i think we're all feeling this shift happening on youtube/our community - tiktok has really ruined the art of vlogging/youtube videos/20 minute + long form videos - you're not the only one feeling it annabelle and it's sad! things aren't the same, but we will always love and support you and love this channel
i really actually appreciated your "negative" content. it made me feel less alone in my own struggles, and we see parts of you that show your growth after being a subscriber for a long time. i hope you find a balance between boundaries and sharing what you want ~ We will be here along the way
annabelle, i remember watching your uni vlogs when i was starting high school and they inspired me a whole lot… i still think about this one moment when you were afraid to go outside because of how hard it was snowing, and eventually stepped out and said “oh it’s actually beautiful…” 😅😅 it was kind of funny to me as someone who grew up in a place that gets very snowy every year, but it also really spoke to me as an expression of wonder and realizing something that looked unpleasant wasn’t so bad. i was always enamored with your ability to create beautiful little films. wishing you well 🩵
thank you for your lovely message, aw it made me smile :) i realize i dont even remember this moment you brought up. i forget how far i've come sometimes! and itd be worth rewatching my early vlogs to just relish in the journey. sending so much love to you beautiful soul
I have followed you for the last like at least 6 years now. I watched you all through college and through the first couple years working after my degree. I feel like the videos I love the most from you are the ones that you’re documenting things for you and showing off your art through editing the moments to show how you were feeling them when it happened, showing off your art, and being introspective like you are here. I just love seeing you be human because most of the stuff you experience I have also experienced or am experiencing. You and your family have brought me so much joy. These videos have been your art and love for those in your life and yourself. And you have SO MANY transferable skills from this. You’re so talented. I just hope you continue to look into yourself like this, which I know you will. Because your most beautiful content has come from you being yourself and loving the people around you and loving little moments in your life. Continue looking within and figuring out what your “why” is for the things you do. I’m still doing this and I think I’ll do it the rest of my life to be honest lol. And whatever you decide, we will be so happy for you in the end, no matter what it is. As long as you are content overall, we will be happy for you.
constantly scrutinizing yourself because of your career is a heavy burden i cant begin to imagine but even your "negative" content has helped me a lot in dealing with my own grief and lows. losing my father around the same time you did helped me come to face with my emotions and normalizing them. im sure you don't need me telling you this but i’ve just always appreciated your openness, we’re a year apart so i always resonated with the different waves coming and going in your life.. all that to say thank u annabelle!! we appreciate you lots and thank you for constantly showcasing your growth as an example of just being a small human in a big world~
also i think a lot of us who have stuck around for a while are always happy to see you getting a sponsor!! its more of a "good for her" thought than anything negative i promise
Ive been going through a similar hard time with low confidence and not trusting myself. A few days ago i actually went back and watched some of your grief videos bc i got hit with a huge wave of grief about missing my dad. When you said "no part of you needs to be locked away" that really struck me. I so profoundly appreciate ALL of your content and honesty. Youve made a positive impact on my life. Youre a magical and beautiful soul!! *sending you lots of good vibes and love* (I'm excited for Annabelle's adventures!! Also dont be worried about sponsers we want you to be financially supported!!)
LOL the side comment about ariana 😂 this vlog is so real. the post-grad adjustment is really something that i think a lot of people go through and it's not talked enough about. for me, not going to school anymore means a lot of those previous modes of validation (professors, college friends, clubs, hobbies, etc.) are gone, and i'm left feeling empty and unsure of myself, even though i'm technically "succeeding". this past year has been a lot of soul searching and that out-of-my-own skin feeling you described, which i'm sure is good, but it also makes me feel very lost. trying to be my own source of validation is hard! sending you best wishes annabelle in your journey of self discovery! your vlogs have always been quietly profound, i think. the way you capture and romanticize the little moments and also your deep self reflection in your place in this world is refreshing and relatable, and what i love most about your art :)
Please know that so many of us empathize and understand the fact that everyone's trying their best and seeing someone like you being very open with their sadness and rough moments helps us learn that it is ok to do so. I relate so much to a lot of what you spoke about in this video and hearing others talk it out guides me in asking myself these hard questions about my own self worth and self reflection. All the love from us here 💕
It is a real gift to watch your videos and what you choose to share here. I find this especially so when you speak from the heart like this. Your videos about grief were such a comfort to me. Sadness and grief are universal experiences and can be seen as hugely valuable parts of this life. I admire you for speaking to it on a platform like this one & hope the numbers don't discourage you. Those who are here are choosing to feel deeply with you, and what a treat. We're lucky to be witness to you, Annabelle!
