Starting Fresh: My Journey into Twitch Streaming
My ideas always come in powerful, exciting, and full of potential waves… only to drift away as new ones take their place. But this time, I want it to be different. This time, I’m committing to building something long-term: my Twitch channel. 👾
I’ve decided to focus on a mix of crochet chatting/maybe a wine or 2, and cozy gaming, two things that bring me genuine joy and connection. Streaming isn’t just about playing games or making things, it’s about creating a space where people can relax, share, and be part of a community. I want to take my love for tea, crochet, and gaming and turn it into a space that feels like a virtual cozy corner of the internet.
Why? Well, I think I have reached a quarter-life crisis. I have done what I thought was my dream job, did my uni degrees, got paid well in a position that people don’t usually get until their 30’s, bought an apartment, and got married… So now that my job has been made redundant, I have renewed my love for dance and gaming, now seems like the right time to make a change and do something FUN rather than SAFE and SMART as always.
Putting the Pieces Together
There is so much information out there, and it all can feel, and does feel very overwhelming, but I have somewhat of an idea on how I will go about this.
1. Defining My Goals
- Consistency Over Perfection: I have a tendency to dive in deep and then burn out quickly. This time, my focus is on sustainability. That means trying things slowly and flexibly, rather than immediately rejecting something rigid.
- Building a Community: I don’t just want viewers; that isn’t the point here. I want a space where people feel comfortable engaging, whether they’re crocheting along with me, playing the same cozy game, or just lurking for some background comfort and body doubling.
- Making It Work With My Life: Balancing work, hobbies, and personal time is key. I need to set boundaries so streaming remains fun and doesn’t turn into another stressor. Or maybe it will become the only stressor and I’ll be a famous streamer??
2. Setting Up My Presence
- Platforms: I already have TikTok, Instagram, X, Discord, and YouTube. But I have created Bluesky and Threads accounts to be more relevant. I’ll be using these to share clips, updates, and random thoughts.
- Website Integration: I’m still figuring out what I want this site to be. If I even need this site?
- Using Tools Wisely: Buffer is already helping me manage social media clips, but I need to get better at trimming them down quickly using Eklipse. Or maybe trying my hand at clipping? Make things cheap!
3. Tech & Stream Setup
- A Comfortable Streaming Space: I want my setup to reflect my brand – cozy, warm, and welcoming. I have ordered a new chair (my 5 year old covid purchase chair is broken and hurts)
- Reliable Tech: I’ll need to make sure my camera, mic, and lighting are vibing so the experience is smooth for viewers and myself.
- Overlays & Branding: Simple, cozy-themed overlays that align with my aesthetic.
Sticking With It
This is the biggest challenge. My ADHD makes it easy to jump between ideas, but I want to break that cycle here. So, I’m putting a few structures in place:
- Accountability: I’ll be documenting my journey through blog updates – monthly so I don’t get overwhelmed, sharing both the highs and the struggles.
- Scheduled Check-Ins: I have fortnightly catch-ups with Stuart as he helps and supports me and our overall relationship.
- Reminders/Schedule: I use motion to help me with project work, I need to work on getting that clean and easy to use.
What I Want From This
At the core of it all, I want joy. I want to create something that makes me happy and connects with others. If I can build a community of like-minded people who find comfort and inspiration in my streams, that’s a huge win. And if I can sustain this passion long enough to see it truly grow, then I’ll know I finally broke the cycle of my scatter brain.
Here’s to starting fresh… this time, for real.
ThisIsGracieLou 