I became an avid Internet researcher when I bought my first computer and could search literally hundreds of topics that came to mind.
With the arrival of Google Search and broadband services, my world expanded greatly.
I could find information about anything I could dream up and dig deeper if I chose to.
Researching on the Internet was even more instantaneous than on Amazon, where I could find a book covering any subject I could think of but still had to wait for the mail delivery. Still, I was a frequent Amazon customer when they only sold books.
It was a dangerous shopping habit, though, because I often believed I could absorb the knowledge contained within the pages solely by making the purchase and not needing to actually read the book. There it sat, gathering dust for “someday.”
When I first heard of YouTube, I thought of it as online storage for home videos that you were willing to share with whoever might stumble across your URL. There were a lot of cat videos, weddings, dancing, singers, and more, but I generally thought it was just another way to waste time.
I was only being entertained, not learning anything.
Later on, after searching Google to learn how to repair a hole in the wall, I was directed to YouTube and discovered that a handyman was showing me specifically which product to purchase at Home Depot and how to use it. In fact, several handymen were showing me all kinds of tips and tricks for home repairs. Some videos compared one product over another and told me the pros and cons of each.
Being a visual person, I retained the information more quickly than I would have by only reading the answer on how to repair something from the search bar. Also, I could start the video, complete step one, pause, and then move on as more steps were completed.
Later, I discovered recipes after searching “dinner ideas,” and not only were the ingredients listed in the comments, but there was a step-by-step video on how to make the casserole. It was like having Julia Child in my kitchen, walking me through how to make a fabulous meal and making it look easy. Bon appetit!
I no longer had to figure out anything on my own. I could see the completed product and not have to try to figure it out with only a written set of instructions. I had another human helping me out.
When it came time to purchase an air fryer, TV, camera, cell phone, or any other appliance or electronic device, I no longer sought out only Consumer Reports.
YouTube was there for me again. Friendly “neighbors” unpackaged the products and showed me all of the benefits and drawbacks.
Other viewers commented on what they saw and learned and thanked the videographer if they were happy with the conclusions, much like reviewing a book on Amazon. It helped with the decision-making to have more than one opinion on what was shown in the video. Also, like Amazon, not all reviews were positive, so you had to take the comments with a grain of salt.
I had a YouTube account that stored a video of a barbershop quartet serenading me for Valentine’s Day at my place of work. The “concert” was a surprise from my husband and the video was long, so I didn’t know where else to store it.
Besides that, unless I was buying, fixing, or making something, I didn’t pay too much attention to YouTube until the COVID-19 pandemic.
Suddenly, I had a lot more time on my hands at home. We all did. I could research on Ancestry, read, cook, eat, or attempt to make homemade masks for only so long.
In my searches, I stumbled across a beautiful lady about my age, talking about thrift store shopping and ways to decorate your home on a budget on, of all places, YouTube. That definitely got my attention. She is a photographer and singer with beautiful imagery and music at the beginning and during her videos.
It is a cinematic experience, so very different from watching someone make a casserole.
Each video is entertaining and moving. In fact, the more I watched, the more I was engaged. It was as if the host was talking only to me and as if we had been friends for years.
She had been recording videos every Saturday for over eight years, so I had several options. Each video is about 20 minutes long with different topics, but I could relate to them all. Her catalog includes everything from makeup for 50+ to decorating a small space to being a single woman in your sixties.
The videos are not always sad, but they are always entertaining. She has a way of sharing herself so you can relate and feel her feelings. I rarely could get through a video without tears, but that was ok.
Especially during the pandemic, it was magical to turn on the computer and watch and listen to someone who thought like me, who was genuine and was willing to share their life with me.
Her name is Susan Buchanan, and she is at #littlepoet if you are interested in checking out her work. You won’t be disappointed. Susan now has over 108k followers and often over 5k likes per week, so I’m not the only one who loves the Little Poet. https://www.youtube.com/@LittlePoet
Once I started following Susan, I discovered many other fascinating women who had made their home channel on YouTube and discussed anything and everything that may interest women (and men!) 50+.
If I ever need a pick-me-up, YouTube is my jam.
Not only can I find women similar to me who discuss all types of ideas of interest, but there are also famous motivational speakers like Brendan Burchard, Ed Mylett, and Mel Robbins, as well as old-school speakers on film who are no longer with us like Dr. Wayne Dyer, Zig Ziggler, and Louise Hay. You can find some not-so-famous motivational speakers who you will discover just “get you.”
YouTube is there for any topic you need encouragement or instruction on. I haven’t even begun to discuss the available exercise, meditations, and children’s educational options. Miss Rachel, anyone?
No longer do I feel as if a goal is unattainable (such as publishing a book, making money online, filming a video, or filling in that hole in the wall) because I can always find someone else who has accomplished it before and is willing to show me how it’s done—no reason to reinvent the wheel.
If I am willing to put in the work, someone is willing to show me, on video, the exact steps to get there.
So, when I feel frustrated or discouraged that my dream is too far out of reach or the task is too challenging, my friends on YouTube are there to lead the way back to show me the possibilities.
And for that, I am beyond grateful.
Keep reading! Keep smiling!
xx
