I hope you’ve enjoyed the holidays with friends, family, and loved ones.

It’s been a while since I’ve written to you here, and I have some updates. But before I get into those, I want to share the mindset shifts I’m making in 2026, and my reflections on my Creator journey.

This year, I’m focused on one word: actualize.

The past 5.5 years of my life and career have been spent learning, experimenting, trying and failing, being inconsistent, and saying yes to a lot of growth without always knowing how to integrate it.

I’ve been creating content online since early 2020, and in that time I’ve experienced early growth to 1 million followers, burnout, pivots, plateaus, reinvention, and starting over more than once. Looking back, I realized the difference between sustainable success and constant exhaustion came down to one thing: mindset.

So I did a mindset audit on my entire career, year by year. What I believed. How I moved. What worked. What didn’t. And more importantly, who I was becoming in each season.

I want to walk you through that evolution to give you a real look at how these shifts shaped where I am now, and how you too could apply these mindsets in 2026.

In 2020…

I decided to be an early adapter, seek discomfort, and document my journey online. The year I decided to “just send it.” This mindset launched me far, but I also found myself self-abandoning in order to reach those goals.

In 2021…

I decided to abide by the rules of the famous book The One Thing. One video posted to social media per day, and all else is a distraction. This left me focused, but drifting too far in one direction without recalibrating.

In 2022…

I decided bold was my word of the year, and I wanted to overcome my fear of using my voice. I started my podcast The Passion Project and then realized I didn’t actually know what that voice was.

2023…

Became the year where I set the intention to begin uncovering my voice through various forms of creative expression. I made amazing self discoveries, but began to lose my outward momentum on social media.

In 2024…

I went deeper into my creativity and voice journey by overcoming the fear of singing in front of people. But I experienced financial hardship this year, and for the first time, I realized that something in my business and mindset needed to change.

In 2025…

My career momentum came to a full stop. At least it felt that way. So I landed on the mantra “what if this time you didn’t give up”. I leaned heavily into client work, improving personal relationships, and rebuilding momentum.

So now, for 2026…

I created a new “character archetype” for myself. In other words, a new mindset. A mindset for someone who is focused, grounded, consistent, intentional, and moves quickly. Not afraid to make a quick decisions. Not afraid to make a mistake. And ultimately, not afraid to TRUST herself.

My early and quick success afforded me the luxury (and the illusion) of external validation.

But if you can trust and believe in yourself first, before anyone else is watching, that is when you will have the foundation required for sustainable success.

If you too are ready to make 2026 your year of ascension, or simply the year that you GO FOR IT with content creation, here’s how you can join me!

Creator by Design Community Updates

• This Substack newsletter will remain in tact as an extension of the Creator by Design Podcast. I’ll send updates when new episodes go out with complimentary tips from my own creator journey! Check out past episodes here.

• I am launching the second cohort of my course The Art of Content Creation in February. If content is top of mind for you this year, and you’re prepared to invest in your growth and success, fill out this form!

• Soon I’ll be sending lots more emails about the course launch, both telling you more about it, who it’s for, and delivering some valuable nuggets of what to expect inside. Those emails will be separate from these Creator by Design Substack newsletters.

Happy New Year & cheers to 2026!

Sending you light, love, and creative energy ✨

Hallee

Both as a creative and a business owner, I spent a long time resisting the word and the idea all together. Trying to be “for everyone,” for fear of putting myself in a box.

Shockingly… (or not so shockingly).. that didn’t work. So after many times trying to conceptualize the idea in a way that worked for me, it finally clicked: I was taking it personally.

A Niche isn’t about me.

It’s about the audience and the service. In the episode, I talk more about how I came to this conclusion and introduce the idea of developing a point of view. Something that IS for you and IS NOT limiting.

In this episode, I reframe what a “niche” really is—and how to stop letting it box you in—by breaking down what it means to have a point of view, how the two work together, and where that sweet spot of creative freedom (and income) lies.

& If you’re getting value out of the episodes…

Join the Creator by Design secret group! A free space for accountability around implementing and discussing the ideas from the episodes. We have a monthly group calls and an ongoing group chat for creatives to network and grow together. This is only freely available to the first 20 people, and we already have 8 wonderful members, so be sure to apply before it fills up.

APPLY NOW

Thanks for being here, and I’ll talk to you next week!

— Hallee

I’ve realized I look very different to people depending on small changes to my appearance… like hair up vs. down, workout clothes vs. business casual, or no make-up vs. subtle makeup. When I asked my IG community, they said they’ve felt the same, and a lot of them agreed I kind of have a chameleon effect.

So I wanted to quickly re-introduce myself...