Honestly one of my favourite things about your channel is how “raw” you can be when addressing the themes of your life, even when its the sad ones. And yeah, sometimes when I see your upload I’m not in the right mindset to click immediately, but I always come back at a later time to watch you ❤️ I’m sure posting stuff like this can feel really daunting but I assure you we love all the content you make :)
this community is always here for you, annabelle; i hope things fall into place for you soon! i love watching all of your content, whether it be chatty videos or vlogs. much love always
I’ve been watching your content since 2018 and you’ve been such an encouragement to me, whether it’s vlogs where you showcase life’s adventures and little joys found in the details, or chats where you open up and show your raw emotions. All of those things are real to me and help me be more true to myself, so thank you for posting this and championing your authentic self. Creators like you have inspired me to keep making art and someday become a therapist. :) you are so loved and can be so proud of yourself!!
my self objectification comes from external praise through my schooling or work (like most other people) and not to point fingers, but it's definitely something that've been taught since birth --- echoing what a lot of people say, I love and appreciate the space you've created for all of us!
rewatching this in the early morning before I’m going to work a little extra in a coffeebar this Saturday… I think your voice and words are very soothing and comforting, like having a friend with me… you already are your best self. you are enough, Annabelle. thank you for sharing and making me feel that I’m not alone. 💛 lots of love and warmth!! - Giulia from Belgium 🌸🌷🌻
I'm so thankful for your content in the past year going forward. I've been watching you since your (and my!) freshman year in 2016, and it's so refreshing to see a content creator and fellow creative live through their 20's and grow. It's so inspiring to see you learning how to communicate, coming to terms with inner child healing, and utilize therapy language as you become more self-aware. Thank you for sharing!
felt so much kinship with you this video! the difficulty with self-validation, being adamant about keeping my bedroom sans screens, adjusting to the swings in keeping up a youtube channel… appreciate your presence here!!! your voice really resonates with me
i am so happy you are here, showing yourself, sharing and "taking up space" as you say, and letting me find you, Annabelle. i've been here since your art school years, and i'm so happy you are here! you make me feel less lonely, i don't care what your videos are of/about :)
hi! i just want to say that it’s really on the algorithm. please don’t blame yourself. you actually weren’t popping in my feed after a couple of years until i remembered you and actively searched for your channel :) i love your channel now and i feel like you’re such an authentic person and thank you for letting us be close to you
I want to say that I really appreciate your vulnerable videos and ones where you sit down and talk about your ups and downs. Of course balance is so important but those videos have meant so much to me and have helped me through tough times
thank you for sharing your honest, unfiltered, ‘messy’ thoughts. even the messy connotation can bring shame, but it’s the beauty of being human. there’s so many perceptions of how we should be, and it’s inspiring to see you come back to yourself again and again. i’m on this journey myself and it’s not a linear path but one so worthwhile ❤
I have been watching your content since I was in high school, on and off. Your authentic self has always been a comfort to watch, grief stricken or happy. You are a great presence!! ❤️
I love these just raw videos about your emotions bc it really makes me look deeper within myself too. At the end when you were talking about how its ok to be who you are now and not what you will be that really spoke to me. Its exactly what I have been doing to myself lately and you saying "its ok its ok" was like you were speaking directly to me. I genuinely started tearing up. Thank you so much. Bc it is ok to be me rn and you really woke me up to realize it.
I just want you to know that I was also going through a time of grief this time last year and watching your content was so comforting and I felt very understood during a really hard time in my life. So thank you for everything you put out and stay true to yourself and your content because it is very appreciated and speaks to a very real part of life.
