Is YouTube WORTH it? Talking through my journey! 

Just a word of encouragement for you and Nathan, in the beginning i found you via Jess. Now I look forward to every video you put up, knowing I will learn something and be blessed by your encouragement to me. Your filming skills have greatly improves since those early days. Thank you for trusting God to be real and being on this platform.

Wow- really in one of the lowest times in my life ….. just casually opened RU-vid and saw your new video. The good Lord knew what I needed. Thank you. Nathan. Please read this to Jill 😉

I am glad to hear you talk about not clickbaiting! I have started to watch some channels that I eventually abandoned because I dislike the clickbait, and the deception that is involved for the sake of views. Stay real, Jill! Your content is valuable and genuine.

Thank you Jill, you and Jessica have so inspired me over the last 2 years to expand my small garden and then to document it! I am a 70 year old just retired teacher who taught special ed students to garden along with other job and life skills. I still feel compelled to teach and share my joy on our 2 acre desert plot, that now has a 40 by 40 raised bed area and 40 x 70 food forest with fruit trees that shouldn't be thriving, but they are! So 1.5 yrs ago, I started videoing my garden progress as HummingbirdHeightsFarm on RU-vid! Now mind you I met with my adult children questioning my sanity, but I persevered. My husband built the garden but mostly with a feeling of disgruntled low effort. Gotta tell you he has changed his tune, he is doing fix it and build it videos with me now! When we added turkeys the kids shook their heads, said cheaper to buy at the store...now look at shortages and prices rise!! We have a whopping 50 subscribers, but thousands have viewed our videos, so gratifying to get the feedback! Bless you for your inspiration!

Your make up is beautiful tonight. Thank you for caring for our planet.

Thank you for this. I myself have wanted to try RU-vid for documenting our homestead progress. Single parenting, working full time and trying to garden on a rocky slope have their challenges and I hope to encourage others thru this platform as well as encouraging myself in how far we've come. I get into OCD analysis paralysis and don't know where to start. But this video has encouraged me to just do it, no matter how messy it looks. Thank you! You and your family are a constant source of inspiration and knowledge for ours. God bless you!

I needed this video today. I've had plans to get my channel fired up for literally years. It wasn't until I fell into the homesteading community here on RU-vid that I finally started. This is the most inclusive, friendly, and supportive community I've yet to experience online. ❤❤

It took me 3 years to start my channel. Mainly because I felt that I didn't have as much to offer as most gardening channels. My grandmother is the reason I finally started, she's getting older and she can't come see my garden as much as she would like. So it was a way for her to show up, and she is my biggest fan. I really wished I would have started sooner. I needed this video 3 years ago. ❤

I'm probably not going to do a RU-vid channel but who knows. But I want to say 'thank you' to you and your family for the positive contribution you have made in my life. Because of you I started fermenting vegetables, I purchased a copy of freeze fresh, I have added shishito peppers to next season's grow list, and much more. It does my heart good to watch fellow Arkansans live a positive and inspiring life.

Between you, Jess, & CaliKim on RU-vid, I have a garden on my 1-BR front porch every season. I start feeling defeated by the hot weather & bugs. Then I pull up RU-vid & there ya'll are encouraging me to keep trying or try again! What you do IS valuable to me!! And Thank You!!

Jill, you are a breath of fresh air ever day. Love checking on all my YT kiddos and grands. I know more about them than my own.❤❤❤☕️☕️☕️

You are a beautiful amazing woman and deserve every success that comes your way. Love your family too.

Jill, I like your little kneel Tracter behind you. 😊 you can always run over those trolls with it. 😆🙃 Nice video. 🧡

I love that this advice can apply to so many other things besides just RU-vid.

Love your beautiful sweater and those are great earrings! They go with your beautiful soul.

Thank you for showing up.

