I've been reading these comments and wow, I'm super grateful that we're able to connect together through creating art on this platform. Much love to you

I'm so glad you opened up it shows how you are yourself in your videos. Also the starry night was painted while Van Gogh was in an asylum so don't worry about showing true emotions they can lead to some amazing things.

Hayden, I’ve got so much to say about this that I could write half a novel. Your realness, honesty, and openness is the reason I hit subscribe in the first place. Maybe videos like this are my therapy. I loved the inclusion of old clips from when you were a kid and from previous years. Much love, my brotha from down unda! ❤️

Hayden, you're allowed to not be ok. You're an amazing person. Being a people pleaser is a lot of hard work. You're trying to carry everyone else's happiness on your own shoulders, and that is a lot to put on one person. It's one thing to hear that you're awesome, cool, and a happy guy, but it's an entirely different thing to truly believe it yourself when no one else is around. I genuinely hope that you dig deep and find that within yourself. You got this man.

What a heartfelt video mate, it's always so inspirational to hear your stories and how you've turned a horrible period of your life into a driving force to see the world in a more positive and accepting way. Each of us finds our therapy in a different way and there is something so powerful in using art for this purpose as it not only improves yourself but shares the story for others to see and learn from too. Keep up the hard work man, I look forward to what you do next

Mate you are a champion such a idol for me and it’s hard opening up about the things that really hit home especially about finding who you really are but when you do it takes so much pressure off yourself and shows your true strength and what really drives you So I hope you see this haydo we all love ya man and keep making the incredible content we all know and love ❤

art as therapy is a good way to express emotions

I am gravitate to creators and just ppl in general that put authenticity first. This is vital to literally all aspects of life. I appreciate your depth and realness and vulnerability on display to thousands and millions in hopes of reaching someone feeling the same way, please keep going and never stop creating but also be your true self and do what makes YOU happy. The more you take care of yourself, the more life will take care of you!!

Such a lovely video brother! Can relate with what you said and i just wanna say that you're amazing bro and you've changed lives on millions and i believe this is just the start for you bro!! There's so much to come

This might be one of your best videos, just amazing !

Love you dude ❤ be yourself! The guy I can call a friend! Unapologetic for being the legend he is!

I love your videos because you are authentic an show the ups and downs of being a human having strugles but also tryin to do what you love. almost all photographer and content creators out there only show the positive side of their life and make us the viewers feel like our life is not as good as theirs. but you make us feel like we are not alone feeling down sometimes and that is okey having creative blocks, or when the pictures doesn't turn out like we wanted to. you are amazing and such as inspiration and I love that you always keep it real with us. please never change.

Love the message Hayden! Keep it good Bro!

The videos of you and the boys and your friends spending time together are my favorites. Seeing you have fun, be creative and support each other through life's highs and lows is therapy..... that is a key to a balanced and happy life. I look forward to Photobattles especially.

Always delivering top quality content. Thanks for the videos Hayden! Always inspireing

Hayden you have been through a lot and coming out of the place you were in is a huge journey in itself. Remember that the most important thing is before you can make others enjoy what you do you must enjoy it 1st yourself. There are 1000's of artists in history that are misunderstood and sooner or later you must think about yourself 1st. Keep doing what you enjoy, the people that truly care for you will surround you and support you. We haven't met, however I am one of those people.

Wow ❤ this is actually incredible… keep it up bro there’s brighter days ahead 🤙

so well said bru; you're amazing, and I think it's great that you're putting this out

Everyone is supporting you bro just keep strong and don’t let anyone let u down ❤

This was by far the best video you’ve put out in a good while, Hayden. Authenticity, even when buried in turmoil, still shines brighter than anything else. This one is going to touch a lot of people struggling with finding themselves, man. Cheers.

