18 Comments
User's avatar
Seth Werkheiser's avatar

The misunderstanding part on YouTube is WILD... like, calm down people haha.. SHEESH. I made a few SHORTS (omg) and yeah, the few comments threw me off. ICK.

Mel Mitchell-Jackson's avatar

yeah, i think a video-first format being queer, nonbinary, or (GASP) any assigned female at birth person, means you're opening yourself up to comments that are straight up gross. Tiktok was lots of Bean Soup Theory (people wanting you to give mega specific explanations in the comments, not relevant to the original post. Post is about bean soup, comments would be like "what if i dont like beans?")

YouTube has the best moderation features i've seen from a platform because the behavior of commenters can be the nastiest. A thing i didn't discuss here is how much YouTube made me think about my appearance and safety in ways that writing can't. really excited to not care about that anymore!

Seth Werkheiser's avatar

TOTALLY. Love that you're moving that work to Patreon in a paid capacity. So much more security and safety and real connection there.

Mel Mitchell-Jackson's avatar

🙏 thanks dude! I am really stoked, maybe once things settle in a few months we'll have to talk about how it all worked!

Kris Soebroto's avatar

So much thought went into this. I hope this big transition fills your heart.

Mel Mitchell-Jackson's avatar

thank you so much! it has been on my chest, sitting in my notes and voice memos for a LONG while.

Kris Soebroto's avatar

You’re so ready for this 💪🏽

Jean Vengua's avatar

Congrats on leaving YouTube! I got outta there yesterday, as recounted in my newsletter. Need more time to write, read, and make art.

Emily Hall's avatar

rooting for you Mel! 🩷 you create beautiful, meaningful art that deserves depth and spaciousness. fuck the algorithms & stats dashboards. we get to choose what creative success means to us.

Mel Mitchell-Jackson's avatar

blesss Emily! it really feels like deepening into values, listening back to our episode of Soil and Stars really reaffirmed this for me too! :)

Lisa S's avatar

I am so glad I found you through YT and I am always impressed by your constant willingness to do things that keep your practices in line with your beliefs and needs. I appreciate what you do, what you write, the Discord community you have built and will continue to be a supporter for all of those reasons. Big love!

Mel Mitchell-Jackson's avatar

Thank you Lisa for your support!!! I’m glad to hear you found me there and you made it here :) Thank you also for the appreciation of all the different aspects of what I do here. It’s super rewarding work. Protecting myself from burnout will be the best way to keep going.

Cannuscio + Feuerstein Simon's avatar

Love love love your collages, and your idea of walking together. Love the idea of relinquishing “goal oriented” walking. Sending good vibes for your next chapter.

Mel Mitchell-Jackson's avatar

Thank you! aaaa you really get it, thanks for the good vibes and were gonna enjoy the slow lane over here together. I already feel so ready to collage and play more in the ways that feel earnest and true.

Cannuscio + Feuerstein Simon's avatar

I support you, with my own heart! Not just the digital buttony kind.

Rev. Dean Phoenix's avatar

I'm new here. I fount you on yt a couple weeks ago via your Artists Way video that felt really validating since TAW hasn't really been working for me but I also receive some value from it. These changes feel exciting. Can't wait to watch you grow.

Mel Mitchell-Jackson's avatar

Hi Dean, I'm so glad to hear you made the jump from my yt to my newsletter! Thank you for your support and belief in my work! It means a lot : )

K8 Catlin's avatar

You've put into words so much of what I feel about YouTube and social media in general. I've definitely found more actual connections with my work on Substack, and less spam in the comments. This just feels better.