As I step into sharing content on here more consistently. SO hey, I’m Hallee, and I stepped into being a full time content creator back in 2020 when I started going viral on TikTok for Siri skits, Name spelling jokes + challenges, and relatable comedy content. I grew to 1 million followers in 6 months, and since then, I have been on a creative journey, figuring out who I am and who I want to be. Some of the places you might know me from include:

• This email newsletter of course (if you commonly read it)

• Smoothies Inspired by Emojis Videos on YouTube

• My Viral Target Skit Series

• Dunkin and Starbucks Name Spelling Challenges

• Siri Impersonations & Skits on TikTok

• Content Coaching, Consulting, and Workshops

• Sharing Moments from my creative journey on IG

• The original version of my podcast, The Passion Project

• and / or my Comfort Zone Challenge series (where I Danced, Sang, Tried Improv, Jiu Jitsu, and trained for obstacle course races)

I now call myself a Content Strategist & Creativity Coach, because as I still love creating content, I also love helping others with their content and creative journeys. And creatively, I am currently focused on exploring acting and musical theatre.

So if you’re still here…

I’m very happy to have you, and if it’s aligned, I hope you stick around. Because I’m excited to share that I’ve officially relaunched my podcast (previously called the passion project).

It’s now called Creator by Design…

The same as this newsletter. It’s a community I’m building for intentional creators, creatives, and business owners. Essentially, a space where I’ll share my own creator journey, along with tangible lessons you can apply to yours.

In the very first episode, I reflected on what it really means to live with intention. From going viral, to leaving behind a version of myself that didn’t feel authentic, to rediscovering my creative voice through dance, improv, singing, and acting—I shared my creative journey over the past 5 years. Which I realized could be summarized into how I stopped living on autopilot and started building a life that felt aligned and intentional.

In the episode, I cover:

• My evolution from internet fame to intentional living

• The tension between chasing validation and finding your voice

• How creativity and curiosity can guide you back to yourself

• A “life timeline” exercise you can try to reflect on your own pivotal moments

This podcast and community are here to be a companion in living a more intentional, creative, and fulfilling life. I’ll be sharing a new episode every week.

& To Add Accountability for Early Podcast Listeners...

I’m opening a Creator by Design Secret Group that’s only available free for the first 20 people (or until Halloween), whichever comes first. It’s a place designed for accountability around implementing the action steps provided in each episode (community chat + monthly group calls).

I’m designing this group specifically for action takers who are tired of creating alone in an echo chamber and want fellow creatives to connect, support, and inspire each other. So if that’s you, the link is below to apply.

Apply Now

I’ll talk to you in the next one.
-Hallee

And in the era of short-form video, the addiction has only multiplied. As creators, we are fighting an uphill battle to maintain our mental health and autonomy over our time and attention.

Every time you open Instagram, TikTok, or YouTube, you’re met with more information, more opinions, and more people seemingly thriving. And here’s the thing: consuming content feels effortless. The final product looks effortless too because all you’re seeing is the highlight reel.

This is exactly when the comparison creeps in

“Why am I not doing that?” “I still haven’t made that post I’ve had saved for months.”

You feel drawn to create, because deep down you know you have something to share. You have a story, a business, a skill, art, or a unique perspective on life. But instead of taking action, you get stuck. And here’s why:

As humans, we are designed to create.

That’s why you feel the pull. But the creative process isn’t effortless like scrolling — it challenges you. It makes you think, confront your mental blocks, and share things that may feel vulnerable. No wonder it feels like an uphill battle.

Which is exactly why I created a space for us to do this together.

Join the Challenge

The Create More Scroll Less Challenge Starts September 15th

This challenge is about more than just posting online. It’s about reclaiming your time and energy. It’s about stepping into a life where you control the narrative — not the algorithm.

This is a movement and it starts with you. Stop letting the algorithm control you and take control of your life by stepping into your innate role as a creator.

Join the Challenge

Here’s a perspective that hit me hard

“The ancient problem was scarcity. The modern problem is abundance.”

— Naval Ravikant

And it’s true. The abundance of information, content, and opinions leaves so many talented creators overwhelmed. Stuck in comparison, doom scrolling, and burnt out.

There are infinite opportunities to distract yourself from using your own voice. From creating your own content. From building the life you dream of.

Now I want you to imagine this:

You turn off the noise.

With the extra mental space and time, you focus more on your creativity. You make one post, two posts, and then three.

You start trusting yourself, leading to consistency, and then slowly you develop more and more confidence.

You gain momentum.

People you know start approaching you and bringing up your work in conversation.

You’ve become visible online.

On the outside, you built a personal brand. On the inside, you’ve made a commitment to owning your voice.

You begin attracting new opportunities you never thought possible, because now people know and recognize you for your work, your stories, and your craft.

All because you committed to creating more than you consume.

That’s what this challenge is designed to help you do.

Join the Challenge

Simply click the button above to join and fill out the intake form. It’s a simple $1, energetic investment. Upon joining, you’ll be added to a telegram group with myself and other creators on the same mission as you—ready to reclaim their time and share their voice.

Once you’re registered, I’ll send you the final details (including prizes) inside of the group.

It’s time to reclaim your energy, your time, and your creativity.

Let’s create more and scroll less.

I’ll talk to you in the next one 🤍

-Hallee

It’s been a bit since I wrote a newsletter, but I’m very excited to be sliding into your inbox again 💃

I’ve been focused on creatively rejuvenating, moving back into my condo (finally), up-leveling my craft, and client work for the past month or so which has kept me ~quite busy~.

HOWEVER the reason I’m here writing this is that I need to tell you about a challenge, dare I say a movement, I’ll be hosting starting September 15th.

