June Progress Report & Patreon Hiatus
Added 2024-06-25 23:24:41 +0000 UTCHi everyone!
I'm going to keep the text part of this post quick since I go into more detail in the video above, but here are the main updates.
Patreon Hiatus
I'll be taking a longer break from the Patreon. This means I will pause the billing cycle (starting from the moment this post is published) and keep it paused for the next few months. I don't have a specific return date set yet, but I don't see it being any sooner than October.
I will post short Progress Reports during the break, but I won't be doing any of the other Patreon perks, and I will be mostly unresponsive here. I'll be sure to give you all a healthy heads up before I start the billing cycle again!
Completing Videos
Though the "album project" is on hold for now, I'll be completing the following videos during my hiatus, and I'm excited for you to see them!
Husky Voice
A Jaunty Quest
Talking Small
Don’t Say Séance
promises…
Wrapping Up
Thanks for your patience and support! I'm looking forward to taking some time to reassess my work and figure out a healthier approach. See you in a few months!
Comments
I don't wanna burden you with my opinion, as I am just a stranger from Internet-land, but this all sounds very healthy and wise of you. I am glad for all the fun you have delivered and will be happily looking forward to the things you feel like doing in the future. Lots of fellow-artist-love ^-^
Pauliboiii
2024-08-19 21:14:19 +0000 UTCBeeeees! I love your stuff, no matter what you do, I'm just glad when i see you doing.
Cory!
2024-08-04 00:02:51 +0000 UTCI just want to join the positive reinforcement here and say how proud and relieved i am you've made this choice. As a creative and a business owner, i can deeply empathise with the impact of self-imposed standards when there's a commercial reality to grapple with. I wish i had made similar choices earlier in my career instead of accepting them as the cost of doing business. I hope you find your spark again and some ways to do the work that aren't as punishing. Best wishes <3
Kylie Willett
2024-08-03 21:27:04 +0000 UTCJust wanted to say that I personally would be happy to continue to support on Patreon (and be charged on the billing cycle) even if you're not posting anything/creating new work. I'm here to support you as a person and creator, not because of any specific work you are making!
Auden Granger
2024-08-01 19:43:02 +0000 UTCIt's okay to be kind to yourself.
Olivier R.
2024-07-05 15:25:21 +0000 UTCHey man, take all the time you need. Burnout and feeling anxious about not making things "good enough" are completely valid reasons to need to take a step back. Your fans support you no matter what, even if you need to go on an indefinite hiatus. Taking care of yourself and your mental health is top priority. We'll still be here when you feel better!
VixenFeather
2024-07-03 20:35:35 +0000 UTCTake as long of a break as you need! Thank you for being so open, I'm sending this video to my creator partner who also needs to take a break. You're setting a good example for us all. I want you to know that I only discovered your work a few months ago and have been catching up, and it has brought me such joy and even peace when I might otherwise be super anxious or depressed. When I'm low I play RGSS on repeat because it's such a pure expression of silly joy. Love seeing you so much on Dropout.tv, looking forward to Nobody Asked!! 🤓
Annie Shutelock
2024-07-01 15:51:49 +0000 UTCYeah, man. Take whatever time you need. I don't really care about the schedule you put stuff out on, I just want you to make cool stuff you're proud of, because I enjoy it when you do!
Hector P. Valenti star of stage and screen
2024-07-01 13:29:29 +0000 UTCJust wanted to say: burnout sucks, but I pay this as my way to say I appreciate and support what you do, even if that’s spending a few months off to figure your shit out. Please take care of yourself, you’re awesome.
Terra
2024-07-01 12:11:49 +0000 UTCI still want to pay you < 😠 >
Noah
2024-06-29 04:30:00 +0000 UTCWatching BDG videos gives me vitality
Munt Jam
2024-06-28 16:25:32 +0000 UTCGood for you BDG! We stan a self care king <3
Empress Janeway
2024-06-27 19:08:08 +0000 UTCSounds like the right choice for you. Take it easy, boss. *hands you a metaphorical breakfast sandwich*
Michael Dahn
2024-06-27 00:14:45 +0000 UTCThanks for letting us in on what’s up and talking so candidly about it! That’s so cool and also so important to have floating around in the creative ecosystem so thanks for that gift! And thanks for calling out the tortured artist idea as BS (I’m also a working artist and VERY OVER this idea existing). Hope you find what you need in this break, or that it finds you!
Dot
2024-06-26 22:55:24 +0000 UTCAfter all these years, he's a keeper of bee's
ZomBro_BOSS
2024-06-26 21:00:20 +0000 UTCBrian, I just want you to know you are one of my favorite creative minds of all time. You're pretty brilliant. Take a good break, your art IS worthwhile.
