Why I Failed as a Content Creator

In 2023, I failed as a content creator.

(Or so I thought…)

After putting my all into YouTube and Instagram, I fell off the content wheel and stepped away for good.

It wasn’t a part of some grand plan; I was simply burnt out.

I thought that was the end of my creator dream.

But what happened next was a revelation—one that reignited my passion for writing and transformed my perspective as a creator & storyteller.

Here’s the full story 👇

I started my content creation journey in September 2021 and mainly, I had 3 reasons to start my YouTube channel:

1. To get better at public speaking, so I could learn to speak up in class.

2. To help other writers who didn’t have enough resources and the privilege to join an MFA program.

3. To build a supportive community of writers.

In my first year, I really enjoyed making videos (setting up a shot, making content, and just going with the flow) but eventually, I started researching more on “how to grow on YouTube” because I wanted to reach more people.

I kept tweaking my content for the algorithm and stopped creating what I enjoyed.

Soon, I was caught up in the rat race of getting more subscribers, more views, more of this, and more of that…

Another big mistake was my approach towards the content.

I believed I needed to be a ‘qualified expert’ to have something valuable to say, for people to want to listen to me and give importance to my thoughts.

Especially because I’d been a book editor and a writing coach (and I wanted to showcase my authority in the space), I felt this internal pressure to show up as an expert – someone who had it all figured out in life – in every single video because how else could I help anyone else?!

But the more I leaned into this 'expert' identity, the more I felt boxed in. I couldn’t experiment, share my struggles, or admit when I didn’t know all the answers.

To top it all, I was forcing myself to create 4-5 videos per month (which is 1-2 videos per week!), and that {obviously} was draining all my creative energy.

Cut to early 2023, things began to break!

It was my final year in my Masters program and I had so much going on that I just couldn’t keep up with helping other writers online or building a community.

Each day felt like a stretch of exhaustion. I was burning all my creative energy away and nothing was coming out of it.

Then, one day, I just stopped.

I stopped posting on IG. I stopped talking to other creators. I quit YouTube (and content creation altogether)—and instead of pretending to have it all together, I just let go.

In the following months, I focused on my writing, exploring new avenues and rediscovering my creativity.

The result?

I ended up writing 75,000 words of my second novel and graduating from my MFA program with flying colors.

In early 2024, I launched my new business Kathansh – an exclusive space for writers looking to learn the craft.

In those quiet moments, I learnt that true growth comes from exploration and curiosity.

I realized that being an explorer—someone who is curious, constantly learning & leveling up while figuring things out—is way more fulfilling than trying to be the know-it-all ‘expert’.

Back then, I believed that being qualified meant having a fancy degree or tons of experience.

And now that I have both, here’s what I’ve learned:

This mindset shift has changed how I approach everything—writing, content, business, and life.

Now, instead of trying to teach from a pedestal, I’m learning alongside others.

Sharing what works, and what doesn’t.

Figuring things out as I go and documenting my life story as it unfolds.

That’s why I started this newsletter and returned to YouTube (with a fresh perspective).

Because that’s where I am now—embracing curiosity over certainty and letting go of the need to have all the answers.

It’s a shift that’s brought me back to what truly matters in life.

And so in my first ever newsletter issue, I wanted to give you this reminder too 👇

It’s okay if you don’t have it all figured out.

It’s okay if you’re not ‘qualified’ enough (– guess what, no one is!)

It’s okay if you want to pause and rest.

Be curious, be creative, be an explorer – and breathe! ‘cause no matter what happens, I know you’ll be okay ✨

With Love,

Srishti

P.S. I’d love to hear from you! Have you ever felt pressured to 'have it all figured out'? How did you handle it? Hit reply and share your story—let’s remind each other we’re not alone in this. 🤣

And also, I’d love to know which more topics or stories you’d want me to talk about in the upcoming issues? I’m all ears!