Me, as a very confused 25 y/o, appreciates this very much

I loved these points so much. I’m 29 (turning 30 soon) and so far I’ve learnt: 1. Your old school friends might not mature like you do and it’s okay if you don’t value the same things. 2. Overpay your damn mortgage. You will save £££ on interest, plus your monthly payments will go down and then you can do what you want with that extra cash or just save. 3. Your parents aren’t cash cows. They have helped you financially all your life. Give back even if it’s sending a nice bottle of wine every so often or picking up the tab. I do this as often as I can, but my brother is 33 and uses my parents for money... 4. Your career path won’t always be smooth sailing. If you go after your dream job, people will try and pay you peanuts because you’re so passionate. It’s still a service you’re supplying, so don’t let them take the piss. 5. Relationships are not like the movies. You will not want to rip each others clothes off every single day and that’s okay. It’s important to be friends with your partner as well as being attracted to them. Some days you will both want to laze around in PJs looking absolutely tragic. 6. You do not have to stay close to family members, especially if they start to hold racist ideologies. No matter how hard you try to educate someone, sometimes they don’t want to change and it’s okay to cut ties with them. Call out racism but you don’t have to put up with someone like that. 7. Flashy cars and clothes to impress other people will have negative consequences people won’t see below the surface. If someone tells you your car is crap, that’s on them, not you. Don’t upgrade your expenses because someone else is a snob. 8. Some men will be incredibly sexist towards you in the work place. You will never succeed in environments where they don’t respect you. 9. Don’t put men up on a pedestal. It doesn’t matter how hot they are - if they treat you like crap, know your worth. 10. Finally, stop comparing yourself to other people. That person with the fancy clothes could have crippling mental health issues. Don’t assume someone else’s life is perfect and worth swapping yours for.

this is a reallllly long vide (took me 2 hours to film, I cut out A LOT of story time) but I totally forgot to mention the main point of this video: I know your 20s can seem really confusing and you might feel lost about your direction, but it's been my experience that life has a way of leading you towards the place you're meant to be. You just have to be open to the life changes that will lead you there. Also wanted to share that I am apart of a group called Asian Women Alliance and our goal is to raise $100,000 to various non profits and organizations to fight Asian hate and drive social change. Click the link to see where the money will go and donate if you're able to: bit.ly/31ms86F

As a 34 year I can say the biggest thing I learned is listen to your intuition. Life if about adjusting to the new and being able to pick yourself up like a boss. Always be grateful and always give back even if it’s just your experience.🌻

When you said you were exhausted and didn’t have the bandwidth to talk about the racism against the AAPI community, thank you. I’m not a content creator or anything but a viewer of your channel but this week I have hit the bottom and I am mentally exhausted by these racist acts that I have no capacity to talk about it, not even with friends. I have always been active with this topic as well but I’ve had to turn off everything because it’s non stop. And no one cares. It’s just exhausting and I think you expressing that says more than you think it does so thank you.

What I've learned throughout my career journey is that not being good at one skill that a particular employer wants doesn't mean I cannot make a successful career in the field. When I was still at university I had a part time job, my first non-retail, serious job. And I was fired because of my performance eventhough I was trying really really hard. I was devastated and I cried and felt like I will never be able to find another job in that field. It's been about 7 or 8 years and my whole career has been in that industry. I'm now regarded as a professional in the field in which I "failed" at in the beginning. I just needed to find different ways, employers and skills that are more suited to me.

One thing I'm currently learning is that even the most senior managers in a company do not have all the answers and are not always right. In my experience instead of managers just admitting that they don't know something, they've taken credit for ideas that weren't their own, thrown employees under the bus, and gaslit employees into thinking they don't know what they are talking about. This experience has taught me how to identify signs of a toxic workplace environment.

"I really don't like people" - the Aquarian mantra. Lol

Omg as a 22 year-old mother and small business owner x2, I really needed this. Sometimes I compare myself to other people my age and second guess my decision to not have a “normal” 9-5- but everything you talk about reaffirms how important it is to follow your own path. I just restarted my KZfaq channel because of you! Just going for it this time🙌🏼

I turn 29 tomorrow and have been reflecting on the same topic and my life in general during these past weeks. I have learned so much but still feel that I have so much to achieve while I'm still "young". The pandemic hasn't helped and stopped me from traveling and working abroad but now thanks to you Aja during the pandemic I have started to budget and pay off my debts and it feels so good!

