I've been really busy with Tree Potatoes work that I barely have the time to write anything here. But since it's the last day of 2014, I am going to squeeze out 30 minutes to write this. Yes, I only have 30 minutes so I doubt I will double check before I post this but who cares.
It's currently 31st December 2014, 6.40pm and I am still in the office. Yes, I am still working. Yes, I am also working tomorrow. Who cares that it's holidays and that it's the new year? Clients certainly don't care as long as I deliver my work. Viewers certainly don't care as long as they get to watch something every week. Life of a YouTuber. There were no rest days this year.
2014 is a crazy, tiring and eventful year. I don't think I have ever gone through so much in one year. It's just mind-blowing.
The year started off with me being so motivated. We just started out new channel, company and team. Everything was in a mess but I knew what we had to do and where we were going. Everyone was supportive and I felt really grateful for all these people. The videos did well, viewers moved over to the new channel and everything was settling down.
Gradually, shit started happening. Unwanted politics and gossips started flying everywhere. I knew such things are rampant in the media industry but I would not expect myself to be embroiled into it. We hate drama. We just want to do our thing. But some people love drama and needed to find a target so I guess we were unlucky.
It was mentally exhausting but we found out who were our true friends and who were not. I learnt to cope in this complicated and selfish industry. I learnt that not everyone has the same point of view as me. I learnt that evil, insecure and selfish people exist in this world.
Come mid-2014, people were still scheming but we were just doing our own thing. We were surviving well on our own. We set a code of conduct and morals to adhere to. We are not delusional, we do know that many people especially young children follow us, even see us as role models. We knew we had to do it right and I am still glad that we did. I am also glad that the rest of the team felt the same way. I guess that's why we make such a great team.
We met new people in the video production industry. New people that turned out to be amazing individuals and mentors. Humble, talented and always so giving. They taught us how to be better people and for that, I am always grateful.
Companies and institutes started noticing us. We were invited for talks, events, presentations, networking sessions, etc. These were invaluable to us. I learnt so much. I've always wanted to do business and these gave me the opportunities to learn and expand.
We were constantly working. My whole 2014 was work. When I travel, it was for work. When I attend an event, it was for work. Everything was work. But I expected this, we're a startup in a very new industry. We need to set things going and set thing right. And I am glad that we are doing it well.
As 2014 comes to an end, we need to plan for the next year. The team was beginning to become restless and unsatisfied. We realized that listical comedy may be popular with the mass but we are not learning if we continue doing the same thing. All of us wanted to try different things. Documentaries, drama, action, etc, you name it, we want to try it. It's not because we are not focused. It's because nothing drives us more than learning new skills and the opportunity to unleash our creativity.
So for 2015, we are embarking on a new journey. A journey of exploration and learning. We are going to make a lot of blunders as we learn but if you stay with us, you get to join us in this wonderful journey of laughters and tears.
I am however really regretful that I have sadly neglected my friends, family and my body this year. It's something that I want to make up for in 2015. I need to spend more time with the people who have been silently supporting. Thank you so much. It really meant a lot to me. I need to start taking care of myself better too. I've been skipping meals, sleep and exercise to complete my work. My body is really taking a toll and I kept falling ill. This needs to change in 2015.
