FFXIV: Introverted Eorzea – My New YouTube Channel
Posted on June 8, 2026 by Aywren
I’ve never been much of a video creator. I’ve always said that I’d stick to blogging, mostly because that’s where my strengths lie and what I’m most comfortable doing. Despite all that, I launched my first real YouTube channel yesterday with a focus on reaching out to help introverted, shy, and socially anxious people who play MMOs (specifically FFXIV).
Those who have been reading this blog for a while know that I have struggled with the self-same fears for many years. In fact, I almost quit FFXIV ARR a few months after I started due to forced grouping in the game causing me so much stress.
While I’m not perfect, and there’s still content I’m too anxious to take part in, I do feel like I’ve come a long way on my journey. From a person whose hands literally shook so hard she couldn’t play the game at the prospect of merely grouping for the most basic of content… to someone who is practicing co-healing on Alliance Raids on almost a nightly basis.
All that to say, I’ve been thinking long and hard about what kind of content I can make to help other people. At first, that was for this blog in particular, but then I began to ponder on what if I tried to step into other content types… even if I’m not fully comfortable or experienced in those areas?
I won’t lie. I spent many hours over many months with this question, thinking about what I know best and how I could best help someone else. Then it hit me.
All my gaming life, I’ve been a shy gamer who struggles to be a part of a larger social online world. I don’t have all the answers yet, but maybe something I know or have discovered on my own journey could be useful for someone else.
And so, I began to plan and develop a brand-new YouTube channel that bears my net name: Aywren Sojourner
Yesterday, I posted my very first video creation that sets the tone and introduces the purpose of the series I want to make. Basically, this is content created for and about shy, introverted, and socially anxious gamers. While my focus is primarily FFXIV, I’m sure that some of the things I plan to talk about can be applied to any online game, and maybe even beyond online worlds.
The response I’ve had to my first video has been super encouraging. I’m still a tiny channel, but earning 56 subscribers and over 100 watches on my fledgling intro video, along with all the comments and conversations I’ve had with folks under the video, tells me that I was correct. There is a need for and an interest in this sort of content.
I’ve already written a list of ideas down for future videos, and I have a few scripts percolating in my head on how to approach them. And yes, as a shy individual, this is me having to overcome yet another fear of public speaking. So, there’s that!
Anyhow, I know I’ve been slow to posting here on my blog lately due to getting this off the ground and to IRL trips I’ve had. I wanted to make sure I touched base and documented the launch of my channel at the least.
So please, if this sounds like something you’re interested in – or if you know others who might benefit from it – give it a watch and subscribe for future videos!
I never thought I’d be saying “Like and Subscribe.” Yikes. What’s the world come to?