I’m Hosting a Two-Week Challenge!

This is going to be THE MOST impactful challenge I’ve ever hosted for creatives and creators (based on lots of trial and error). It will also be THE MOST direct support I’ve ever offered publicly.

And I’m offering it for only $1 to the people who are ready to get out of the scroll-comparison trap, take action, and create massive clarity, confidence, and momentum in their creative career.

If you already know you’re in, just reply to this email with “I’m in” and I’ll send you the details.

Now before I explain the challenge: A Quick Back Story

I’ve been documenting my journey online for 5 years now, growing my own accounts to over 1.8 million, and helping others do the same. In that time, I’ve learned A LOT about content creation, video production, algorithms, building your craft, going viral, managing the perception of “fame” and what truly connecting with an audience means.

I’ve also learned how to make money without being overly salesy so that I can do this full time and so that my work SUPPORTS and allows for my other (less monetizable) creative endeavors (Musical Theatre, Acting, Singing, Improv, etc.)

So earlier this year, I decided to put EVERYTHING I’ve learned into an online course, The Art of Content Creation, and bring a small beta group of creatives, business owners, & creators through it. I expected the experience to be straightforward: simple tips, information, and strategy about social media that helped and sent them on their way.

But what they told me in their feedback was something else entirely.

"This forever changed my relationship to social media—and how my clients will show up, too." – Caitlin Whitmoyer

"Your ability to help us find our voice—and trust it—was huge." – Caitlin Whitmoyer

One person told me they stopped caring about metrics and started creating “because I wanted something to exist.”

Another said they finally felt free to “do my thing and trust that people will respond — especially if it’s authentic.”

& then it hit me

The FIRST step to becoming a confident, consistent, full-time creator isn’t about algorithms, gear, strategies, or growth hacks.

It’s about finding your voice, and trusting it enough to use it.

That’s why I’ve decided to host this challenge — to help you take that first step toward reclaiming your creativity and your power as a creator.

It’s called the Create More, Scroll Less Challenge, and we start on September 15th.

For 2 weeks, we will:

• Set clear goals for your creative output

• Track and reduce your mindless content consumption and replace it with content creation

• Turn social media usage into something used intentionally

• Hop on a weekly group video call

So that you can:

• Get clear on what you want to create

• Stop doomscrolling & reclaim hours for creativity

• Build a system that makes social media work for you

• Collaborate with other talented creators while keeping each other accountable.

Oh & Did I Mention There’s Prizes?

Yep! The winner and runner up will receive a prize. (But I’m totally gatekeeping what they are for those that join 😉).

In addition, everyone who completes the challenge will get a complimentary 1-1 content strategy session with me, and a special invite to join the next round of The Art of Content Creation.

Spots are limited!

This is the kind of support I usually reserve for my high-ticket clients, but I wanted to make this challenge completely accessible. My gift to you, because I want to see you step into your creativity with clarity and confidence.

Now Let Me Leave You With a Quote..

The ancient problem was scarcity. The modern problem is abundance.
—Naval Ravikant

If you’re anything like me, this quote hit me like a ton of bricks. The abundance of information, content, and opinions online leaves you feeling stuck in comparison, doom scrolling, and burnt out.

There are an infinite number of distractions standing your way from using your own voice. Creating your own content. Building the life you dream of.

So I want you to imagine turning off the noise and finally being able to focus on your creativity.

That’s what this challenge is going to help you do.

To join, all you need to do is reply to this email “I’m in”, and I’ll send over the details.

I’m very excited for this, and will actually be completing the challenge alongside you as I launch a new creative endeavor (those that join will get the inside scoop 👀)

I’ll talk to you in the next one.

Hallee

Let’s acknowledge that I accidentally sent you this random video the other day:

I noticed that Substack had a video posting option so I tried to try posting one and… I guess it emailed it out too LOL! So while not intended, I hope you enjoyed 😂 Ironically, the energy of the video I accidentally sent sort of ties into the newsletter I was writing for this week. I suppose it’s a perfect time to quote Bob Ross.

“Happy Accidents”

Let’s get into it.

Is content creation an art form?

This question has been heavily on my mind for the past few years.

I’ve been a full-time creator for 5 years now. Meaning that I have made my living making videos online, working with brands, freelancing, and coaching other creators.

Recently, I brought in a case study group of 8 creatives, business owners, and content creators who were struggling with burnout, felt disconnected from their content, or were struggling to find the clarity on what to post. I called the program The Art of Content Creation, because I wanted to explore this very idea.

Each week we hopped on a call, workshopped content ideas, and provided creative support to one another. Every Monday I created a new course module teaching lessons, tools, and strategies I’ve learned in my own journey to help support them.

& let me tell you…

The Creativity Was FLOWING

They ALL started making meaningful progress.

One person started applying their cinematography, writing, and editing skills to start a content series called “Side Questing Until My Will To Live Returns”.

Another girl created a branded character—the “Content Fairy”—to both get outside of her comfort zone and start marketing her social media management business.

A new business owner began taking steps towards clarifying her voice online, and another stepped into creating comedy sketches that helped articulate her coaching methodology.