I can’t speak for anyone else but I used to watch you a lot in high school and when I graduated (2018) life just flipped upside down for me and you were one of those comfort channels I just flat out forgot to watch because my entire state of being changed. YOU are not a problem, being human is not a problem. You’re real community is here for you. So thank you for opening up, being vulnerable and sharing your time with us. Looking forward to seeing more from you.
its very easy to feel like we have to shut off other side of ourselves to make ourselves seem more "palatable" but a lot of the times we tend to forget how the human experience is usually anything but. its so hard and complicated out here and i for one am really glad for the videos you put out that talk about topics like grief and sadness because a lot of the times we are usually feeling it but sometimes may not even realize it. also figuring out what you want from life, from the things and people with interact with daily is hard especially when it seems like theres a certain way that people usually go about things that you automatically feel like you also need to be apart of. i think choosing to self discover ur own path even if its one less traveled is something we all owe ourselves.
on the topic of shadow work, I’ve been reeeeealllly going through it, but I’ve found Heidi priebe’s RU-vid videos soooo helpful! She’s got a psychology degree and I love how she delivers her info in a really warm and encouraging way. My favorites have been her videos on cognitive distortions that lead to codependency, and how to foster self intimacy! Hope this helps whoever needs it ❤️
I like when you’re open and expressive cuz it legit gave me the space to be vulnerable. I travel a lot for work and was forcing this girlboss persona to hide my loneliness and anxiety of being on the road. I think we all need moments to crumble and everyone had a big crumble moment this past year.
I appreciate that you are so open about how you feel. It´s okay not to be okay, to feel vulnerable but in social media not a lot of people share that side of their lifes, so thank you for being real with it. Lots of hugs your way 🤗
When you were posting your grief videos i stayed away for a while because of my own grief for my mother. Your thoughts and videos are so healing for many, never stop making what your heart tells you to ❤
Life is hard and so full of untruths which makes us crave authenticity. We love to see you be you. Initially it's harder to just be yourself but the long term reward for you and us is priceless. Let ur freak flag fly...whatever that means to you. Much love and after I lost my dad is was so comforting to see someone else go through their own grief. Content is different nowadays. Which is why your videos are such gems.
i saw someone on tumblr talk about how sometimes being vulnerable about ur pain out loud can make u feel self absorbed but sometimes being self absorbed is necessary so we can come to terms n have convos with those parts of ourselves. it feels odd n it's hard to find a balance but it is necessary n i agree, so to hell with the shame!
I definitely resonate a lot with what you're saying especially seeing your growth over the last seven years of being subscribed. The slump in RU-vid has been happening for a while as short form content keeps being more apparent. I love the authenticity of your channel, and even on your grief journey. We're here to support you, and wish you all the best of luck. Thank you so much Annabelle.
there's an unspoken part of myself that feels truly seen and understood when watching this video. thanks again annabelle. thanks for being a free therapist..
I love the way you always captured the beauty in day to day life! Like you said, the little things are the best and most breathtaking though your camera lens
I've enjoyed your content all the way, even as it has ebbed and flowed and you have changed. As a viewer, over the years I have changed too, it has felt very natural to me. And I like riding with u thru ups and downs. I'm sorry you feel so much pressure, I think you are a great human. ❤
thank you for challenging your shadow self for us! your audience is definitely here for the good times and bad! we love to see you grow and part of that is facing challenges are sharing those “negative” things too! your self talk encouraging you to live your truth and share those parts of your life with us is more inline with how your audience feels! the shadow self needs to stood up against and thank you for doing that for all of us! such a great example!!!
I just broke up with someone I still liked due to my avoidant tendencies and started medical school all in the same breath and I've been feeling lots of self-objectification lately so I totally resonate with you. I haven't been feeling great about myself but your videos and vlogs have always been a calming presence and today's video was actually very therapeutic. I hope you keep creating content here on RU-vid but I wish you the best for yourself first and foremost
Hey Annabelle, it sounds like finding a way to separate for yourself, what is a creative outlet and what is for paid work. I think some creators have managed to combine the 2 much more naturally. Some create strong distinctions between the two within their channel. And you can share the other stuff with us too you know. You are a whole business owner! I'd love to hear about how you manage. How are you managing that AND Patreon? You don't haaaave to share a new and exciting adventure with us every video (although they are great). You've got a lot going on. We are here for you Annabelle. Take care. Love from Philly ❤
I actually never comment, but I just want to say that I've been watching your videos since 2016 (just when you moved into your college dorm!!). So sad to hear you were contemplating stopping making videos because watching them has been part of my life for the past 7 years ♥ I actually really love how candid and real they are, even if it's about the heavy stuff. Your channel has been my comfort channel for the longest time and it's also inspired me to make my own videos, just because I love editing and I hope to look back on them one day. I hope it's more enjoyable for you again, because your style and personality is what really made me enjoy your channel ♥
I think it was a huge adjustment going from a structured university life where everything seems to so sure and affirming and forward moving to artist/adult life and making your own way. Also, you went through a terrible thing with your dad. I’m 36, but I went through similar events in my 20s when I felt like my identity was totally wrapped up in my career and community position, and suddenly it didn’t feel like who I was at all, or not “all” of me even though I had invested so much into it. And finding my way through that felt like a lot of heartbreak and sadness. It wasn’t easy. As much as it might be social media pressure, it’s also just growing pains and becoming you again. I still look forward to your videos, probably more than anyone else’s, even after all this time! You are a truly special person, and I hope you never forget that…
thank you for this video annabelle. i’m so exciting for annabelle’s adventures ! that style of vlog creation where you stitch all your random clips together makes the best videos in my opinion !!! they were my fav when u used to do them and now with your extremely developed editing style it’ll be even more amazing 🥲 so excited.