Thank you Hayden, for being you in your art form. You’re message in this video as you said means something to not only you but everyone who sees this video and it is so true that I think people in this age are confused with what happiness is. But that is the cool thing about life I’m figuring out is there is no right way to live and feel and that’s ok. Btw childhood videos are are legendary. Love from NZ

From the day i know you you have been my inspiration bro till today. Nice video bro I really needed this ♥

Love this video ❤ Thank you for this you don't know how much I needed this video today. Love always ❤

Keep on being true to yourself, man. When you had the realization that it's okay for others to be confused or not understand your intentions or ideas was a very impactful moment for me too. That's something that I struggle a lot with as well. Good on you for pushing onwards and continuing your journey of authenticity! You've come a long way and you have a long way to go still :)

What ever you are going through, just know that many of us subscribers are still loyal and will keep watching what ever you decide to post it. happy or sad, gloomy or joyous. it's just like photography. sometimes it's overcast and sometimes it's sunny and no matter how good a photographer is he can't predict or plan if tomorrow's shoot gonna turn into a bright sunny happy picture or a overcast cloudy moody picture. both have their charms in my opinion. i was in depression even before covid started and wanted to give up, but your phot battles with the boys cheered me up every time! it honestly changed my life not kidding! 2019 2020 2021 90% of the time i went out i had my camera in my hands. Thanks to you and the boys i have hard disks full of memories to look behind when i feel low. and for inspiring me to do that as a favor i want to tell you this - Start making a lot of videos like vlogs, editing tutorials, Drunk edits like north borders (lol), fkng do cooking videos for fks sake! what i learned from life is doing something is better than doing nothing and taking a break might be more stressful than being stressed of work... Upload more sh.it we miss u 😜❤‍🩹

Honestly love the realness of this video, hope you’re doin well mate, create whatever you feel you wanna create!

In a sea of gear reviews, photo challenges, and camera hacks. Sharing your ocean of emotions feels genuine and sanguine. 🤜🤛

This video just showed what I'm feeling and haven't found the way to express it. Hayden is such a real one by telling things as they are, one I feel I can truly relate with, makes me feel understood.

Art is the medium I use to explore and articulate myself. There are highs and lows, one is linked regardless and inevitably to another. But overall I think it’s important to understand that if you don’t have lows then you don’t have highs, you flatline. Think about it in terms of a heartbeat, ur heart beat goes up and down and if it doesn’t it flatlines. I got the opportunity to better understand you Hayden through the steel wool portal photoshoot and it’s important for you to understand that your true viewers are here for you ❤

This is the best thing I've watched (felt)

Proud to see you create such wonderful art through vulnerability. Keep doing your thing man, we love it!

Dear Hayden, you mean the world to me, you’ve savedmy life and inspires me everytime ❤️ Ive watched you for years now on YT. And even when you dont post a video. I love watching old video’s back. You’ve changed its true, but we all do that. This photo is so fk AMAZING as always 🔥 your so awesome and please never give up. Love you and your the best!❤️🙌

Hayden, I think your fans, friends and family all want you to be happy but like all humans you're bound to experience the full spectrum of emotions and turmoil. As an artist one of your gifts to us to share all of those experiences. It can be therapeutic for you and for us. I think one of the reasons you've touched so many people is that you've been very candid about the challenges you've faced and it makes your videos and pictures richer and more meaningful. Don't stop.

Respect for getting it out brutha, head up stay strong 💪

Hayden, you're just like I am in ways. You're WAY too critical of yourself. Your portrait came out amazing! These past three years have been rough on everyone, don't beat yourself up about not being "joyful". Work has been hectic since COVID hit, I lost my best friend 2 years ago, my grandmother passed last year, some of my family are shit...I'm not the same person I was pre-2020. We're all having a hard time recovering from the trauma. Don't beat yourself up over it!

Great authentic video! I think an incredible amount of people feel the same way you do. I certainly do. The last few years have been really cruel and all of our lives have been completely different. I got depressed through the last years and came to photography through that, which now changed my life one more time. But this time in the positive way. Glad you made this video and are so honest. It takes a lot of courage. Not always it needs solutions, often it is already worth a lot to say things out loud.

Thank you, for being so open, Hayden. I am a dark person. I like to create something, that has some darkness in it and people are usually "why are all of your photos dark? " or "I like more colorful things" and so on. I think, that in darkness is the truth. All those things, that we don't tell. All those moments alone, in a dark room. That chaos in our heads. It seems like people constantly pretending that they're happy, to make others think, how amazing life they have, but usually it's the opposite. I'd like to see more of this stuff from you, you have great ideas, Hayden. 😊 I wish you all the best.

