A prominent sex educator on YouTube recently ended her twelve-year career on the platform to launch a clinic for “burned-out” content creators.
Like many old YouTubers, 32-year-old Hannah Witton suffered a burnout herself and looked for a new path.
The British creator’s decision was significantly influenced by the fact that she became a mother. Although she initially believed that motherhood would not impact her career, she soon realized that the demands of parenthood conflicted with the relentless pace of content creation.
“Then when it actually happens, it’s like, oh wait, it’s completely normal for this to completely rewire you,” she shared Business insider.
“Not just physically and mentally, but actually logistically – your circumstances change and the impact that has on your time, your energy, your resources and all that.”
Witton embraced the uncertainty that followed her retirement from YouTube and her podcast “Doing It.”
“I thought, Oh, I don’t have to do that anymore,” she said, acknowledging the risk she was taking.
After beginning her creative journey in 2013, Witton became a leading voice on sex and relationships, with a particular focus on the experiences of people with chronic illness.
Hannah Witton, a prominent sex educator on YouTube, recently ended her 12-year career on the platform to launch a clinic for ‘burnt-out’ content creators
After starting her content journey in 2013, Witton became a leading voice on sex and relationships, with a particular focus on the experiences of people with chronic illnesses.
Witton herself suffers from ulcerative colitis, a chronic autoimmune disease, and openly shares her experiences with her audience.
A year after her retirement, Witton has shifted her focus to her Patreon subscription service. She has a secondary YouTube channel, but that is no longer a primary source of income or a major focus of her career.
She uploads content occasionally, prioritizing her own enjoyment and her viewers’ engagement.
“Growth is not one of my main goals right now,” Witton told Business Insider. “I really judge the success of videos based on my enjoyment of them, and then the comments section, and whether other people enjoyed them too.”
After her retirement, Witton naturally began having conversations with other creators about their career ambitions and future goals. These conversations eventually evolved into a new business venture.
“At first I thought I was going to be a project manager,” Witton said. “But it’s more that I come in as an advisor or coach, and the rest is kind of up to them to implement.”
For example, she recently guided a pregnant creator through the complexities of preparing for maternity leave, helping her identify priorities and create a realistic schedule.
Leveraging her decade of Patreon experience, Witton also helps creators launch successful Patreon pages.
“It’s been really fun and rewarding to use all this insight, knowledge and experience that I have,” Witton said. ‘For me it is also reassuring that I know things. I didn’t just talk to a camera; I built all these skills.”
While Witton recognizes the value she can bring to emerging creators, she finds the greatest satisfaction in working with more established individuals.
“I want the creator who is going through a crisis,” she said. ‘I want the maker who has been doing it for six years and says: “What am I doing in my life?”
The former creator adds that she finds it incredibly rewarding to help burned-out and confused creators navigate their next steps and find a renewed sense of purpose.
After her retirement, Witton naturally began having conversations with other creators about their career ambitions and future goals. These conversations eventually evolved into a new business venture
While Witton recognizes the value she can provide to emerging creators, she finds the greatest satisfaction in working with more established individuals
“Many creators are reaching an age where they have children or have other life responsibilities, or just a different pace of life,” Witton told Business Insider. “It’s the life cycle of a creator.”
She recognizes the importance of prioritizing her own well-being and avoiding the pitfalls of the “content hamster wheel.”
While Witton acknowledges the ambitious goal of finding success on her secondary channel, her current focus is on supporting other creators.
“The clinic is open,” Witton said. “You can come to me if you have an existential crisis.”