They not only created content, but healed, grew, and expressed themselves in the process. That’s when it clicked for me:

This isn’t just strategy and marketing. Content creation is an art form.

Content creation is an art form

Therefore, content can be art if it's made in an artful way. But, not all content is art.

🕺 Let’s break it down🕺

What is art?

Well, here’s a definition: “The expression or application of human creative skill and imagination.” Some definitions get more specific and have more rigid terms, but I believe this one fully encapsulates what art is.

So how do we create content in an artful?

First, let’s think about you, as the artist.

There are 4 elements that come into play here: intent, skill, originality, and care.

1. Intention is #1 (at least I believe). You have a reason. You have a mission. You have a purpose. You’re not just throwing spaghetti at the wall—or maybe you are—but you’re throwing spaghetti at the wall for the sake of throwing spaghetti at the wall. There’s intention behind it. There’s a reason you’re doing it. Did you intend for the content to be art? Did you put conscious thought and effort into creating it?

2. Does the work demonstrate a level of skill, technique or craftsmanship? If you have been a filmmaker for years and you create a piece of content, it is art because you are demonstrating your skillset.

3. Is the work original? Honestly, I prefer the word authentic—“of undisputed origin; genuine”—because nothing is ever truly “original.” Despite which word you choose to use, the questions remain the same: Does your work offer something fresh, innovative, or distinctively you? Does it offer a new perspective or an innovative way at approaching something? Does it come from your unique point of view?

4. Do you care about what you're doing? Do you put thought, time, heart, and humanity into the content? And that doesn't mean it has to take you 20,000 hours to create. It just means that you're being thoughtful, and that you feel personally connected to what you’re creating.

Next, let’s look at emotional impact.

This is more about how the person viewing your content interprets and experiences it. Because art is a two-way street between the artist and the consumer of the art.

1. Art evokes some level of beauty, pleasure, or emotional response in the viewer. So if you want to create content in an artful way, create something that makes people feel something.

2. Does your work explore or express ideas—intellectual concepts, ways of thinking, or even ways of being? Personally, I love thinking about how to think (aka philosophy), so this part always pulls me in. When we talk about content as art, we’re really asking: are you engaging with ideas? Challenging perspectives? Exploring values you live by? That’s what gives your work depth.

Finally, let’s look at context, culture, & interpretation

1. Is it considered art within a cultural or historical context? Traditionally, this means art is something widely recognized as being art—but I don’t think it has to be. Still, we can’t ignore where we are right now: we’re living in the era of content creation. It’s the medium of the moment. The way people are expressing, documenting, and connecting. So in that sense, content is part of our cultural movement, and I believe that makes it a new kind of art form.

2. And last but not least, subjectivity. Art is meant to be interpreted, not dictated. When something is made in an artful way, it leaves room for personal meaning. Two people can watch the same video and walk away with completely different takeaways, because they’re bringing their own experiences to it. That’s what makes it art. It’s like a mirror reflecting them back to themselves.

Now, to be clear—your work doesn’t have to check every one of these boxes to be considered art. But I believe these are some of the elements that shape whether something is created in an artful way.

And when you start thinking through that lens (of intention, emotion, context, and care) you open the door to creating something deeper. Something that not only reaches people, but influences and impacts.

So, what do you think? Is content art?

I was planning to return to my 15 Things I Wish I Knew Before I Went Viral series this week, but this felt more important to share first.

After seeing how powerful the first round of the program, The Art of Content Creation was, I’ve decided to open enrollment again for July. I put together a short video breaking down the Art of Content method that we explored inside, and what it can unlock for you as a creator.

If this resonated with you, the video below will take you even deeper.

Watch: The Art of Content Method

I’ll talk to you in the next one.

-Hallee

Consistency

Social media gurus and business tycoons shout it from the rooftops. We’re told that consistency is the key to success. But the problem I’d always run into was this:

How do you stay consistent when life is anything but that?

As creative types or multi-passionate people—at least speaking for myself—this makes me want to rebel. To be even more inconsistent. To prove that it’s possible to be the most inconsistent person ever and still find success.

I tried this approach for a while.

Five years, to be exact.

I used to think consistency meant showing up perfectly. Back in 2020, I gained a million followers in six months and felt like I had to perform every time I created.

To be on, be polished, and be what people expected.

It caused me anxiety on a daily basis.

But the past week reminded me how far I’ve come.

My family dog had a near death moment (thankfully she’s stable now), I’m navigating a breakup, and I’m still displaced from my condo after Hurricane Helene.

I haven’t wanted to show up.

But instead of spiraling like I used to—aka scrapping ideas, going in a new direction, considering quitting my business, or beginning job hunting—I’ve been doing something different:

Showing up imperfectly. Consistently.

It reminded me that consistency isn’t about being unaffected by life. It’s about returning to the work. And working within your reality instead of against it.

I used to think that if I wasn’t showing up perfectly, it wasn’t worth it at all. That mindset landed me in a cycle of burnout. I was constantly working, but never actually making real progress. Just spinning.

TLDR; my “alternative” method of success didn’t work.

This has led me to consider… maybe they were right..? Maybe it was me who was looking at it the wrong way. What if you do need to be “consistent” to find success, fulfillment, and alignment?

