An update on my YouTube journey: My latest video.

Why Making This YouTube Video Felt Like Assembling IKEA Furniture Without Instructions

Embarking on the wild adventure of creating and uploading my latest YouTube video felt like trying to assemble IKEA furniture without the instructions—a mix of excitement, confusion, and the occasional urge to throw a screwdriver. Except in this case, it was a loaded paintbrush.

The Three-Day Creative Marathon

Imagine spending three days locked in a room with your laptop, fueled by caffeine and sheer determination. That’s precisely how my recent video came to life. Here’s a glimpse into the rollercoaster ride:

🌀 Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow: Midway through filming, I realized my hair resembled a bird’s nest. Note to self: always check the mirror before hitting record.

💡 Lighting Woes: One side of my face was illuminated like a supernova, while the other lurked in shadow. Who knew achieving balanced lighting was akin to summoning a unicorn?

🎤 Mic Check, One-Two… Oops!: I got tired of looking for my microphone and decided to wing it. The result? Audio that sounded like it was recorded underwater. Pro tip: don’t be lazy. If you don’t have a mic, no worries—it wasn’t that bad. But I do have one. I have no excuses.

🎬 Synchronization Shenanigans: Aligning audio with video felt like orchestrating a dance between two left-footed partners. Patience truly is a virtue.

🎶 Musical Misadventures: Picking the perfect background track was harder than choosing a Netflix show on a Friday night. After hours of deliberation, I settled on a few audio files that were… let’s just say, "unique." I can’t wait for the day I have access to something other than free, attribution-free music.

Despite these hiccups, the sense of accomplishment was over the moon. I looked like an old, chunky, frizzy-haired Shakira shimmying around the house when the damn video finally uploaded correctly—on the sixth try. Sure, there are countless things I’d tweak, but I did it and I know repeating this process over and over again will eventually lead to perfection. Right?

The Video Creation Odyssey

For those curious about the behind-the-scenes chaos, here’s a breakdown of the process:

📝 Idea Generation: Staring at the ceiling, wondering which one of my 900 thousand bajillion ideas to start with.

📜 Scripting: I wrote down my thoughts... then ignored them. Last time, I scripted too much. This time, I winged it. Next time? Maybe a happy medium—bullet points.

🎥 Filming: Setting up shots, wrestling with lighting, and hoping my 4-year-old granddaughter’s very loud explanation to her mom—that it’s totally fine she asked for pizza but now that it’s ready, she actually wants spaghetti—doesn’t make it into the background. Oh, and the dog? Yeah, you can hear him loudly arguing that the pizza shouldn’t just be thrown away.

✂️ Editing: Cutting out awkward pauses, adding transitions, and wondering how long it will take before I can do all this on autopilot.

📤 Uploading: Crafting catchy titles and descriptions, then obsessively refreshing for views. Hoping people watch the whole thing so the algorithm is happy... OR at least leave it playing while they go do something else.

Each stage is a learning curve, but that’s where the magic happens.

A Pep Talk for Fellow Creators

Here’s some of the advice I’ve gathered from my research—along with my two cents:

⭐ Embrace the Mess: Your first video might be a hot mess, and that’s perfectly fine. Growth comes from imperfection. (But I still want it to be perfect!)

⭐ Learn as You Go: There’s no manual for this. Dive in, make mistakes, and YouTube your way to success. Rinse and repeat! Build muscle memory. I know the feeling… I’m just still waiting for mine to kick in.

⭐ Work with What You Have: Fancy equipment is nice, but authenticity shines brighter than a 4K camera. Still… I can’t wait to get all the shiny toys.

⭐ Join the Community: Engage with other creators. Share tips, laugh at blunders, and celebrate victories together. But… not everyone plays well with others. Some people just want to throw punches. I’m learning to be like a duck—let it roll off my back and keep prancing around with a goofy smile like I didn’t just get gut-punched. It gets easier with practice.

Final Thoughts:

Creating this video was a journey, full of challenges, laughs, and way too much time spent staring at my screen. But that’s all part of the process. If you’re thinking of starting a YouTube channel, go for it! It’s messy, frustrating, and incredibly rewarding.

Now… let’s see if the algorithm likes me today. 🤞

Gear Up: Top Tools for Aspiring YouTubers

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. If you’re interested in any of the items mentioned, you’ll find the links at the bottom of this post.

While content is king, having the right tools can make the journey smoother. Here's my wish list of top-selling items to elevate my videos: If you have any of these items tell us what you think in the comments. Please and Thank You!

I don’t have any of these products yet. Just window shopping and asking for advice if you already own them or have something similar you love. Do share! As I collect these items, I will come back and tell you what I think.

Smartphone Video Vlogging Kit with LED Light
A comprehensive starter kit compatible with iPhone and Android, featuring an LED light, phone holder, microphone, tripod, and carry bag. Ideal for on-the-go recording. View on Amazon

Movo iVlogger-PRO Vlogging Kit
Designed for both iPhone and Android users, this kit includes a phone tripod, mount, RGB light, and VXR10 shotgun microphone, catering to diverse recording needs. View on Amazon

UBeesize 12'' Selfie Ring Light with 62’’ Tripod Stand
This setup offers enhanced lighting for video recording and live streaming, compatible with phones, cameras, and webcams. View on Amazon

Sony ZV-1F Content Creator's Ultimate Kit
A comprehensive bundle featuring a 128GB memory card, microphone, video light, editing software, U-Grip, and tripod, tailored for serious content creators. View on Amazon

Overhead Camera Mount with Ring Light
A flexible articulating phone arm stand compatible with iPhones and Logitech webcams, perfect for overhead shots in cooking or nail art videos. View on Amazon

Embarking on the YouTube journey is like riding a rollercoaster—thrilling, unpredictable, and occasionally nausea-inducing. But with each loop and twist, you become more adept and confident. So, strap in, hit record, and enjoy the ride!