PewDiePie Opens Up On Almost Quitting YouTube

PewDiePie has had an interesting career, full of ups and downs. However, one thing is for sure: the guy absolutely loves making videos and interacting with fans. That's why some of his hardcore fans may be quite surprised to know that he came very close to quitting the YouTube game in the recent past.

In a recent video on his channel, Pewds answered several audience questions that ranged from his favorite video games to more personal topics. One fan asked if he thought he might take a break from his channel in the near future. To this, PewDiePie did admit that he had been considering it. 

PewDiePie explained, "I feel like it's fair. Any other job, you get holidays; I don't really do that. And this year especially has been kind of crazy ... [taking a break] was good for my mental health ... my fear is that, even if I'm enjoying myself, I don't want my whole life to pass by doing the same thing ... even if I love it ... I gotta say, I did not expect me to sit here 10 years later from when I started."

Toward the end of the video, PewDiePie gets into a few more details surrounding how he nearly left YouTube altogether. One fan asked if he had any plans to retire from making videos, and PewDiePie's response was surprisingly candid.

He replied, "I think I did more last year, but after my break, it kind of gave me some time to understand which part of it I enjoy and that I just want to focus on that."

Immediately after, a fan asked if he had longterm plans to stay with YouTube as a platform. Their reasoning was that it seems crazy to imagine some of the biggest YouTubers still doing the same thing in their fifties. PewDiePie reiterated that he never expected to continue doing videos in his thirties, so anything posted from here on out could be considered "a bonus' by himself and his fans. Basically, he's doing it now because he still finds it fun to do so.

PewDiePie's near-retirement plans may not come as such of a shock to his longtime fans, however. While it seems like the YouTuber is going stronger than ever, but churning out new content and making time for charity streams, he shocked many of his subscribers late last year when he stepped away from YouTube for a little while.

In November of 2019, PewDiePie told his viewers that he was taking a break and that he wasn't sure how long it would be for. This naturally led to many fans and collaborators worrying about if or when the YouTuber would make his triumphant return.

Pewds' longtime editor reassured fans that he would be back, because this is simply what PewDiePie loves to do. PewDiePie's friend and occasional collaborator Jacksepticeye likewise expressed a feeling that Pewds was just feeling burnt out. Sure enough, when PewDiePie returned, he got back to making videos at a fierce pace. Since then, he's uploaded some truly insane Minecraft videos and even tackled the difficult subject of misogyny in gaming culture. Somewhere during that time, he also got into great shape. In other words, PewDiePie returned to YouTube with a renewed energy and passion for making videos. Even better for him, he managed to do it without losing too much of his income.

It seems as though PewDiePie's brief hiatus made it possible for him to recharge, which is good news for fans. If he hadn't allowed himself that bit of time, he may have stopped making videos altogether.

It's also worth noting that the YouTuber seems to be in a better frame of mind after his break. At one point in this video, a viewer asked him how he was doing these days. PewDiePie expressed that he felt he was more in touch with himself and more at peace than before. He also told his viewers that he felt like he didn't want to be involved in any of the drama that can erupt online anymore. 

"I feel like if I could change one thing [it would be for] people to just be happier," said PewDiePie. "Because then, people wouldn't get so worked up over these insignificant things all the time." 

In other words, it seems like PewDiePie is focused on the future, his own content, and maintaining this positive outlook. As long as he can do that — and maybe take a break or two for himself now and then — it doesn't seem like viewers will have to worry about him retiring any time soon.