Don't feel bad about taking breaks man. Make videos when you are enjoying it, and take a breather when you aren't. Your mental health matters most and I'm glad to hear you're doing better.
Welcome back mate! You are one of the main reasons I started my sim racing channel and have been a huge inspiration over the years. At a time in my life when I didn't have a rig and couldn't do it myself I would experience it vicariously through your uploads and get my fix thanks to your shenanigans. Needless to say, the 'Matt' preset in CrewChief is the only one that gets any use as I can't think of anyone better suited to letting me know when I have a car on the outside. That said, as happy as I am to see you back racing, sim racing and RU-vid are always secondary to your own personal wellbeing, so to hear you're in a better headspace and have managed to ditch the toxicity of your job is the much more awesome news to take from this video. When racing and video making feels like a chore or a burden that's when you know it's time to give it a break so I'm glad you saw this coming and didn't succumb to the burnout that many other people have. Thanks for sharing, only good times ahead, looking forward seeing what you get up to!
Honestly, I share quite a few of your struggles, save for the one where I have an actual audience that recognizes me when I get into a session. I'm really glad your in a better place mentally right now and having you make videos again is just icing on the cake as far as I'm concerned. Here's to more good times to come!
You're the one that got me into Sim Racing. I used to watch your videos and dream of that one day where I could afford a PC and a wheel. Glad you're back at it!
Really happy to hear you're doing better Empty Box. It's very hard to enjoy daily life when 8 hours or more is taken by something we really don't like, and one day you think "I've gotta get out of here." It's great that you found a better space to be at. I got into sim racing thanks to you, man, and I've had a blast. I'm grateful to know you're doing well.
That's about as relatable as it gets man. A lot of people say "don't take work home" but in some cases it follows you anyway. You spend most of your life at work and if you're unhappy at work you're unhappy at home too. Been there, done that, threw away all the t-shirts, etc. I feel you man. Glad to have you back in my subscriptions.
I left a comment on your DW12 @ Indy video (when you had just come back from a break) that I felt sim racing had become a chore for me, and that I had taken a 6 month break as well. You replied saying "Race more, practice less, don't give a darn!" I don't think I've raced anything in 2 years and I am happier for it. Do what makes you happy, even if it's a flight sim all by yourself.
It’s great to see you’re still doing well. I’ve felt like tweeting you this story but would always get nervous that I’d be bothering you. Thankfully a comment sections is easier to get lost in. I want to thank you. Years ago I came across an, at the time, recently uploaded iRacing video with the title “I dare you to go high, you don’t have the testicular fortitude.” It was the first time I’d seen iRacing and it made me fascinated with he sim. I’d watch your videos consistently and would dip into other creators but I always found my way back. Even if the content wasn’t iRacing series like TXR or the history videos around the split were great and showed new games we didn’t have in my region or a story of motorsport I never knew. Last year I finally had myself in a financial position to be able to begin on iRacing on my shitbox laptop. Last month I finally bought a real PC and I have a very close group of friends that all race on iRacing in leagues with each other or just helping during official races. This was as a result of a fun Indycar video all those years ago and I honestly want to thank you for the positive effect you’ve had on my life. This last year has had some of the most enjoyable racing I’ve ever had and with a group of people I would probably be no where near as close with if not for your videos having sparked an interest in iRacing. Everyone gets burnt out if it feels like you need to do something that isn’t giving you the same joy it once did so there’s no shame in taking breaks especially when things in the outside world are taking a toll too. I hope you’re able to put out content that you enjoy making above all else. There’s no obligation to make videos if you find yourself not enjoying it once more
Welcome back, it's great to hear life's been going better! Way back in 2015 I started watching your videos and decided I would get into sim racing when I had the means for it. I've been following the channel since then and enjoying the iRacing and Indycar history videos a lot. Finally this past black Friday weekend I got a wheel and pedals and I've started with Assetto Corsa. It's challenging me for sure, but thanks to your videos I know that a normal guy with a normal budget can do a lot in simracing.
seeing my Jimstrol livery in this video as soon as I opened it was a trip 😂. I’ve been a long time viewer, and your content was a huge reason why I got into sim racing over 10 years ago. Just wanted to reach out to say I definitely feel where your coming from with your struggles. Working in those toxic work environments every day is so tough and can take a massive toll, but I’m glad you are in a much better situation now. Happy to have you back making content!