I'm 25, mixed race, the pandemic took away my job (flight attendant), and Aja... I'm just gonna say that you are SO inspiring... In all ways possible !

I'm only 20 but I've been working in the same job since I was 14. What I've learned is that you should definitely take advantage of all opportunities. I was offered training despite being 5 years younger than everyone around me, being the only girl, and being the physically smallest and I'm so glad I didn't let my embarrassment/anxiety get in the way because I ended up qualifying with 20% higher marks than every other giant 20 year old dude on that course and it felt GOOD. Plus since I went through the training, we went from 0 female instructors to a 50/50 split which has had the added benefit of having a higher retention of girls in the sport!

24:50: “that story may seem so silly.” Girl, that was inspiring. Proud of you!

As someone who is feeling incredibly lost at the moment in my late 20s this was great timing. Thank you for sharing.

This took me right back to the first time I experienced sexism at work. As a woman in tech, you know sexism exists in the industry and you’ve heard the stories. That doesn’t stop it from sucker punching you the first time you experience it firsthand.

Girl you’re so inspirational- loved hearing all the steps of your journey. I’m just realizing it’s ok to reinvent and pivot in your journey. We are always Becoming, not tied to “what we wanted to be when we grow up” in our younger years. In my early 40s now. Thank you for this 💪🏼♥️!

You're such an inspirational woman and seeing this video really got me thinking that everything is as it's supposed to be and there is still so much time to figure/sort things out (especially when you're in your 20's and confused or frustrated of life). Thank you Aja

Aja, I have been following you for years, and I love how one of your biggest challenges (student debt) has ended up being something you can teach from & profit off! It's a real inspiring example of how a hard thing provides space to grow and evolve xx

this was literally so interesting to hear about your experience in network television bc it's such a foreign space to me. loved this!! gives everything a new perspective.

The worst thing about your videoes Aja, is when they end. I could watch your content all day! Thank you for being you, and what an incredible story! I need to channel some more Aja-energy in my life ❤️ Sending you love

Love how honest and transparent you are about nepotism! Keepin it real bb

Thank you Aja for sharing! I couldn’t work during my teens due to health issues, and even now, I have to be picky, which means I don’t know much from experience. So, this is very comforting more than anything. :)

This background is a vibe. Love the bright colors

Gurl fuck that!!! As a 26 year old whos been in customer service since I was 13, the one thing I’ve learned is to NOT take shit from nobody. NO ONE. Lmao

This is my favorite video from you Aja!! I only started recently following you for finance/lifestyle content, but wow it was truly so fascinating to see your entire career trajectory + all of the learnings you've gained. I love your commitment to authenticity and am so grateful you choose to share yourself with us!!

I love this so much, I want to not be so afraid to try different jobs and have loads of experiences

I'm so glad you shared this i had no idea about your career in media that's so cool and such an awesome story that you manifested that show for yourself so inspiring!!! 💕💕💕

Thank you for sharing and being vulnerable in so many ways. The more women like yourself can speak of your experience with racism and/or sexism, the more we can channel that frustration into progress. I am turning 30 this year and I still struggle so much to stand up for myself in a male dominated field [I work in commercial construction]. But it helps to look back on my 20s and see how many boundaries I have set, even if I have further to go. If there’s one thing I’d tell every young woman starting a career it is to ASK FOR MORE MONEY! All caps because I mean it just that much. You may not always get it, but you never will if you don’t ask. And you’d be surprised how easy it can be to earn more simply by putting it out there.

this is one of my favorite videos that you’ve posted ❤️

This is awesome. Thanks for sharing your career journey. Love the tenacity and proactivity you have shown. Very inspiring stuff!

I’ve been struggling with needing to speak on anti-Asian hate too, and I make videos mostly around social justice topics on a small channel. I appreciate you bringing that up because I’ve been feeling the same. You don’t need to speak on it. Just focus on processing and healing your own experiences privately and share when you are ready.

Hi, Aja! I have watched your channel for a while but never commented. I just want you to know I see you, I hear you, and I stand with you. That exhaustion you describe is exactly how I felt last summer as a Black woman. Just know there are people who do care, and do what you need to do to keep yourself going.

Seeing clips of you in the Maxim show is so fun. Thanks so much for sharing your diverse work background. Sometimes life isn't laid out cleanly so we need to take creative paths to make our dreams come true.