I have been watching your channel for many years and I’m sorry you’re having to deal with these fluctuations in popularity. That’s how it is with people sometimes. For me it is just important that you get to express yourself however you feel and think at any given time. It is only natural for that to shift in different directions. 😊
Hi Annabelle! Thank you for sharing this video with us, I’ve followed you for years, but I appreciate this new era you’re in where you share the real hardships you’re going through and everything you are learning along the way. You inspire me to always be true to myself and pay more attention to how I feel and show up for myself. My favorite videos of yours are these heartfelt ones where you talk about how you’re doing and the realizations you’ve had as you work through your emotions. As I navigate tough times I’m thankful that I can watch and learn from your experiences
I don't usually comment. whenever i watch your videos, which i do from time to time, i am so calm and so touched. I feel understood and seen by seeing what you do and how you do it. It's so inspiring and nice to hear your thoughts, which I share so often! no matter how the numbers of your videos are, you can't put into numbers or salaries what you move in people. I hope you continue to have the freedom to be creative and live your life as you want and deserve to and i hope you continue sharing your light and thoughts. thank you for your soft words.
Don't worry Annabelle. Some of us have been here from the start and are still with you I appreciate the realness and transparent portrayal of how challenging it is to become an "adult".
As a viewer, i would like to assure you that the moments you were vulnerable in front of the camera brought a lot of comfort and motivation for me. That someone else out there feels the same way i do and is trying her best to overcome it as well. You don't have to talk about it until you're ready or sure that you want to share it online. I'm sure those who are real and support you will understand what you choose to/not to share here. I hope you find some peace and comfort meanwhile and know that we are here silently supporting you!!
There's something special about journeying with you through your struggles. I think not only do you learn life lessons from them, but we as viewers learn from your lessons too.
I am so proud of you and how far you've come already. Struggles and difficulties like you said are part of growing up. Take that time for youself and don't be afraid to ask for help! 💖
Sweet Annabelle! I have been a loyal watcher since your freshman dorm move in video and have always felt like your videos are a form of self care. Keep doing what your soul tells you and you’ll be okay
Annabelle I’m here to say that your content is a safe space for me in the Internet. Your honesty about your journey and your comforting, yet realistic vlogs bring me so much solace.
Thank you so much for sharing your vulnerable self ❤️ your thoughts really resonated with me and I’m now also feeling really inspired to reflect on myself. Looking forward to your future vlogs !
bro, I've been watching your videos for 9 years so we're literally best friends and I love your videos it acts as a visual Facetime for catching up bish! So I'm emotionally invested, so you better not let yourself down. Though whatever you decided to do that would be best for your situation or mentality then you go gurl!!!!
i've been watching your videos since 2017 and they're something i've been looking forward to ever since! a new update from you is always a smile inducing notification! we've never met at all, but you're someone who always kept me company, i've cried with you, smiled with you and i do not think i would have it any other way. i understand that having less views raises concern from you since it is something that you do make for a living but sponsored videos never made me feel like you were being less honest about your content or how you were showing yourself to us. all this to say, even when you're doubting yourself and "being negative" it's something that most of the times makes me feel understood and seen, just like in the beginning of this video you've said things i could relate to as i was feeling just like that a few hours ago!! i'm sure it doesn't apply just to myself, but i truly do wish you the best and send lots of love your way 💕💕 take care!!
