HazelYT
patreon
Update, 2022 Plans, & 2021 Statistics
🕑 Added 2022-01-03 18:30:48 +0000 UTCHello! It's been a bit, apologies for the radio silence. December did *not* go as planned, and demotivating YouTube problems, mounting health problems, and holiday plans all got in the way of my ability to finish the video I was planning to get out at the end of the year. I gave myself two weeks off to see my family and recharge a bit, and it was incredibly needed. Turns out, working literally nonstop has a habit of making health problems *worse*! Even when your job involves sitting down and staring at a computer all day. So, yeah, I'm doing everything in my power to ensure 2022 is a healthier year for work. The result is that unfortunately my output is gonna have to slow, and I'm dedicating myself to only putting out a video a month for the time being. This may be my M/O from now on, I may switch to just putting out videos whenever they're done, I'm not sure. Part of my decision stemmed from some time I took to crunch numbers on the work I did in 2021.
I've mentioned it before, but I log all my hours in a big spreadsheet I drafted up at the start of last year. Here's an example of what that looks like:
This was done less so to ensure I worked "enough" each week (although I often let it become that), and more so to determine the amount of time I spent on each aspect *of* the work I do. All this time logged was essentially to culminate in a big incomprehensible mess of a spreadsheet to output a set of only slightly less incomprehensible graphs:
The most important conclusions I came to from all this was, 1. Wow! I'm getting faster at making these (as evidenced by the Labor To Video chart, which determines the ratio of an hour of labor spent to the amount of *finished* video it roughly equates to, measured in minutes, as well as the time it takes me to speak a script relative to its length)! and 2. The videos I'm proudest of, and that most represent the kind of videos I want to make going forward (thoroughly researched, intricately edited, longer form) take a good bit longer to make, on average, than I can afford myself in a two week span.
Yes, it's true! I am a stress-spreadsheetmaker. But this wound up being more reassuring than anything. Toward the end of the year I observed I had spent a *lot* of time working on videos that, while I enjoyed making them, didn't really feel special to me. My claymation horror video was an example of a video that, while I'm fairly happy with it, was one I set out to make with the express intent of making with the fastest possible turnaround time so I could hone in on a much bigger project (that I'm still working on...). I still put nearly thirty hours into that video, which is thirty hours I could've put into something I truly felt excited about. The other bit of good news therein is that I have a whole bunch of videos I feel extremely excited about planned for this year that I can't wait to get started on.
This will ideally give me time to do other things I'm passionate about again. I care about making music about as much as I care about making videos, and I literally *lost* the calluses on my fingers that have been there since I first started playing guitar at age 17 because I only gave myself time to work on video for pretty much all of 2021. This year is probably going to be kind of weird for me, even, forcing myself to be comfortable with stopping work at the 8-hour mark each day is going to be difficult, especially when damn near everything I do for work is stuff I genuinely love doing, but I think by in large it'll be better for me.
So, when I finally *do* have another video out, don't be confused by the multiple-minutes-long intro sequence about the holiday season, LOL. Hopefully my output slowing down doesn't disappoint too much, and hopefully the quality of the work I *do* put out will make up for the less frequent uploads. Thank you all so much for continuing to support me through this brief drought. I promise I'll make it worth your while.
Comments
mercedes
hey, coming to this late to say you had a hell of a year, pandemic aside, and i’m grateful for all you’ve done to date. no matter where it goes , happy to be riding shotgun with your work <3
Alesha
Take all the time you need! Will still love your videos regardless :)
Noah Degrange
Take whatever time you need to take care of yourself - we'll still be here :)
Hi Hazel~ Really looking forward to your content in the coming months; I've absolutely loved your videos since discovering your YouTube channel. Thanks for sharing your work and take care~ PS I checked out Scarecrow Video the other day, what a rad place!
Frankenval
Thank you for all the things you do and take your time don't overwork yourself!
