I wasn't planning on posting a blog anytime soon, but while washing the dishes last night, this idea popped into my head out of nowhere–that I learned so much in 2018!

It's been a crazy ride, with so many ups and downs–from moving to our own place; to finishing my fourth World War II documentary with my husband Bani; to living together with an online celebrity; to rescuing more pets, and so on...

I could write my feelings and all, but for now, I want to share with you guys what I've learned from Bani and I's journey as online creators; what I've learned from other amazing creators that I've met and become friends with, and what I've learned from my own experience as a beginner!


Everyone will have an opinion about you.


When I got my first dislike on my Youtube video, I cried.

I didn't understand. Why would anyone take the time and effort to dislike my video?

No matter who you are, anyone can judge anything you post on the internet. Like they say, "Everything posted online is there forever, even after it's been deleted." Nowadays, it's easy to capture what's on our screens since the majority of us are using smartphones. Your words can be altered and videos can be readily edited in a different context.

You will be judged no matter what you do, and the best way to deal with it is to ignore it, focus on why you are creating, and don't let the negativity get into your head. It's easier said than done, but at the end of the day, you can't please everybody AND that's okay.

Use your voice to speak up.


My influencer friends use their social media platforms to promote something close to their hearts–from spreading equality, to pursuing a career in the medical field, to empowering the youth, and inspiring others with maximum effort.

So when I started my YouTube channel, I also wanted to promote something. I decided that it should be focused around my passion and love for animals. I want to share my stories online and show the progress of the pets that my husband and I have rescued. I can't do all the rescuing in the world (If I could, I would!) so I thought that it would be a good idea to spread my passion and hopefully inspire others to do the same!

When you can't spread the love in your heart on your own, you can find people that can help spread it for you through YouTube!

Numbers don't matter.


 When my husband started focusing on YouTube, I used to be bothered that he had slow growth. "Why is it so slow compared to others, when he creates some of the best videos out there?" "How come everyone else is gaining more subscribers than him?" "He deserves so much more and we all know it!" I guess it's normal to feel this way and to think of it as competition.

But when I took a closer look, I noticed that Bani's fans, although fewer in number than others, are incredibly unique, intelligent, and loyal. Because Bani only posts quality videos, Bani is getting quality viewers.

At the end of the day, it's not about how many are watching, but who are watching. We will all eventually get there, so be patient and your time will come.

Here's an interesting read from Gary Vaynerchuk: Numbers Don't Matter, Influence Does

Mind your own business. 


This is a general life rule haha but we have to be reminded every now and then that we shouldn't be meddling with someone else's business. There's a lot of tea spilling all over the internet and so many issues from creator to another.

You don't have to be in it just to be relevant. Save your time and focus on your own life and your own journey instead.

You will influence people.

When I started my journey as an animal lover YouTuber, I thought that it would take a while before I would start inspiring others. I thought that I would need to build a bigger following first before I started affecting people's lives.

But after a few months, people are already messaging me about how they were inspired to rescue animals as well.

It doesn't matter how many people are subscribed to you, or following you; you will influence people with your work no matter what, so you have to make it count.

Make something you're proud of.


 It's the smallest things that you can be proud of: may it be just tidying up the bed sheets in the morning or even getting up earlier than usual! Same goes with releasing online content, it doesn't matter how long or short it is, or how many views it gets, as long as you're proud of your work. It's also a challenge to not care about what other people of think of it, but that doesn't matter as long as IT MEANS SO MUCH TO YOU.

My husband, for example, doesn't upload anything 'fine' or 'may ma-upload lang', he makes sure that he releases something captivating and worthy of watching before putting it out there. With his passion in creating videos, Bani provokes his audience to pursue what they want to do and essentially helping others as well.

Last but not the least, be yourself. 


 We care so much about what other people think of us that we ignore the fact that we have our own identities. Don't act like other people just to catch other's attention, because that for sure won't last long, and eventually, others will notice that it's dishonest to your character. This is often why a lot of influencers get burn out or break downs; they get lost in the fame and forget who they are. Just be the best version of yourself!

This is all I can think of now, so to all aspiring online creators out there, do something you love and everything else follows!

Happy New Year, everyone!!