Shorts in 2023 — requiring 1,000 subscribers and 10 million Shorts views in 90 days. What's your take?

 is a positive move for the industry. It puts pressure on other platforms to figure out more sustainable monetization options.

However, YouTube hasn't been direct about the amount of money going to creators. YouTube stated, "From the overall amount allocated to creators, they will keep 45% of the revenue."

What is the allocated amount? Are creators receiving 45% of the total ad revenue or just a portion of the money coming in from advertising?

Also, 10 million Shorts views in 90 days is still challenging for many new creators. I'd like to see that number come down, so the average creator has a path into the YouTube Partner Program within six months.

Q: You've both built businesses in the creator economy. What's the hardest part about going from creator to entrepreneur?

: Well, I'm sort of going the other way. I wrote for top computer magazines and newspapers and hosted a TV show on TechTV in the late '90s and early '00s, but then I didn't do anything for 15 years. Now I'm leaning back into my creator roots in the world of no gatekeepers. So far, it's not hard. It's more freeing.

: I'm sort of going the other way as well. I started my career helping brands and creators with tech solutions. Then shifted to creating content that empowers creators and brands to grow their communities and build their businesses using video.

I'm doubling down on content this year. Not only does it help others, but I also love the creative process. Our podcast can help creators navigate the creator economy and think about their content strategically as a business.

Q: Have you noticed any traits of successful digital entrepreneurs?

: Being able to do the hustle. It also helps if you can 

, build a company, and have fun along the way. I'm not sure there's a correct path, but I prefer the latter.

: There are many paths to success, but it's a lot more fun to build a company if you love the product and the team.

Q: What makes The Creator Feed stand out from other podcasts?

: I think the background of our cover art for the podcast is really popping. That helps us stand out. Plus, Renee's picture is great.

: What helps us stand out is our commentary and perspective based on years of experience in the industry. Plus, Jim's picture is great.

Q: What can creators expect to learn in future podcast episodes?

: Whether AI-generative art, text, and voice can actually replace podcasters anytime soon. Spoiler alert: The answer is no. But we'll keep working on it.

: What Jim really thinks of the MrBeast Burger.

You know the value of getting views and followers, but what about navigating the creator economy? In this Q&A, The Creator Feed podcast explains why you should 'study' like a content pro.

The Creator Feed Podcast: Why Learning the Creator Economy Is Worth it

You know what they say about comfort zones: 

. The only thing brewing in that cozy bubble is fear, doubt, and a hesitancy to try new things.

. It’s a fun way to build a community or grow a business, but sometimes there’s a tiny voice whispering, 

, how to quell that fear. Portalatin is a real estate agent who joined YouTube to attract more leads for her business. Before making any videos, she spent months learning about YouTube while also questioning her decision to make videos.

Eventually, she forced herself to push through.

“If I don’t get started now, then I’ll never get started,” she says of that moment. “I’ll never see how I can grow. Other creators who started when I should have – maybe six months before – they’re way ahead of me now. It’s just something I needed to do.”

Is something holding you back from joining YouTube? Keep reading to discover how Portalatin silenced the doubt in her mind.

On YouTube, perfectionism is a side effect of watching people make fantastic videos. You see their crystal clear footage and wonder how you could measure up to 

. The playing field isn’t even right now. It’s OK to acknowledge that.

Instead of feeling intimidated and deciding not to post, just upload what you have. Give yourself time to figure out YouTube and develop those video skills.

“I went ahead and uploaded my first video, which was terrifying for me, but I did it,” Portalatin says. “I guess I was just procrastinating, and then one day I decided that 

2. Find Support In the YouTube Creator Community

You might be a solo creator, but you don’t have to do YouTube alone. You can join friendly communities to find support, mentors, and even 

Portalatin found her community on Clubhouse. Initially, she came to soak up advice, but she eventually took the stage in YouTube growth rooms.

Those were challenging moments because, as a self-proclaimed introvert, Portalatin didn’t want the attention. But stepping into the spotlight helped her meet new people.

“I had access to all these big and smaller creators to get all the information that I needed so I could start my channel,” Portalatin says. “It was great, and the community is so welcoming. I’m so appreciative that I was able to take advantage of that, and that helped me get on my journey.”

Want to network with small creators? Join our Clubhouse room, 

3. Don’t Stress Over Buying the Right YouTube Equipment

Viewers don’t care what kind of technology you used to make a video. YouTube is a chill platform, so it doesn’t matter if you're posting 4K footage or the standard 1080p. As long as viewers can see and hear you clearly, you’ve done a great job.

“That’s another thing that held me back in the beginning: the equipment,” Portalatin says. “I was listening to [people] in the rooms on Clubhouse talking about all the gear they use, and I wanted to do that. I wanted to have the best gear.”

Need a YouTube Camera? 5 Reasons to Use Your Smartphone

But you don’t need fancy equipment, she says. Portalatin has a Canon M50 but shoots on an iPhone for convenience. It’s easy to carry, and there are no complicated settings to tinker with.

4. Make YouTube Less Intimidating by Using vidIQ

YouTube isn’t the monster you think it is when you have support. Help from family and friends makes a difference, but so does having the right 

 to grow her channel with robust data. Her favorite tools are the video tag suggester and the Daily Ideas generator, which recommends new videos for her channel.

Best of all, you can get those free vidIQ tools by 

Daily Ideas from vidIQ - More Video Ideas to Spark Your YouTube Success

The ability to track one trend on YouTube

“We offer a free tier for a reason,” vidIQ executive producer Vyyyper says. “As a new creator, you should not be spending unnecessary money because you don’t know if this is something you’re going to be committed to. You don’t know if you’re going to enjoy creating content.”

 offers a thumbnail preview tool, keyword research tool, title recommendations, and bulk options for creating YouTube descriptions and channel-wide tags.