If you’ve been following this series..

Welcome back! If you’re new here: hi, I’m Hallee! This is Part 4 of 15 Things I Wish I Knew Before I Went Viral—a series unpacking what really happened behind the scenes after I gained a million followers in six months, and how I’m now building a more sustainable, fulfilling creative practice.

So Here’s What I Wish I Knew Back Then

Creativity can feel inconsistent. It feels sporadic and magical, and I still believe it is. But I think we cling a little too tightly to the idea that creativity must ALWAYS be magical in order to be real.

In many cases, consistent creation requires grit and determination.

Not the kind that leaves you (metaphorically) beaten up and bloodied, gasping for air—but a calmer version. I now think of it as a determined, impassioned commitment to myself.

When you see consistency as a grind…

A miserable, sweaty, “hustle-till-you-bleed” experience… that’s when it becomes unhealthy. And I think that’s the exact image many creative types (my past self included) want to avoid with a ten-foot pole. I grew up an athlete, so that version of grit was ingrained in me early. Push harder. Tough it out. Show no weakness allowed!!

So trust me, I could act “tough” in the name of consistency if I wanted to.

But what’s the point if you’re miserable?

Isn’t the whole point to enjoy the journey?

Thankfully, on my creative journey, I’ve discovered a new kind of grit that allowed me to be “imperfectly consistent” as described above. A kind of grit that’s about showing up relentlessly for myself.

Let’s look at some examples.

Unhealthy grit might look like:

“I’m posting the video rain or shine, do or die, awful and off-brand. I’ll power through and pretend to be a version of myself that’s radiating toxic positivity. Boom, done.”

“I haven’t slept, I’m emotionally fried, but I said I’d post three times this week—so here I am, slapping something together just to check the box and prove I’m ‘disciplined.’”

Healthy grit looks like:

“Today, for two hours, I’ll work on my project. Whether it’s my edit, my video, or my script. I’m not 100% sure what it’ll look like, and I totally don’t feel like it, but I intend to show up fully and do my best. Regardless of the outcome.”

“I’m tired and not at my best today, but I’ll spend 45 minutes revisiting my draft. No pressure to finish it. Just enough to stay connected to the work and make meaningful progress.”

The difference here is the why behind your consistency.

One is rooted in fear. The other is rooted in love. And that, in my opinion, ties to everything in life.

Discipline without devotion can often be self-abandonment in disguise.

So essentially to make this shift, you’re moving from “consistency-as-control” to “consistency-as-communion.” It’s not about forcing yourself to be reliable—it’s about reliably choosing yourself.

As I was trying to better articulate this idea, here’s how ChatGPT helped me label the difference between the two versions of grit:

So the problem was never with the word or idea of consistency…

Just with how I was interpreting it.

If you’re feeling stuck in any way, I challenge you to show up for yourself and your work. Even if it feels messy and imperfect.

Thank you for being here and reading these every week.

I offer coaching programs for creators and business owners who want to create in a way that feels consistent, authentic, and true to them. If that interests you, reply “content coaching” to this email and let’s chat.

Otherwise, I’ll talk to you in the next one :)

-Hallee

15 Things I Wish I Knew Before I Went Viral

This is Part 3.

If you’re new to the series, I’m sharing the real, raw story of what it was like gaining 1 million followers in just six months back in 2020—how it impacted my mental health, and the lessons I wish someone had told me back then.

And this week’s topic: Boundaries.

Specifically, the kind you need when creating online. Because when you go viral—or even just start building a community—you don’t just gain followers. You gain relationships. Or at least, they feel like relationships. That’s where things get complicated.

At the time, I didn’t have the language for what I was experiencing.

But I now know that I was navigating something called a parasocial relationship—a one-sided connection where someone feels emotionally invested in a public figure, even though the connection isn’t mutual.

It’s a strange dynamic that many creators aren’t prepared for. I definitely wasn’t.

Quick side note!

I know some of you on this list have been following me for a long time, and I deeply appreciate your support. Please know this isn’t me speaking negatively about the support and connection from that time period. It’s about learning how to navigate as a creator.

And I hope it can potentially help you if you want to become a creator yourself.

So here’s what no one talks about..

At first, the attention feels amazing. People love your work. They cheer you on. They ask for more. It feels like real connection, and in some ways, it is.

But what you don’t realize as a creator is that every time you respond, every time you create for someone else’s expectations, you’re not just building an audience.

You’re building a relationship dynamic.

And without boundaries…

That dynamic can quietly take over your life.

I found myself answering DMs at the gym, breathless on the stairmaster. Skipping breaks to keep up with comments. Feeling guilty when I couldn’t respond to everyone.

I started believing I owed people access just because they gave me attention. And slowly, I stopped creating out of inspiration, and started creating out of obligation.

It was draining.

Because attention isn’t love, and validation isn’t permission to abandon yourself.

But, unfortunately, that’s what I did.

Parasocial relationships may be one-sided by definition, but they carry real emotional weight—for both creators and followers. And if you, as a creator, don’t have strong boundaries offline, you won’t magically have them online either.

