My 10-year-old daughter, Emilie, sometimes asks me what my life was like before she was born.
Emilie’s mother, Khwan, is a wildlife artist, and I'm an artist too. We’ve been married for almost 30 years. We haven't always had it easy, but we've managed to make a living doing what we love. And when you can do that, life flies by in a blur.
Sometimes people ask me to tell my life story, but I've always hesitated. I'm not famous. I'm just an ordinary guy who started making YouTube videos 15 years ago because I loved it.
Back then, YouTube was a different place. It was an almost anonymous platform. Video enthusiasts could share their work with others across the world, even with slow internet speeds. But it was fun and challenging.
Now, at almost 64, I live in Thailand and see the world changing even faster. Here, the monks are revered for their quiet wisdom. I'm not religious, and I'm not a man of many words. Sometimes, it feels like the internet has made everyone louder and angrier. It's hard to find calm and truth amidst the noise.
YouTube has changed too. It's become more commercialized, with a lot of recycled TV clips. It's getting harder for new video makers to get a foothold and find their voice in all the chaos.
My advice? Don't get lost in the chase for views and subscribers. Your camera, your phone – these are your tools, your paintbrushes. Use them to capture what matters to you, to tell your stories, to express your unique vision.
Video making isn't about fame or fortune. It's about the joy of creation, the passion you put into your work, the stories you tell. So keep creating, keep sharing, and never let the noise of the world drown out your voice.
To all the young creators out there feeling lost and intimidated, wondering if your voice matters in the noisy world of online video: I want you to know that your voice absolutely matters. There's a place for your stories, your passions, your unique perspective.
I've been making videos for 15 years. I started my channel when YouTube was just an online platform for independent video creators. Back then it was a community where people simply shared their own homemade videos. And that spirit still exists, even if it's sometimes harder to find.
Believe me, I understand the challenges. The internet can be a harsh place, full of negativity and pressure to conform. But please don't let that discourage you.
What truly matters is the story you tell and the joy you find in telling it. Your video camera, your phone – these are your tools, your paintbrushes. Use them to capture what's meaningful to you, what moves you, what you want to share with the world.
Forget about the numbers. Forget about the pressure to be popular. Focus on your craft, your message, your art.
There will always be an audience for authenticity, for passion, for stories told from the heart. So keep creating, keep sharing, keep your voice alive.
Your story matters. Your vision matters. You matter.
Finally, some have remarked on the happiness they sense in our family videos and asked about the secret. While I have no special wisdom, I can share four simple practices that have enriched our lives:
Use the words "I," "me," and "myself” sparingly.
Always be curious and ask questions.
Truly listen to understand others.
Resist giving advice unless asked. (So, maybe ignore all this!)
Happy Holidays!
(If you think this message is worthwhile speaking to camera ... please say so in the comments :)
Paul Barton
Christmas Message to Young Creators for 2025
My 10-year-old daughter, Emilie, sometimes asks me what my life was like before she was born.
Emilie’s mother, Khwan, is a wildlife artist, and I'm an artist too. We’ve been married for almost 30 years. We haven't always had it easy, but we've managed to make a living doing what we love. And when you can do that, life flies by in a blur.
Sometimes people ask me to tell my life story, but I've always hesitated. I'm not famous. I'm just an ordinary guy who started making YouTube videos 15 years ago because I loved it.
Back then, YouTube was a different place. It was an almost anonymous platform. Video enthusiasts could share their work with others across the world, even with slow internet speeds. But it was fun and challenging.
Now, at almost 64, I live in Thailand and see the world changing even faster. Here, the monks are revered for their quiet wisdom. I'm not religious, and I'm not a man of many words. Sometimes, it feels like the internet has made everyone louder and angrier. It's hard to find calm and truth amidst the noise.
YouTube has changed too. It's become more commercialized, with a lot of recycled TV clips. It's getting harder for new video makers to get a foothold and find their voice in all the chaos.
My advice? Don't get lost in the chase for views and subscribers. Your camera, your phone – these are your tools, your paintbrushes. Use them to capture what matters to you, to tell your stories, to express your unique vision.
Video making isn't about fame or fortune. It's about the joy of creation, the passion you put into your work, the stories you tell. So keep creating, keep sharing, and never let the noise of the world drown out your voice.
To all the young creators out there feeling lost and intimidated, wondering if your voice matters in the noisy world of online video: I want you to know that your voice absolutely matters. There's a place for your stories, your passions, your unique perspective.
I've been making videos for 15 years. I started my channel when YouTube was just an online platform for independent video creators. Back then it was a community where people simply shared their own homemade videos. And that spirit still exists, even if it's sometimes harder to find.
Believe me, I understand the challenges. The internet can be a harsh place, full of negativity and pressure to conform. But please don't let that discourage you.
What truly matters is the story you tell and the joy you find in telling it. Your video camera, your phone – these are your tools, your paintbrushes. Use them to capture what's meaningful to you, what moves you, what you want to share with the world.
Forget about the numbers. Forget about the pressure to be popular. Focus on your craft, your message, your art.
There will always be an audience for authenticity, for passion, for stories told from the heart. So keep creating, keep sharing, keep your voice alive.
Your story matters. Your vision matters. You matter.
Finally, some have remarked on the happiness they sense in our family videos and asked about the secret. While I have no special wisdom, I can share four simple practices that have enriched our lives:
Use the words "I," "me," and "myself” sparingly.
Always be curious and ask questions.
Truly listen to understand others.
Resist giving advice unless asked. (So, maybe ignore all this!)
Happy Holidays!
(If you think this message is worthwhile speaking to camera ... please say so in the comments :)
4 months ago (edited) | [YT] | 1,280