Being bored out of my mind isn’t something I expected to go through early on in our marriage. But how many of you know that marriage is never what you expect anyway? I didn’t know the truth about being a Twitch streamer’s wife! Heck, I didn’t know what Twitch was!
About 7 years ago, my husband said he wanted to start playing video games online in the evenings and could potentially make money. Naturally, I didn’t understand it at first but I loved him. I wanted to support him to follow his dreams.
Our evenings went from spending every waking moment together to being by myself and wondering if he would ever come to bed. This drastic shift is what initially caused me to be bored.
At first, he had no schedule and would stream throughout the night. Then he would wake up and go to his full-time job the next morning. It was rough on both of us and a culture shock for me to say the least!
I didn’t know what I was signing up for when I helped him get started with the needed equipment. It was so hard to sleep with him yelling in the other room during games and it definitely caused some arguments. This girl needs her sleep (I’m a light sleeper) but we found some ways to get creative and work around it!
After a few months of that, we talked it out and agreed that he would get on a schedule. I also learned to use fans in the house to cover the noise and he also put up soundproofing in his office so I could do other things besides listening to him excitedly yell in the other room!
What’s the Truth about Being a Twitch Streamer’s Wife?
Thank God that I’m an introvert! I actually began to enjoy having time to myself and doing what I wanted! I got to watch whatever TV show I wanted without any differing opinions and I got to read more books, which I love. I also helped him with modding and managing some things behind the scenes.
If you’re a streamer’s husband or wife, you learn better than the rest of how to occupy your time when they’re busy streaming. You also know how annoying it can be to share your spouse with others. Most importantly, you find out what a blessing it is to make connections with others online through your spouse’s profession.
Deep down, I knew that Garrett with his magnetic personality would be successful on Twitch and told him so. He is a conversationalist (to say the least lol) and built a thriving community. I really enjoy interacting with the “Flock” community as well and appreciate the fact that he always acknowledges me in the chat as his beautiful wife. The fact that he says we instead of I if you know what I mean, is very inclusive when he doesn’t have to be since he’s doing 99.9% of the work. Then he includes me by consulting with me or allowing me to be a sounding board on his Twitch-related things.
Pressure as a Twitch Streamer’s Wife
It’s not like millions follow us but I do feel a sense of pressure I feel because it seems like our lives are more on display and more people pay attention to us now than ever before. As an introvert, I especially feel awkward being on camera for “special appearances” for special streams but not every Twitch streamer’s wife has to do it and it is fun. You’d think after celebrating a 7-year anniversary stream I wouldn’t get nervous but I do, every time lol.
Parents have told Garrett how much they appreciate his stream being “family-friendly” for their kids (no cussing or vulgar talk). I guess there isn’t a lot of that out there in the gaming world. Parents have also expressed how much their kids look up to Garrett and love watching him. Of course, there are a lot of adults in there chilling with us too.
You see Garrett has this positive stream vibe where everyone is welcome. Multiple people have said they didn’t know how they’d get through things without Garrett’s positive influence. How they are even happier now after so long of watching him.
Martial Bliss?
Just so you aren’t worried about our marriage, things are great now! Garrett has made schedule adjustments so we have more time together and we’ve even set aside a date night each week for just him and me. Update on the dates each week: it’s hard/nearly impossible with kids but make it a priority to keep dating!
It still isn’t easy work for him being self-employed or for me giving him up in the evenings. But we figured out ways to make things work very well for us. That’s what is important in a marriage… making things work with open communication, mutual respect for each other’s desires, and being on the same page.
People Don’t Get It
So many people don’t understand the concept of live streaming online or being able to make money doing it. The look on other people’s faces when they show complete confusion and bewilderment when I tell them what my husband does for a living is priceless. But that’s okay, it leads to questions and good conversation sometimes lol.
Of course, there are others who do get it and think it’s awesome. They think it’s so cool to know someone who streams for a living. Thank God for those people!
Not that long ago, I was explaining how towards the end of the month, somehow Garrett receives just enough in donations to keep streaming. This girl replied with a sarcastic comment then followed it with an apology. She said well little does he know that it’s really his parents donating.
I’m not going to lie, my anger was about to boil over inside me but I covered it with a smile. She has no idea how hard Garrett works and no, it’s definitely not his parents donating… I realized she was trying to be funny and was joking but it struck the wrong chord in me. Anyways, the point is that not everyone will agree with or understand your dreams. Especially when it’s something so many people don’t know about yet.
