On July 1st, I made a decision: cut back on social media and go 110% into the website and YouTube channel.
Instagram? It’s turned into a parade of influencers, ads, and outrage. Facebook? Same, only older. TikTok? I made an account, tried it briefly, and left it cold. The more time I spent on these platforms, the more disconnected I felt from why I started sharing in the first place.
But Time to Xplore? That still feels right.
So I’m shifting focus. Less scrolling. More creating. Longer videos, personal stories, and honest, grounded adventure content. No hacks, no shortcuts, no pretending to be something I’m not.
Rebooting the Channel, Reclaiming the Mission
This isn’t a new idea—it’s something I’ve been working toward since my last social purge. I deleted or suspended most of my accounts. I shut down the original Time to Xplore YouTube channel, deleting over 500 videos, and took a break.
During that time, I tested out new channel names and ideas. Nothing stuck. I kept coming back to Time to Xplore. The name still fits. The mission still matters. So I brought it back—and I’m building it from scratch.
Right now, the new YouTube channel has 10 subscribers and around 38 videos live. Watch time is slowly growing. But more importantly, I’m proud of what I’m putting out. It’s real. It’s mine.
Making Income Without Selling Out
Let’s be real—this is also about making it work financially.
I’m on a fixed income, and a side hustle recently ended, which cut about $1,600/month from my budget. That stings—but it also opens up time and freedom. The plan now is to build Time to Xplore into a source of income—but do it without selling out or turning into another product-shilling channel.
I’m not going down the “influencer” path. I’ve tried it before. One example: I got a power station reimbursed after a blog post and a few videos. One of the videos got 30K+ views, and the affiliate link brought in a whopping $50 CAD over two years. Not exactly life-changing.
This time, I’m keeping things clean and values-first. No clutter, no hard sells.
Here’s how I plan to make it sustainable:
- Offer direct value to readers/viewers through digital resources, e-guides, or behind-the-scenes extras.
- Launch a support model like Buy Me a Coffee, Patreon, or donations—so those who find value can give value back.
- Eventually host in-person workshops or guided experiences, especially local ones for folks who want to unplug and reconnect with the real world.
- Maybe open up limited merch or physical goods down the road, but only if it’s useful and meaningful—not just branded junk.
I also pay for my own web hosting and would love to keep the blog and YouTube ad-free as long as I can. If it ever gets monetized, it’ll be with intention—not because I gave in.
Exploring with Less, Creating with More
With a tighter budget, I’m exploring closer to home—but that’s not a limitation. It’s a challenge. A chance to get creative. A way to see the value in small, overlooked places and moments. Local hikes. Campfire nights. Day trips with a story behind them.
I’m not trying to be the fastest-growing channel. I’m not chasing views or sponsorships. I’m trying to tell stories that matter, build something solid, and stay grounded in what Time to Xplore was always meant to be: real experiences, honest conversations, and intentional living.
This is where things start to get interesting.
Thanks for sticking around. Let’s see where this new direction takes us.
— Time to Xplore