Meet Finley O’Hara

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Finley O’Hara. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Finley, so excited to have you with us today. So much we can chat about, but one of the questions we are most interested in is how you have managed to keep your creativity alive.

For me, the key to keeping my creativity alive is to always be creating. I’m constantly writing, acting, taking photos, or filming, and when I’m not doing that, I’m exploring other art forms just to stay connected to that creative energy. I’ve learned that not everything I make has to be shared or perfected. A lot of what I create is just for me. It’s messy and confusing and personal, and that’s just as valuable to me as the polished things I choose to share with the world.

I also keep my creativity alive by surrounding myself with other people’s art. I love reading, watching films, going to museums and concerts, and seeing plays and musicals. Most of all, though, I love talking with friends or fellow creatives about their work. There’s so much inspiration in the world if you’re willing to seek it out. Being immersed in art, both my own and others’, fills me with a kind of joy and spark that always leads me back to creating.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I’ve been making YouTube videos for almost ten years now, but right now I’m most focused on two specific projects: my lifestyle channel, Finley O’Hara, and my film-centered channel, Finley On Film. On Finley O’Hara, I share little bits and moments of my life, routines, and reflections, no matter how messy. My goal is to be vulnerable and transparent to show that nobody’s life is perfect, even if they pretend it is online. Finley On Film is where I dive into what I love most: movies. I post reviews, analyses, behind-the-scenes content of my own films, and talk overall about my love for and the magic of cinematic storytelling.

Beyond YouTube, I’m a filmmaker in every sense of the word. I mainly act, write, direct, and produce, but every job on and beyond a film set is fulfilling to me. Most recently, I co-wrote and produced a short film called “dread.” with the help of Josiah Winston, Kelsey Christian, and Scott Haynes. The film explores the experience of a school shooting through the perspectives of the students. It’s raw, emotional, and meant to raise awareness about gun violence from a very personal and human angle. It’s one of the most challenging and meaningful projects I’ve ever worked on, and I’m incredibly proud of what our team created. (“dread.” is currently in post-production, and we’re looking forward to sharing it with audiences soon.)

Everything I create is rooted in the same goal. I want to help people feel seen and heard and feel a little less alone in the world. I believe in the power of art to connect people, start conversations, and create space for healing.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

The three qualities that have been the most impactful in my creative journey are passion and drive, emotional honesty, and self-discipline.

Passion and drive fuel everything I do. I have had this deep love for storytelling and creating since I was little, and that love has kept me going through both exciting and difficult seasons. But passion alone isn’t always enough. Drive is what turns that passion into action. It’s what pushes me to keep learning, keep trying, and keep showing up. For anyone early in their journey, let yourself fall in love with the process, and then commit to it. When you care deeply about something, it shows.

Emotional honesty has also shaped the way I create and connect. Some of my best work has come from letting myself be vulnerable, even when it’s messy and imperfect. Don’t be afraid to create from your own life and your real emotions. People recognize truth when they see it, and it helps them feel less alone.

And finally, self-discipline. This could be interpreted rigidly, but I mean it in the sense of showing up for yourself and your craft even when it’s hard. There are days when motivation disappears and nothing feels “good enough.” But I’ve learned to keep going anyway. You have to create through it and give yourself grace while still committing to the work. Progress doesn’t come from waiting to feel inspired. It comes from consistency and care.

What is the number one obstacle or challenge you are currently facing and what are you doing to try to resolve or overcome this challenge?

Right now, my biggest obstacle is impostor syndrome. I’ve felt it from the very first time I hit “upload” on YouTube and still feel it every time I step onto a set or pitch a new idea. It’s a mean little voice that insists I’m not talented enough, not experienced enough, and not “ready.” It keeps me from reaching out to potential collaborators, showing my work proudly, and taking the creative risks that would help me grow. Thankfully, I have many resources that help me when it feels like too much to handle, the most important one being community. I have an incredibly supportive network of amazingly talented people that I know I can always rely on. I wouldn’t be anywhere close to where I am now without them.

I know impostor syndrome may never vanish completely, and that’s okay. My goal isn’t to erase the doubt but to keep moving in spite of it. Each time I take the next step anyway, the voice gets a little quieter and the path ahead gets a little clearer.

Just remember that you wouldn’t have the opportunity if you weren’t ready for it.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Matt Willoughby and Lauren Napier

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