On the health topic: 6 months ago some serious changes needed to be made in order for me to be a healthier human, but I was so nervous to get up in a toxic weight cycle. Long story short, here is what has helped me so much: Never focus on what you are "loosing " but focus on what you are gaining! "I'm not loosing weight, I'm gaining a routine that boosts my ability to be the best me" "I'm not working out to burn calories, I'm gaining endorphins and showing my body the care it deserves. I'm gaining abilities within my body's limits." I'm not eating and choosing food to loose weight, I'm gaining the ability to properly nourish my body. Not a "weight loss" journey: a "self growth" journey. Also- No scale. Numbers don't matter. Focusing on healthier choices only:)

Living for the rat update 🐭 cant believe that went down in 2018, that means i've been watching your videos for at least 6 years now!! Thats so crazy!!

Millennial bashing is at its height, but I’m confused because bitch, we paved the way for Gen Z despite most of us having Boomer parents with 1950s viewpoints. The irony is as an old millennial I actually love and appreciate the younger generation for many reasons.

Relating soooo hard to what you were saying about having kids. Being parentified as a child and teen (and for me having an unstable, mentally abusive parent) put having kids in a completely different light for me than my peers. I had nights up at 3am rocking my baby sister back to sleep, I was 16, and then I’d go to high school in the morning. I don’t know man, it just is such hard work. I get that it’s “worth it” and I would absolutely adore my kids. But what if the not having kids is worth it too? It may be worth it to NOT take a huge toll on my mental health. It may be worth it to not put that strain on my marriage. All the travel, freedom, life experiences may be worth it. Though I am grateful that, as far as I know, it is a choice for me. It is a privilege to be able to choose. ❤❤❤

Carrie: telling interesting stories and talking about entertaining life experiences Me: taking notes and watching intently on how she wraps presents because they look so good

Barely halfway through, but just pausing to say: these questions are so real, grounded and thorough! It really is indicative of your growth and the audience you’ve built for yourself 🥹❤️

oh my god a locket with a picture of you and her in it, I DIE. SO CUTE

I know KZfaqrs tend to feel like Q&A videos are a “cheat” or disappointment or something but they are honestly my fave!!!

As I another child of divorce, I 100% agree with loving the Christmas season but not the actual Christmas Day.

A good word for 2024 would be acceptance ❤

2024 word idea: Confidence 💕 now I’m inspired to make a vision board!

re: the apartment: if you really love the apartment, then why move? is it just the budget thing? absolutely no hate - i’m really curious! I hate moving personally so when i find a house i stay there until i can’t!

Had my tubes removed a few weeks ago at 27. I also took care of younger siblings in my teenage years and have been a parental figure for many. I feel so free, like I get the opportunity to reparent myself and take care of just me. It feels amazing. My husband and I agree that if we change our minds we would rather adopt. I fully support anyone who wants children and am sympathetic to those struggling to have children, but for me, it feels right to not have any. I also barely have enough health for myself, I am doing a lot of physical healing and will be focusing heavily on my health for a few years minimum to get in a better spot. Whatever the reason, not having kids is totally okay and there's nothing wrong or weird about it. At least that's my stance on it anyway.

Can’t wait to see you shine and thrive in 2024 ✨

I’ve been thinking how much your bangs are giving SC but haven’t commented it, so to hear that’s literally what you asked for should be a major compliment to your stylist!

We would be such good friends if we knew each other in real life - we have such similar ideas and perspectives on things ❤ also cute wrapping paper idea - nice and simple!

I really loved this vlog. It felt like we are on FaceTime with a friend. I feel you on the health thing!! I’ve had a doctors appointment at least once every 2 weeks since August. It’s exhausting!

I did not want children- I feel like I miss out on conversations about friends and their kids but I DO NOT regret having a hysterectomy. I had it done at 30yrs old, I’m 34 now and I WOULD DO IT AGAIN!

Tomorrow, tomorrow, and tomorrow is FANTASTIC. Definitely made me cry though 😅

That's like myself, when I wanted to be pregnant, I WANTED to be pregnant and have my son. Now he's 5 and people ask me if I want another....? And I just don't have that strong desire, it more of a "should I? " but not a strong YES. So I feel you on that feeling. I think I'm a one and done kinda of mom

I've been watching your channel for years and I remember the rat appartment! So crazy that they are STILL there and people continue to live there. Always loveee your vlogmas videos every year

I feel you so hard about the kids thing. It’s always felt like a should and not a want but it still causes me a lot of stress to make a “decision”

My daughter and my son in law have decided to have a child free life. I fully support their decision. It's really no one's business but you and your partners.

I often think about rat chats 🤣 your pain was our gain. It was so so entertaining. What a WILD time that was.

