Finding Silver Linings In Forced "Breaks"

Looking On The Bright Side...In The Garden Of Creative Platforms

I may not have a garden (or a green thumb), but I do find comfort and solace in working in my creative, online gardens: my Shop, Substack, and YouTube channel.

Like a real-world garden, all three require attention, creativity, and patience. Like a planted seed, with the right amounts of light, love and luck, they can grow into something big, beautiful, and wonderful.

1. My Shop is home to my creations and curations and has art prints, t-shirts, and more available for others to enjoy.

2. My Substack is where I can share my videos and views with a growing community of fellow creatives and subscribers. When I do good, they cheer me on and support my work. When I veer off course, they chime in and remind me the audience is listening and is usually right.

3. My YouTube channel, despite the setbacks (and much bitching and glitching), is a vibrant patch where I can express myself and share my work on a scale far larger than I ever thought possible.

Tending to these creative gardens brings me joy and fulfillment. Mostly.

But like most full-time jobs, there are a few duties that are, well, doody.

Recently, I found myself dealing with lots of doody. Including being on the receiving end of YouTube's notoriously ridiculous and rigid strike system.

In case you missed it, long story short: Team YouTube thinks a Wikimedia Commons link deserves a 2-week forced "break." I think Team YouTube is high on its own supply.

While I spent more than a week fighting a Quixotic battle with Team YouTube, I finally started seeing how to create and curate my creative growth during this forced hiatus. But it would require much doody…I mean fertilizer.

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BUT FIRST = ANGER + DISBELIEF

When I received the notification from YouTube, I was in shock. A link to a source site like Wikimedia Commons? It’s still beyond absurd to me.

In my experience and opinion, YT’s strike system, designed to maintain “community guidelines,” lacks any shred of common sense or human decency. Its punishments rarely match the (alleged) crimes.

As Judge, Jury, Appeals Court, and Executioner, fair is a care YouTube does not share.

To say Team YouTube is unable/unwilling to look at anything in context is an understatement. (Gotta love those bots and bot-like bureaucrats, right? Not.)

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FROM SETBACKS TO SILVER LININGS

After the initial shock (and over a week of fighting), I finally decided to see this forced “break” as an opportunity to recharge and reinvest in my creativity.

Here are a few silver linings I’ve found so far:

1. From YouTube-First To Substack-First

The sudden gap in my YouTube schedule opened up time to delve deeper into a platform I actually like/love: Substack. As a companion site to both the Shop and YouTube, it’s a great creative “home” base, bridging art and commerce and allowing me to express myself on a bevy of topics. Substack is where you can find out the latest about me and my work Going forward, most (if not all) videos will premiere on Substack.

EXPLORE COLLIDE PRESS = ON THE WEB + SUBSTACK APP

2. Gardening The Shop

With more free time, I’ve also focused on adding to updating CollidePress.com. I’ve redesigned much of the site and added several new, exclusive ART PRINTS and T-SHIRT DESIGNS. This not only helped improve the website’s aesthetic but also its functionality, making it easier for visitors to explore and purchase unique creations. Given several repeat customers in the past week, I’m optimistic.

3. Engaging with the Community

The break from YouTube has allowed me to engage more with my audience on other social media as well. I’ve shared some of my triumphs and defeats. I’ve also received invaluable feedback that can overlooked in the rush of producing content daily. Thank you to those who shared your experiences and points-of-view!

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RENEWED SENSE OF PURPOSE

By the time the two-week suspension is finally lifted on Friday, I’m confident I’ll return to YouTube with a renewed sense of purpose, including refocusing my efforts here on Substack, a creator-friendly platform by and for adults.

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ADVOCACY + AWARENESS

I may have lost the battle (and my appeal), but I’ve still got some fight left in me. And after experiencing YouTube’s strike system firsthand, I realize the need for more transparent and flexible policies. As a content creators, I think it’s crucial to not only fight the powers that be (by any means necessary) but also to advocate for changes that support creativity and fair treatment. My intention in sharing my experiences is more than just venting my frustration. It’s about raising awareness to other creators and standing up against arbitrary censorship and restrictions.

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EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED

For the past few summers, a dear friend has kept me up to date on all things Big Brother, the CBS reality show. The show’s tagline is “Expect The Unexcepted.” And that’s certainly true about living la vida loca as a creator.

While this forced “break” has not been a walk in the part by any means, I made a conscious decision to make it work. I’ve decided to look for silving linings. And like most things you look for hard enough, I’ve found a few. Enough to brighten my days and mood. Now to keep nurturing my gardens…

Learning to embrace (not just expect) the unexpected, I’m discovering new creative avenues, learning how to grow my community in different ways, and planning to return to YouTube with a fresher, healthier perspective on the platform.

No matter what kind of life you lead, setbacks (like doody) happen. But looking for silver linings can lead to a better, more rewarding life ahead.

Thanks for reading!
Clint

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