- Pokimane brings the issue of mental health in her streaming career back in focus by opening up about her own exhaustion from working long hours
- Her symptoms of burnout include anxiety and disquiet about not being on stream, which are traditional signs of the condition
- Pokimane has been showered in support by her 8 million fans and is now seeking ways to focus on the things she loves doing
Mental burnout is a real issue for Twitch streamers, says Pokimane, who is looking to scale down her grueling streaming schedule and focus on projects she loves.
Pokimane Says It's Time for a Change
The often controversial and fun-to-watch Imane “Pokimane” Anys may have reached a point that many streamers have at one point in their career. Pokimane is reporting burnout and that she has become exhausted with the nature of her status as one of the most popular Twitch streamers, an achievement that no doubt requires constant work to retain.
Anys has amassed a solid social following through her streaming marathons and shows, interacting with fans while still keeping a little aloof. She has racked up a total of 8 million followers on Twitch and has appeared in Hollywood movies as well as music videos.
The symptoms she reports now are indicative of burnout. Pokimane has repeatedly said that she's worried about not appearing on stream and failing to stick to what is a challenging streaming schedule.
That comes on top of her other projects that go well beyond streaming. All of this has had an impact on her mental health, she said. She described her current state as “burnt out, unlike any other way I've burnt out in the past.”
She further added that she was caught in various projects that she just didn't find compelled or passionate about doing and had to carry through. From now on in, Pokimane explained, she will focus on things that she wants to do.
Why Do Things Just for Money?
Essentially, the streamer believes that it's time for a change. “Why do I have seven figures in my bank account for? To feel like a slave to what I'm expected to do or to the capitalistic idea of making the most amount of money you can? I just don't want this to be my norm,” the streamer said flatly.
Pokimane's fans did show her support and backed her up, opening up for their own issues with mental health and burnout. Eliciting strong support from her fans will surely keep Pokimane engaged and involved with her streaming career.
She is unlikely to immediately withdraw from her career, but it seems like she's seriously considering alternatives. Taking a break from Twitch could be a good start. She is now looking for a company to further monetize her branding.
