Do you remember when you had a brilliant idea that you were absolutely thrilled about? You couldn’t stop thinking about it, and you were filled with the same excitement and enthusiasm as a child. This idea could be anything from a new hobby or career, to a relationship or even a tangible goal like buying a house.
I used to have this kind of excitement about gaming. I loved sharing my gaming experiences and journey with others, so I started writing gaming articles and eventually created my own gaming sites. However, when my mother was diagnosed with cancer, I had to put my gaming pursuits on hold to focus on her. After she passed away, I missed sharing my gaming journey and decided to start uploading videos of my gameplay on YouTube. I was in my element and absolutely loved it.
But then, things took a turn for the worse. YouTube kept changing its policies and algorithms, making it increasingly difficult for content creators like myself to consistently upload content. The ContentID system, which is supposed to help protect against copyright infringement, ended up causing more problems than it solved. I found myself constantly dealing with false claims and trying to please advertisers that I didn’t even know, rather than focusing on the content that I actually wanted to create.
All of this ended up extinguishing my youthful enthusiasm and replacing it with a sense of negativity and caution. It’s a familiar feeling for many of us, isn’t it? After we’ve been burnt, it’s easy to become skeptical and wary of new ideas, always wondering what obstacles will pop up and how we can avoid them. As a result, many great ideas never even get a chance to fail because they never make it off the ground. That’s where I found myself, stuck in a negative headspace and unable to move forward.
Time For A Change
It’s been a tough year, and it’s easy to fall into a negative state of mind. For me, 2020 has been a year of truth and enlightenment. I’ve opened my eyes to the realities of the world and made a conscious effort to change my perspective. I refuse to live in denial or delusion any longer.
It’s not just the pandemic that’s causing problems. Racism, discrimination, and sexual abuse are all still prevalent. Businesses often focus on their own profits over the needs and well-being of their customers and employees. And, as for the government? Let’s just say that they have a tendency to play games and prioritize their own interests over those of the people they are supposed to serve.
It’s all too easy to get caught up in the negativity and despair that the news brings. That’s why I’ve started the habit of washing my hands after reading the news—it’s a small action that helps me feel a little bit better mentally.
But I realized that it’s time for a change. I haven’t stopped having “cool ideas,” but I’ve talked myself out of pursuing them because of all the crap going on in the world. So, I decided to reframe my mindset and start thinking of these ideas as opportunities instead.
For example, when a new game catches my attention, I used to immediately think of all the hoops I’d have to jump through to make videos about it on YouTube. But now, I try to focus on the opportunities that this idea presents. Maybe I could write articles about the game, or create smaller videos that are less likely to be flagged by YouTube’s algorithm. Or, I could consider alternative platforms like Twitter or YouTube podcasts. The choice is mine, and it’s important to remember that we always have options.
Ultimately, it’s about what makes me happy. I enjoy sharing my gaming experiences with intelligent, like-minded people and learning new things. If I focus on those goals, there are plenty of opportunities available to me, whether that be in gaming or in other areas that interest me. It’s all about finding and pursuing the things that bring us joy and fulfillment.
