‘I feel this in my soul’: Raw footage of what filming a 1-minute video for social media is actually like resonates deeply with struggling creators

Every day, millions scroll past polished, curated videos on social media without thinking twice about how much work goes into them. But one Instagram reel by social media strategist Alyssa (@inspiredmediaco) pulled back the curtain in a recent video—and creators can't stop talking about it. The video shows Alyssa filming take after take after take, adjusting her voice, hair, and outfit while narrating the process with brutally honest captions like "forgets all words except 'so.'" For many content creators struggling with burnout or perfectionism, the footage felt all too real. Now it's being widely shared as a relatable glimpse at the reality of content creation in 2025.

The 1-minute reel that took 6 minutes to film

On April 16, 2025, @inspiredmediaco—a social media strategist, manager, and educator named Alyssa—shared a one-minute Instagram reel with the caption, "Some days it takes me a few tries and some days 1638273 tries. This was a cut down of 6 minutes of raw footage of my silly little videos come back tomorrow to see what made the final cut."

The reel showcased the creator repetitively saying lines, fixing her hair and outfit, thinking on her performance, and, more generally, showing the not-so-glamorous process of recording footage of herself. The reel had entertaining text commentary overlay, showcasing some of Alyssa's actions and personal criticisms about her performance.

These captions included "forgets all the words except so," "fixes top 3," "deep breaths," "broke my brain," "changes tone 31," emphasizing the many adjustments and work it takes to make a polished one-minute video.

As promised in the caption, on April 17, Alyssa posted the minute-long produced and edited result of the content she shared previously. The reel, titled "Unselfish Vlog: storytelling content example," told a compelling story about one lifestyle content creator and their journey to success. The video was succinct, well-paced, highly visual, and—aside from Alyssa's styling and some of her lines—virtually unrecognizable from the previous video.

Creators say it's the most honest video about content creation they've ever seen

The original reel gained widespread recognition through the creator's over 100,000 followers. It also gained even more attention on April 16, 2025, when it was linked within tech and internet culture journalist Taylor Lorenz's popular Substack, User Mag.

The reel itself garnered nearly 2,000 likes and over 200 comments, overwhelmingly from creators who appreciated the video's candidness when it came to the work it takes to make a quality online video. "I feel seen," read one comment. "Love getting the reality check that widely successful creators record like this too," read another. "I feel this in my soul," a third comment related.

Others got more specific about their appreciation for the reel. "This has to be my fave video ever," another comment read. "I struggle with recording and had no clue this is what it looks like for others! Especially you!" "The relatability is unparalleled."

The social media influencer game is tough...and getting tougher

Alyssa's video resonated with many creators, giving them a sense of solidarity and hope in the content creation process. Though it may look glamorous on the grid, the life of a content creator is not as profitable or privileged as some may think, adding to the struggle and need for community and candidness along the lines of Alyssa's video.

In a Wall Street Journal report shared by Inc.com, data from a specialized marketing company called NeoReach indicated that less than 13 percent of all online influencers made over $100,000 last year, and 50 percent made just $15,000 or less. Additionally, a 2023 report by Goldman Sachs forecasted that content creation would increase 10 percent to 20 percent annually through 2028. That's not a lot of money for an overcrowded market, and likely one that doesn't appreciate all the work that the role entails.

The Daily Dot has reached out to @inspiredmediaco via direct message on Instagram. The creator did not immediately respond to the request for comment.

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