Making My First YouTube Video: (And for some reason I chose to be the subject)

This was a weird week for me, It felt like I knew what to do but also I had no clue what I was doing at the same time.

Jumping into the world of YouTube as a solo creator felt equal parts exciting and overwhelming. Making my very first video wasn’t just about hitting “record” it was a full-on emotional and creative rollercoaster. As someone with a background in film production I put a lot of pressure on myself to be perfect. They was a learning curve in of itself.

If you’re curious about what that first week looks like behind the scenes, here’s a peek at my process, the bumps along the way, and all the little wins that kept me going.

Planning & Writing (Monday & Tuesday)

Monday was all about getting my ideas down on paper. On top of that I wanted to plan out the next five weeks as well. Writing the script for the first week was not easy for me. I am not a great writer and trying to put this really sensitive topic into powerful words seemed like a heavy ordeal. Since this video was super personal I wanted the words to feel genuine and relatable. Planning the shots alongside the script helped me visualize how I wanted the story to flow, making the whole thing feel a bit less scary. On top of all that I can visualize all I want but making that a real image it way harder than I remember.

By Tuesday, I was in “refine mode,” tweaking my script for timing and flow, making sure I wasn’t rushing or dragging. I rehearsed it a couple times and timed the whole thing to make sure I could get 10 mins of talking out of what I wrote. I mapped out some overhead shots and little details that would spice things up visually. This prep work gave me a sense of control, which I desperately needed as a newbie in this form of media.

Lights, Camera, Panic? (Wednesday)

Wednesday was go-time, and yep, there was a fair share of panic mixed with excitement. Shooting solo meant I had to think more on the fly and really hollywood the camera and lighting. My way around gear limitations no fancy tripod or crew, just me and a bunch of books stacked to keep the camera steady. Thankfully I had kind of a vision and an overall look of how I wanted to frame it.

Recording the voiceover felt a bit more nerve-wracking, but I aimed to keep my tone warm and chill, like I was chatting with a close friend. I really don’t love my voice recorded so I have to learn how to be okay with it.

Being behind the camera again was oddly comforting. It reminded me why I love storytelling, even if the technical stuff wasn’t flawless. Sometimes, I just had to remind myself this wasn’t a million dollar movie.

The Emotional Edit (Thursday)

Editing was where the magic and stress (Ironically) really hit. Cutting together footage, syncing my voice, and layering music took patience, but as much as I have a background in this area I have tried to avoid editing my whole career. In the end I was glad I did it by myself. It wasn’t always easy, but it was definitely cathartic. Editing taught me that this creative process is as much about healing as it is about making content and growing my own personal skills.

Honestly the hardest part of the whole process was after 4 hours of editing I than had to figure out a title and thumbnail. This is what I landed on. I think for next time that is something I do on a prep day to be ahead of myself. Knowing that it takes me literally all day to edit.

Launch Day (Friday & Saturday)

Friday felt like a mini victory I finally hit “publish” and sent my video out into the wild. Seeing it live on YouTube was surreal and incredibly rewarding.

On Saturday, I chopped up some clips for TikTok and pushed promotions on Instagram to help more people find my story. Sharing my work on different platforms made me feel more connected and proud of what I’d created. But it also gave me this little pit in my stomach. Part of me hopes nobody sees it and another part of me hopes it finds the person it was meant to help.

Recharge & Reset (Sunday)

Sunday was my reset day. I took a breath, reflected on the week, and started dreaming up new ideas. Organizing my gear and jotting down goals and improvement for the week ahead. Rest is part of the hustle, and I’m learning to honor that.

Plus I needed time to practice what I preach and finish my painting.

What I Took Away

This whole first video journey taught me that patience and self-kindness are essential especially to myself. The tech glitches and mental roadblocks were real, but so was the joy of turning my story into something tangible. This process has definitely sparked something in me that has laid dormant for awhile. I’m glad to have this form of creative outlet again. Like a home coming.

Most importantly, I learned to cut myself some slack and celebrate progress, even when things aren’t picture-perfect.

If you’re thinking about starting your own channel, here’s my advice:

Your story is worth sharing, flaws and all.

Keep showing up, keep creating, and trust that your voice matters.

As long as you enjoy the process it will always be worth making.

Take every experience as a learning one and most importantly have fun!