Aja, I super appreciate your videos. It's kind of like getting advice from a big sister! Keep doing your thing friend!

Perfect timing for this video 💕

Thank you so much for sharing. What I learned in my almost ten years at the same company is that I can't compromise my integrity for money. I was asked to racially profile candidates and refused, knowing it was me saying goodbye to moving up. I spoke up against different issues the staff were facing, knowing it was making my life a living hell with the people on my floor. Now I know that I should've left, that when a company willingly ignores racism, sexism and harassment, there is no opportunity for growth.

What an inspiration & sharing with us all the experiences you’ve had in SO many industries!

I love you so much lol. Thank you Aja for always being honest with yourself and us, it's so refreshing.🥰

After this then I realized I started to follow Aja from Maxim magazine time!! Love Ask Aja series, 50 facts of me, Comic-cons, and all the song parody videos!! It's great to have you to grow up together 😀

Aja, thank you so much for sharing your job experiences and your experiences with racism. Yes, it can be exhausted to experience it, digest it and talk about it. But being who you are (passionate, fair, successful, hardworking, beautiful inside and out, and more) empowers women, minorities and others. I'm so proud you're a woman out there showing other women how awesome they can be. Hopefully my words make sense and my emotions come through. Thank you!

Always look forward to your uploads! 😊

You inspire me so much!! Professionally, financially, mentally, etc. You also are beautiful at every stage of your life and girl if I could be on the same level in my 30s, i’ll be happy. I’m 23 now! Thanks for this video :)

This was so inspiring, wow. You really made your place out of wherever you were and wanted to be!

holy SHIT. youve gone through so many different experiences this is so amazing to hear your hindsight!!! omg this is fucking crazy ah so inspiring. aja you are a true queen...

As a 22 year old about to graduate into a panini, I appreciate this video and quite frankly all your videos 🙏🏾🙏🏾

I love these kinds of videos. Also, the background is gorgeous.

Go Class of 2005!! woot woot! loving life as a 33 yo! You are the reason I started noting all of my life lessons Aja, much appreciated!

Aja I'd love to see a video of you talking more about your identity as an Asian American woman!

I cried so many times working at JCPenney, the one restaurant I worked at and all the salons I’ve worked at people are AWFUL

In my 20's wow that was like 10 years ago. I think I worked my hardest in my 20s.

"BITCHES I DID IT" god I love you, Aja 😂❤

Very helpful video ! And your new background is very beautiful 😍

Aja is meeeee. I’m 29, only worked (and still working) customer facing customer service jobs and I hate people 😫. Working towards a career change.

I love hearing about this side of you!!

I enjoyed this so so much! ❤️

Thank you Asia! Also I appreciate you and love the AAPI creator community

Forgot to say this in my last comment. Your Maxim Magazine story was brilliant! Your use of a contest to network was unusual, but effective. You should do a video on networking

ok but the amount of newfound respect i have for you ON TOP OF what i already had for you: through the roof

As I was watching this video and others online. I ask myself why am I watching this, and as you said in the video Authenticity is what is comes down too and personality.

Loved this video!!!

You're seriously such a boss!!

A very similar thing happen to me with a hispanic girl and i’m black with being mixed up and reprimanded just because they don’t pay enough to see past someone’s color, how ignorant. Thank you for sharing the video was inspiring turning 24 this month and loving it.

That Maxim story has me hype. "B*tches I DID IT." I am hyoe 😂😂

I’m 24 and I’m still navigating life and super duper confused / don’t know if I’m doing the right thing? I’m constantly worried that I won’t be able to set myself up for success

Oh my gosh I loved this video! Also, you are comically tiny compared to Shaq lol! (I would be too at 5’1”). It was so cool seeing that little Maxim reel!

My first job when I was 16 was on the customer service desk of a clothes shop, I can't tell you how many times I was shouted at by grown adults, luckily no cash was thrown in my face like you unfortunately had to go through, but it's disgusting how adults think they can shout at a teenager who is trying to help them. When I would tell my parents about my day at work they would be really shocked, luckily I had a thick skin and whatever they said didn't hurt me but some of the other girls really struggled.

