If you’ve ever wondered ‘why is nobody watching my content?’ you’re not alone.
There’s something oddly vulnerable about recording a video (or any piece of content), pouring your heart into it, and sending it out into the world – not knowing if anyone will even watch it.
I’ve been doing my YouTube experiment for about a month now, and I thought I’d share some honest reflections on what it’s been like behind the scenes.
Not the highlight reel or the “how I got 10k subscribers in 30 days” kind of story (because that’s definitely not my story!), but the quieter, more human experience of showing up consistently even when the metrics don’t immediately reflect your efforts.
Falling into the comparison trap when nobody seems to be watching your content
I’ve caught myself comparing my channel to so many other YouTubers and coming up with all sorts of stories in my head.
When asking myself why is nobody watching my content, I’ve noticed that I tend to make two types of comparisons – the first is more judgmental, and the other is more wishing for what someone else has and telling myself I could never have that.
In times like these, I try not to judge myself for having these thoughts but rather see them as an invitation to dive a little deeper.
Instead of speaking to myself unkindly or judging other random strangers on the internet, I approach my comparison with curiosity and a way to get to know myself a little better.
For instance, when I reflected on seeing other channels being monetised (and being slightly judgy), I had to acknowledge that, secretly, I would love this too.
And would that really be so bad?
(trust me, I was just as shocked by this realisation)
While it’s not my main goal, if I’m pouring all this energy into creating content, it would be lovely to have something back for my time and energy.
A little bit of income would give me more time and resources to spoil myself or get better at filming, improve my content, and have more mental bandwidth for my business.
This feels like an equal energy exchange.
Another comparison I made was with another creator whose channel inspires me. I acknowledged that I was comparing and using it as an unrealistic yardstick for perfection, holding myself back because I wanted my content to be as “perfectly filmed” as theirs.
But they’ve been doing this for years, so of course, they’re further along.
I looked at their first videos to see how far they’ve come. Their intros were also fumbled, and their sound quality was not great. Yet, they carried on sharing through the discomfort.
They found their rhythm.
This gave me the encouragement that growth is possible for me, too – and the permission slip to not expect my videos to look like theirs right now, knowing the only way to get there is by showing up (even if I’m not “good enough,” YET!).
Avoiding content formulas that strip away your authenticity
When I catch myself obsessing over why is nobody watching my content, I’m being extremely careful not to consume those ‘growth hack’-style videos filtering into my feed.
It’s so tempting, isn’t it?
Believing that we’re just one good piece of content away from cracking the code and having everything “sorted.” Box checked, I am now on my way, too.
(I’m not sure where, but that’s the goal, right?).
This fixation on “being sorted” – having it all figured out – has me obsessing over outcomes rather than enjoying the journey.
When I’m chasing the perfect formula, I lose sight of why I started creating in the first place. The metrics become the mission, rather than the message I wanted to share or the people I hoped to connect with.
The irony is that this chase for certainty often disconnects me from my intuition – the very thing that would make my content more meaningful.
I find myself asking, “Will this get views?” instead of, “Does this matter to me and the people I want to reach?”
When I’m focused solely on what will “work,” I’m no longer creating from the authentic place that drew me to start my channel in the first place.
While these “how-to” videos definitely help with specific technical aspects or give us space to dream and hope for what is possible, they can become obsessive and, quite honestly, strip away all creativity and opportunity for creating something of my own.
That’s what makes so much online content sound exactly the same: this chase after the perfect formula. I don’t want my videos to sound like everybody else’s – because then why would anyone watch mine?
I want to maintain my voice and perspective rather than blend into the sea of sameness, where we’re all following the same templates and saying the same things in slightly different ways.
Plus, I forget to ask myself if the thing I am chasing is actually my desire or someone else’s.
It’s sneaky and creeps up on you without you even realising it.
This is making me very intentional about the content I consume, especially as a platform creator.
Finding unexpected joy in the creation process – even when nobody is watching my content
One of the surprisingly joyful aspects of creating videos has been simply enjoying my home differently.
It might sound silly, but I’ve been finding little spots that look pretty for filming – even though my house is still a work in progress!
Finding these cosy corners where I can sit and record these videos has given me a new appreciation for my space and shown me how far I’ve come.
When I started my channel, this wasn’t something I expected, but it’s become such a lovely by-product of the process. Creating content in this way has helped me see my surroundings through fresh eyes.
