Many people view streaming on Twitch or making videos for YouTube as a cushy job that only requires a person to play video games and chat while the money rolls in. In fact, content creation can be a very stressful and demanding occupation, with many people working 12-hour days, seven days a week. And for highly successful creators likePokimane, sometimes it’s necessary to take a break and reset physically and mentally.Having already expressed weariness with livestreaming in the past,Pokimane revealed that she had been considering retirementat the beginning of the year. Speaking honestly, the Twitch streamer shared that the job simply wasn’t that fun anymore. Though she ultimately changed her mind about leaving, that likely didn’t eliminate the need for some time off.RELATED:Pokimane May Return to Canada After Controversial Supreme Court RulingNow, half a year later, Pokimane has announced on Twitter that she will be taking a break fromTwitch, citing a need to focus on herself and life off camera. She goes on to explain that taking breaks is important for maintaining health and can ultimately help a person’s career in the long run. Though she didn’t clarify how long the much-needed break would last, Pokimane ended her tweet by saying that she looked forward to returning refreshed and ready to go.
Pokimane, real name Imane Anys, began streaming on Twitch in 2013, and since that time she has experienced incredible success along with some less pleasant incidents. Recently, afan found Pokimane’s address and showed up at her apartment. Interactions such as this, she revealed in an interview with YouTuber Anthony Padilla, prevent her from buying a house or investing in real estate. The 24/7 security offered by the apartment complex is essential in preventing the public from knocking unexpectedly at her door. It’s for this same reason that the Twitch streamer has three different phone numbers.
In that same interview,Pokimane said that she wishes she had started as a faceless content creator, which would have allowed her to protect her identity more effectively. In addition to that, viewers can be incredibly critical of a content creator’s appearance, clothing, hair, or anything else superficial that they choose to target. That can wear on even the most confident and self-aware person after a while.
Also potentially draining are the controversies and drama that almost inevitably pop up around Twitch or YouTube content creators at some point. In January, another Twitch personality known as JiDion spurred viewers to raid Pokimane’s stream and spam her chat with hateful and inappropriate messages. Though the two later made amends and even collaborated,Pokimane admitted that she became depressed after the JiDion hate raid drama. Hopefully, taking a break will give the Twitch streamer the refresh that she needs.
