This 700K YouTuber Had a Breakdown—and She’s Dead Wrong About What’s Hurting Her Channel

This 700K YouTuber Had a Breakdown—and She’s Dead Wrong About What’s Hurting Her Channel

Have you ever felt like YouTube is working against you? Like the algorithm has forgotten you, or your videos are suddenly invisible to your own subscribers? If so, you’re not alone—and a recent video from a creator with over 700K subscribers proves just how common that feeling is.

Christine from Frugal Fit Mom—a YouTuber with 10 years of experience and over a million views last monthrecently posted a raw, emotional video asking if it’s time to quit. She shared multiple theories about why her channel feels like it’s crumbling: shorts, algorithm shifts, increased competition, and even burnout.

But here’s the thing—while Christine nailed some points, she’s dead wrong about the one thing that could actually save her channel.

Shorts Aren’t the Enemy

Christine believes the rise of YouTube Shorts is stealing attention from her long-form content. But in my experience managing and analyzing dozens of creator dashboards, I can tell you: Your audience isn’t leaving you for Shorts. They might consume short-form, but that doesn’t mean they’ve stopped loving the deep-dive videos you make. YouTube might show more Shorts, but it’s not replacing your fans’ interest in you. Shorts and long-form attract different behaviors—and it’s not a zero-sum game.

The Algorithm Isn’t Out to Get You

Another theory Christine shared is that YouTube is “hiding her from her own subscribers.” I get it—I hear this all the time from clients. But here’s the truth: YouTube responds to viewer behavior. If your subscribers stop clicking on your content or miss a few videos, YouTube assumes they’re no longer interested. That’s not suppression—it’s signals.

If people want to see your content more, they need to watch it more. That’s how the algorithm works. It’s not broken. It’s just reactive.

The Real Threat: Creative Fatigue

Now here’s where I think Christine actually is spot on: the competition is fiercer than ever. But it’s not just other YouTubers—it’s Netflix, TikTok, Disney+, podcasts. You’re not just a creator anymore, you’re a competitor in the attention economy.

And that can wear you down. What I suspect is really going on with Christine—and what I’ve seen countless times in the creators I coach—is burnout disguised as algorithm problems.

When views dip and creativity dips with it, it’s easy to blame YouTube. But what you might really need is a fresh content strategy, a pivot, or just a moment to fall back in love with what you’re creating.

Mental Health and YouTube Go Hand-in-Hand

Christine opened up about how YouTube has taken a toll on her mental health—and that’s not something we talk about enough. Being a creator is emotionally exhausting. The hate, the pressure, the numbers—it’s a lot. I respect her deeply for seeking therapy and sharing that truth. And I’ll say this to anyone reading: Your worth is not your views.

Here’s What You Can Do If You’re Feeling the Same

If you’re struggling like Christine, you’re not alone. But here’s what you need to remember:

  • The algorithm isn’t punishing you. It’s reflecting your viewers’ behavior.
  • Shorts aren’t stealing your audience—they’re just another tool in the toolbox.
  • Burnout doesn’t mean you’re done—it means you need a pivot.
  • Community is your secret weapon. Lean into it.

And if you’re stuck, I help creators like you inside my YouTube Bootcamp. You don’t have to navigate this alone.

Resources

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Webinars and Live calls: I use Zoom.us for my group coaching calls in my private membership group for female YouTube creators. It’s also the software I use to record my Road to 100k YouTube Subscribers Masterclass!

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Author: Erika Vieira

Marketing and sales expert Erika Vieira is the host and producer of the #1 influencer strategy podcast, The YouTube Power Hour. The podcast, with over 100 episodes and hundreds of thousands of downloads is dedicated to content creators who are looking to start, improve and grow their unique influence online. Erika works with influencers on personal branding, content improvement and defining a niche via customized strategy sessions, channel critiques and business support. She also loves makeup, beauty and her family and believes anyone who has the drive and passion can find success online. Feel free to send her a message here.

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This 700K YouTuber Had a Breakdown—and She’s Dead Wrong About What’s Hurting Her Channel