Welcome back man! I know exactly how you feel cause I've been through a lot of that too. Spent the last 9 years in a job that was frankly toxic for my health (mental and otherwise) for the last 5 years of it, and stayed way too long; that fear of the unknown always seems to keep you from taking the leap into a better job, but then when you do you wonder why the hell you didn't do it years before. I guess when sim racing stopped being fun that was kinda my first clue, but of course I didn't listen. Here's to bigger and better things in 2023! (raises beer glass)
Super cool to hear from you Matt! You really helped set that bug in my brain for sim racing. Still reference some of those 101 videos if I feel like I got the yips lol. Hope you’re doing well today.
Sorry you have had struggles. Happy to hear you are fighting through. I used to live through your videos back when I wished and hoped, plotted and planned to get a setup to sim race. This was over 10 years ago. By far my favorite content creator. I raced with you at Dayton once, felt like I was racing my idol or my favorite race car driver. Maybe you don’t realize you have fans watching you, pulling for you, much in the sane way I pull for my favorite race car driver on Sunday’s. Or maybe you do and that’s the struggle. Anyway, happy to see a video posted by you!
I feel this at my core. I had a bad job for way too long. Having a terrible job ruins more than just your "work day." It creeps into your personal life and kills your joy in everything. Even taking a pay cut is worth leaving a bad work environment. I learned a huge lesson with that job, and changed how I approached work, and it sounds like you have too! Congrats on getting away from all that!
It's great to have you back Matt. I'm going through something similar at present where I'm leaving a toxic work environment. Blood pressure has dropped like a stone since handing my resignation in but I have been battling with enjoying my sim racing or even being able to concentrate properly the last few months while this has affected me. So I can't imagine the added stress that us as a community unintentionally cause as well. I know I will get that hunger to want to do this again in time and hopefully you will too. Wishing you all the best with your current job and getting to a better place in life.
I rarely rarely post comments on a video but you hit a note with me as I'm in the exact same position (though without being recognised in servers or having a large amount of subs). Glad things have gotten better for you recently, and it gives me hope that there is a way out because I'm not seeing one for me at the moment!!! I've barely raced anything this year as a result and I love iRacing, but the love of it has mostly left me and I only really do open practice sessions. Thanks for sharing, good to see you back and for giving me hope.
Your content is therapy for me. You influenced me to race competitively while using a keyboard and playing Need for Speed World online. The working out part is still a good idea. 2x 10 squats with a 5kg dumbbell, lifting the dumbbell on each hand..crunches and pelvic kegel hip thrusts... all in 2 minutes. It increases testosterone, lowers stressors. Cuz dopamine - testosterone are tied together if one goes up so does the other or vice versa. I'm glad though that you found a new job and you are more positive.
I started watching your vids in 2015 when I was in a dark place. I was sleeping on a friends couch and unemployed. One of the only things I got excited about was an Empty Box video, even though I hadn't played iRacing in 5 years. Your voice and commentary always put me in a good mood and being a good sim racer didn't hurt! But please don't feel you owe anything to your subscribers. Take a break as often as you feel necessary and know that we all appreciate your content when you can provide it. But I don't think you have the testicular fortitude to take another break. :)
Your racing 101 Playlist still best tutorials onine. Love how you explain sportsmanship. According to this video sportsmanship means alot irl to you too. Same with me. Keep safe, mate. And stay sane :)
Welcome back! You’re still the only Iracing or any sim channel that I am subscribed to or ever subscribed to. Congrats on finding a better place to work! Sucks to not have that, especially since it is a huge part of your life.
Dude you are the reason I started with iRacing back in 2015. That was the point my casual sim racing sessions got out of control and now I am here and don’t want to count what I spend on this hobby. I mean that in a very positiv way 😂 Glad to still have you in our community!
Sucks to hear about the job guy. I worked at a job not nearly that bad but had some of those "family business" trappings. The FIRST DAY I knew something was off but ended up staying for seven years and regretted it. Glad you made the move and glad things are already looking better
Glad to see you back! You're the reason I got into sim racing, and I always loved to watch your stuff. But at the end of the day, I'm glad you're doing ok.
