Rediscovering the Joy of Streaming

It’s 2026 and I’m staring at my Twitch profile with a realization that I haven’t streamed since January. I have 35 followers, all real people. These stats make me reflect on what I’ve been neglecting and push me to ask some questions. Honestly, I haven’t streamed since August. I had big plans with new games coming out in 2025, like avoiding spoilers for Deltarune’s third and fourth installments. But amidst the chaos of 2025 in the real world, gaming, and the speculative fiction industry, setting up my streaming space became emotionally taxing. It wasn’t about the location; it was about why I stream – for myself and others. Now, I aim to stream for my own enjoyment this year, regardless of viewership.

Streaming on Twitch allows me to connect with friends. Despite taking years to beat Spelunky, the surprise on my friends’ faces when they heard me swear in-game was priceless. My bestie even started a “f***” counter after multiple hazard encounters. Switching to Spelunky from disastrous Geometry Dash attempts showcased shared gaming experiences. Along this journey, I’ve tackled story-rich games like Celeste and experienced saving girls and monsters through friendship.

Real-life events in 2025 forced me to part ways with a close friend group I’d been with for almost a decade. It was tough, especially since some members were part of my streaming inspiration. These friends enriched the streaming experience, creating memorable moments like collectively trying to find a star in a Deponia game. After the fallout, my emotional and physical effort to prepare for streams escalated. Feeling lost and depleted led to understated trouble setting up and timing gaming sessions. It wasn’t until December that the full weight of the void hit me.

Transitioning back to streaming for myself means balancing technical troubleshooting with enjoying the process. Setting aside concerns about seeming boring or too serious, I plan to authentically be me, flaws included. In February, I hope to rekindle the joy of streaming, starting with Deltarune and exploring new Steam games. Supporting emerging game creators remains a priority, though I’m currently nursing a head cold, making cursing a challenge with my groaning voice.

As I work towards rediscovering the fun in streaming, I invite others to join me on this journey and am hopeful for what’s to come.