How I Stay Motivated in Creating.

Let’s talk about something no one really prepares you for: staying motivated when you’re building something that only you can see the full vision of.

Creating — whether it’s YouTube videos, blog posts, newsletters, or even just documenting your life — sounds romantic. And sometimes it is. But more often? It’s quiet. It’s disciplined. It’s showing up when the views are low, the ideas feel repetitive, and your energy is somewhere between “inspired” and “I would rather be horizontal.”

So here’s how I actually stay motivated in creating — especially while building a life and brand here in Harlem, one cozy upload at a time.

1. I Remember Why I Started

Before algorithms. Before analytics. Before monetization goals.

I started creating because I wanted to document my life in NYC — the soft mornings, the subway rides, the figuring-it-out era. I wanted a digital journal. A time capsule. A space that felt like mine.

When motivation dips, I go back to that.

Not “How many views did this get?”
But “Would younger me be proud that I kept going?”

That question resets everything.

2. I Create on a Schedule — Not Just on Feelings

If I only created when I felt inspired, I’d post once every three weeks and call it a day.

Instead, I treat creating like a rhythm:

• Weekly uploads

• Monthly resets

• Regular livestreams

• Blog posts that align with my YouTube themes

Motivation follows momentum. Not the other way around.

Once I’m in motion, it’s easier to stay in motion.

3. I Let It Be Imperfect

Some of my favorite uploads weren’t technically perfect.

A livestream that felt chaotic.
A vlog where I talked about my neck pain.
A short, slightly manic check-in when February felt like it was running me over.

And you know what? Those are the moments that connect.

Perfection delays creation. Honesty fuels it.

I remind myself: you’re building trust, not a museum exhibit.

4. I Romanticize the Process

Editing at a coffee shop.
Planning content in my Notes app.
Filming b-roll on the subway platform.

Creating becomes lighter when I make it feel like part of my lifestyle — not a chore attached to performance.

Living in New York helps with this. There’s inspiration everywhere. A walk past a brownstone in Harlem. A train pulling into the station. A quiet morning with sunlight on the kitchen floor.

When I pay attention to my life, I never run out of things to create about.

5. I Separate Creation From Validation

This one took time.

Views fluctuate. Growth plateaus. Algorithms shift.

Platforms like YouTube and Instagram change constantly — and if your motivation is attached to numbers alone, it will feel unstable.

Instead, I focus on:

• Did I say what I meant to say?

• Did I show up?

• Did I improve something — even slightly?

The validation I care about most now is consistency.

6. I Build Systems, Not Just Goals

Of course I have goals. Monetization. Watch hours. Growth.

But goals can feel far away.

Systems are daily:

• Batch filming when I have energy

• Keeping a running idea bank

• Repurposing blog posts into newsletter content

• Turning livestream reflections into shorts or clips

When you build systems, you don’t need constant motivation. You just follow the structure you created.

7. I Allow Rest Without Guilt

Rest is not quitting.

If I’m tired, I adjust. If something flops, I reflect — not spiral.

Motivation dies when you attach shame to normal human cycles.

I’ve learned that creativity breathes. There are high-output seasons and quieter ones. Both are necessary.

8. I Think Long-Term

I don’t want a viral moment.
I want a body of work.

I want years of:

• NYC vlogs

• Coffee chats

• Reflections on growth

• Style evolutions

• Life updates

When I zoom out, a slow week doesn’t feel dramatic anymore. It feels like a page in a much bigger book.

And I love books with long chapters.

9. I Talk to You Like We’re Friends

When I create, I picture you. Sitting with a latte. Watching while folding laundry. Reading this before bed.

That makes it feel intimate — not performative.

I’m not creating for “the internet.”
I’m creating for guys & dolls who resonate with this little corner of Harlem.

That’s enough.

Final Thoughts

Staying motivated in creating isn’t about hype.

It’s about devotion.
To your voice.
To your vision.
To the version of you who decided to start.

If you’re in your creating era — whether it’s YouTube, blogging, photography, writing, or something else — here’s your reminder:

You don’t need to feel motivated every day.
You just need to keep going.

And if you’re building something quietly right now?

I see you. Keep creating.