Missed your presence here. When I started to watch Sim racing you were the first one I followed and really enjoyed your comments and overview. That has not changed so I would love to see you post more content. Sounds like you are in a better place with your life so for that I am happy as well. Looking forward to future content. Happy Holidays to you and yours.
Hope you keep up the good work and keep making videos bro! I started watching your channel when I was like 14 maybe and I’m 22 now, almost 23. your videos are the reason I got into iracing!!!
You're alright m8, long time watcher and fan. Life is a complex deal and mental health is important. I have been there many a time facing burn out in different forms. I can definitely empathize with your old job experience. Those times definitely suck out your soul but pushing through and facing the adversity and coming out ahead is a form of victory from a podium finish only racers can understand!
Welcome back, Mr. Box :) It's great to hear your voice again. It was your grumpy ass that informed me, that Gran Turismo wasn't the most realistic game out there. Now many many many thousands of hours (and Scandi-dollars) later, I am as grateful as ever. Be good to yourself, my guy.
Great to see you back on deck. I totally understand and support your efforts to move jobs. We all deserve to be happy at work and it's especially hard if you are in middle management and don't find the policies and practices of senior management in keeping with your beliefs. You then become the guy stuck in a vice between what is reasonable and what you have been asked to do. Good luck in your new role and looking forwards to more content.
Glad to hear you're in a better place, so difficult to break that nasty cycle when stuck in a rut! Am always excited to see an emptybox vid pop up. I probably speak for many to say your vids alone inspired me to start sim racing! Look forward for you racing and posting more! Enjoy it!
I took a paycut to move work from an hour away to 2 minutes away with a lot of the same dysfunction that you've described a year ago. You stayed in it longer, so I can only imagine the depths of what you went into. Whether you make a thousand more videos or two, do the things that you want and please don't even be afraid to ditch this place without a word if you find the muse and motivation somewhere else in life.
So great to hear that you're back, Matt - was wondering just last week if you were still making content. Long before I had the means to get into iRacing you were the first channel I watched, so it's awesome to know that you'll be on the return. Thanks for what you do.
I have been thinking about you and checked in a month ago and saw you had been gone awhile. Something told me to check in again today and here you are ! Great to have you back dude ! About 6 years ago I found myself in a situation like yours and it was a bummer because the company I worked at had been great for a long time. But then, new owners took over, and things changed. I had worked with the old owner for 29 years and he was a good guy so it was tough to leave because he was still at the company even after it changed hands. But it was obvious I had to make a change, because I had also gotten very tired of the type of work I was doing. So, anyway, that was 6 years ago. Life has improved a lot since then, 2 new part time jobs, more time to enjoy myself, better cash flow, a wonderful woman to spend time with, the list goes on. Glad you're back, believe me, things can improve. :)
Glad to have you back! I struggle with mental health and it’s not easy to be consistent, especially when you have to be happy go lucky and full of energy on your job / RU-vid. But it’s great that you got a new job, I’m sure things are looking up from here!
This is the time of year that everyone is asking for an Empty Box to fill and put a smile on someone's face. Thanks for doing that man. Missed your videos.
Yeah! Happy to have you back Matt! I looked every day for a new video for a long time as I did today hoping you'd be back. I have very, very poor eyesight and so I watched your vids because before my eyes went bad (10 years ago) my style of racing was very similar to yours. I raced through you. It was fun for me and I have been a member of Iracing for 3 years and never once raced. I was too concerned I would run into someone and I was not that kind of racer in real life. Midgets, Sprint cars, Late Models, and karts. Glad you are back. Rave when you can, when you want to because you enjoy it.
Goddamn, the man has risen again! Just yesterday i was wondering of you! Glad your back! You were the One that got me wanting other games than just forza/nfs! Hope you stick around longer! There are loads of games and cars for you to show US!
Bless you man for sharing all that, I hope even in doing so it helped, you'll get nothing but support. I was interested in simracing, never got into it, but I enjoy the content of you and others. Take it easy on yourself, and know that we get great and entertaining, informing content when you're at your best, which is simply you having fun on the track
So happy to see a new video from empty box! Sorry to hear the struggles at work. I have worked with people that made the job miserable. Not to the level of people screaming and throwing stuff all the time. Is one of those things where you really just do not get along with somebody for whatever reason. it really just zaps everything out of you. Glad to hear you're still alive and hopefully you're a much better place.