I'm about to turn 44 & I went back to uni at 36. I have a strong relationship with loads of GenZ, but I'm an X. I try not to dish out too many life lessons, but dear lordt....so many of them seem way more immature & incapable than we were in our very early 20s

I went to Norway in September and it was seriously magical. Deff encourage everyone to visit.

Real ones have been here since the rat era 😂 you’ve been my internet big sis since 2018, im turning 30 next week and im so glad to have followed your journey all these years!

I forgot all about the ROOF RATS that was definitely during your bad apartment era because you just went from one bad place to another. I am so happy for you where you are now.

Hurra for Norge 🇳🇴 Been following you for many many years so crazy to hear that you have a relation to my home country 🇳🇴🤭 You absolutely should visit Norway, but also northern Norway during winter! ❄️ The snow, aurora and all the vibes ❄️ Love it! Hope to se travel vlogs to Scandinavia soon 🥰😄

Your word could be believe.

What?! A Q&A right in the middle of Vlogmas?!?! HOW LUCKY ARE WE? ❤ It's been a great one, Carrie. Every other day has been great, by the way. Have a terrific holiday 😊 🎄

I loved this chat and laughed about the millennial comments. You’re younger than my four adult kids. It’s hard to believe you could be considered part of an older generation.

Self Believer. That is something I need to be more of. Thank you for the inspo😉❤️.

Idk why I’m telling you this but I thought you’d appreciate I started singing “central air, it was rare, it was rare” when you were talking about your apartment amenities 😭

YES RAHUL

so I just turned 38 but almost 2 years ago I got a hysterectomy because I knew I did not want kids. I’ve never really changed my mind about that. There is many things that went into my decision as far as my physical health, my mental health and family history, and having several disabilities. I still have my ovaries, so I did not go into early menopause best decision I ever made for myself

Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow is one of my favorite books! Hope you’re enjoying it!

Not the rats!!!😂😂😂 that question took me out cuz I literally just thought about the rats when I was watching your last vlog and you were talking about moving around and it took me back to those days when you had the rats.... I never in a million years thought anyone would bring them up again! 😅

Just re-watched this episode a 2nd time to play the roof rat situation for my spouse. He was appalled that’s even a thing people have to deal with. Happy Holidays Carrie and love your videos!! 🎄❤

I hope you love Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow as much as I did! Got to the sad part when I was on a plane and just quietly sobbed to myself in my seat. A beautiful book that I couldn’t put down. ❤

You should go to Norway! But definitely recommend going between May - Sept, unless you really like winter (and darkness). Summer in Norway is lovely (most of the time)!

It's also very expensive to have kids. I don't regret having them but my youngest has life long issues and may never leave home. I am worried about what will happen with her when we die.

I agree with loving the holiday season but not necessarily Christmas! I love the lead up to Christmas but the actual day is a bit meh

Content and comfortable is good!

I'm in the same place. I'm not focused on weight loss but feeling better. Whatever that means to me. Especially me in relation to my clothing.

Merry Christmas from your friends in Australia 🇦🇺 ❤❤❤

You always look beautiful ❤️ your makeup look is perfection

I have been seeing so many people saying they won't be buying a car till they run it into the ground and it so refreshing. I started to look at a new used car because mine seems to have so many issues but it starts every time I put the key in it.. after a trip to the dealership I realized I'm happier spending $1-$2000 a year fixing and maintaining my car than a new car payment. I don't care how much money you have cars are not an investment, despite what the dealership owner tried to tell me when I was walking out.

"Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow" is so good! Would love to see a books of the year recap. :) Also, I love your present wrapping vlogs and this is the 2nd? 3rd? year I've also wrapped presents while watching your presents vlog haha.

Omg the locket gift is toooo cute 🥹💕

Sounds like a good word for you is confidence. ❤

if anyone wants to watch more about the decision to have kids and how to respond to relatives who won't shut up about it, I just watched a great video that Leena Norms just posted about it that has some great points in it I never thought about

Late to the party but the West Side has more affordability & close to a lot of fun things. 💕

Thinking about what your goals are for 2024 and maybe your word would be “gumption??” Like from The Holiday! Being the main character of your own story and having confidence and knowing your worth and power- “something resembling gumption” -Iris Ps love all your videos so so much 🥰♥️

No way were the roof rats 2018! I’ve been watching your videos for well before that and I just can’t believe it’s actually been that long!😂

I've never really wanted kids growing up and have never felt weird talking about it too.

Ugh, the rats and OLLIE 🗣️ glad those eras have ended for you guys

Drew should also definitely read Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow!! It’s perfect for video game lovers! My husband read it and he’s not a huge reader and he loved it!

