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I really enjoyed this. I always find after burning myself out that the place where the spark lives is slightly different. It's as you said, you mined it out, being gentle helps you to sus out the location of the new spark, and going gentle with that spark will help it live a long and flourishing life. Thank you for the video man. May you feel nourished, inspired and well rested.
Another thing, there is a difference in being real for yourself, instead of being real to impress others. If you find the joy for yourself others will see it and come along for the party. Make videos for yourself and we'll be interested. Not to say people don't need to focus on communicating that joy effectively, because sure that's important, but communication of your truth is different from changing your truth to please others. That's a recipe for burnout.
Really cool video, man! I've heard people refer to "burnout" as this tiring thing that I always just equated to being the same thing as fatigue, but it was really interesting to hear such an insightful perspective about it.
I found this video and your channel from a recommendation from Jinzee, (The best by the way), And this was a great video. I feel like, even though I'm not a content creator, I feel as though I can relate to it. Good job. Also, I was no expecting B-roll in the desert. Props for that too. Followed.
What a wonderful message, and beautifully put. I feel much of this applies to me, down to recently seeing Kiki for the first time and having a minor revelation. I had to go through a complete breakdown with all the bells and whistles to arrive at conclusions similar to yours. Can't recommend my method lol
Phil M Otter, more like Phil Osopher Otter, amirite? GOTTEM! This video is a must-watch for anyone struggling with the deep impacts that pouring your life into your work can have on you. Didn’t know I needed this, but as an elections worker who just last month watched everything I’ve been fighting to stop for the last four years just… happen anyway… I needed to hear this. To remember that it’s okay to step away and reclaim who I was before I poured my life into my work. Thanks, Ootre.
Definitely feeling real about the burnout. In 2023, my debut novel Starborn Vendetta released, and something just hit and it felt like something died. I couldn't complete anything I tried for six months straight. I was so utterly lost, wondering if I'd lost my spark. I was doing an Open University degree, so I wasn't completely not doing anything, but I had some internal question marks over whether I would write anything again,. It took me thinking back to something I loved doing to reawaken some of my writing. Now I've got more than one path forward, and I don't have regrets anymore. Go you. Take care of yourself. (EDIT: Also fun fact, my Chrome browser has decided that text will be black on a dark background, which made writing the above extremely tricky...)
Otter, amazing video as always, and one that I absolutely identify with. I'm not a streamer, but I am working on a side project that I take a great deal of pride in, and have put a great deal of energy into, so I definitely know how it feels to be overwhelmed by something you've given life to and poured your passions into. Anyway, take care of yourself, you're doing great work out there!
9:59 oh my poor boy 💖🫂 I know exactly how you feel. I had a ton of traumatic events hit me all at once a few months ago and a big portion of it was work related. It took me a long time to figure it out but actually had developed PTSD and was having very similar panic attacks. I'm extremely poor and from the rural South and was badly abused so it's not like it was just this that caused my problems but I can imagine this isn't your first brush with trauma either. I hope you're doing a little better now. Sorry if this was a lot, this segment just really hit close to home
An important thing i took away from this video, remember humanity and don’t get lost to a business. I need to learn how to take a step back and rehumanize myself. This was honestly a wakeup call myself. Thanks otter.
Great video! Though there's something oddly ironic about all this considering the prevailing theory about this game is that the PC passed on early in the accident and that the whole journey is just their acceptance of that and passage into The Beyond
This was fantastic! It's really nice to hear someone else saying the fears and worries that are rattling around in my brain. Also, I think you just awakened a love for video essays in me...
horror? jumpscares? uh... don't want to worry you... but uh... there's somone behind you playing Uncharted.... ready to pounce... Oh, it's me! with hugs. (also failing to take a break because I'm working ...) Let's walk along the beach 💖
@@Randomsquiggle there's an edited down version on my second channel! ua-cam.com/video/WakZUsw2gsg/v-deo.htmlsi=VJQdFOB0cl91WrDV And the Twitch VOD is still up as well.