I was just watching your old videos the other day and missing you. Super glad you've come back. Ironically, the misery of work has had me away from iRacing for a long time as well. I'm looking forward to digging into some new content and seeing you enjoy some as well. Cheers
Miss you Box. Been around here forever and as a fellow Iowan who had the exact same problem since we are from the same city. Glad to see you're going for it again.
You were great inspiration to me to start sim racing more seriously and maybe( it seems) that you can be an inspiration for me to start sim racing from a break too. 👍 Great to have you back.
Love the update video. Missed the content! Know that you can expect me to be respectful if I come across you on a server! I'm very happy to hear you are in a better place in more ways than one. Thank you for sharing. Love from California
If it helps, saw your video pop up on my subscriptions and my reaction was "woah, Empty Box has uploaded, cool". Look after yourself first, however you feel you need to, but know that this channel, your following can be whatever you want it to be. Make it a positive place for you and others. Great to see you back.
Hey man! I used to watch and mostly listen to your videos a lot because they gave me a sense of calm and I guess that's what got me into watching simracing on youtube. A toxic work environment is more damaging than it may feel at first and I'm glad you got that thorn out (sorry if it sounds weird, English is my second language). Hope you're doing ok and you're enjoying yourself.
I used to follow your videos and I never thought you were through these ordeals... I'm glad you're getting back and with a better mental health. I hope it only improves from now on!
Ya' know we all love the "Hey it's Empty Box". What you could if wanted was setup a Twitch account and when people sub it plays "the line". You don't have to say it and people can pay for the pleasure of hearing that line... just a wild idea
Good to hear your voice again. I already made peace that you'll never return back, but stayed subscribed because the info you published here is too valuable and for nostalgia reasons. Elated to hear that you're in a better position. Here's to a bright 2023, Matt!
Super happy to hear things are looking up for you Matt! Obviously I'd love for you to put out videos like you did back in the day immediately. But take your time with it and don't burn yourself out. Hopefully the community can mute our inner fan girl when seeing you in a server haha
I left a 19 yr career with a retail company for lack of time with my family. I asked to take on a different (lateral) role which would allow me more time with my family. Denied. So i searched for a few months, and nothing just fit right. Ive always wanted to be a mechanic, studied it in high school, trade school even went as far as graduating from Nascar Technical Institute. But never did anything with it. So i prayed about it. Im not the super religious type, but i try. Anyways, an ad for a mechanic job came up, the pay was close to my salary at the retail company and i had a bunch of tools, they offered so i took it. Now, not a single day feels like work. It was scary as hell leaving my 19 yr career to work in an environment ive only ever hobbied in but it all worked out. I love working on cars so much the only part that feels like work is waking up in the morning and going home tired. Pray about it. Or not but just a suggestion my guy. Also, i dont have any experience so take what i say next with a grain of salt. There's this old movie called "The little giants". This girl is a running back on her team and everyone calls her "Ice Box". But this boy she really likes, she wants him to call her "Becky". I feel like you may (or maybe not) have a little resentment towards "Empty Box" catching all the fame? Maybe its time for the world to meet Matt Orr? Im not sure, but i do know you're very talented, your ability to talk, entertain and describe everything while driving isnt in very many people. I think a great characteristic comparison would be Top Gear's, Jeremy Clarckson. I believe you could pull of a career like that or something of the likes. Maybe car reviews or something. Idk. Sorry for the 150 page book. Just wanted to drop my thoughts.
Glad to see you are back. Also sorry you had to deal with a work environment like that. Glad to hear you have a job that is treating you better and better on your mental heath. That’s what is most important.
Btw I always felt like it must have been sth like you described - These kinds of things can typically cause those breaks, I know I'm working at a company where I'm experiencing sth similar, unfortunately. About to go and change jobs early next year, if things don't improve. Wish me luck!