Wow, I can really relate with a lot that you are speaking about in this video. I lived in Hawaii (military family) for a long time in my early childhood years, I was so shocked by the racism I experienced moving back to “the Mainland” and division even within my cultural group - it was shocking

I am getting me a planner soon 😉 I'm learning to bet on myself and like you said, shoot my shot.

great tips! compared to me you've had a great career and have a fantastic cv, congrats! I've been following you since the makeup tutorial days. You're right, I kept coming back because of your authenticity. I love the concept of "you're allowed to reinvent yourself", somehow I feel like you gave me permission to do so lol

I'm in my early 20s and honestly I just want to have interesting experiences... like your previous jobs seem so cool and like you have really lived in an interesting way... idk all I want is to see the world and meet interesting people but Covid is taking 2 years off of me 😭

Is this me? Because girl you explained my experiences working at so many jobs!! I've worked so many retail, food, customer service, education jobs and I 100% agree with you. People suck and I can get annoyed sooo easily. It's crazy how people's true colors come out when they are being "served."

Just realized you have quite a lot in common with Nikki Blades. Mixed race, from Hawaii, lived/living the Bay Area, worked for Maxim, worked for traditional media, somewhat into sports. Do y’all know each other??

24 and youre so inspiring

Oh my goodness, I love your voice! Its so beautiful, I just noticed 🌷

I've been living in Madrid for several years, and the number of times that I've been confused for another woman of color is wild. The crazy thing is this has happened most often with other Americans, not necessarily even Spanish people (save for at work with another WOC who was not even the same race but that's another story). For a few years, I'd automatically respond with "wrong Black girl" when called a different name. I'm from Chicago and can count on one hand the number of times I've been confused with someone who's not a blood relative.

I’ve been watching you since the beginning! (:

Class of ‘05 woohoo! 🙌

I’d love to hear more about your experience during your journalism program at USC!

My biggest lessons: 1. Bad jobs can cause health issues. 2. Constantly educating yourself will push you farther.

I relate to a lot of this. Self employment tends to be more and more of a mental health decision than anything else for a lot of people especially women and minorities.

I also graduated high school in the aughts! No shame, girl!

Good to hear your stories. Need to expose those companies that made mistakes of not keeping you

very cool. very insightful

This aesthetic 😍

I love this video! Ok, home town hottie! That is a funny story.

Thank you for this video 🙏 can you do a video on how to network?

YAY I voted yes to this thumbnail haha

Same here!!! Lol Marriage or Mortgage got so heavily on my nerves lol my fiancé and I already said our wedding (super inexpensive) is strictly for those who have been with us as a couple and even then we are narrowing the guest list so that we can have an enjoyable honeymoon (just the two of us). I can no longer imagine spending a bunch of money for others to enjoy my moment - UM no thanks lol

The only time I've ever cried at work... Except for the time I just mentioned a minute ago when I cried over my pay check 🤣

I'm 22 and extremely scared to try anything. I wanna make my own life but I'm so terrified.

Also Aja, definitely take time to relax and process. If you don't feel like making a statement on the hate towards AAPI, that's okay.

So shiny hair!

I'm so sorry about the racism in your jobs/internships. As a mixed raced half hispanic half filipino woman, I can honestly relate. America still needs to be schooled that americans aren't solely white nor do they deserve to be tehre more than someone who was born in america with asian descent. Mind boggling they still dont get it and view whites as superior. Prayers sis

My first job was at Mcdonald's when I was 16 and I got called a bitch because I wouldn't give the customer a cup for water. The managers started telling us to stop giving out cups for water or we'd get in trouble for it. So when the customer started arguing and giving me attitude about it, I returned the attitude back. Eventually, I learned if someone is rude you don't match the energy and just let them carry on especially in customer service of any type.

Brilliant

Agreed. Weddings are the biggest waste of $$. Unless you are dripping with excess cash it’s best to pass and put towards housing or retirement

That incident that happened in your job as a cashier at a Banana republic would not have flied here in Europe. Not only he would not have had the manager apologise to him (for what anyways, for giving him change that he didn't like?!) but he would probably have been thrown out by security for making a scene.

Greatt video. I'm turning 20 in August and kinda scared

Mad at folks in Marriage or Mortgage? SAME!!!! It was such a guilty pleasure though

Hey love! I would love to know why you left the media industry as a whole? I have a similar story like you. Masters and worked in the local news industry but I recently left due to student loans pileup and low pay that comes with working in that industry 😩