Why I Started Zen Spotlight – Influencer vs. Truthteller
For years, I’ve been creating content — first for companies that I worked for than on my Polish YouTube channel (focused on gardening, which grew to around 15,000 subscribers), and now through writing. Sharing knowledge has always been something I loved. But over time, I found myself burned out, overlooked, and frustrated by how the online world tends to reward noise, hype, and surface-level attention instead of depth and honesty. That frustration became the seed for Zen Spotlight: a space dedicated to truthful exploration. My goal here is to create with perseverance, honesty, and strategy — not just for clicks or fleeting attention, but for long-term meaning and value.
Influencer vs. Truthteller
In today’s digital culture, being an influencer is often seen as the ultimate achievement. Influencers polish their image, sell products, and amplify trends. But that’s not the role I want to play. I want to be a truthteller. Here’s how I see the difference:
- Influencers tend to hide the flaws of a topic, product, or brand.
- Influencers exaggerate the benefits and present a picture-perfect reality. For me, that feels empty.
- Truthtellers put flaws into the spotlight — not to harm, but to help. A flaw, when placed in context, compared with other brands, and mapped out transparently, becomes valuable. Customers deserve a balanced view of both pros and cons.
- Influencers often choose collaborations based on profit.
- Truthtellers choose based on trust. Believing in the right brand before working with it is essential.Influencers chase opportunities quickly.
- Influencers chase opportunities quickly.
- Truthtellers do the groundwork first. They research, analyze, and scout the field — not just for themselves, but for the good of both brands and customers.
This approach is what makes the work of a truthteller feel authentic, grounded, and real.
Why It Matters Now
For a long time, being a truthteller felt unappreciated. Online platforms seemed to favor shallow content, clickbait, and perfectly polished stories. Depth and nuance often went unnoticed. But now, in the age of AI and tools like ChatGPT, I believe things are shifting. Truth and authenticity are becoming more valuable than ever. AI can generate content. But it cannot generate truth. Only humans can share lived experiences, personal perspectives, and genuine honesty. That’s where I see the future — and that’s the foundation of Zen Spotlight.
My Goal
Transparency is at the core of what I do. Yes, I plan to monetize my work in the future — but never at the cost of trust. My goal is to help authentic brands and products grow. The ones that truly deserve attention but often get lost in the noise. Zen Spotlight is meant to be a place where curiosity, honesty, and balance meet. A space for seekers, learners, and truth-tellers to connect. If you’re here reading this, you’re already part of that vision. Thank you for joining me on this journey.