You’ll end up spending all your energy maintaining “connection”, and meanwhile, have nothing left for your relationship with your actual self and your creative work.

So here’s what I wish more creators knew

You don’t owe constant access just because someone supports you.

You owe honesty, yes. Clear communication, yes.

But not your energy on demand. In fact, if you want to stay connected to your creativity, you have to protect it.

Set boundaries like you would in any real relationship.

Share what feels safe. Block harmful people. Stand up for yourself in the comments. And give yourself permission to respond when you want to, not because you feel like you have to.

Because guess what…

The people who truly value you—not just your output—will respect the space you create.

Read Part 2 (Originality Complex)

Thanks for reading this week.

If this message hits home—and you’re building or dreaming of building something intentional online—I’d love to invite you into The Art of Content Creation, my upcoming group coaching course for creatives, creators, and business owners. It’s part course, part community, and it’s designed to help you build a content practice that actually feels good to maintain (and serves the life you want to live!).

Reply “waitlist” to this email (or comment it below if you’re reading on Substack), and I’ll make sure you get the details first :)

Talk soon,

Hallee

I felt… special. It felt like I was part of something new and exciting. I was an early adapter to a a fast-growing platform that would soon become a household name: TikTok. I was doing something most people weren’t (yet); I was becoming a creator.

Back then, I had what I now call an originality complex. & honestly, I still do sometimes. However the difference is that it doesn’t hold me back anymore. Unfortunately, for many creative people, it’s not something that ever completely disappears—rather it’s something that you have to learn to identify and work through.

This is part 2 of a series I’m calling “15 Things I Wish I Knew Before I Went Viral” where I’m opening up about my experience gaining 1 million followers in 6 months, and sharing the hard lessons I learned along the way. Last week, I talked about the fear of being seen (you can click the button below to read if you missed it). This week we’re talking about having an Originality Complex.

Last Week's Newsletter

Back then, I wanted everything I posted to feel original.

As if it came from me and me only. I needed to feel like I was the first person to ever invent or think of an idea. If I created something where I drew direct, intentional inspiration from someone, I’d feel guilty, unoriginal, and as if I’d done something wrong. If I’d come up with something I loved, but saw it mirrored somewhere else, I’d bury the idea as if it didn’t deserve to live twice.

A few months into creating, however, I came up with my Starbucks name spelling series—the one that went mega-viral. For those who didn’t see it, I went to Starbucks over and over again to see how many times it would take them to spell my name right. I made it into a 7 part series that I then did a spinoff at Dunkin.

I thought I had finally made a fully original video series.

I didn’t see someone else doing it and mimic them. I didn’t draw intentional inspiration from someone who did something similar, and I didn’t strategize about how it might go viral. It simply came from a real moment where I was sick of people mispronouncing and misspelling my name and me not correcting them.

I told my friend Courtney I wanted to make a video showcasing how often this happens to me—and she said, “You should do it at Starbucks. They already write your name on the cup.”

The rest is history.

But much to my dismay…

I later found out I wasn’t the first to make a video like this online. The idea really wasn’t that original at all. Far from it, actually.

People had been doing similar things on YouTube for years. And once I realized that… I immediately felt disconnected & no longer proud of the series.

I started second-guessing every idea.

Looking back, there are so many ideas I didn’t make—because right when I thought I had a unique one I’d realize someone else had already done it. I unintentionally put myself in a box of videos that I thought were the “most original”. You would not catch me doing a get ready with me video. “How basic!” I’d think.

In hindsight, this “originality complex” was a weight that I had to carry with me on a daily basis. It was a wall that stood between me and peace in creating. The crazy part about it though is that it disguised itself as something good for me. And it was the perfect disguise for who was really in the driver’s seat: my ego.

Here’s what I’ve learned

Originality isn’t about being the first or the only to make something. What it really boils down to is how you create the idea—telling a story and weaving in the truth of your life in your own unique way.

The reality is this:

No idea is totally original.

We are constantly taking in new information every single day. Everything is connected. Everything inspires everything. Whether you consciously realize it or not, you are being influenced and inspired by what you consume: The reality TV show you’re watching, the Netflix series you’re binging, nature, paintings, TikTok content, podcasts. You name it. Your thoughts and ideas will be product of what you consume.

It’s not about coming up with something completely original—it’s about taking an idea and applying your own life, your own voice, & your own unique lens.

So, moral of the story…

Don’t let an originality complex stop you from creating. It might be the very thing holding you back right now. Make the thing. Say the thing. Share your take.

It’s not about being the first. It’s about being you.

---

If you haven’t read the book Steal Like an Artist and this newsletter speaks to you, I’d highly recommend checking it out! It goes deeper on how the inspiration process works and how nothing is completely original. As always, thanks for being here and reading this “episode”. If any of this resonates, share it with a friend or let me know what your takeaways were. Have an amazing week!

Talk Soon,

Hallee

15 Things I Wish I Knew Before I Went Viral.

These are kind of like love letters to my past self, but I hope they spark something in you, too. Whether you're on your own creative path or just figuring things out.
And for those of you who’ve been following my content for a while—thank you. You’ve been such a big part of my journey. My hope is that this series gives you a deeper look at what was really going on behind the scenes during that time.