I was terrified. I did it. I'm still doing it. Have no idea how to edit, don't have money for a good camera, or editing programs but I'm doing it 🤷‍♀️

Hey Guys, I have to say I love this video Jill as I have been hoping for a while now that one of the RU-vidr's whom I follow, would talk it up a bit about how they started out doing videos on RU-vid. I too, have a channel but I am still in those early stages of subscribers and views, etc. But, that's okay because I love doing it and love it even more than I realized I would. I am not camera shy and like you, I want to be as transparent as I can be with whatever it is I am talking about in the moment. I like being more spontaneous with my approach and hope that my channel will eventually grow much like yours' and also similar channels such as "Jill and Miah's" etc. I love your fashion style too Jill and you have to know how beautiful you are and that sweater shawl you are wearing in this video is "da bomb" as the colors and knitted style of it are awesome! Love the earrings you wear and in the future at some point, I want to send you a pair that I will make especially for you as I create jewelry along with many other crafty things I like to do within my videos. My jewelry is made from broken china dishes and then I soft solder the pieces in (lead-free) silver solder around the edges to create my pieces. I also have a shop on ETSY where you can check out much of the items I created - my Etsy store is titled: BlingSkyMosaics - check it out if you get a chance. In the meantime, please know that many of us enjoy your channel and look forward to watching each and every video you guys put out there. Thanks again for sharing this information with us today and I look forward to many more like this one. By the way, the last loaf of sourdough bread I made especially for my guests last weekend and it was the best loaf I have made thus far and I attribute all that to you because it is your video that got me to this point with making the best sourdough bread ever!

Jill how weird I did add here separately the video how to string up the paprika but some reason dissapeared. So here it is again. Also need to mention we do the garlic and onion the same way. So type into youtube Nagydobrony hires paprikaja than if you like go forward to 4.23 where the do it than later they say after about 3 weeks hanging the put it into a room where they dry it further so it does not get mouldy 40-50°C.

Have learned so much from you/your channel. I hope you never quit RU-vid!

Thank you so much for showing up everyday. A day doesn't feel complete until I've checked on my extended family's. You, Jess and Miah the Hollers and Uncle Justin. I love being part of the family. Gramma Katie

Jill, you don’t know but please let me inform you on how YOU have saved me many times in my personal struggles of life by your sweet nature and attitude on life. If I have a down day I watch your videos and it keeps me here one more day. You reached me. Thank you.❤ Gods saving angel.

I understand the making $60 dollars was an encouragement. I have been raising my first sets of chickens the last couple of years and finally have an abundance of eggs, so I sold my first 4 dozen for $4 dollars apiece making $16.00 + a $4.00 tip. It was hugely encouraging. I also appreciate your honesty on RU-vid. I started a channel consistently in June. I've had to learn a lot of technical things, but everyone can learn if they are willing to try. I think folks thought I was crazy, but I just kept trying and now I'm over 100 videos in. I'm having so much fun creating and learning. I doubt I'll make much of anything, but I want to encourage homemaking, gardening, and mostly a love of life and people. In a world filled with so much darkness, I hope I can encourage folks to see the good even in the struggle of day-to-day life. I also went into it with the thought that if God wants to bless it, He will, and if not, He will lead somewhere else. Side note, I love your sweater! It is lovely.

Thank you Jill! This is Gods perfect timing! Just gonna start where I am and see what happens!

Thanks so much for sharing this. My wife & I own a Holistic Wellness Center & we love the work but I actually fell ill for 3 years with some rare illnesses and have come back from it about 85% and we realized that that business is fully dependent on un showing up and working and it really wore us down. We started our RU-vid channel beginning 2022 & we feel the Lord calling us to do it. We have been faithful and will remain faithful to it, but its so encouraging to watch your video and see someone live out something that you so desperately desire & it’s inspiring. My wife and I love being at home working on our projects and building our land & gardens & nursery etc and we just want the freedom to do so while we heal. Anyway, long comment which I normally never post but I thought id share because your video is very appreciated.

Jill I just love your family and you so much for the impact and quality authentic picture you put out of yourself its so encouraging in today's day in age for this beginning gardener.

I just started my RU-vid about six months ago and it’s definitely a lot of work and I’m not where close to being monetized, but I’m like you! I’m just so excited that I’m even doing it, the money is just a small matter!

Thankyou Jill, practical and heartfelt as usual. 🇦🇺

Love your down to earth self! 💜

Miss Jill, Thank You so very much for this video.. for your encouragement that I truly needed this morning. My husband and I just started our you tube channel and he does most of the videos.. I feel like I don’t say the right things or have the confidence. This weekend, he will be staying home to take care of my mom, so our son and I will be traveling to HOA where I will be shooting my first video ALONE. He’s like my little security blanket and I feel so much better when he’s around. I needed this little boost of encouragement! Thank You!