I'm so sorry life has been getting you down. I'm not going to tell you to keep going, because the pressure to keep going clearly hasn't been serving you. But I did want to say your videos are enjoyed out there, and I'll enjoy them at whatever pace is healthy for you.
luckily, i don't need to earn money from freelancing because i have a job but most of it goes to my parents so they can pay for family living. so after watching this video, i am concerned that one day i will push myself too hard to raise funds for a purchase related to creativity or leisure
Great video! I agree with your recommendation to take breaks, but I think your conclusion could be expanded. Since your work involves creativity and public exposure, accepting negativity and embracing quiet periods may, as you mentioned, would likely impact your analytics (in the short term). However, it might also significantly improve your motivation and enjoyment of the work. By focusing less on analytics and constant positivity, you may feel happier and less stressed, which will likely come across during your streams, creating a positive feedback loop with your audience, thus garnering long term success, both mentally and economically. I would also like to critique some of your conclusions regarding the relationship between work and creativity. I don’t believe that defining your identity or purpose through work necessarily leads to a loss of creativity or individuality. Work is a vital part of a meaningful life-performing activities that contributes to greater human prosperity, whether for consumers, colleagues, or, by extension, family and friends. Work, to me, is as necessary to a meaningful human experience as other meaningful aspects of life (such as family, friends, virtues, hobbies, culture, intellectual pursuits etc.). Kiki didn’t lose her powers because of her work; she lost them because she committed to her work at the expense of everything else. She also didn't regain them by taking a break, she regained them when she learned the value of friendship and virtues acts. After gaining them back, she started improving her workplace and made time for other activities. This is what made her life meaningful. I think this message was most clearly echoed in the epilogue. This was her letter home: "Dear Mother and Father, how are you doing? Jiji and I are fine. Everything at work is falling into place. I'm gaining confidence. There are still times when I fell sad, but all in all, I sure love this town."
The true existential horror is capitalism. Anything else pales by comparison. It drains the joy, enthusiasm, and life-force from humanity, and keeps them in slavery without without them even noticing. That's why people go home after their soul-destroying work-day and play fantasy games. Those people don't even realise that the part of their game which they subconsciously long for, isn't the swords or magic, it is that they can own land, they they get to keep 100% of the produce of their own labour, and their time is their own; all concepts that are denied to the modern wage-slave.
Is all work in a capitalist society really life-draining? Is retaining the full produce of one's labor genuinely what people desire? Consider UA-camrs, small business owners, and similar individuals-they receive 100% of the fruits of their labor. In contrast, employees such as lawyers or doctors working for firms or hospitals do not. I don’t think that the proportion of profits a worker receives necessarily determines whether work is joyful or meaningful. To me, there are many aspects of life that are necessary for a meaningful existence. Work is a part of this, as it provides an opportunity for individuals to feel that they contribute to society and human prosperity. This is, of course, only one component. Life must also include time for family, friends, hobbies, culture, intellectual growth and be aligned with virtues. The aspects of life outside of work are undoubtedly essential for a meaningful existence. However, they are inherently individualistic. I think that life would be incomplete without participation in some form of collective effort to improve society. Work facilitates this participation. As capitalism is the system that ensures the most efficient allocation of resources, as history suggests, then it is the optimal method for organizing labor. However, it is evident that capitalism does not address certain externalities effectively, such as healthcare, education, certain research, law enforcement, public transportation, infrastructure etc. These externalities have to be outsourced to the public. While I agree that capitalism causes significant societal issues, I believe the solution is not its abolition, but rather the equitable redistribution of profits across society. This would enable low-wage workers in fields, such as cleaning, waiting, or teaching to have their work complement all other aspects of a meaningful life.
I really mean this as a constructive criticism: how can anyone actually listen to this? At 1,25x speed you still talk slower than an unprepared student asked to make a presentation in class. It's not like you were explaining any complicated concepts and I don't understand what's with the awkward pauses every 2-3 words. It's too difficult for me to stay focused and keep watching this. Hope you go for a more natural speech in future videos.
@@cthechud87 no no they have a point, Rainbow. Their deep catalog of content that they've posted online leads me to trust their very very valid opinion LOL
@@filmotter My public speaking and debate coach from high school would love your delivery. It's smooth, clear, and well-paced. It speaks to how seriously you take your videos.
Heya! If you enjoy the videos and want to support, become a monthly supporter on Ko-Fi ko-fi.com/filmotter
You'll get shout-outs at the end, sneak peeks at future video essays, and behind the scenes content. Or you can do a one-time donation!
