Birthday Blog!

March 12th must be the day that all my creative stars align and strike me with a lightning bolt of energy because on this day eight years ago, I created my YouTube channel and on this day one year ago, I created this very blog! I've never paid too much attention to my channel's birthday which is probably why I didn't realise I'd started two quite important endeavours on the same day, years apart! The further down the line we go, I can't quite believe how long I've been making videos. I can't quite believe how long I've been on social media, to be honest! The first networking site I signed up to was Facebook (and we're talking sites I still use today so Myspace is out...!). I created the account on the computer of a hotel in Florence on a school art trip. There was a boy on the trip I really fancied and when he asked if I had Facebook, I said YES and then had to quickly make an account before he added me. Ahhhh, fifteen year old me! What a tit she was! (Some would say, still is...!)

We were in Florence for Halloween. I think I was meant to be an "ice queen". I think the kids these days would call it an
EPIC FAIL 😅

Social media has its ups and downs and I've ridden that rollercoaster for years but I've recently lost a lot of love for making videos on YouTube. I may just be in the dip of a loop-de-loop that's about to catapult me right up into the stratosphere again but currently, I ain't  really feeling being in front of the camera so much. This is why I feel it's so important that I have this blog. I always want to be creative and busy but I don't always want to be "switched on" for a camera. This blog is perfect for the times I want a bit of detachment from the things I create. I'm vlogging a week at home just to try and get myself back into the swing of things on the YouTube front but I'm sure the reason I'm not so hot on the vlogging is because I'm currently not employed. 

When I'm in a show, I feel like my videos are actually worth watching and I have a real reason to press record. I love sharing what goes on behind the scenes and I know that's something my audience genuinely loves to see! However, when I'm unemployed and at home, a video of me sat quietly writing a blog and sipping tea is boring as hell! I've also convinced myself that me just sat in front of a screen, chatting away about inane crap is just not worth watching anymore. I say "anymore" because back in my early YouTube days, I wouldn't have even questioned it. EVERYONE was making videos like that so "Why not me too?". Nowadays...everyone is still making videos like that and now I think "Why me too?". Making behind the scenes theatre videos is where I feel the most comfortable and it's the thing I feel I can contribute to the world of YouTube that not many other people can but who wants to listen to me talk crap for ten minutes? That being said, I watch other people talk for forty minute videos and I have a lovely time so...*shrugs*. It could be a blip in self esteem, it could be a valid point! Who knows! Even so, I'm hoping vlogging this week helps me find a little bit of love for the process again but I can't wait until I start in Les Mis so I have more reason to whack the camera out!

Anyway, whether I'm blogging or vlogging, I have social media to thank for a lot and I'm so pleased that eight years ago I found the courage to create what was formerly ItsWayPastMyBedTime and I'm glad that a year ago, I gave myself a little less "in your face" way to continue life online! 

Happy birthday, ItsWayPastMyBedtime and The Introverted Actress!  ❤ You bring me lots of joy if no one else! ❤