From fun hobby to dream job

In Summer 2015, the holidays before starting secondary school, I got my first mobile phone and wanted to make a movie with my Sylvanians. I can't remember where I got the idea to make a stop motion, but it was the idea that would open up a new and exciting pathway for me.

Over the next 3 years, in my spare time, I slowly added to this short Sylvanian movie until it was just over 3 minutes long. I was so pleased with my creation and had so much fun making it that I realised that this was what I wanted to do with my life.

My mum suggested that I should start a YouTube channel for my Sylvanian stop motions. Then, in that moment, I knew I wanted to be a YouTuber. In June 2018, I thought of a name and created my channel. Amy's Animals: Secret Life Of Sylvanians was born.

On the 19th November 2018, I uploaded my first stop motion, Life in Sylvania. I remember that evening when I uploaded my first video so well, it was so exciting. I'd never had any social media before so I didn't know what to expect. An hour later, I saw that I had 20 views already, I couldn't believe that people had watched it already! I would've been so surprised to see how much my channel has grown since then! My goal since the start was to get monetised, because, wouldn't it be amazing to get paid for something you love to do?

At the start of February 2021, that happened. My dream for 2 and a half years had come true! This is proof that when you put the effort in, you can achieve your dreams!

Now my new goal is to become a full-time YouTuber so I know I need to focus on growing my following. I've started this blog to help me get there. After reaching my original goal of getting monetised, I now know that anything is possible if I keep going and improving! If you are thinking about starting a YouTube channel, just go for it! It's such an amazing, exciting journey!