I am from Oman maybe a country you never heard of but I watch you and enjoy your life . Keep it up and continue doing what you are doing 🥰

Thank you very much, my daughter sent me this video. It really encouraged me. 😊😊😊

It’s the consistency and video editing that scare me. Thank you for this!

Omg literally needed this today! I just got a job working remotely so my husband and I can start saving for our future farm (we need to move the heck out of Nashville ugh) and I'm editing a video right now! Thank you for taking the time in your day to support us

You're speaking to me. I started my channel this year and have struggled mentally with it. Thank you, just thank you.

Yes you tube is worth it! I could not follow your progress if you didn’t,! I learn a lot too. 💕💕🌻🌻

I have no interest in starting a RU-vid channel, but I still loved this video and your willingness to help others! Very informative and that shirt looks beautiful on you! ❤️

Thank you for the encouragement. I have been going back and forth with the idea of starting my own channel.

Thank you so much. I really needed this ❤

You are just a big heart. ❤ Thank you Jill just for being you.

Thank you! I saw you at the homestead festival. I learned so much from just listening to a short talk. I have been watching you ever since learning more and more! My life was truly changed there and I am so thankful you are here on RU-vid. I started my own channel which I’m figuring out but it’s FUN. And that’s what you are showing is this lifestyle is fun and even I can do it. So thank you.

Soooo....I have been considering trying to do a RU-vid channel for MONTHS, but I literally feel all those things you named off that keep people from doing it! I'm not sure I have anything to offer that people would actually want to watch. My main goal would be to bring people joy in the " crazy" of the world. If there's a mom out there feeling like she's failed that day, I want her to be able to laugh at whatever nonsense happened to me with my wild boys that day...I want to bring people on our homestead journey, and be like, " I have no idea if I'm doing this right...do y'all have any advice on how to do this?" ( Whatever particular thing I happen to be working on that day). I will say though...the one thing I do NOT have going for me is that stinkin' adorable, precious face like you do Jill...most days I look like a lady who got lost in the woods on purpose... hoping to never be found again.😬🤣🤣 Sooo...not sure who would actually want to see THAT.😆🤣 Thank you for all you and Nathan do sweet lady! Ya'll inspire us all the time! ❤️

It’s such a hard road! We have had such slow growth on RU-vid. The algorithm is rough😂

Thank you for this. So sweet and encouraging. 😊

Thank you for this amazing advice. I've started two channels and stopped due to lack of confidence. This gave me the boost to try again.

Jill, thank you for this video. I’ve been contemplating doing a channel since most garden-homestead channels are in the south. I get so much great information from all of you (y’all 😊) however our long winters and lack of time to plant a fall garden is real in the northeast. What would I do for content in the winter? Well, I guess just show what I’m doing- inside and shoveling snow and cold treks to feed and water my chickens. Oh, and the fun of cleaning a chicken coop in the middle of winter. Thanks for an inspiring video, I know there are many people where I’m at and doing what we can to make a little homestead and provide for our family. Oh, since Jill won’t read this, Nate please thank Jill for me. 💕

Thank you Jill for the encouragement & advice. When you find a subject or something you're doing to talk about, do the words naturally come to you of what to say about it?

I’m valuable enough to chase my dream for me. ❗️❗️❗️❗️❗️

Sweet. I might do it. I want to do it so I might do it. But I probably won’t because I’m old. I mean really old.(82 years old is old.)

Thank you I often feel inadequate but I have started and I haven’t edited anything ever because I just don’t know how yet so everything is raw. I’m just going to keep going and thank you for the inspiration ❤

Thank you for sharing the tools/ cameras you are using!!

This is the best video ever! Thank you for the encouragement!

👍🏻💙🦋🙏🏻It has been awesome to see how you have made this place your own. A lot of hard work but has and still is coming along beautifully. Glad you are feeling better.

Well, y’all are doing a fantastic job! I’ve laughed, I’ve cried with joy and cried bc I was touched my the message. I have learned a lot too!! Lol. Keep up the good work!

This is such a nice video. I know for sure that my path doesn't involve RU-vid. Way too introverted, not a big sharer in any way shape or form. I'm a great farmer though and that's enough for me. It provides me with a good income and the satisfaction that if half the world are starving, you can't blame me. I did my bit as best I could. That being said, Jill is such a kind, sweet motivator and if even two people have a crack at a RU-vid life after watching this then it is a job well done.