Holy shit. I didn't expect to feel so seen. This is the best video you've made yet. The way you tied everything together was masterful.
Thank you! And don't worry, I am always seeeeeein' you, dingus
This video took 35 minutes from me that I will never get back. AND THANK GOD great use of those 35 minutes
@@nazariioliinyk9871 the roller coaster of this comment Naza! Lmao
I really enjoyed this. I always find after burning myself out that the place where the spark lives is slightly different.
It's as you said, you mined it out, being gentle helps you to sus out the location of the new spark, and going gentle with that spark will help it live a long and flourishing life.
Thank you for the video man.
May you feel nourished, inspired and well rested.
Another thing, there is a difference in being real for yourself, instead of being real to impress others.
If you find the joy for yourself others will see it and come along for the party.
Make videos for yourself and we'll be interested. Not to say people don't need to focus on communicating that joy effectively, because sure that's important, but communication of your truth is different from changing your truth to please others. That's a recipe for burnout.
You still wake my deep ❤Wonderful and timely video. Definitely something I needed to see right now
AYOOO??? The deep awakening????
Incredible video, Otter. This was inspiring, moving and insightful. *sends hugs*
thank you for sending hugs!
Really cool video, man! I've heard people refer to "burnout" as this tiring thing that I always just equated to being the same thing as fatigue, but it was really interesting to hear such an insightful perspective about it.
I'm glad you found it interesting. Making this video was really tough so I'm happy it speaks to people!
So relatable. That feeling of thinking what you’re doing is not enough and the pressure of needing to do more…UGH.
Great video Otter!
Lookie THANK YOUUUU
@ NO YOU!!
…You welcome! Lol
@@ohlookie3182 NO US?
@@filmotter *shocked pikachu*
I loved how you connected video games and kiki's delivery service, two of my favorite things!!
Kiki's is the BEST! And so are you, Deej!
I found this video and your channel from a recommendation from Jinzee, (The best by the way), And this was a great video. I feel like, even though I'm not a content creator, I feel as though I can relate to it. Good job. Also, I was no expecting B-roll in the desert. Props for that too. Followed.
I'm glad you dig it! Jinzee is amazing!
What a wonderful message, and beautifully put. I feel much of this applies to me, down to recently seeing Kiki for the first time and having a minor revelation.
I had to go through a complete breakdown with all the bells and whistles to arrive at conclusions similar to yours. Can't recommend my method lol
I've definitely been there before, I get it!
Otter you have such a wonderful way with words and your editing is, as always, absolutely stunning. Loved the video! ❤
Oh my god! You're very kind Jinzee. Thanks for being a part of it!
I relate a lot to feeling mainly defined by work. This came at exactly the right time for me. Love your content
I'm really glad it spike to you! It's nice to hear that I'm not alone in that feeling, you know?
Great video, Otter! Also look: a comment!
Wow, look, a reply!
@@filmotter A reply to a reply? INCREDIBLE.
@@FauxRetro But what if I reply to your reply to my reply
Excellent video. Hope things go up for you as always and keep up the great work!
LIKEWISE, NERD
gorgeous and insightful video. burnout is rough and insidious and this video portrays that so well. gotta play this game sometime x) it looks good.
I think you would dig it!
a brilliantly and professionally made video essay. be prepared to cry.
also - ELDRITCH BACON.
SO much bacon in this game.
Beautiful video here! Incredible.
YOU'RE beautiful, how dare you
Phil M Otter, more like Phil Osopher Otter, amirite?
GOTTEM!
This video is a must-watch for anyone struggling with the deep impacts that pouring your life into your work can have on you. Didn’t know I needed this, but as an elections worker who just last month watched everything I’ve been fighting to stop for the last four years just… happen anyway… I needed to hear this. To remember that it’s okay to step away and reclaim who I was before I poured my life into my work.
Thanks, Ootre.
GOTTEM
Otter, you did an amazing job with this video! It touched a lot of people! Thank you for your content and most of all thank you for being you! ❤
Thank YOU for all that YOU do, hello???