Kill Wolfhead
Hazel working on a better work/life balance is genuinely the best news I've had all holiday season. I'm so proud of video mommy.
Eli Bildirici
This is, honestly, inspiring. Happy new year, and good luck!
Woah, this is some high quality spreadsheeting! Happy you found a sustainable plan for videomaking
Absolutely love your content, don't get discouraged, take breaks. I would rather have 1 banger video by you every 3 months, than you burning out! 👍
Celeste Menidjel
A monthly highlight to look forward to!
Eliza Orlando
Absolutely love your content Hazel, thanks so much for taking the time to work this stuff out. Happy artists make good art and I am keen to see stuff from you for many years to come!
Marcy Coral
Take as much time as you need, videos as good as your's take time. Thanks as well for showing your spreadsheets and charts they're very interesting. Also sorry to hear you lost your callouses I hope you can harden those finger tips again as soon as possible.
Complete Over Analysis
I think I'm experiencing spreadsheet envy. That is a thing of beauty! I know the rest of the comments are saying the same sentiment, but I just thought I'd add to the collective of people saying that a good health balance is WELL worth fewer videos, and is always the preferable result. You've done so much! You deserve some rest!
Derek DeRosia
Please take as much time as you need to make sure you love the videos you make! Almost all of my other favorite creators on Patreon take all the time they need to create something they love and are proud of and it makes such a difference when they don't feel rushed into finishing something
hazel
mentally i've been fine! it's all physical health stuff giving me trouble.
Shane Adam Hughes
I would much rather you be in a good place mentally then have the content burn you out take your time I can wait I will still surport ya no matter what hope you had a good holiday
Queen Sapphire
I'm more than willing to wait to see what you've got in the works. Take your time and make something you like at your pace!
thank you for everything you do! <3
These spreadsheets are honestly amazing. I'm glad you are prioritizing your overall wellbeing and incorporating your work flow to fit that! No matter how much of a break there might be between videos, your work is always a treat!
I'm glad to hear you're going to focus on taking care of yourself more. One video a month is plenty and fewer than that would be fine too if you need that time to keep yourself healthy. Can't wait to see what you make this year!
Sometimes you gotta unionize against yourself when you’re your own boss lmao. You’re amazing and you do amazing work, Hazel. Frankly, even if you *didn’t*, you still would deserve to work a healthy shift. I hope 2022 sees you achieve all the awesome projects you want to accomplish, and more R&R!!
Coco Starr
Especially given the quality, creativity, and passion that goes into your videos.
Coco Starr
Bb, one video a month is still an amazingly frequent schedule! Some big channels only put out one video in 2021.
beefo
This is great hazel! Glad you’re taking steps to prioritize your own well-being, nothing is more important.
Natalie R
Happy new year Hazel!!!! PLEASE slow your output, especially if it's wearing on you! Work definitely should not affect your health, wether at an office job or on YouTube. We love you and we will be here.
0nion_bubs
No amount of hustle is worth sacrificing your wellbeing for. Take your time!
OJ
I’m really glad you’re taking the time to plan out a healthy work-life balance for yourself. I hope everything goes well for you in this new year! <3
Serah Elliott
I feel you about the callouses, exactly the same thing happened to me when I started working for a crunch-loving tech company. Take your time!
Ashe Dreamthief
💜
Angerboda
Health takes prioritu
golok
SMOKE
Elias Rosner
Happy new year! And take the time you need. Glad to hear you're making the choice to focus on what makes you happy and reduce stress
I really appreciate this, I hope you're able to find a good balance 💖
Alec Kubas-Meyer
I love your spreadsheets. (Also, health >>>, so am glad you're prioritizing that.)
Arpaigeio
Glad you're moving towards a sustainable balance that works for you! Your health and wellbeing should definitely come before content creation
I am ALL FOR creators setting healthy work boundaries. Take all the time you need to make stuff you love!
Happy new year hazel!