Thank you I needed to hear that.🤗🇨🇦

Thank you for this message today! I needed this TODAY!

I just love your heart, Jill♥️

I like your sandals, they look comfy!

I needed to hear this thank you. I used to do RU-vid and haven't done it for over a year. I always did it with my daughter and now I have to figure out how to do it by myself. And I am battling exactly what you said so thank you for the push that I needed

Jill I am binge watching to catch up with your videoes because I was sick than I had visitors. Must say love watching you hours and hours and only missed about 4 weeks. I would consider doing youtube if I would be at least 10 years younger. I am now in my life just happy to watch and learn from others. Jess and you are my favourite that would never change. I might not comment for a while but I am still watching. I just watched you putting the peppers on wires. I grew up in Hungary I am sure you know something about Hungarian paprika. So we don't put anything through the fruit we do it on the stem. Also we do space it out that why is better on threads because more air going around the fruit if you thread it and do a knot than space further the next pepper. I will try to find for you a video and come back and put the shortcut so you can see it. Love you all. 😍🤩💐💐💐

I’m so glad you have your channel 🥰

❤ I really needed to hear this today. 🇨🇦❤️ thank you

Thanks to both you and Nathan for sharing. I needed this.

This video resonated so much with me! Watching you and your family has been so inspiring and i've learned so much about gardening through your channel! I have also been wanting to start my own RU-vid channel for years now and have always been putting it off! Thank you for this powerful message and reminder to always believe in ourselves and follow our dreams! 🙏🏻💞✨

You are so encouraging, Jill. Im considering starting a blog. Its not RU-vid, but feels right for me.

This was encouraging Jill! I have some videos made and feel like I’m supposed to start RU-vid but haven’t yet. This was helpful!

Your flowers look beautiful!

Love this Jill!!! I started a channel this year and I'm hoping to continually improve to be able to share our journey with others. I currently work and run a small massage therapy business which is over 90 minutes from our home. My husband runs our small farm and homeschools our kids and I long for more time with them. After I had my youngest last year, the drive to find a way to be home more was overwhelming. I told my husband I was going to try youtube and if I saw consistent growth, I would continue this journey. So far, I've been encouraged and hopefully could be monetized before the 1 year mark. We will see! Just walking the walk and will continue to pursue. Channels like yours are so enjoyable and encouraging and the realness that you provide is refreshing! I'm so glad you are feeling well and I look forward to continuing to watch your channel grow and see your journey! ❤️ (and of course great job Nathan for navigating the comments and all you do as well!)

Love watching your channel! So inspiring...

Thank you so much for the encouragement today! I really needed this! We started a channel a couple months ago. The struggle is real in the beginning!

Love your encouragement Jill! Exactly what I needed to here today. Not about vlogging but in my own personal struggles I need confidence. Thank you for this message

Thank you for this!

Love❤your shawl the colors are amazing

Jill, you are such a sweetheart and an inspiration to many. Keep being you!

Love yall! It helps me just put out my authentic self thank you so much for the encouragement

Mahalo Jill 🌺 for your loving encouragement and for personally reaching out. I so love love love your generosity and kindness 🌺

Awe, thanks so much Jill. You DO inspire me! I have started my RU-vid journey a few months ago and you are one of the people who inspire me! I’m not monetized yet, but I’m showing up consistently! I’m still using my phone. I promised myself that I won’t make any major upgrades (like a camera) until I manage to get monetized. Thanks for always inspiring me! ❤

Thank you Jill for being so sweet and real. I originally saw you when you put up a hoop/green house on your previous property. Just happened to turn on your channel and haven’t left. Thanks for all your wealth of gardening knowledge that you’re willing to share and encourage us to get going. ❤

Thank You for sharing. I saw your IG about this and am so glad thankful you made a video to go with it. I am making the videos and just slow to edit. Not out of perfection but out of learning the editing program and it seems how it up loads one time it does not do it the same way the next. 😊My Why? I wanted to do it to journal what I did. I always say I will write it down and then two days later I forget what I even did. That has now expanded into I want to share with others that I garden with a let's see what happens. I like to over research to the point of paralyzation and gardening has given me the freedom to let that go and just learn from it. I find it truly adventurous and relaxing to know I can only do what I can and I am not fully in control of the final outcome.

