Over the last few weeks, I have been reexploring the YouTube platform. Not to rub it in or seem pretentious, but I have recently deleted TikTok. However, I still need to watch something while I lie in bed to avoid impending boredom. So, last week I fell into a cycle of watching old Emma Chamberlain vlogs.Â
When I say old, I do not mean sister-squad videos; I mean the vlogs from about 2-5 years ago. Which doesn’t seem that old given she hasn’t posted a vlog in about 9 months at the time I’m writing this. P.S., this also does not include her podcast she records and posts on YouTube (that’s been about 5 months).Â
These vlogs were filmed when she was coming into her own in fashion and in content. At the time, they were filmed when she was transitioning from solely internet content to a business owner and fashion icon.Â
These vlogs make me feel better about the next few unknown years of my life. Graduating college, getting a job, going back to school, moving are all possibilities that seem so big. However, these are the years you find yourself, and watching Emma do it in a vulnerable way is comforting. She shows the behind-the-scenes of becoming who you are.Â
When I say “I’m watching old Emma,” it’s not in a “I miss the old Emma” way, but rather in feeling an odd connection of growing up with her. Which seems parasocial in a way, but I enjoy watching her cook, travel and become the version we know her as today.