Today’s letter is about visibility. Specifically: the fear of being seen. Something I’ve had to learn to face again and again on this journey.

So, what does it really mean to be “seen”?

People see you, and you see other people, every day. But being seen isn’t about being physically looked at—though that’s how most people interpret it. And that misinterpretation is precisely where things get… messy.

The truth is, I went viral on accident. I wasn’t following some master plan to blow up online. I had simply made a promise to myself to try things outside of my comfort zone. And soon after, a college acquaintance asked me to be in some of their TikToks. I hesitated… then said yes.

Six months later, I had a million followers.

Strangers were recognizing me in public. I had thousands of comments & DMs from people who called themselves fans. People were literally telling me I was famous. This was completely foreign to me.

I became known as the character Siri because I was lip syncing the voice of Siri in a comedy sketch series. Then I launched a series where I went to Starbucks until someone could spell my name right. That made me the Starbucks girl. I did the same thing at Dunkin. Dunkin girl. Then in 2022, I started the comedy sketch series “Going to Target ‘Just for One Thing’”…

Wanna guess?

Yep. The Target girl.

From the outside, it looked like I had made it. I was getting tens of millions of views a week. I was being seen by millions... or so it seemed. But inside… I was completely lost.

I’ve always been drawn to the spotlight

Whether it was through sports, dance, or anything creative. But I never felt comfortable in it. My worst nightmare was being put on the spot. And if/when it happened… I’d freeze, retreat, and shut down.

But suddenly, I was on the spot. I was in the spotlight. And the “me” I’d always been... couldn’t keep up.

So, without realizing it, I started performing.

I slowly became someone new. I suppressed anything that didn’t fit the version of me the internet loved. I was a lifestyle creator, which meant every day became a performance. I had to keep up the high-energy, bubbly girl everyone expected. Despite that, I’d often get “wow you’re a lot different in person that I expected.”

Don’t get me wrong—that girl online is part of me.

But it’s not all of me. It’s like showing someone your favorite outfit and them assuming that it’s all that you own. At the time, I couldn’t imagine truly letting the internet in. Sharing more of my full self, vulnerabilities, and imperfections. That felt terrifying. Honestly, I didn’t even know what “my full self” was.

I was hiding in plain sight.

Being seen by millions… and feeling completely invisible. The world told me who I was, but I didn’t recognize the reflection.

It’s easy to believe that fame, attention, virality…

Whatever you want to call it, will fix things. That it’ll finally make us confident. Whole. Free. I can tell you from personal experience:

It doesn’t.

If you’re scared of being seen by your classmates, your coworkers, your 1,000 followers—That fear won’t vanish at 1 million, 10 million, or 100 million.

You’ll just get better at hiding.

Real visibility doesn’t come from a spotlight. It comes from within. It comes from a deep, unshakable trust in yourself. And no platform, no person, no amount of praise can give you that.

Only you can.

So if there’s one thing you take aways, let it be this:

Take the leap.

Not toward going viral. But toward being truly seen. By you.

Thank you guys for reading episode one and for being a part of the journey. This series is close to my heart and it feels healing to share it. My goal is to create one episode a week (I’m making video versions as well on IG, YouTube, & TikTok!). If any of this resonates, share it with a friend or let me know what your takeaways were :) Have an amazing weekend.

Talk Soon,

Hallee

“What if they misinterpret my message?”

“What if they don’t watch or read until the end?”

“Does this make me ungrateful?”

“What if I come off as entitled?”

“How many people want what I have—and here I am, making a regretful sounding statement?”

She shouted at the top of her lungs.

Over the past 5 years, I have posted hundreds of videos to social media, and last weekend, I posted a video on YouTube that was by far the scariest video I've ever shared.

Why? Because it was vulnerable. I felt like, for the first time, I was no longer hiding.

For those who don't know me, hi, I'm Hallee. I’m new here on Substack. In 2020, I went viral on TikTok while collaborating with another creator who cast me as an "actor" in their videos (mind you I had never taken an acting class & delusionally believed this could be my “big moment”). After a few of the videos started to go viral on their account, I thought maybe I wasn’t being so delusional. So I decided to post a video to my own TikTok account acting as the same character. I woke up the next morning with 30,000 followers.

WHAT IN THE WORLD?! 30,000 people want to follow me?! 30,000 people laughed at a video I posted?! 30,000 people are now looking at me?! THIRTY. THOUSAND. PEOPLE.

I suppose maybe this was my “big moment.”

I was dumbfounded. I imagine a scene of chaos in my subconscious mind unfolding, filled with characters shouting things like: I’m too shy for 30,000 followers! I’m not funny enough for 30,000 followers! I’m not confident enough for 30,000 followers!

But the number on my screen said differently. 30,000 people decided to follow me overnight.

As you might imagine, I continued posting.

I posted every day, twice a day and dedicated 90% of my time and energy to TikTok. In 6 months, I gained 1 million followers. A few months later I began sharing the same videos on YouTube shorts, growing my following there to over 700k subscribers (at the time).