So now you know: YouTube is not as scary as it seems. You have both people and technology to help you get started.

Speaking of starting, here are 10 tips for building a successful YouTube channel.

Starting a YouTube channel doesn’t have to be scary. Give yourself a positive push with the right tools and endless creator support.

4 Tips to Conquer Your Fear of Starting a YouTube Channel


If you’re wondering what it’s like to 

, Roberto Blake just did you a huge favor.

On Feb. 12, the creative entrepreneur and YouTube veteran posted a Twitter thread describing life as a digital entrepreneur. He revealed what it’s like to make videos 24/7 and obsess over posting the “right” content. Because, hello: 

Here are some interesting points from the thread:

It all sounds a tad discouraging, but it’s better to know what you’re up against.

Is Your YouTube Channel on Track to Become a Business? Here are 5 Positive Signs

 to better understand this lifestyle. McFadden has more than 200,000 subscribers, and he’s also a full-time YouTuber of two years. His popular videos – Apple product reviews and discussions – spurred him to a YouTube career at just 55,000 subscribers.


“If I’m making more money on YouTube than my full-time job, why would I stay [there]?" McFadden says. “Shouldn’t I just leave the job and go focus on YouTube?”

Are you considering the same path? Here’s what to expect as a digital entrepreneur on YouTube.

You’ll Have More Control as a Full-Time Creator

One thing you can't do with a traditional job is set your own schedule. Companies have strict business hours, and employees must work within those intervals to succeed.

But that always bothered McFadden. He didn’t like giving up control to bosses and CEOs, especially with YouTube being a self-directed job.

“I love waking up in the morning [knowing] my day is my day,” he says. “At this point, I can decide, '

Do I want to do a video? You know what, maybe I’m not going to do [one]'

. I’ll go do something else. I'll relax.”

 takes more doing than relaxing. But at least you have the option of choosing which days you’ll go hard and which days you’ll take it easy.

Going from Employee to Boss Is a Slow Transition

It’s easy to imagine some creators were instantly successful. You see their massive subscriber counts and can’t help but compare their journey to yours. You think, 

How long would it take me to get there? They’re earning a full-time income.

Just look at McFadden’s YouTube journey:

McFadden’s story isn’t one of overnight success. It’s a nine-year journey filled with multiple twists and turns, revealing how much of a grind YouTube is. It’s also a risky bet. McFadden worked full-time for two years even while banking large YouTube checks.

“I was very cautious, obviously,” he says. “On YouTube, you can be a flash in the pan one month and do great. The next month, you can be out on the street again doing nothing.”

Full-Time YouTubers Have Multiple Streams of Income

The career YouTubers we’ve spoken with make money in several ways. 

. YouTube expert Alan Spicer had the same mindset in a recent TubeTalk episode. He shared many ways for creators to make money, and most were outside of YouTube.

7 Lucrative Ways to Make Money Beyond YouTube

Here are the revenue sources creators keep talking about:

 from this list: YouTube AdSense, affiliate revenue, sponsorships, and merchandise. So even if your channel takes off, diversifying your income is a proven way to launch a YouTuber career.

A YouTube Career Comes with Constant Marketing

Are you ready to put on your business hat? Because that’s what full-time creators wear when they’re running a channel by themselves. 

Sure, they may have a business manager for 

. But no matter who’s on your team, self-promotion is a must.

“The business aspect of being a creator is something I kind of don’t like to deal with,” McFadden says. “Some creators are a lot better at it than I am. I don’t advertise a lot of stuff I do, which is not good.”

Remember: A YouTube channel isn’t your only income stream, but it 

your best marketing tool. So posting videos (without promoting anything inside them) isn’t enough. You also need to promote your products, courses, or any service that pays your bills.

YouTube Is Fun, But You’ll Work Hard for That Perk

McFadden thinks all jobs are demanding in their own right. Whether working at McDonald’s or grinding away at an office, there’s always a task that wears people down. A common misconception – especially among viewers – is that YouTube is different. All you have to do is talk to a camera and get paid, right?

Not quite. YouTube creators have many hidden talents:

Graphic design skills to create thumbnails

Video production (lighting, camera setup, etc.)

Persevering through negative channel growth

“I probably spend more time being a content creator and focusing on [this] job than I did working a 9-to-5,” McFadden says. “I think that’s pretty much a guarantee at this point.”

The good news? None of it feels like work when you enjoy content creation. It’s a labor of love.

So here’s the big question: Are you ready to become a full-time YouTuber?

Before you do, master these five skills to ensure your success. 

'YouTuber' is a popular career choice in 2022. But what does that look like for the average creator?

What Is it Like Being a Full-Time YouTube Creator?

If you're a regular, 9-to-5 employee, you have rules to follow. You’re expected to start work at a specific time, take breaks of a certain duration, and submit time-off requests before going on vacation. If you’re a woman with kids, the list gets longer. Planning for maternity leave or finding a babysitter are extra tasks to manage alongside work.

Things are different when you’re self-employed, especially on YouTube. You still have a boss, but he or she doesn’t control your day-to-day activities. Instead, you’ll answer to viewers looking for helpful or entertaining videos – and they don’t mind if you take a day off unrequested.

That’s why YouTube is a powerful platform for women. It helps them earn more money, close the 

 podcast, wants more women to seize this opportunity. She invites female creators on the show to share their experiences, which inspires other women to create on YouTube.

 and knows what the life of a creator entails. We sat down with her to learn how women benefit from treating YouTube like a serious, high-paying business.

Q: What inspired you to celebrate female creators on your podcast?

Are you a woman looking to start a YouTube channel? In this Q&A, Desiree Martinez of the Women of YouTube podcast offers tips and inspiration for getting started.

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