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Elizabeth Wilson's avatar

Oh Molly, don't give up! Whatever you create we will watch you! I love seeing and reading what you've been up to each week. If you feel your focus in life changing just film a bit of that, I will still definitely watch and read it and I'm sure many others will too.

I found you on YouTube about a year and a half ago when I was off work ill one day. I can't tell you the difference your posts have made to me. I feel that my views on life and aspirations are valid and shared by others. I try to make small changes and feel a little better for each one, gradually making my life a little slower.

I understand that you have to do what feels right for you, so just do that and we will support you 🥰 x

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Molly Ella's avatar

Thank you so much for your kind comment Elizabeth! Your support really does mean the world :) x

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Clare Louise Larkin's avatar

I have watched your Youtube for a while Molly and I was only thinking how your latest one that you put out yesterday was why I began following in the first place. It was so peaceful, calming and so very you. It is so easy to get swept up into producing what you feel you should rather than what is true to you and ultimately what feels right for you too. Your story reminds me of the 'The Cottage Fairy.' Paola built up to 1.5M subscribers and had big investers interested in her content but she made the decision to leave Youtube due to wanting to return to her original purpose, to connect with those who wanted a simpler peaceful life and by continuing with YouTube she wasn't doing that. She left and is now on Patreon where she uploads videos/content for those who really were her tribe. I love Patreon for that reason and maybe it is an option for you. You have people who will follow you and are so invested in your content and it may be more motivating to do it for those individuals who pay rather than the views on Youtube. Just a thought x

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Molly Ella's avatar

Thank you Clare, so happy to hear you enjoyed my latest video. I do love my Substack paid membership that serves a similar purpose to Pateron and have always found Paola to be very inspiring :)

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Clare Louise Larkin's avatar

I do love your substack membership Molly, my best part is your seasonal book reviews 🌻

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Molly Ella's avatar

I’m so glad you enjoy them Clare, I love filming them! :)

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Carol0686's avatar

Molly, I too, felt a shift on your latest vlog. I also read the link: "Can we stop selling a slow life on the internet already" on your March 28th substack post. I wanted to say a couple of things to you. I cannot speak for others, but one of the reasons I follow you, is because you are so genuine. You are living a truthful life that inspires me to slow down and enjoy the moments of each day. You have "taught" me slow living. You are your own unique brand, Molly, honestly. If your intuition is telling you to make changes, then do so to compliment your own life and peace of mind. I don't think your following will leave you- ever. I for one, am thankful for your presence and the way you show up in this world. Content is just a word and content creator is a label. :) You my dear, are an artist. Carry on as you see fit and thank for sharing your view with us lucky kindred spirits. Be well. Be happy, Be you. My Best, Carol

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Molly Ella's avatar

Aw this made me well up a little! Thank you for your kind words lovely, your support really does mean so much :)

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Carys Shannon's avatar

Thanks for sharing so honestly. Regardless of how much people obviously still enjoy what you're making, that discernment, listening to the quiet inner voice saying 'this no longer feels right,' is so important. The fact you recognise it and are willing to pull back the curtain and share your thoughts, shows you're not in danger of being carried away by the content current. Also, speaking up like this, is a service to others who may feel the same but unable to voice it. The more of us saying, art doesn't have to be content, yet it can still be a connection between people, the better ✨️

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Molly Ella's avatar

Thank you for your thoughtful comment Carys! :)

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Carys Shannon's avatar

A pleasure, thanks for sharing so openly!

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Bethy Egginton's avatar

Sounds like you're taking time to nurture your creative self a lot like Julia Cameron advocates in 'The Artist's Way'. I'm reading this at the moment, and if you haven't read it already (as I know how much of an avid reader you are), then I would recommend! You need to prioritise yourself and what gives you joy ❤️ I've always seen your videos as art over content Molly, so you do you and we'll all be here cheering you on!

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Molly Ella's avatar

Thank you lovely! And yes I have read it, but may be time to revisit...

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Renee Elmer's avatar

I love and look forward to your YouTube video each week. I have 2 favourite channels, and this is one of those. I think that's a great idea, to just create YouTube videos based on your true daily things and the things you love doing, your daily life. Its why we all started following you, I'm sure. And I think you will find, forgetting all about the logistics of algorithms etc, people will still seak your channel out and you will grow rapidly still in followers. Because you are naturally calming as well as inspiring to watch, and your approach to life and your daily activities, are beautiful to watch, and to take inspo from. Your simple and humble ways are what I love and can relate to most, and crave to simplify my life in some similar ways too. But mostly, I enjoy coming along on your adventures and days and hobbies.

