Last week, I had the AMAZING opportunity to attend an AAPI YouTube luncheon to meet and network with other #AAPI creators. I had no idea what to expect, but it exceeded my expectations. Never in my wildest dreams did I think that I would be sitting in the same room as some of my favorite YouTubers. I had so much fun getting to know and mingling with other creators. In college, I would pay to go to events to network with other creators and meet YouTubers. For many years, I felt so alone because I did not know anyone who had the same hobbies and passions as me since it was very niche. So it was crazy to me that for the first time I went to an event that I did not pay for that allowed me to network with other creators and meet YouTubers. I started my YouTube channel 4.5 years ago. At the time, it was just a hobby. It was a passion project that my inner child wanted to accomplish. I knew from a young age that I wanted to create things. YouTube was my outlet. My life was depressing, and making YouTube videos was the only thing that made me happy. It gave me a sense of purpose and direction in my life at a time when I felt lost. Then one day, after years of hard work, my channel became a side hustle. Two years ago, I joined the YouTube Partner Program after hitting 1K subscribers. I know most people will look at my channel and think nothing of it because I am small. That's fine. But, I am so proud of my channel because it represents my hard work and resilience. My journey as a YouTube creator has never been easy. Still, to this day, I find it hard to set time aside to create videos since I have a full-time job. This luncheon is what I truly needed. I was on the brink of literally quitting all social media. But, this luncheon re-inspired me. I probably was the smallest YouTuber at this luncheon, and that fact gave me imposter syndrome. I felt like I did not deserve to be there because everyone else was more successful. But, nobody made me feel like a nobody, and that is something I appreciate. Thank you to @youtube for this opportunity ❤️🫶🏼🥹 #youtubeaapi #microinfluencer #influencerjourney #lainfluencer #contentcreator #youtuber #youtubeevent #youtubecreator