Working with my energy, not against it
If these past few years have taught me anything, it’s knowing myself—that my energy will be inconsistent, I will lose motivation, and I will most likely look for a shiny new object to fixate on.
And that’s all perfectly okay.
Instead of fighting against these natural ebbs and flows, I’ve learned to work with them. I’m focused on not trying to optimise and systemise everything just for the sake of consistency or what some guru told me was the “right way” to grow.
Yes, I use systems and workflows, adapting and changing as I go, but I’m not trying to churn out 3-4 videos every week just because an algorithm might prefer them.
I’m taking things really slowly, honouring my natural rhythms and energy flows rather than forcing myself to conform to someone else’s posting template.
The key has been finding that delicate balance – giving myself enough structure to carry on while allowing for flexibility when life demands it.
It’s okay to skip a week because life was too busy and I needed to take things slower. But I also know myself well enough to recognise when that starts to become an excuse and a way of getting out of doing something hard.
In those moments, I gently hold myself through the resistance, reminding myself of the deeper why behind my content.
Because when the dopamine rush of starting something new fades (and it always does), it’s that connection to purpose that keeps me showing up – even when no one seems to be watching.
Sharing your content and thoughts even when views are low
I’m showing up without the need to have things perfectly figured out.
I’ve noticed how easy it can be to create content after you’ve been through something or learned the lesson – when you can package it all up neatly with a bow and present yourself as the expert who’s overcome.
But life (and business) are hardly ever like that. We reach the summit (the goal, the point we were hoping to reach) and then have to start all over again.
That’s kinda the point of it.
Perhaps these are the lessons we were put on earth to discover. So why are we rushing through and expecting to figure it out so quickly?
Instead, I’m leaning into my 3/5 human design profile and sharing my experience as it unfolds. Partly because, quite honestly, nothing else has worked and because nobody gives a shit about my perfect life or business.
People want to know the hard parts, the parts that are also keeping me up in the middle of the night, wondering where the fuck I’m going wrong.
It’s hard to show up in this way.
It’s bringing up all sorts of feelings – vulnerability, doubt, fear of judgment.
But I also know it’s the content I love creating and consuming. There’s something deeply refreshing about seeing someone navigate their way through and how they transform in the process.
And transformation happens, regardless of whether you meet your goals.
There are probably a lot of business owners navigating these shifting times and uncertain about what comes next.
My content isn’t about how-tos or following my blueprint – it’s about figuring out what works for you and your business by observing my real-time journey.
While I can’t offer you a “grow your YouTube in six weeks” formula, I can show you how I approach content creation in my business, break it down, and make it manageable within my life and energy constraints.
I can show you what it looks like to keep going even when the metrics aren’t impressive yet and how to find joy in the process rather than just the outcomes.
How I stay motivated even when nobody is watching my content
The hardest part continuing when no one seems to be watching
The most challenging aspect has been continuing to show up even when it feels like no one is watching.
There’s that creeping feeling that my message, thoughts, and contributions aren’t important, making it tempting to fade into the background.
But right now, my why is louder than any metrics or sales goals.
When I feel discouraged by the numbers, I remind myself why I started. It wasn’t for external validation or to become “YouTube famous” – it was to share a perspective that might help someone else feel less alone in their business journey.
It’s about sharing my experience of navigating business through these challenging times—the economic uncertainty, climate anxiety, cost-of-living pressures, and constant online noise that leaves us all feeling like we’re never quite doing enough.
Through it all, I’m discovering how returning to the roots and foundations of my business grounds me, helping me stay true to who I’m serving and why, even when everything feels like chaos.
Journal prompts for when you are feeling invisible
✨ When was the last time you continued something without immediate external validation? What kept you going?
✨ What metrics are you currently focusing on in your business? Are these genuinely aligned with your values and long-term vision?
✨ If all the external validation disappeared tomorrow, what would still matter enough for you to continue creating?
Let’s transform how content creation feels behind-the-scenes
P.S. If we don’t know each other, I’m Stacey. An (anti) productivity guide & business manager, helping deeply feeling photographers & solopreneurs reshape their businesses so you can go from feeling stuck and drained to knowing how to manage your business and energy in a way that supports you! If you want to learn more about my 1:1 work, click here.
P.P.S. Thanks so much for reading – If you enjoyed this post, feel free to share it with a friend who will love it too!
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