I think society (😎) has also reinforced the idea of chasing validation and doing things for other ppl instead of yourself so it's pretty difficult to go against what's always been taught
Annabelle !! I really feel for you, and I’m really glad to hear how you’re feeling ❤️ I’ve been going through something similar, and I’m on a creative path as well. Just speaking for myself (but I have a feeling your longtime fans will relate!) - however you show up each day is totally fine and okay! I was really glad to watch your videos on grief because they were so true to that feeling, and if that’s what you’re going through, I think it’s beautiful to honor it 💖 And one of my mentors told me a while back that I don’t have to match people’s energies when I’m with them, and that really changed the game for me !! And I’m always giving myself a hug and telling baby mel that I’m safe and okay and loved, maybe that might help you too 🥲❤️ in any case, I’m right there with you! Sending love ❤️
hellooooo annabelle! sending you lots of hugs!! to be honest, last year videos where you talked about different topics were really nice for me. I'm also an artist and it's been 1 year after finishing university, so i really relate to you. i hate that social media makes us want to be happy and pretty every second. i hate that. i'm full of emotions. just remembering that they come and go. sometimes it's stronger feelings and it's hard. sometimes is easier. but i believe it gets better. therapy as also done a lot for me. i left a comentary on your may notes about your mental health just because i really see you as someone very insighful but i hope this topic doesn't give anymore pressure to talk about if you dont want to. dont worry about views. the ones that matter will be here watching you and supporting. we're rooting for you and hell yeah life is a adventure. im excited to see your adventures. my adventure has been trying to prepare for a exhibition and at the same time my menstrual cycle bitting my ass. sending you lots of love :)))))
It’s kind of crazy how much I can relate to this in my life right now. I haven’t kept up with your channel in a few years and stumbled upon this video and I’m glad I did.
Thankyou for sharing these insights! I love this definition of objectification, it really gives language to a very recognisable feeling and having a way to describe it helps to notice and let go
As soon as you started talking about feeling like we don’t want to see negative emotions and sadness etc etc I just immediately thought like, why wouldn’t we want to see that? When I’m looking at art for example it includes and portrays a lot of the creators emotions, and that is usually what I find so interesting about it. Maybe some people watch your videos with the single intent of wanting to see something positive, but I will never understand such a thing because most of the time people follow you because of you. I watch you because I’m interested in what you make and why, and that is deeply connected to what is happening in your life. I’m not trying to say that we need to know every personal thing that’s happening to you (because we don’t and there are personal boundaries!) but more that what you are feeling and thinking is just as interesting if it’s about negative things, because it portrays your humanity!
Being a creative person or artist of any kind is hard because the work represents who you are. But if you are putting too much of your personal identity on work, it will cost you to burn out. Because those values feel like they matter to you so much, it's all of your identity that's wrapped up in this. When there's a mismatch, like a person disagreeing your content, your speech, your beauty standards etc., the burnout, the anxiety will hit you harder. It's important to learn how to set the boundaries and to just let go of the negative comments. And honestly, if you aren't sure if you can do that or still learning how to let go, it's best to just keeping your trueself to yourself, afterall it's only youself can help yourself, no one can make yourself feel worth and it shouldn't be another's responsibility to make you feel like one.
So interesting to me that you reflected on your recent body of videos & felt like they were sad or depressing, when I remember watxhing a lot them made me feel so much more hopeful and seen :~) j thought you should know
This video shows why I watched you at 2017 and still do. I have a lot to say. But I don't like the one sidedness for this. I'll say, I relate to specific things you said about connection and others. Glad you did this.
I really have the same problem atm with the dopamine, I keep posting online and checking if it gets likes. At the other side it keeps me motivated to keep creating and being creative, so it's not the worst kind of addiction, but every time I get low engagement (which is almost always) I just feel DOWN
the sponsor videos are okay annabelle! we want you to be able to live well lol but like someone else said, im used to sponsorships from most creators, i rlly wouldnt notice if they were every video
ive been following you since 2015 and personally, i have never watched your videos and ever thought you were too much of “something” whether that was sadness, grief, happiness etc. I appreciate the content you put out that i can relate to or sometimes just listen to when i need a break. Thank you for always sharing your feelings the way you feel them and I hope i can keep coming along on your journey and wish you well on listening more to yourself and your needs whatever that entails 🫶
I think it is more so that people subscribed to university content, specifically someone pursuing a career in the fashion industry, and since you found a different path for yourself i guess people lost interest?
I will recommend a book to you called 'Daring Greatly' by Brene Brown. I'm looking forward to your new vlog videos highlighting everyday small moments ❤
