The YouTuber's path to meaning

The majority of us are caught in a modern paradox:

We are constantly connected yet deeply disconnected.

And as content creators, we feel this more than anyone else. We are chasing metrics while feeling increasingly empty inside.

91% of YouTubers quit before they reach 1,000 subscribers.

Why?

Because their content isn't aligned with meaning and purpose.

And in the end, creators find themselves trapped in the very place they tried to escape: feeling replaceable, unfulfilled, and questioning what matters.

They’ve traded one hamster wheel for another.

This digital meaning crisis is characterised by a few things:

• Algorithm addiction

• Disconnection from authentic interests

• Metric obsession

• Content burnout

• Imposter syndrome

• Fear of irrelevance

So what do we do? How do we create content that actually matters?

The answer lies in balancing three modes of existence:

• Being: connecting deeply with your topic through direct experience

• Doing: contributing meaningful content that serves others

• Becoming: evolving your craft and perspective through public creation

Today, you're going to discover how to make YouTube solve your meaning crisis rather than amplify it.

Let's do this.

Being (The Foundation)

When Viktor Frankl wrote about finding meaning in life, he emphasised that meaning comes from direct experience and engagement with the world.

If you're a creator, this means having a deep presence in what you're creating content about before actually creating it.

I.e, It means having direct experience as the source of original insights rather than recycling what others have already said.

Do you think Ali Abdaal just read about productivity and started making videos?

No.

He lived by productivity systems during medical school and built genuine expertise.

And that's why his authenticity shines through because his content emerges from his lived experience.

The Symptoms of Skipping "Being"

When you skip the "being" stage, your content feels derivative and lacks a unique perspective.

Your audience senses this inauthenticity.

And that's why you experience imposter syndrome because you constantly fear being "found out."

When I first started my YouTube channel, this was me.

In fact, I created over 100 videos and gained over 8,000 subscribers on a topic I wasn't even that interested in. The only thing I was interested in was seeing the metrics grow.

This lack of presence resulted in me quitting posting after a year.

But I don't want this for you.

So here's what I want you to do:

Look at your recent content and ask yourself honestly:

"Is this coming from my direct experience and genuine insights, or am I regurgitating what's popular right now just to get views?"

The paradoxical thing is that once you start creating content from your own genuine insights and stop chasing views, that's when views will come.

And trust me, it's a lot more rewarding when you start getting views on content that actually interests you.

Practical Exercises for Developing "Being"

Here are some exercises to help you develop your "being":

• Implement a "48-hour rule" - If you're creating a video around a new idea, experience it fully for two days before creating content about it. Read books. Read articles. Watch videos. Ask AI questions. Then, formulate your own idea/perspective, not just regurgitating what was being said by those creators you took the information from.

• Develop a personal "content philosophy" - Create your own authentic perspective on the things that interest you. Write it down and revisit it frequently. Whenever you create a new video, ask yourself whether that topic aligns with your personal content philosophy.

• Schedule "perception days" - Have days where you're purely learning without filming. Just observe and take notes about new ideas that relate to your interests.

Doing (Taking Meaningful Action)

Now, if you've read any of my previous newsletters, you know how much I love YouTube. But there's a good reason for it:

Unlike other platforms, YouTube offers complete freedom to choose what you create.

You're not bound by TikTok or Instagram's trend-driven model.

You can explore ideas thoroughly, developing complex thoughts, rather than sound bites that people will instantly forget when they scroll to the next video.

And unlike short-form content, your videos have the ability to create a lasting impact as they can continue to be discovered years later.

Which is why it perfectly facilitates the "doing" stage.

Aligning Creation with Genuine Interest

The most successful creators work at the intersection of their deep curiosity and viewer needs. This sweet spot creates content that feels effortless to make but valuable to consume.

To find what this is for you, you need to find what's called your ‘Content Ikigai.’

This involves asking yourself 4 questions:

• What do you love? Think about the videos you can't stop watching, the books you devour, the topics that make you lose track of time.

• What are you good at? Reflect on your skills, expertise, and what people naturally come to you for advice about.

• What does the world need? Identify problems, gaps in information, or perspectives missing from current content.

• What can you be paid for? Research monetisation opportunities related to what you're interested in. Have a look at how other YouTubers are monetising their content.

Every time you go to create a new video, I want you to ask yourself: "Does this align with my ‘Content Ikigai?’”

The YouTube Advantage for Meaningful Contribution

The doing stage, in its general term, can be defined as: "contribution to reality and the experience of others."

Your 9-5 doesn't offer this like YouTube does.

Because with YouTube, you have ownership of your creative output, see direct impact through comments and messages, and receive clear feedback on what works.

It democratises meaningful contribution so that anyone with a smartphone can share their unique knowledge or perspective with the world.

No gatekeepers, no required credentials.

And your channel becomes an archive of your thought evolution.

Can you imagine having videos of Leonardo da Vinci processing his ideas in real-time?

That's what you're creating for future generations.

If you want to learn more about why traditional career paths lack meaning, you can read my newsletter here: YouTube is the solution to a fulfilling life

Becoming (Evolution Through Public Creation)

Public commitment accelerates growth in ways private journaling never could.

Because when you declare your thoughts publicly, you're forced to refine them more carefully.

The feedback you receive acts as a growth accelerator, and the right audience will challenge your thinking and help you evolve faster than you could alone.

The Four Stages of Creator Development

There are four stages to creator development:

• Ego-centric creation: Initially focused on personal gain (views, subscribers, monetisation)

• Group-centric creation: Evolves to serving a specific community and their needs

• World-centric creation: Expands to focus on broader societal impact

• Cosmo-centric creation: Ultimate alignment with highest values and universal principles

All creators start at stage one, but meaning and fulfilment increase as you progress through these stages.

Consider where you are in this evolution.

Are you still creating primarily for validation and revenue, or have you begun to feel the deeper satisfaction that comes from truly serving others?

The Recursive Loop of Creator Meaning

The magic happens when all three modes of existence work together:

Being → improves content quality → attracts the right audience → deepens your perception

Doing → creates real impact → provides raw material for growth → expands your capacity

Becoming → increases your skill level → allows deeper insights → enhances your being state

This positive spiral is why creators who find meaning often accelerate in both personal growth and channel success.

The system feeds itself.

So if there's one thing I want you to take away from this newsletter, it's this:

YouTube isn't just a platform.

It's a meaning-creation system.

What it wants is authentic human expression that resonates with others, which happens to be exactly what creates meaning for you as a creator.

Remember, you didn't leave your corporate job just to create another hamster wheel.

You came to YouTube for freedom, impact, and meaning.

So, go find it.

Also, I have some news.

I posted my first YouTube video on my own channel in almost 4 years.

It would be greatly appreciated if you gave it a watch and let me know what you think!

I’m very excited to be posting on my own channel again, and I’m looking forward to seeing what the future holds.

Thanks for reading.

See you next Sunday,

Rory.