I want you to know that you are not alone, and honesty can be very relieving when told in a creative form. I’m not in a very good headspace at the moment but when this video popped up in me feed it gave a sense of hope that I’m not the only one who is suffering. ❤🙏

Hey Hayden, to be honest- if there was one video that could talk about everything that's going on in my life, it would be this one. I have had similar days and each time I felt I had to make myself happy during the covid phase, I used to watch all the photo battles on loop, I still do :) You are a wonderful person mate, keep doing what you do and thanks for inspiring a lot of people like me! Much love from India

I'm always waiting for that notification when you post your videos and I really like your content. I love that you shared that part of you to us. I struggle with anxiety and I love to express it thru photography😍 so thank you for being you❤

I loved this one, man.

Hayden keep up the amazing work mate! You’re outlook on everything is amazing. “I will not question but thank my struggle for without struggle in life there is no progression” and btw nice name lol

Hey man thanks for sharing, and definitely I feel like we all suffer one way or other for sure! Good vives out to you! And keep sharing such an amazing work you do !!!

Appreciate you opening up like you have. Much love ❤

Huge props on the tough emotions that you're dealing with ❤

Amazing Video Hayden! 🌻

Big ups on following your idea through 2.5 years later. I'm glad you are figuring things out, it is definitely a struggle for all of us.

Hey Hayden I'm glad that someone in the internet shows some realness and don't only show the positive side. I'm happy to see that you are doing better now. Stay on this way even if there are some dark moments and even when the way is hard it is worth. We all support you. Loves to you Cheers Leon

Thank you for making this video. Hands down one of the realest (pulling back the curtain moment) videos that another creative/photographer has made. Bro please keep making deep meaningful art through your photography. Would love to see more self portraits with deeper meaning and documentaries. Keep your head up bro!

deep man, iv been and still going through depression since covid. thanks to my 2 close mates and all you guys that youtube on here. we feel you. Art is the soul of expression.

So much into this video !

Hey Hayden I really want to thank you for this video. I love your channel for your creativity and I always enjoy your videos so much. But your realness and your talk about your life and also your problems make everything so much more authentic. Thanks And sry if my english is a bit weird- I‘m from Germany ;)

The most impressing thing to me about you is your constantly professional editing style. Even though you felt worse or good, your editing never changed. Keep up the amazing work 👏🏼

I don't usually comment on videos. But this one hit home. I have a hard time focusing on anything because my mind is going 1000 mph. After watching you and the boys for a while, I picked up photography and find it a welcome challenge. However, it is still very hard to slow my mind down enough to focus on what it is I am trying to create. So much so, that sometimes it is too overwhelming to create anything at all. Your videos have been an inspiration and have helped me gain some focus. Thank. you for what you do. You have helped me and I am sure countless others, find a path forward.

I liked this talk, very inspiring.

TRUTH brother. Awesome!

watching you is are therapy no cap thanks bro

Glad you are still fighting friend. We are all rooting for you. 💛

true words.. thank you

Thank you for opening up. I can't express how much I relate and everyday situations...i feel like I have loss my sense of self..

you got us bro ❤

Mate, your videos are just so inspirational. They're not just about photography or art or funny dumb stuffs that we can all laugh and enjoy. But it's more meaningful and we all can reflect upon. Wish that we could meet someday. From Malaysia 🇲🇾 🫡✌️

Love this bro.! I hope u know how awesome u r.

Thank you for this!

Brother don’t ever give up. I have been going through the worst child custody battle with my only child. I’ve woke up crying more times in the last year than I can count. NEVER QUIT!! That’s my mindset. Life has a way of correcting itself and I know that from experience. Love to you brother!

Praying for you all, especially you, Hayden!

I think you are the funniest guy i ever seen . We all have some difficult time in life but we can do things to change it better for us that's why we called it reality ❤

Thank you!

❤our life is defined by both the highs and lows it makes us who we were always meant to be

You inspire me 🔥 because I recognise my self in you because how you say you are authentic

fantastic video

ayo fr this vid helped me

I believe in u brother. U got it.

Amazing video ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

Hayden. It is very rare for people nowadays to be vulnerable. It is even more rare for anyone to ask for help. We are all here for you. Hit me up if you ever need a sounding board.

Respect to you Hayden! Sharing your thoughts & feelings and being so vulnerable on YT. I know you've had some tough times and I'm glad to see that you are getting better and that being creative helps. I think you are right that happiness goes deeper than just joy. I think that you are not a christian but I am. I find this happiness in my faith in Jesus. Hope that you will get to know Him too, Jesus loves you man! Praying for you! In the mean while keep strong and creative! Greetz from Holland

That's the picture ❤

❤️❤️❤️

How is it that youtube is not even pushing this to your own subs? 😢 Very nice video !