Follow Your Dreams! 🌠
Garrett has excelled in doing what he loves entertaining people and playing video games for a living. It wasn’t easy for him to work countless hours on and off-stream but it has paid off. It still is hard work for him today. But, he’s so much happier because of it and it has also allowed us to grow much stronger in our marriage. Plus now I’m a super famous Twitch streamer’s wife ;).
It wasn’t easy for me to support him but I wanted him to be able to do what he loves. I’ve found what I love to do is blogging, cooking, and hand-making things. I might never have discovered this without his support to go for it. And now I have two beautiful little girls to spend loads of time with!
I want to urge you to follow your own dreams and don’t let others discourage you! Don’t forget that you have dreams too beyond being a Twitch streamer’s wife. If we let others discourage us, Garrett and I would never be in this place of enjoying what we’re doing.
But be wise in your approach so you don’t go broke in the process.
For example, Garrett worked in the evenings after his full-time day shift was over. He waited to go full-time after the stream was making almost as much as his full-time job was. In other words, it wasn’t just extra money anymore, it became an income replacement.
You can make a living doing what you love too. You have to be bold, put in the hard work, and be persistent in the face of discouragement and setbacks. Believe that you can and you will if it’s in God’s plan! At least as Christians, that’s what we believe!
Do you have a story to share about following your dreams? How it was hard at first but paid off. Would you have done anything differently if you could go back?
Come check out what he’s doing or send your young gamers to his Twitch here at https://twitch.tv/eaglegarrett! I’m known as MrsEagle and my husband is EagleGarrett. You might even see me in the chat too!
Stay hopeful!
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If you’re looking for streaming tips, check out the video below.
8 Comments
Funny to hear about those tough beginnings! So glad that you guys figured it out so that he could make it his full time job. You are so blessed to live in a state where you can do that too. I can guess where abouts his income hits and there is no way we could live off of that out in Cali! It is absolutely brutal out here. One day when we get to visit in person (I really hope it happens!) we will have to talk about it. Hahaha!
Since the first day I was brought into a raid into your hubby’s stream I have always thought Garrett is capable of becoming partner on Twitch. I hope God will bless him with that title one day with all of his hard work and consistency in streaming. It is SUCH hard work and he is totally blessed with that energy. Thanks for sharing!
God has definitely been providing for us along the way even with him being a smaller streamer last year! Yes it would be awesome to meet you! So you I didn’t know you lived in California! I’ve been there twice but was traveling by plane both times and didn’t see much but I want to! How far along are you now or have you had your baby?
Oh totally. Lived here my whole life. I’ve told Garrett you guys just need to buy some plane tickets and bring some spending money and we will do a grand tour for you! We have a great time showing people around. There’s TOO much to do out here. Haha!
On Sunday it will only be 6 weeks ’till due date. Her due date is March 1st. Coming up very fast!
Lol yeah if only! Someday hopefully! Wow 6 weeks until she’s here! So excited for you all! ❤ Are you feeling okay?
I feel all of this in my soul. My husband is working to be able to get to streaming full time, so he is at work all day and then on stream at night. It’s definitely hard when you want to hang out with your husband but also want to support him in following his dreams. I would get so mad when I was trying to sleep and he would unexpectedly yell. We also have now a date night for us 2, and a family day for everyone. I’m definitely more extroverted so being alone SUCKS. I’m still looking for ways to deal other than just scrolling through social media and tik tok lol. I relate to this though !
Oh girl I feel ya! We need a support group or something lol! I’m so sorry you’re an extrovert dealing with this though, I can’t imagine! Garrett can’t stand being alone for very long (he’s an extrovert too). Keeping your mind occupied is very important I’ve found. You’re right the balance isn’t easy trying to support them and not growing resentful at the same time because you want to spend quality time with him more. That’s great that you all have date night and family day! Sounds like you’re on the right track! Praying for the Lord’s best to happen for you all. Hang in there! ❤
Thank you for sharing – this was super helpful to read! My husband has just started streaming at nights after his full time job. He is super passionate about gaming but this has definitely been a big change for us! We are starting to get into a routine (which is super helpful) and I have been trying to up my crafting skills while he streams. I like hearing that things get better and that streaming dreams can come true 🙂
How exciting! Hang in there because it can definitely get frustrating with schedule changes. Remember that it’s only temporary and God will work things out for yours and your husband’s good. Praying for you all! ❤