7 Questions with Twitch Streamer, @StarberryJams
Image via StarberryJams
Q1: Tell me about yourself.
Hiya, I'm StarberryJams! I'm sarcastic to a fault, but a fun-loving and caring person juggling the many balls of life. I love to laugh and make other people laugh. I'm a full-time working mom, an aspiring writer, and a die-hard hockey fan.
Q2: What got you into streaming?
One of my partners is a streamer (also on Twitch) and that placed the bug that it was something I could do. With the encouragement of my partners, I decided to give it a go, focusing on cozy games and just trying to find my groove and style to streaming.
Q3: Tell me about your Twitch community.
The people who frequent my streams are absolutely incredible. They are kind and caring, holding space and sending love to all they meet. They come from all walks of life, with a wealth of experience, and I feel privileged and honored to get to know them. They can be silly, and a little feral at times ... but I also appreciate the care and compassion they have for themselves and each other.
Q4: Why is self-care so important to you personally?
Because I'm worth it. Because I'm worth feeling good and confident in myself. Because I'm worth the effort of taking care of myself, doing things that fuel my soul, and yes ... occasionally treating and splurging on myself. Because I have value and I deserve to feel good about myself no matter what is happening around me. Life can be hard and stressful, no one is perfect, but there's nothing wrong with wanting to take care of yourself, and I wish this was something I was taught more of in my youth. I'm playing catch-up now, but it's never too late to start.
Q5: What do you do during streams to take care of yourself?
I love having a favorite drink nearby, something that I enjoy. During my ad breaks I take that time for myself in whatever I need (walk around, stretch, bathroom, a quick snack). I stream for as long as it feels good to me, but by design, my schedule allows for a stream of only a few hours to ensure that I don't burn myself out on the act of streaming. Most importantly, I give myself grace for whatever is happening during the stream. Chat is moving fast? It's okay that I miss a few messages, I'm human. Chat is a bit quiet? That's okay, I can either keep up the chatter myself OR be silent for a few moments. Do I need a moment to regroup for whatever reason? I take it.
Q6: Do you do any community self-care?
The self-care in my streams is about holding space for whatever is needed. Does chat want silly or chill vibes? It's what we do. But sometimes a more serious topic comes up and we don't shy away from it. While my voice is the one everyone is hearing, their voices in the chat are just as important. During more serious topics I strive to make sure every comment is read, every voice heard. Everyone's life experience is important and valuable and I love learning from those that visit my streams.
Q7: What advice would you like to give Twitch streamers experiencing digital burnout?
Set your own boundaries, try to stick with them, but above all give yourself grace. Life is hard, things can feel overwhelming, and we're all just doing our best. Whatever fuels or feeds your soul is my suggestion to turn to when you're feeling burnt out, and that looks different for everyone. For some streamers, it's changing layouts, changing games, changing schedules. For others, it's a break from streaming or a hiatus. For others still, it's maximizing off-screen time outside of streaming. Whatever you do ensure it's filling you up more than draining you, and that can change day to day. Take a deep breath, you got this!