Definitely feeling real about the burnout. In 2023, my debut novel Starborn Vendetta released, and something just hit and it felt like something died. I couldn't complete anything I tried for six months straight. I was so utterly lost, wondering if I'd lost my spark. I was doing an Open University degree, so I wasn't completely not doing anything, but I had some internal question marks over whether I would write anything again,. It took me thinking back to something I loved doing to reawaken some of my writing. Now I've got more than one path forward, and I don't have regrets anymore.
Go you. Take care of yourself.
(EDIT: Also fun fact, my Chrome browser has decided that text will be black on a dark background, which made writing the above extremely tricky...)
Me? Taking care of myself? Illegal
Otter, amazing video as always, and one that I absolutely identify with. I'm not a streamer, but I am working on a side project that I take a great deal of pride in, and have put a great deal of energy into, so I definitely know how it feels to be overwhelmed by something you've given life to and poured your passions into. Anyway, take care of yourself, you're doing great work out there!
Thank you so much, I appreciate this more than you know
Love the video. I really enjoy it.. thanks otter
@ZaMeeps thank you Meepsy!!! I'm glad you vibes with it!!!
9:59 oh my poor boy 💖🫂 I know exactly how you feel. I had a ton of traumatic events hit me all at once a few months ago and a big portion of it was work related. It took me a long time to figure it out but actually had developed PTSD and was having very similar panic attacks.
I'm extremely poor and from the rural South and was badly abused so it's not like it was just this that caused my problems but I can imagine this isn't your first brush with trauma either.
I hope you're doing a little better now.
Sorry if this was a lot, this segment just really hit close to home
Madooter stuns in new vessay
HON HON HON OUI OUI
Thanks for insightful video. Sometimes taking a break is better than working. I still trying to learn how to take break. This helps a lot.
I'm glad you enjoyed it!
An important thing i took away from this video, remember humanity and don’t get lost to a business. I need to learn how to take a step back and rehumanize myself. This was honestly a wakeup call myself. Thanks otter.
Great video! Though there's something oddly ironic about all this considering the prevailing theory about this game is that the PC passed on early in the accident and that the whole journey is just their acceptance of that and passage into The Beyond
legit great job my dude. :')
Thank you so much!
This was fantastic! It's really nice to hear someone else saying the fears and worries that are rattling around in my brain. Also, I think you just awakened a love for video essays in me...
YOOOOO that's huge! And thank you for the kind words, you're a slay!
horror? jumpscares? uh... don't want to worry you... but uh... there's somone behind you playing Uncharted.... ready to pounce... Oh, it's me! with hugs. (also failing to take a break because I'm working ...) Let's walk along the beach 💖
TO THE BEACH WE GO
Otter thank you for this video, I hope that you can find the restful balance this year. Happy 2025!
Happy New Year! And thank you. I'm doing my best out here 😅
I just found your channel this is a hidden gem. Keep up the good work!
Thank you!
My whole heart lit up when I saw this in my feed! Absolutely love your videos 💖😊
It's been a while, I know 🤣🤣
"yes I still call it twitter" dead naming companies is morally a good thing
SO TRUE
This video gave me a lot to think about. damn. very least i can do is leave a comment
@@gidelix gidelix thank youuu, you're the best
I forgot to leave a comment because I was too busy crying. Excellent video friendo.
I APPRECIATE YOU
Damn that end was so satisfying. Absolute cinema!
wooooooow break my heart over lunch why don't you! this was so beautiful and relevant and real. i hope you get to rest more in 2025
I'm sorry about your ramen!
Is your SWtD playthrough still available to watch anywhere?
@@Randomsquiggle there's an edited down version on my second channel! ua-cam.com/video/WakZUsw2gsg/v-deo.htmlsi=VJQdFOB0cl91WrDV
And the Twitch VOD is still up as well.
I'm so sorry life has been getting you down. I'm not going to tell you to keep going, because the pressure to keep going clearly hasn't been serving you. But I did want to say your videos are enjoyed out there, and I'll enjoy them at whatever pace is healthy for you.
I really appreciate that!
Damn, I never played this game, but omg what a deep analysis! That was amazing video-essay, well done! Greetings from russia!
@@blackburn1489 I'm glad you liked it! Let me know if you end up trying the game
luckily, i don't need to earn money from freelancing because i have a job
but most of it goes to my parents so they can pay for family living.
so after watching this video, i am concerned that one day i will push myself too hard to raise funds for a purchase related to creativity or leisure
Could not get past six minutes before caving in and downloading the game 😭 I’ll return back to the vid after I’m done
understandable! I hope you enjoy it!