Great video. Very inspiring. Like others I have been thinking for a long time about starting a channel, but afraid to take the first steps. I have also made some great friends via first seeing them on RU-vid and later meeting them in real life.

Hi Jess. I have enjoyed your videos since I found you. Please share where your crocheted covering is from. You look lovely in it. I hope you are feeling better, and getting good reports from the doctor.

I LOVED this one

I want to buy your shawl!! It looks stunning on you! Promote the designer if possible!

Yes! Motivation is what I need. Thank you Jill. God is working his magic. He's got my family & I turned upside down shaking out all that is keeping me from what I'm holding onto as excuses. Things are coming into play...fast! So thanks Jill for listening to your heart & sharing this topic. ❤️

I love your teachings, homesteading and faith! You are very calming!!

The self doubt issue is the thing that always gets me. I tackled the hurdle of getting started, and I really enjoy making videos now, it's so valuable to see your life from a different angle. But that self doubt stops me from making videos on topics that are important to me. It's like I get the inspiration, and it excites me, but then I talk myself out of it because I believe it won't interest anyone. You and Jess are both so inspiring, please don't ever stop sharing brave and kind words x

Thanks for this! Great tips and equipment suggestions. But what I REALLY need to know is about this earring collection lol! Pls disclose your source lol! I’ve been looking and I’ve been seeing 👀 Fabulous!!

Thanks Jill, Mike and I feel the same about our channel. All we are doing is being ourselves and sharing the 30 years of gardening in the hot Texas heat. Mike being a retired chef of 28 years still loves to share cooking and teaching others. We started out with an iPhone and upgraded over time. Mike hates to edit so he bought a GoPro10 remote and just turns it on and off, LOL It's always good to see you, many blessing to your family. Rochelle

It is such a hard road to navigate when you're being called to do something other than what you are doing right now. When we started our homesteading journey two years ago, I started to feel the pull more and more everyday to just be home, be more present for my family, to grow more food, get more chickens...We have been so inspired along our journey by you and your family, and Jess and her family, along with countless other homesteaders, we started building Headwaters Homestead. I found myself making a video one day this summer and when I watched it back I told my husband Todd EW!!! I hate my voice and I sound so stupid! Of course he said no babe, you sound great! (insert eye roll here!) That video, along with a half dozen more, still sit in my phone, just waiting for the confidence to say here is what we are doing to sustain our family, steward the earth and live life abundantly. Maybe some day! 🙂 Bless you guys!!

I waited because I felt like I didn’t know enough yet. Not that I didn’t believe in myself just that I wanted to learn more first. Im not a super confident person I’m pretty shy so I was nervous about not knowing enough but I finally decided that maybe people would like to learn along with me ❤️ I am editing on my iPhone and iMovie currently 🤣

Yes. Consistent, genuine, authentic. That would be why I am here. 🤗 realizing that I had something to offer helped a lot. My RU-vid family has most definitely helped. I was going to do what I was doing anyway but it helps not to get discouraged when you have ppl pulling for you and reminding Me that what I am doing is more than what I feel like some days. It's awesome to have you as part of my RU-vid family Jill

I love your sweater!! Where is it from??

I’ve FINALLY started a RU-vid channel and man, it’s hard to post consistently!! You’re awesome for posting SO constantly. I look up to you, Jill. ❤ Justine

Love this thankyou! I'm currently doing videos just on my phone and trying to get back into a groove. Very encouraging video. I was hoping to put a video up today but I needed to do a voice over and I've lost my voice for 3 days now. But oh well will go next week. Thank you for this video!

This could not have popped up at a better time. I was literally just talking to my husband about sharing what I’m learning studying scripture that I know will encourage others to dig into the scriptures deeper than before. I want others to be encouraged! Your word tugged at me. Thank you

See these are things you’re sharing with us that is so easy for us to have already seen about you and Nate. we love you, all of your family just the way you are and we know you’re genuine and sincere and really care about your viewers❣️❣️❣️❣️❣️

Good afternoon Jill. Another excellent video. Thanks for sharing your journey.

Thank you, Jill! Such an inspiring talk 💚 I just now invested in a camera after I learned that I CAN show up using only my phone.

Thank you, Jill. 💕