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Molly Ella's avatar

Thank you so much for your kind words Renee! :)

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Rachel Ooi's avatar

It is such a delicate balance—creating art that nurtures self and audience while also focusing on creating "content" that people want or need. I am still searching for the magic intersection. I hope you'll find it ❤️

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Jane Duncan Rogers's avatar

Beautiful. Thank you for reminding me that my intuition also knows best what’s right for me. So simple when it’s put like that.

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Yvonne Gerner's avatar

Hi Molly, thank you for voicing this. What you describe made me remember what I wanted to achieve when I started walking down this path, and now it's again trying to hustle this into a business. time to take a step back and assess what I really want to do.

I will check out your channel, slow living is my jam.

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Cheryl's avatar

I look forward every week to catching up with your creative life...it is inspirational, rather than influential. Everything that you have done so far has come from your creative mind...you are an artist. Creativity is an expression of your individuality and your imaginative ideas come from your inner intuition, so follow this and I am sure it wont let you down. Keep smiling Molly 😊

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Molly Ella's avatar

Thank you Cheryl! That's very kind :)

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Samantha's avatar

You have to listen to your instincts Molly. I felt the shift in your latest YouTube video. Balance is always difficult to achieve but your goal should be to wake every morning excited for the day ahead, not dreading what you have to accomplish. Take time to centre yourself again and focus on making yourself happy. The rest will take care of itself. X

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Molly Ella's avatar

Thank you lovely! :)

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Lee Archer  |  Nottingham Arts's avatar

“Content creator” has always made the small hairs stand up on my neck. It’s so horribly generic - as if you’re doomed to some Sisyphean task of filling a container that can never be filled. It says nothing about skill or passion or talent.

Keep at whatever it is you’re passionate about, and please keep sharing here. We love it and would all be poorer if you didn’t.

Be well. 🙂

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Thomas Winward's avatar

Didn't even know you had a youtube! subscribed. I hate the term content as much as I hate the associated term content consumption - feels like such a soulless factory-driven product line. Create art my friend!

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Taesha Butler's avatar

As a food blogger who started her website as a creative outlet and a way to help people, what you said so speaks to me. I started to do what I do as an outlet and for the joy of helping people with my unique gift. Once it became my job, the joy and creativity quickly was watered down with hustle and SEO. Creating recipes that the machines could categorize (vs recipes that were truly unique, helpful and reflective of my POV) for readers so people could find me on Google, traffic would come in and I could continue having it be my job. The fear of slowing down to catch my breath and refocus because everyone said someone else would happily take my place on people’s minds. My life, as you said, feels like I content vs my content being reflective of my life. I am now sitting on the brink of burnout and wondering if I can make the shifts in my business needed to find joy in my creation again…while also existing in a space that almost demands constant content creation in order to stay top of mind. Your words helped me to feel seen today, Molly, in a way many people don’t always understand. Thank you for sharing and helping me feel a bit more peace in my need to slow down and refocus my authenticity 💚

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Molly Ella's avatar

Thank you for sharing lovely, I hope you are able to find the balance you are seeking :)

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Carol Price's avatar

Trying to judge ourselves against others ( subconsciously or not) seems to be a common issue. I write, craft, garden, plan projects which never come to light and multitask often with little outcome.Am I an artist, a writer, or simply someone who dabbles in lots of things? Am I less of a person as a result? I think not. Individuality is the key.

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Molly Ella's avatar

Very true! :)

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Helen Shingler's avatar

I loved your transparency in writing this post and can feel your inner struggle with ‘work’ and creating for just pure pleasure and enjoyment. Of course the old adage is ‘if you do what you love for a living then you will never view it as work’ I think your intrinsic creativity is seeking other outlets through the art and craft as you obviously don’t feel happy with the ‘work’ you are putting out there. A crisis of identity perhaps or just feeling a niggling doubt? I am sure you will find a solution maybe it’s time to leave YouTube as someone else said and I know others for whom Patreon suits them better. You obviously have a loyal following of viewers and I think maybe you just need to give it time Molly 🤗

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Molly Ella's avatar

Thank you for sharing your thoughts Helen! :)

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