Great video! I agree with your recommendation to take breaks, but I think your conclusion could be expanded. Since your work involves creativity and public exposure, accepting negativity and embracing quiet periods may, as you mentioned, would likely impact your analytics (in the short term). However, it might also significantly improve your motivation and enjoyment of the work. By focusing less on analytics and constant positivity, you may feel happier and less stressed, which will likely come across during your streams, creating a positive feedback loop with your audience, thus garnering long term success, both mentally and economically.
I would also like to critique some of your conclusions regarding the relationship between work and creativity. I don’t believe that defining your identity or purpose through work necessarily leads to a loss of creativity or individuality. Work is a vital part of a meaningful life-performing activities that contributes to greater human prosperity, whether for consumers, colleagues, or, by extension, family and friends. Work, to me, is as necessary to a meaningful human experience as other meaningful aspects of life (such as family, friends, virtues, hobbies, culture, intellectual pursuits etc.).
Kiki didn’t lose her powers because of her work; she lost them because she committed to her work at the expense of everything else. She also didn't regain them by taking a break, she regained them when she learned the value of friendship and virtues acts. After gaining them back, she started improving her workplace and made time for other activities. This is what made her life meaningful. I think this message was most clearly echoed in the epilogue. This was her letter home:
"Dear Mother and Father, how are you doing? Jiji and I are fine. Everything at work is falling into place. I'm gaining confidence. There are still times when I fell sad, but all in all, I sure love this town."
The true existential horror is capitalism. Anything else pales by comparison.
It drains the joy, enthusiasm, and life-force from humanity, and keeps them in slavery without without them even noticing.
That's why people go home after their soul-destroying work-day and play fantasy games. Those people don't even realise that the part of their game which they subconsciously long for, isn't the swords or magic, it is that they can own land, they they get to keep 100% of the produce of their own labour, and their time is their own; all concepts that are denied to the modern wage-slave.
VERY THAT
Is all work in a capitalist society really life-draining? Is retaining the full produce of one's labor genuinely what people desire? Consider UA-camrs, small business owners, and similar individuals-they receive 100% of the fruits of their labor. In contrast, employees such as lawyers or doctors working for firms or hospitals do not. I don’t think that the proportion of profits a worker receives necessarily determines whether work is joyful or meaningful.
To me, there are many aspects of life that are necessary for a meaningful existence. Work is a part of this, as it provides an opportunity for individuals to feel that they contribute to society and human prosperity. This is, of course, only one component. Life must also include time for family, friends, hobbies, culture, intellectual growth and be aligned with virtues.
The aspects of life outside of work are undoubtedly essential for a meaningful existence. However, they are inherently individualistic. I think that life would be incomplete without participation in some form of collective effort to improve society. Work facilitates this participation. As capitalism is the system that ensures the most efficient allocation of resources, as history suggests, then it is the optimal method for organizing labor. However, it is evident that capitalism does not address certain externalities effectively, such as healthcare, education, certain research, law enforcement, public transportation, infrastructure etc. These externalities have to be outsourced to the public.
While I agree that capitalism causes significant societal issues, I believe the solution is not its abolition, but rather the equitable redistribution of profits across society. This would enable low-wage workers in fields, such as cleaning, waiting, or teaching to have their work complement all other aspects of a meaningful life.
I really mean this as a constructive criticism: how can anyone actually listen to this? At 1,25x speed you still talk slower than an unprepared student asked to make a presentation in class. It's not like you were explaining any complicated concepts and I don't understand what's with the awkward pauses every 2-3 words. It's too difficult for me to stay focused and keep watching this. Hope you go for a more natural speech in future videos.
LMAO aw babe, this ain't tiktok
Okay, but did you try watching at 1.5x speed? 🪱
@@cthechud87 no no they have a point, Rainbow. Their deep catalog of content that they've posted online leads me to trust their very very valid opinion LOL
@@filmotter My public speaking and debate coach from high school would love your delivery. It's smooth, clear, and well-paced. It speaks to how seriously you take your videos.
Do you need subway surfers on the side to stay focused?