Maximilian Rodli
2024-06-26 18:49:38 +0000 UTCI hope your break is restorative! I love your work, but I care about the health and wellbeing of the person making it more.
Misha Grifka
2024-06-26 16:52:24 +0000 UTCgood job knowing when enough is enough and taking steps to fix it. I wish you a good recovery and hope things will be okay❤️
Anna Elo
2024-06-26 16:02:37 +0000 UTCtake care! burnout is a bitch. don't come back too fast, because it takes MONTHS to recover from.
eveningdreamer
2024-06-26 10:38:41 +0000 UTCReally sorry you’ve been feeling burned out - hopefully you manage to figure out a healthier, more sustainable way of working and seeing your work and yourself! I’ve watched so many of your videos because of your humour and what you bring to the video in both performance and scripting. I get that keeping the Patreon billing cycle open can add more pressure but whenever I’ve supported artists or creatives I’ve always assumed that part of that financial support goes toward supporting your rest, too. Some of the best creative work comes out of a period of resting and doing nothing related to the work, and I would have been fine to keep supporting you during the hiatus. But I can understand the pressure that might feel like it adds. Regardless, hope you are soon able to feel like yourself again and enjoy your work.
Lauren Wilde
2024-06-26 10:25:59 +0000 UTCAdding to the cacophony of: self care is important and we're all cheering for you. Take time, take a breath, and take in the positivity here from your fans.
RAD
2024-06-26 10:08:08 +0000 UTCI'm glad you're taking the necessary steps to look after yourself! We prefer our artists happy, healthy, and creating things that bring them joy (even if we personally don't see that work! That's also an option!). Take care!
Mark Spark
2024-06-26 07:53:29 +0000 UTCGood luck with your break!! Take care of yourself ❤️
Lucas
2024-06-26 07:00:14 +0000 UTCArt includes down time. ♥️
Jake Wood
2024-06-26 04:57:57 +0000 UTCTake a good break, refocus, have some fun. I'm excited for the future productions you have and I adore your talents. Best of luck BDG!
NoxDeluc
2024-06-26 04:57:19 +0000 UTCHope you can step back and stake care of yourself BDG! You are awesome!
Scott Henderson
2024-06-26 04:50:29 +0000 UTCHey Brian, I hope your break from Patreon helps you recover. I’ve been through creative burnout myself (I work as art director in video games) in 2021, so I really feel what you said about recognizing your inability to see your self worth for what it is. I know you more than likely have an excellent support system already, so just from one of the many people who really believes in you; how you feel is temporary, and you got this! As my therapist told me back then, please make sure you take real breaks for yourself as well, especially if you love what you do! ♥️
Jag
2024-06-26 03:21:29 +0000 UTCSpeaking for myself, I’ve never been disappointed in anything you’ve shared. Take all the time you need, burnout is pernicious, and we’ll be here when you’re ready!
Katherine
2024-06-26 01:36:23 +0000 UTCTake care and I hope the time gives you the distance and rest you need.
Elizabeth Parmeter
2024-06-26 01:32:34 +0000 UTCRedownloaded patreon just to comment. I definitely teared up hearing you describe your situation especially the self doubt aspects. I don't know your relationship with your polygon work, but I know discovering your work there was one of the profoundly inspiring moments of my life - both creatively, and also just in terms of seeing someone who could bring an idea to life with so much palpable energy. I hope nothing more than for you to find your internal rhythm once again. Love that you've already acknowledged the role of real human community in finding a sustainable flow and hope you continue to lean on your support circle to find that ideal state. Much love my guy!!!
Taylor
2024-06-26 01:17:04 +0000 UTCLove your work, BDG. You and your well-being are definitely more important than the work! Take care of yourself
Hannah G.
2024-06-26 01:14:04 +0000 UTCBurnout is terrible. I appreciate your honesty and taking a step to address it. I'm going through something similar and have also tried a "break" to feel more "refreshed" to subpar results. Burnout by Emily and Amelia Nagoski is a fantastic book my wife, several therapists, and others have recommended to me. Might be worth a read if you're into that sort of thing. Take care!!
Willis Harvey
2024-06-26 01:00:20 +0000 UTCI fully respect your knowledge of what you need to do, and pausing for your mental health sake. I, and I bet many others, do reassure you that I'm not here as a transactions deal. I am not buying rewards, I'm supporting your creative process which _includes_ rest
Lomky
2024-06-26 00:56:58 +0000 UTCTake care of yourself, Brian! Your work has value and I love what you make, even the small, silly, unpolished things. We'll be here when you get back ❤️
Neesi S.
