110: How to be a Content Creator without Wrecking Your Mental Health with Franchesca Ramsey
Sep 9, 2024
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Franchesca Ramsey, an actor, writer, and public speaker, shares her journey as a longtime content creator known for MTV Decoded. She emphasizes the prevalence of burnout in the content creation world and discusses the importance of mental health and setting boundaries. The conversation dives into social media's impulsive nature and the need to prioritize joy in content. Ramsey also reflects on the challenges of cancel culture and managing public perception, offering valuable insights for staying authentic without sacrificing well-being.
Burnout is a common challenge for content creators, necessitating the establishment of personal boundaries to maintain mental health and productivity.
Authenticity online requires careful balance, as impulsive sharing can lead to misunderstandings and negative backlash, making selective sharing essential for well-being.
Deep dives
The Challenges of Longevity in Content Creation
Burnout is a significant issue for content creators, often stemming from the blurred lines between personal and professional lives. Many creators struggle with the pressure to produce constantly, leading to exhaustion and, in some cases, a decision to quit the industry altogether. The experience of creators who have lasted for years suggests that taking breaks is essential for sustaining mental health and productivity. Emphasizing the importance of understanding personal boundaries, creators can thrive by recognizing when to step back rather than pushing through overwhelming workloads.
The Balance of Authenticity and Boundaries
In the world of social media, authenticity and transparency often conflict, creating challenges for creators trying to maintain their personal identities online. It is crucial for creators to understand that while sharing personal experiences can foster connection, there is a need to establish limits to protect their well-being. Many creators fall into the trap of turning every emotional response into content, which can lead to misinterpretation and online backlash. Learning to share selectively allows for authenticity without sacrificing mental health or inviting unnecessary drama.
Navigating Online Drama and Hate
The online environment can be hostile, with creators facing negativity from audiences when they misspeak or are misinterpreted. Experiences of misunderstanding can lead to knee-jerk reactions, which often exacerbate the situation rather than clarify it. Acknowledging the impact of social media on emotional responses, it is important for creators to take a step back to reassess the situation before reacting. This strategy allows for thoughtful engagement rather than impulsive responses to hate or drama, ultimately fostering healthier online interactions.
Understanding Misunderstandings and Internal Boundaries
Creators frequently grapple with the feelings of being misunderstood, leading to a reactive mindset that can hinder their creative process. Establishing internal boundaries can aid in managing the emotional toll from public scrutiny, enabling creators to protect their mental health when faced with backlash. Some creators have learned that it's vital to be comfortable with being misunderstood and to avoid engaging in arguments about their character online. Recognizing the futility of trying to please everyone allows for more genuine content creation, focusing on positive community interactions rather than getting caught up in negativity.
Today’s episode is a conversation I’ve been wanting to have for awhile, and I’ve found the perfect person for this topic. Franchesca Ramsey is an actor, writer, public speaker, and longtime content creator. She wrote and performed in the web series MTV Decoded, where she tackled race, pop culture, and other uncomfortable topics. Other notable accomplishments include writing for The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore and a nomination for an NAACP award for one of the best books of 2018: Well, That Escalated Quickly: Memoirs and Mistakes of an Accidental Activist. Franchesca shares her expertise and insights on longevity and mental health as a content creator. Join us to learn more!
Show Highlights:
Burnout is real in the content creation world.
Lessons learned about life and authenticity as a content creator, influencer, and vlogger
Are you putting your time and energy in the wrong place?
You have to censor yourself EVERY day!
Impulsive reactions on social media can have severe consequences. Give yourself space to step back.
Prioritizing joy in your content and not reacting with anger
The nature of social media
Strengthening internal boundaries by getting comfortable with being misunderstood
Thoughts on cancel culture and negative backlash
Our conversation is so good that we don’t want it to end. We will continue with Part 2 with Franchesca in next week’s episode!
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