That said, it also provides some perspective on what it’s like to be such a popular YouTube creator, plus all the pros and cons that come with it. In the same video, PewDiePie touches on topics like his (occasionally) problematic past, constant media scrutiny, and creator burnout. If anything, it shuts down the outdated assumption that top YouTubers have it easy.
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PewDiePie Thought of Quitting YouTube in 2020
Sometime in 2020, PewDiePie had thought of leaving the platform due to all the drama and scrutiny he was subjected to. He talks about this in his recent video, “Why I didn’t quit,” and references an old upload from November 2020 titled “I Got Canceled Again…” Despite the leading title, PewDiePie wasn’t actually being canceled around this time – at least, not for legitimate reasons. The internet just found his Spotify playlist.
Users scoured PewDiePie’s Spotify information and then took to Twitter, either mocking his taste or expressing astonishment that PewDiePie listened to “good” music, whatever that means. Some of the artists PewDiePie listened to even went as far as telling the YouTuber to stop listening to their music. On one hand, this could be because the artists don’t want to be associated with PewDiePie’s less-than-stellar track record. Though, on the other hand, it seems odd for artists to be gatekeeping their own music, especially since it’s uploaded onto a public platform.
Regardless, it’s situations like these that contributed to PewDiePie’s intention to quit. While it’s hard to deny that he’s been the center of controversy multiple times in the past, it seems absurd for the internet to want to cancel him for, well, listening to music. And that, no doubt, weighs down on a person. It’d be hard for anyone to continue doing something they enjoy if so many people give them flak for every little thing they do.
PewDiePie Didn’t Quit YouTube, He Retired in a Way
But obviously, PewDiePie didn’t quit. He still uploads fairly regularly, just not as often as his old schedule of one video a day. In another old upload (also referenced in “Why I didnt quit”), PewDiePie answers some community questions. One person asks about his plans after retirement, to which PewDiePie replies that he’s already “retired,” meaning he’s tending to his channel at a much slower pace.
All this builds the context for what PewDiePie explains in his recent video. He explains that he couldn’t quit even after everything because of how supportive his community was. However, he also talks about how exhausting and unfulfilling it was to constantly be growing his channel. PewDiePie admits that he was addicted to YouTube to such an unhealthy degree, and that’s ultimately what brought on his ‘retirement.’ Granted, that years-long grind was what made him so successful, but at this point, he didn’t need to grow more successful anymore. Pivoting to a more lowkey schedule helped PewDiePie enjoy being a YouTuber again.
To his subscribers, this was a heartwarming update, but it’s also a pretty honest look into what it takes to make it as a YouTuber. Contrary to what some believe, it isn’t always easy to be a content creator, especially a popular one with such a consistent upload schedule. On one hand, these YouTubers have most of the internet breathing down their necks, and on the other, there’s plenty of content to plan, film, and upload. Juggling all that with a healthy work-life balance is near impossible. And hopefully, PewDiePie is in a better mental place now than he was two years ago.
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