I thought I’d better explain why I’ve been dropping the number of videos recently.
I’ve been doing my YouTube channel for around two and a half years and I suspect very few people realise how much time it takes. I spend almost all my weekends either doing videos or editing them and it’s gotten to the stage where I do little else. I can cope most of the time but weekends away are a nightmare as I not only miss doing the videoing, I also need to get one ahead. I’d dropped down to a video every other week but picked up my MRVP series so was still very busy.
That came to a crunch over Christmas when I had to do a video almost every day in my week off because I was going away for three weeks. I had a wonderful three weeks in Vietnam and Hong Kong but was dreading coming back to the video production mill.
It’s worth saying that I do love doing videos but not the pressure of trying to meet a daunting schedule on top of a full working week. I also have other things I need to do at weekends!
As a result, I’ve decided that this is a hobby so I will be dropping the frequency. I’ll try and do a video a month but won’t pressure myself if I don’t. Since I’ve adopted that approach, I’ve actually hung some pictures I’ve been meaning to do for over 2 years and taken some Saturday afternoon time to go out with the family!
I’ll do a few more non-video blog posts to fill the gap and widen out what I do.
In that vein, this is a taster of what’s coming up this week on my YouTube channel. Wow, it looks bright and I can’t wait to weather it down a bit!
I’m looking forward to having time to play again as well as work on my videos!
Kathy
Keep up the good work! But remember it is just a hobby and deserves to be enjoyed. When you push yourself it becomes a burden and shows in the content and quality. A video done well when you are ready be it once in a while every month or every other month is worth it if you are happy. Believe me I know, I risk being burnt out on the hobby and had to back off in my involvement and it has been a great stress relief. I now truly enjoy going downstairs to work on my railroad and the ONE museum that I volunteer at weekly. (down from 4)
Keep up the good work
Duane
Duane
Very wise words, thank you.
I’ve also dropped some of my volunteer commitments to ensure that I give the ones that I still do, 100%. Time is the greatest limiting factor in my life and I was beginning to not be there for friends which is unacceptable!
Kathy
As somebody whose done a lot of video work myself over the years I fully appreciate how long these things take to make, so I can’t say I blame you cutting back. I’m trying to balance work, modelling, volunteering over in Bala and a whole myriad of other things.
Tim
It’s so hard to get the balance isn’t it. Everyone seems short of volunteers and there is so much pressure to help.
Thanks for the support!
Kathy
Kathy, I’vebBeen there, done that. You are doing what I did. You have to protect yourself, because no one else will. People will continue to demand more and more from you until you are on empty and that kills the fun and joy of what you love to do. You want weekends free and no 12 hour days, prioritize jobs, establish what you can do within those limits and everything else is refused. Don’t apologize when you do refuse, it is because you are fully booked. Getting control of your workload will control a lot of the stress you’ve been under and keep your lovely smile on your face. Best Regards to You, Ron Willson from mid-Michigan
Ron
Thank you so much! I had fun just chatting with a good friend about modelling this afternoon. It’s those times that are the ones we remember.
Thanks
Kathy
Hey Kathy,
Don’t beat yourself up about not doing as many videos. There are only so many hours in a day for you to get stuff done in! Like you said, this is a hobby…it’s supposed to be fun and a way to unwind from everyday stresses, not add to them. We all LOVE watching your videos and reading your posts, but the last thing we want is for you to burn yourself out trying to do too much. You ARE allowed to have a life outside of this website. You have such an amazing talent and it is great that you want to share your skills with us, so you need to protect your health and happiness first so that you can continue to enjoy the hobby that you love. And we all need some time to play! Take care.
Eddie
Eddie
Thank you so much!
Kathy
I found a wealth of information following your videos. You need to stay refreshed so YOU can take the maximum enjoyment out of what you do. We’ll keep!
Thanks a lot!
Kathy
Kathy
Great work and yes we all get busier and it is harder to produce quality results in this situation. You quality results are worth waiting for. Whether this is from your website or from you MR videos.
Your work is inspirational, but we don’t want you to burn out. I await you next inspirational session, without any expectation of staying to a schedule.
Thank you
George
Thanks George
It’s really humbling to be called inspirational!
Kathy
I know just what you mean, for nearly 9 years I wrote the control line column for SAM 35Speaks (vintage model aircraft magazine). Each month I had to write about 2000 plus words and dig out photos, copies of plans etc to make and interesting read. Add to that the job of Sales and Wants Editor for the same magazine and time just vanished. I ran out of things to say at the end and resigned. I loved the topic but I had a life outside toy aeros and have one outside toy trains now I’m too decrepit to fly. Enjoy your life whilst you are young enough, take my word for it old age comes with a rush (I’m 84 but still sixteen in my head!).
Incidentally, I love your artistic techniques and are trying them out on my layout.
That sounds like it was a huge commitment. I have loads of ideas for content still, thankfully, but just want to enjoy some other stuff.
I hope I’m still as active as you at 84!
Thanks
Kathy
Remember Kathy this is a hobby…. life comes first. Your excellent work is greatly appreciated and very informative. Videos take a lot of work to record and edit to make them look good. Don’t let it get to the point of burn out. My other hobbies take time and take a back seat to whatever else needs attention around the home. I don’t put deadlines on my hobbies. They are my relaxation…..
Again, thanks for all you do. Your the greatest!
Thank you so much!
It’s so easy to get wrapped up in deadlines!
Kathy
” I suspect very few people realise how much time it takes” pretty much sums things up. Constantly coming up with content is tough. Sitting a reading is far easier. Producing a lot of high-quality video content is even more time consuming and if it’s a hobby rather than a job, something has to give.
Thanks Phil
I have no problem with ideas but as you say, coming up with creative good content is hard.
Kathy
Kathy;
You have done far more than anyone could hope for. While others talk about contributing, you really have. I find it interesting that no American model railroader has anything that can really compare to your quality and output on YouTube of useful information and demonstrations. The nearest runner-up is probably Luke Towan, and he’s not an American, either. (Aussie, isn’t he?)
For many of us, having multiple hobby interests makes it so that one has to suffer for another (cost, time); and then our social life also is affected. Finding balance is always a must.
Thank you for what you’ve done so far, and hopefully you’ll have more in the future.
Thanks Keith
I love Luke Towan. His videos are excellent and his modelling is top notch!
I’ve loads more planned in the future but for now I’m enjoying doing some completely new stuff and nit stressing about videos!
Thanks for the kind words.
Kathy
Yeah, I get you’re busy, blah, blah, blah, but I’m not happy about no weekly video. Is there no way you can get up earlier or stay up later? Maybe skip work early on Fridays? Perhaps get your family to visit you at set times and time slots rather than waste time going to meet them? I’m trying to help you here, not the other way round. Your priorities are well out of line.
Just kidding!! 😉
I’ve stumbled through the interweb while looking for inspiration, and I found your videos which are totally top drawer stuff and for me, they’ve inspired me to get the modelling kit and airbrush out again. I don’t have the space anymore for a OO or N layout but your enthusiasm has got me ordering a couple of Jeff Shiu figures and your skills will assist greatly with my dioramas.
Please keep up the great video work, of course, at a sensible pace that suits you because as I’m sure thousands of others will agree, they are well worth waiting for.
Thanks Joe
I’ve got so used to doing nothing but videos at weekends that I do feel guilty not doing them…
Glad I’ve helped inspire you and space should definitely not be a limitation. Sounds like you’ve found a way round.
Kathy