James' (Hacksmith) burnout

[Neroon]

I just saw this video on Youtube: 

 

 

For those who don't know, the Hacksmith make really cool tech, a lot of it is about making things real, ranging from lightsabers, to Ironman suits, and much much more.

They are definitely a fun channel, and they do it by taking serious risks, with James having been seriously injured many times.

 

Having battled depression myself, I can definitely relate to a lot of what has been said in that video, but the 1 thing I couldn't relate to, was the added pressure of constantly having to perform at that level, while also feeling the responsibility for a team of people, and so many fans.

This really reminded me of the video @LinusTech made nearly 3 years ago.

The pressure of constantly pushing out content, sponsorship deals, but mostly about not doing content you enjoy, while also having your own personal struggles.

Watching this really made me feel for the guy, because unlike Linus, they are in a tough spot financially, and the pressure he must feel to return asap, must be horrible.

 

During my time here I've read quite a few comments of wondering why LMG were doing the things they were doing, both on the side of clickbait titles, sponsors etc, but also the mass investments in a screwdriver, backpack and of course the Lab. And I think that all comes down to exactly why James is burned and Linus was able to dodge that (to at least some degree), because making that change, find things your enthusiastic about again, is so vitally important, while also not having to worry about paying your employees.

 

A lot of the existing fans, don't like changes, which makes sense, you liked certain content, and when it changes, there is a solid chance you won't like it anymore. You could argue that some of it is a cashgrab, and that changing to 'stay relevant' is nonsense. Sure some of that is true, but I think most of it is, is just people wanting personal growth, finding new challenges.

 

 

That translates to all of us in life, how many of us enjoy pretty much the same exact job they had 10-20 years ago? I don't, I need to grow, I need new challenges, I need change every once in a while, and probably more often than most, but it still applies to all of us to some degree. So to everyone, if you feel you are in that point in your life, don't keep pushing on, but find something else to do, take a risk etc.

 

Linus I hope you can talk some about this on the WAN show, I know you've worked with them, and having been in that similar spot, it would be good to have you talk on the subject.

[solado]

I am a video editor for 2 YouTube channels, One has 1.6 million subscribers and the other over 3 million.

 

I often get video's sent to me at 3-4 in the morning and I myself edit day in, day out. I haven't had a day off work now in around 60 days ? (could be more, I lost track of time) If I don't work, I don't get paid. The stress that goes on behind the scenes is wild and most people want to live the life of a YouTuber without seeing what goes into it.

 

Most of the time they do talk about mental health and how it takes a toll on them, it's impossible for them to walk away or have a break from their channels. It becomes a part of them and even if it's unhealthy they will focus on it regardless of situation.

[Shimejii]

Being a Youtuber is not all its cracked up to be, Most people think its easy, and its not. You make your passions into work and then start to loathe them.

[thrasher_565]

i think there a name for this but cant remember it.  its also doing what you love but then not able to do another thing you love off stream. coming up with ideas, ordering things. probably attacks. hate messages. lieing about ads or products, ya some of it can be handle by other people once you make enough. mr beast one of thows. not only that they may take on other stuff to make other friends and family set for life so the need to keep going is there even thow them self are set for life. normally the bigger you get the more shady stuff you have to do. bigger and bigger things. like wisling desal is not enough to just destroy a truck any more.  and being famous has a cost too it.

[RasmusDC]

A personal experience for me was wierd, i work on a fairly high level. but work as an "specialist" not as a leader, i own large scale solutions and projects, so it is day in & day out, being in the middle of specialists and leaders trying to keep the setup as is..

 

this has been my life for 17 years, ranking from a specialist level to now much higher. 

 

Now 10 years ago, something wierd happened, i did not feel stressed, i did pressured, never had, solutions still comes easy, but when i went to bed, i went up less rested, than when i turned in, so i just got more and more tired, i could take a weekend, and sleep it fully away (with a kid and a wife that is not good) and it would help nothing. so why rest.

 

so a couple of years of that, and some support of sleeping drugs just for the really bad times, the world got a bit grey, you loose the ability to feel, family becomes "a job" i was actually good at keeping love in the family, but it was just "reactions" not like.. feelings. 

 

Still work did not feel like a pressure point, it did not feel hard.. 

 

i went on antidepressents for 1 year after having found not solutions and medical problems for this for 7 years, these pills gave me (40 pounds+) and 1 year of "life" now 20 pounds lighter and still fighting the weight part (193 and 100kg) i at least have feelings back, GOD i missed those.. and i try to protect it as much as i can. 

 

the thing is, the way my brain is hardwired, taking time of actually just makes it work on other issues, and i become way too invested in other things, and my son etc. so it is healthy for me to have a job that challenges me, but also i might have chemical imbalance..

 

Just to share my story, i have been of the Sertraline for like 2 years, without a problem, but i can also now that i have opened up see that this is actually a problem on my mother sides, all the way back though a LOT of generations, some isolated them selves, some just worked their way out of it..

 

Everyone has different solutions to these problems, but in the end, there has to be joy in the life. 

[Neroon]

Having struggled with depression for a long time myself, and now a social worker, I know all about this stuff, the biggest thing people do when depressed is to do just about anything to not think about it, to just escape the feelings. We all cope differently, but we all get addicted to something, drugs, work, gaming etc, we all find something to constantly get our mind of things.

But you get to a point where it catches up, where it no longer works, where you realize you want more out of life, and that's when you have to come face to face with all the shit and struggles you've been hiding away.

But doing that also give you space to do the things you want to do, because nobody likes to feel shit, but when you escape your feelings, you also don't really feel joy.

 

Depression is a very tough battle, and once you've had it, you will always be very susceptible to go back to it, because even if you are doing really well, the second that changes, it will hit you like crazy. I've had this quite a few times, where things were going absolutely great, I would lose my job and go to that dark place in a matter of days. And trust me, finding a job for me is extremely easy, not because I'm the greatest, but finding social workers is very hard, and finding them with my kind of experience (15 years), is nearly impossible. But I still get hit with that feeling extremely hard the second I don't have a job, because even though I don't escape in my work, it's still a vital part of me, and when lost, it leaves an empty hole in me.

 

Making decisions to find happiness, when you struggle with depression, is simply incredibly hard. Meds like anti-depressants can definitely help, but they are also not ideal.

I always comparing it to using bandages on a big wound, yes it will stop most of the bleeding, and it will give you time to get the right help, but if you don't get that help, sooner or later it's not gonna be enough anymore. It buys you time.

I do know people who have been on it very long, but I have my thoughts on their quality of life. I always believe that anti-depressants should be used to help you get help, so that you no longer need them 1 day.

[solado]

51 minutes ago, Neroon said:

the biggest thing people do when depressed is to do just about anything to not think about it, to just escape the feelings. We all cope differently, but we all get addicted to something, drugs, work, gaming etc, we all find something to constantly get our mind of things.

But you get to a point where it catches up, where it no longer works, where you realize you want more out of life, and that's when you have to come face to face with all the shit and struggles you've been hiding away.

But doing that also give you space to do the things you want to do, because nobody likes to feel shit, but when you escape your feelings, you also don't really feel joy.

I feel personally attacked