I’ll stick to two main platforms: YouTube and X. I still have my Instagram handle secured, but I don’t really know what to post there to grow an audience. With X and YouTube, at least I have a clear idea of what could be interesting and sustainable.

YouTube

I’ve already made some changes to my YouTube presence. I’ve essentially reduced everything to two main channels.

Tutorial Channel

Last year, I finished two large 12-hour courses, which took up a huge amount of time. Now that those courses are done, that time is freed up for more writing and shorter tutorial videos.

On my tutorial channel, I’ll focus on:

• Photoshop
• CapCut (video editing)
• Adobe Illustrator

I’ve also decided to publish my author project videos on this channel too. Initially, I wanted to run a separate channel called OnPaper, but YouTube seems to have shadow-banned my account. Thus, new channels literally get zero views. When I upload the same videos to my tutorial channel—which has around 12,000 subscribers—I at least get some traction.

I also want to explore more AI tools for comic creation and video production. Whenever I feel I’ve properly learned a tool, I’ll add a video about it.

On a personal note, I’m eager to finally learn high-end photo retouching this year. It’s something I’ve kicked down the road for years. My Photoshop skills are decent, but not advanced—time to change that in 2026.

StoryLines

This is my video essay channel. I don’t get many views here either, for the same reason as above, but I genuinely enjoy talking about movies. It’s more of a passion project or hobby than anything else, and I want to keep it going for my own pleasure.

My goal is one new video per week, published on Mondays.

Personal Channel

I tried for a while, but I realized I don’t have the time to fully commit. Without views, there’s also very little motivation to continue, so I’ve put it on hold.

There’s still that dream of making videos about riding motorbikes, traveling the world, adding drone shots, meeting other YouTubers, and talking about movies, books, and life for a large audience. But that won’t happen anytime soon. There simply isn’t enough time, money, leverage, or health for me to pursue it properly right now.

X/Twitter

Some people still call it Twitter. Others make fun of you if you don’t call it X. Call it whatever you like—I’ll be active there next year.

No Politics

I won’t post about politics. It’s too risky to talk politics outside of the US online. Just last month, someone was arrested for stating that bones from corpses can be used to identify the two genders in Switzerland. In Germany, someone received a police visit for calling government employees “parasites.” And recent events at Bondi Beach led Australia to further tighten its already extreme hate speech laws.

At this stage of the Western world’s decline, it’s safer to stay out of politics, make your cut, and prepare for an exit. The last thing you want is to be in jail over a stupid meme when things truly fall apart.

What I’ll Post on X

• Movie-a-Day Reviews
  This year, I want to watch one new movie every day and post a short review the following day on X. At the end of the year, I’ll also make a ranking video of the best movies and shows I’ve seen.
• Daily Author Project Updates
  Daily word counts, progress reports, mistakes, setbacks—and hopefully some wins and victories.
• Album-a-Day
  I want to expand my musical horizons, so I’ll work through the 1,001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die list, along with new releases I know nothing about (for example, I’ve never listened to a full Taylor Swift album). I’ll write short thoughts about each one.
• Sharing
  I’ll continue sharing links to my videos and blog posts. There will also be links to books that I regularly give away for free.
• Networking
  If you’re an author or blogger yourself, feel free to reach out on X. I want to build a network of indie authors who support each other. We can share free book giveaways so readers benefit as well. I’ll need to be proactive and actively look for indie authors who blog, post on X, or make YouTube videos. If I can find even a dozen, that could be enough to get things moving.

If that sounds interesting, you can follow me here: @michael_brig