Why I Decided to Create a Channel About Stress and Anxiety
Stress and anxiety are realities that most of us face at some point in our lives.
For me, they’ve been constant companions in different forms, sometimes subtle, other times overwhelming. That’s why I decided to create a dedicated channel all about understanding stress and anxiety. A place where a little kind just like me can understand their feelings better and learn at an earlier age than I, how to manage it.
The Spark Behind the Idea
The idea came from my own experiences.
Over the last three years, since I graduated college I have been in a constant state of stress about my career and how it was going nowhere. On top of that, my hair was thinning, which didn’t help my stress. I am a proud Italian American and my thick brown hair has always been a sense of pride for me. So to be losing it at such a rapid pace I felt like I was losing a piece of what made me, me.
Upon doing research, I thought maybe my hair loss was due to low iron. So I went on iron supplements. However, it still persisted and after two years of this I decided to finally see a doctor. (DON’T DO WHAT I DID) His first question he asked me was if I had been stressed a lot lately. To which I replied no, not anymore than usual. So he sent me on my way. I called my mom and told her what he said and she told me that maybe I don’t see it fully but the stress might be built up.
After a lot of thinking, I had a breaking point and realized she was right. I had bottled up all my stress for so long I just became used to the feeling of it. I wish I had listened to the people around me more.
That’s what led me here…
I wanted to share real, relatable stories about dealing with stress and anxiety but knew that words alone wouldn’t be enough. I envisioned pairing heartfelt messages with creative cinematic imagery. Visuals that capture a calm environment while talking about real issues and solutions to try. This approach I believe could create a deeper connection, making viewers feel the experience rather than just hear about it.
Planning the Channel
Before I even pick up a camera, I start by brainstorming the key themes and messages I want to convey. Stress and anxiety manifest differently for everyone, so my goal is to cover a variety of experiences from mental health days to quiet moments of overwhelm, to healthy coping strategies.
I mapped out the episodes as a mix of personal stories, expert advice, and creative humor sprinkled in. Each episode is designed to try to be like a short film with mood, tone, and pacing carefully planned to match the emotions I want to express.
Shooting: Crafting the Best Visuals
The shooting process is where the channel really comes to life. I begin by scouting locations that evoke the right atmosphere: my cozy apartment to a quiet field that represents some methods of stress relievers.
I use lighting and camera movement to tell the story visually. Soft, natural light helps convey gentleness. I want to build a space for the viewer to relax.
Sometimes, I film abstract sequences like ripples on water or clouds drifting to create visual metaphors that complement the narrative voiceover.
This is still a learning process for me and I look forward to continuing to grow.
Recording: Setting an Atmosphere
Recording the narration is a vulnerable but essential part of the process.
I make sure my voice is calm, honest, and empathetic, so it feels like a friend sharing their experience.
Often, I record at my desk in a quiet, cozy space where I have the ability to be 100% authentically me.
I also would like to include ambient sounds, a heartbeat, breathing, rain to immerse viewers and deepen the emotional impact.
Overall adding a carefully selected backing track to really set the tone.
Editing: Putting it all together
Editing is where everything comes together, unfortunately this is the part where I don’t have as much skill or knowledge in.
I carefully try to sync the visuals with the narration, making sure each frame supports the story being told. Color grading is crucial; warmer tones/hues bring comfort and hope.
I use subtle effects like slow fades, gentle zooms, and pauses in the words to really set the tone. Music is selected thoughtfully, understanding the kind of environment and using soft instrumental pieces that underscore emotion without distracting.
Each edit goes through multiple revisions to ensure the pacing feels natural and the message is clear and impactful. Also I’m kind of a perfectionist which is hard when I am not great at this yet.
My Goal
At the heart of this channel is a desire to connect to let people know they’re not alone in their struggles and that it’s okay to feel overwhelmed. A lot of the characters I related to growing up were the ones with anxiety because I think I just buzz on the same frequency as them. They understood me and I want to be that for someone else.
By combining fun visuals with honest conversations about stress and anxiety, I hope to create a space for healing, reflection, and understanding.
Starting this channel has been both a creative challenge and a deeply rewarding journey. I’m excited to keep sharing and evolving this project, one story at a time.
Levy It All To Me 