I know this sounds clishe but for me it is the everyday life i can go outside and do things in puplic and see my friend and relatives. Once in my life this was not possible and from that i have appreciated every morning coffee and every breatj i take outside of indoors. I hope you will find a way to appreciate everyday thing in your life cause thats what most of the life is constructed of.❤

Don't be sad bro..! I think you should come to sri lanka . Im not kidding , you can really relax your mind here

You can’t pour from an empty glass brov. You can’t love yourself if you don’t love your darkness. And the things you create, are a product of your entire life, and in particular the darkest moments. The hardest part for most artists, is being able to say “I like it, that is what matters.” We all want acceptance, and to be seen, also the reality is though, we have to accept that we are different from others, and what makes us happy in our work will be different than others, but what we think is the most important thing.

Amazing video bro, the void that you fell only 1 person can fill. He filled mine he can also fill yours ✝️ God loves you bro Stay safe Hayden

Hayden i have just designed a hoodie that is all about mental health, mainly the stigma around mens mental health id love to be able to get one sent to you because this message is one that needs more attention! You have helped millions of us through our dark times so if we can help you through yours its only fair! Love to you brother and keep making us smile through your smile!

Awesome videos sorry I’m so late

I love this. But you were such a cute kid bro, what happened!? :P P.S. I better see you again you come back state side!

Think about this: You can be happy and feel sad at the same time, because the opposite of happiness is unhappiness. that been said you can also feel joy and be unhappy

Always open to a chat in the patreon bro 😇

Hayden, you should read "Create dangerously" by Albert Camus, it's only a short book, but it really gave me a better understanding of art and it's value. Albert Camus is an Absurdist, and has some really cool views that have pretty much changed my life.

the phpts have kinda 13 reason why vibes love it

Bro i think you need to come Mexico.

It's like looking in a mirror and it's confronting. But it's comforting at the same time. We feel joy but we create our happiness. Going down a dark path is only bad if you let that dark consume you, your outlook, your personality, you let that dark change you. Otherwise it's just another road to take. A slight de-tour, if you will. You'll still come out the otherside having learnt something new. But don't change yourself simply because you feel like you'll let people down. Fuck em. Stick to your guns. The rest have to deal with it.

Never apologise for being real and honest. Toxic positivity is a plague!

We need to suffer to be better, my therapy my dark times past since I found Kambo and Ayahuasca. ohh, be happy for the sadness.

It's not our job to make everyone else happy, that's everyone else's choice whether they choose to do so, & the fastest way to unhappiness is trying to make everyone else happy. The only thing we all need to do that applies, not just to creativity but every aspect of life itself, is for people to remember who are what they are & get back to what it means to be a real human being again. If people would simply never step outside of their moral compass, & not allow anybody or anything to force them to step outside of their moral compass, & do the right thing in everything that they do, we would change the world in a single day. The question is, how many people are willing to take self responsibility & do that for themselves. This is why we don't need to make people happy, because as long as we do the right thing is all that we do & live our lives within our moral compass, the people around us & the world around us will change with us, & it will do that by default. Society brainwashes people not to address the dark shadows in our lives because they tell us "Don't focus on the negative", without realizing that rather than hiding away & ignoring the shadow thinking that it will magically go away, if they would just simply cast their light on the shadow then the shadow will disappear, but most people live in fear & don't do that because they have the inability to process certain forms of light, because all information is light. As the saying goes, If you're willing to look into the face of evil, you will see the good in yourself, & you can take that fear, depression, anxiety, whatever it is, & turn it into positive action instead of fear, & empower yourself & the people around you.

Just one question: When will you do the stuff to introduce other artists? That one video was just amazing.

You’re far from alone in what the last couple years did to people. We all have to find our own way through it and just being better doesn’t mean we are passed all the darkness. If we revisit it in art than it’s ok.

whens the doco haydos

I've been there brother. If you ever want to chat, go out somewhere cool and take some photos, etc. Please just let me know. I live in Melbourne and met you at your photo walk a few years ago. Don't be afraid to reach out man, whether it be to me or anyone else.

I clicked so fast.