I got really good at making videos that caught attention. I got really good at pleasing my audience and giving them exactly what they wanted, all while becoming someone entirely new in the process—someone who was seen as funny, confident, and far from shy or reserved.

Despite my newfound confidence, I remember thinking “If I can just get to 1 million followers I will finally feel secure.” As if I would have achieved it all, or I had made it.

As if I was enough.

To be completely honest with you, I don’t even have a vidid memory of the day I hit 1 million followers. I know it was sometime in December of 2020, but I can’t even describe to you what I did that day, how I found out, or even what it felt like. Because the reality is that it felt like nothing.

“Shouldn’t I feel more excited right now?” My intuition whispered.

I didn’t jump with joy. I didn’t suddenly feel fulfilled. All of my deepest insecurities didn’t suddenly vanish. The pandemic didn’t go away. My life didn’t change in an instant that day. In that moment, it was the same.

I guess I just had a few extra bragging rights? I felt kinda… cool.

Instead of feeling a sense of contentment and accomplishment, the opposite happened. I grew hungry for more. Now that I was at 1 million followers, I wanted 2 million. I saw other creators that were growing similar followings meeting celebrities, moving to L.A., getting sponsored by household name brands, and starting acting careers.

I had to keep up.

I took my content to YouTube and my goal was to get 1 million subscribers there too. Daily posting. Daily striving. Never resting & never settling.

What started as stepping into my creativity with a bold step out of my comfort zone, quickly turned into nothing more than a game of numbers and people pleasing the masses.

It felt hollow & wrong.

However, I was validated daily that what I was doing was in fact amazing. One girl started crying when she saw me at the airport and asked to take a picture together. “I’m such a big fan of your content. & look! I just downloaded your latest YouTube video to watch on the airplane!” she exclaimed.

I used to get DM’s from people saying that watching my videos helped them through their parent’s divorces, through deep anxiety, and crippling depression.

I watched as stranger’s plain expression turned to star eyes (kinda like the star eye emoji) the second they realized I had a lot of followers. “Omg.. wait you’re like famous!” they’d say. This still happens sometimes.

People who could’ve cared less about me in the past suddenly came out of the wood works (yes this cliche is in fact true).

People paid more attention to me in almost every situation than they did in the past, or at least it felt like it.

I was being seen by millions but I still felt completely invisible.

It’s easy to ignore an internal feeling when your entire external reality says something different (especially when you already struggle to trust yourself). I began to believe that maybe my life did change overnight. Maybe the number on the screen could cure everything. Maybe it was the thing that could make my life better and make me more confident. Maybe this was my big moment and I had made it. Maybe I was enough.

But you see, the thing about external validation is that it is impermanent in nature, and when it dies, so does everything that came with it.

& that’s just what happened.

I burned out.

I couldn’t keep up. I didn’t know what to create anymore. I’ll never forget the day I desperately made a poll on YouTube asking people what content they want to see from me (probably for about the 5th time that month), and someone commented “we want to see what you want to make!”

Excuse me… What?

What I want to make? What do you mean what I want to make? I don’t know what I want to make. How do I know what I want to make I thought this was all for you?

That’s when I realized that I needed to rethink everything.

Now, I imagine you have a life and a limited time to read this newsletter, so for those reasons, we’ll get into this journey of overcoming burnout and learning to create again another day.

The Moral of the Story

They say money amplifies who you already are. The same goes for fame & attention. If you're hiding now, with 100 followers, you will be hiding just the same with 100,000 followers. If you're people pleasing with your friends and acquaintances, you will people please your 1 million followers too. If you compare yourself to the popular girl at your high school, you (with 1 million followers) will compare yourself to someone with 1.5 million followers.

Fame amplifies who you already are. It doesn't cure your insecurities or make everything magically better, it just puts them on a larger stage.

Now to be clear, going viral CHANGED my life and had MANY incredibly positive impacts on me. I am forever grateful to everyone who has followed, watched, commented, and supported along the way. I’m grateful for who I’ve become in the process, how it’s forced me to form deeper connections with friends, family, and loved ones, and for all of the wonderful people I’ve met along the way.

I think, however, that the positives that come with fame/attention/virality (whatever we want to call it) are a bit more obvious than the negatives. Therefore, I don’t feel the need to get into the positives of it in this particular newsletter. Just know I am incredibly grateful for the experience and recognize that it shaped me into who I am today.

This isn't a story about regret..

Or about wishing I could change the past. It's a story about finally using your voice and no longer hiding.

Going viral is glorified. Fame is glorified. It is nothing more than a legal drug that can change your life for the better, but if used improperly, can destroy you. The real flex, I believe, is being able to openly, honestly, and vulnerably be SEEN by others. Whether it’s by 5, 10, 50, or 1 million people.

Substack & writing feels like a safe place to more deeply express the intricacies of my experience. It feels like a relief to write and be done, vs. having to go film the video next. I plan to continue sharing here (roughly) once per week.

So thank you to those who have read this far.

The last thing I want say is that I hope this story doesn’t discourage or scare anyone from creating. Rather, I hope my story inspires you to be intentional with what you share, to work from the inside out, to not rely on external validation, and to have the courage to be seen.

I’ll talk to you guys next week.

Hallee

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