I’m glad you are back. Kind of thought your situation was about what you described. Dealing with the celebrity status that comes along with an audience can be tough on anyone. I’m married to someone that kind of fell into a certain amount of celebrity. Other than a radio show she does once a month she detests it and everything that comes with it. Always having to be “on” when in public is grating. I hope you can find the balance you need. Running for your way to escape isn’t great for anyone’s mental health. And clearly the last thing you really want is to draw even more attention to yourself but if you do ever need someone we are all here for you. I am sure there are dozens of people here that would jump in the car and drive several hours just to sit and have a drink while you vented it all out. And whether you ever decide to do something like that or not, knowing it’s there should be at least a little comfort.
So good to see you're back-ish. My Mind has been in dark places several times over the last couple years... don't let it get you. Changing your Employer was the best thing you could do. Please don't be annoyed when people recognize you. In a very small and nerdy bubble you're kind of a star :)
Hey Matt, I'd like to open up and say I've had similar problems. I even had to stay at the hospital for my problems. There they gave me the best advice, it was professional help so I'd hope I paid for the best, the advice was: make goals. Make daily, monthly and yearly goals. The farther out into the future the goals the better. But achieving short-term goals is also important so make them realistic ie: do laundry, shower, brush teeth et cetera. Keeping to your goals and achieving short term goals will keep you motivated and satisfied with daily life. The next best advice, I hate to say it, truly is exercise. I do light cardio endurance. I can't stand running. As you can see in my profile picture I ride Mountain bikes. When I feel bad I can't enjoy anything, even sim racing which is also my hobby of choice. By forcing myself to do endurance cardio I intentionally put myself through physical stress. The worse I feel, the longer I exercise. When I return home from cardio endurance exercise all I want to do is relax and get back on the sim rig. And when I do I feel like I deserve to relax. This is all anecdotal but it has worked for me. Third best advice, also hate to say it, but no more porn. Third party organizations are monitoring all porn traffic, and neighborhood watch groups are informed about porn addicts in every locale across the US. Also, too much dopamine from climaxing daily can cause the brain to be desensitized to normal dopamine production causing dopamine deficiency. I'd advise removing porn from anyone's life, and reducing climaxing to once a month or less. Lastly, much of human mood is dependent on daily or even hourly thoughts. Fill your thoughts with meditation on life and positive thoughts to keep your mood focused on life. I suggest stoic mantras from Marcus Aurelius or other stoic masters that focus on life and endurance. I send my love to you Matt, that your days be filled with thought that encourage life in you and those around you.
Cheers for the update, Maaan! You're right, life is happening to all of us, and since there's only one of me and only one of you, we have to look after ourselves, cause the world just doesn't care, really. Take care, be good, eat your vegetables!
Glad to hear you're doing better! Wishing you all the best! Try to remember to have fun with it! It can be hard at times, and those are the times you just need a break from it. We all need breaks. Exited to see what the future holds!
As time went on and the hobby got more and more competitive and less and less fun, your content always had a way of reminding me why I got into it in the first place. Regardless of what the future holds for you Matt, thank you for showing us so many times why sim racing is a blast.
Normally I'm not the kind of guy that would be replying to videos, but for whatever reason i might change it this time. I read through a few of the other comments, recapping what you said in the video and just want my two cents out there to maybe give you something in return for all the years of awesome videos you have put out. And if it's just a small smile, which I'll never know off, I'll take it. Obviously i can best speak for myself, my first reaction when I've seen this video up was "no way! It's an empty box video" and stopped in my tracks immediately to watch it, no questions asked. Along the stories by some of the folks here, which you inspired to get into Simracing, i was already interested in it before i found you. But what your videos always were and are for me is an escape into something that just relaxes and takes the speed out of the daily life we all live. Your videos always have been so natural, upfront and honest, it's one of the few channels that i would never even suspect to have a script for the voice over cause it more feels like shower thoughts or a grandpa story to me, where everyone just shushes and listens to. What I'm trying to say is, you are doing an awesome job with these for many people, including me. And although i can only guess how tough it would be if people are just bugging you in game with your famous intro line, I'm sure many of them didn't mean no harm. And i hope you get the fun of having an audience back instead of this being a burden. Because in the end, everyone around here is here for you and you only and I'm sure I'm not the only one that will be craving for another video, no matter the time it takes for it to pop up. Damn, someone is cutting onions around here, need to find out who 😜