2024-06-26 00:31:33 +0000 UTCburnout sucks, sometimes you just need to take some space from the work to find the fun in it again. hope the next few months treat you well!
Allison
2024-06-26 00:29:42 +0000 UTCBurnout? That tracks. I feel you with the self imposed stress thing. :/ Please take care of yourself. I'm glad that you're pausing the Patreon for a bit instead of trying to push through and making your self esteem worse. Have a good break
Ash
2024-06-26 00:19:45 +0000 UTCThat burnout paralysis is so real. I didn’t realize how much it was affecting me at my corporate job until I was in dire need to take a leave of absence. I’m so excited to hear you’re taking this time to reprioritize and think about what will be sustainable and joyful for you in the future! From one burnout to another, I highly recommend finding a nice place to sit outside with your favorite comfort beverage of choice and rest. My front porch and a cup of tea got me through the month of May. Hoping you find that rest again soon!
Erin O'Boyle
2024-06-26 00:07:28 +0000 UTCI can't speak for anyone else (though I suspect that I'm not alone in this viewpoint), but I've always viewed this patreon as a way to show my appreciation for an artist whose work i enjoy, and not as a quid pro quo to gain more from you. I feel this to the point that if you weren't really making that much stuff, I would continue to contribute to the Patreon for as long as it wasn't a financial burden to do so. Having gone through a similar journey, I know that dealing with any form of mental struggle about your self-worth isn't particularly fun, and I hope that a period of reflection brings you the space you need to realise how much value you bring to everything you do.
shaboogen
2024-06-25 23:57:56 +0000 UTCyou know what, i'm really proud of you for taking the step back. recognizing what isn't helping is one thing, but actually taking action and figuring out a way to rest is huge! i hope your summer is delightful!
rionsanura
2024-06-25 23:56:08 +0000 UTCBurnout (and the surrounding mental health fallout from burnout) is the absolute worst, but it sounds like you've got a good plan for it. Seeing the stuff you make is the best but I'm pretty sure none of us want you to feel bad over making any of it, and we're all just having fun hanging out no matter how ""productive"" you are, so yeah please don't feel bad on our behalf (i know you know this but I thought it bore repeating). All of this to say you're doing great, and I hope the break helps!
psychicwaffles
2024-06-25 23:54:37 +0000 UTCThat self-imposed pressure is something I relate to quite strongly, so I completely understand and approve of the pause - I hope you have a good summer and get to enjoy what you’re doing with other people.
Well-Spoken Rambler
2024-06-25 23:47:58 +0000 UTCNot the BEES
Grug Brugsley xox
2024-06-25 23:47:46 +0000 UTCA KEEPER OF BEES! Oh, Brian, you marvellous man, you are so appreciated. I’ve loved seeing you on Dropout, and I hope you’ve enjoyed being there as much as it seems. Take the time you need.
Ion Soul
2024-06-25 23:46:34 +0000 UTCI love your food making vids , Hopefully we'll see you on dropoutv again as well!
Dapper Gent
2024-06-25 23:46:30 +0000 UTCAll good! Be kind to yourself 😊
Oskar Koernig
2024-06-25 23:45:24 +0000 UTCIts very common feeling creative imposter syndrome, even if it's totally unfounded. Keep creating and collaborating in whatever direction you're drawn to, I haven't met a BDG project I didn't like. Hope you find the joy in your work
Matthew Lavoie
2024-06-25 23:44:11 +0000 UTCAw man that is rough, I totally get it! I hope that taking a break and working on collaborative stuff is helpful for getting out of that brain state. Take the time you need, I know we all wish you the best and don't want you suffer over making things!! Cheering you on! 💖
Amber Miller
2024-06-25 23:40:38 +0000 UTCtake it easy, and see you on the other side!
supercres
2024-06-25 23:40:11 +0000 UTCReally sorry to hear you’ve been struggling, I hope some summer time off does you the world of good.
Noclip
2024-06-25 23:39:56 +0000 UTCStay well Brian!
Elena Mihajlov
2024-06-25 23:39:49 +0000 UTCYou're doing the best thing for yourself, and that's all anyone following your work wants for you 💛 Look after yourself! Looking forward to what you come up with, and all your dropout work!
Carl
2024-06-25 23:36:08 +0000 UTCPlease take your time and enjoy that good, good self-care! To quote The Princess Bride, if you don't have your health, you don't have anything.
K. D. Bryan
2024-06-25 23:35:11 +0000 UTCtake the time you need brian! you’ll create the best work when you’re not stressed out like this (as you say too!). i hope the break does you good!
Andrew Eddy
2024-06-25 23:31:34 +0000 UTCtake your time brian we'll all be here when you get back 💖
Skye Morrow
2024-06-25 23:29:26 +0000 UTC