I dislike Christmas. I live in Europe, so I miss Christmas with the kids😢 (I am Canadian) my husband and I do not exchange gifts. It is about the food for us! ❤

Speaking of the rats… I will forever have the image of the rat in your neighbor’s shower seared into my mind. It’s just one of those weird things I’ll never forget 😭🐀

I don’t know what it’s like noise wise where you are, but I had no idea how mentally taxing general human city noise was. My adhd was constantly on level 50000 and now it feels more manageable

I don’t know if this movie is on anything else but I watched it on prime video. It’s called a Christmas Karen, and I just watched it last night. It was awfully wonderful and I thought y’all might love it as much as I did!

felt like being on a video call with your friend ❤️

I so so so recommend living in Long Beach. Went to CSULB and lived in 4 different apts over 8 years. Just recently moved to Costa Mesa for my fiance's work and I am just itching to move back when he doesn't have to be in the office so much lol. So walkable, gorgeous weather, so many thrift and food gems. Some neighborhoods are rough but if your budget allows you can find a modest apt in a cute neighborhood for comparable prices to LA. You might have some interesting neighbors.... but overall the people are wonderful and so down to earth. HIGHLY recommend.

Im 39 and have known my whole life i didn't want kids. I was never the "mom" when i played house as a kid or played with baby dolls.

I think you should check out Claremont, CA. It is 45 mins outside of LA, it is a college town. Pretty walkable. Super cute.

I feel the same with the younger siblings😂 been there no thank you

I lived in a college town and so glad I moved . I was aged shamed all the time . College kids told me I looked young that I needed to lie about my age because I’m old . Ummm excuse me . I told them I had no damn shame in my age or experience in life . Yes ageism is real

The rats question sent me 😂

Rat chats return. 😂

Omg hating Christmas but loving the holiday season is 100% a thing for children of divorce (speaking as a child of divorce😅).

Saku was THAT GIRLLL 👏😭

I don’t mind being a millennial, but shopping is quite hard because I used to wear the styles as a child… and now it’s fashion. But I kind of feel our role is to be that aunt that isn’t cringe but will also tell you if you’re making a bad decision and why

Have you read A Winters Promise? I feel like you would enjoy so much if you like a little bit of fantasy/magic and court intrigue. The one romance could not be more slow burn if it tried 😂

We’ve been online since online was a place you could be 😮

Ooh, you answered my question!

Look up punk rock Christmas songs. Some good stuff. Classic songs.

What is your heritage on your moms side? And i would say yesss go to scotland next time youre in the UK :) you can probably learn a lot about your culture 🥰 (and norway too if you can go there)

Feeling rats below while in the bathtub is my nightmare 🥴

Maybe the word empowerment?

I have been married as long as you have been alive ... I often call my husband my Honey. LOL Y'know .... you CAN "move" to the UK for 6 months ... you could easily, with your jobs, live 6 months in the UK and 6 months in the USA ... it would just be a case of working out housing and travel plans and expenses back and forth....

I was hoping there would be a question about how you are doing since losing your 2 fur baby’s? ❤ I cannot fathom the idea of losing my fur baby but I know that day will come

Do you have a Leo moon like my daughter?! 🥹♥️

What is the D&d book series ????

Is there a vent above your corner plant 😳 tell me there is

Could you link the book series you got drew? My boyfriend would love that

I have hit that point where I am feeling like a dinosaur lol. I just turned 38 last month. I think having two teenage daughters doesn't help haha. Now I know how my Mom felt.

Could not relate more to the no kids topic. We know we would make amazing parents but it’s more of a do we want to be parents? If it’s not a hell yes it’s a no is what we say lol however we do receive pressure from family, friends, and most from our parents regarding our decision to not have kids which is unfortunate. However we also have an awesome friend group who are all childfree and love it and support us and we support their decisions.

Liked the Vlog but what stuck with me is the rat story. Oh my Jesus, no way. I would of had to get out of that lease the 1st day.

If you and Drew never end up getting married, make sure you have good wills so the government can't mess with anything

AUTHENTIC or UNAPOLOGETIC could be good words

I hated tomorrow tomorrow tomorrow- didn’t get more than a 1/3 through. Curious what you will think.

You are hot Carrie! You really are an inspiration for me❤

Omg have you had lefse? ~

better persecution than complete obscurity ahem GenX here...just goofing around though, love listening to old & young online peeps equally❤

2024 word: self Advocacy!!

I’m quite a few years older than you 🤣 and we decided not to have children, I’d like to know if people assume you don’t like children because you want any? Or is that me 😉

As a child of divorce, I also don’t like christmas

hey carrie, just a heads up, gabrielle zevin is a known zionist :/

At 35, you can’t really say “maybe in the future” about kids. I mean not impossible, but highly unlikely.