5 “TRUTHS” I’ve been told that are a LIE 

Being retired and doing absolutely nothing all day is completely BETTER than the best day I ever had when working.

Having children is no guarantee that you will get along with those children. Many parents are estranged from their children, so having children is not a guarantee that you will not be alone when you're old.

I've always struggled with my worklife....I never had a clear wish to be anything. I liked history, but didn't want to a be a historian. After working as a gardener for some years, I am now a custodian at a small renaissance castle. I feel I have found my place. My job is well-defined; I work in a historical setting and provide visitors with guidelines and historical anecdotes. Those are things that really fit me ❤

One big untruth imo that I hear people say is, "I can't help who I fall in love with." BS. IF he's/she's married, stay the heck away. "I can't help who I am," is another cop out.

A big one that people say to me is that you HAVE to have two children, they act like the worst thing I could do as a parent is to have "only" one child. While I'm confident in my decision that it is the right one, it does really hurt when strangers get insistent because they don't know the struggle it was to finally have one child, and I don't feel that I should have to reveal that to people to get them to leave me alone about this.

Hello Ana 😃! Good to see you! I've found that people who dole out unsolicited advice always know exactly how you "should" be living your life and what you're doing "wrong". I cannot imagine meeting someone, and presuming I had the authority to tell them they are not living their life to my own standards, but maybe that's just me....

“You need to set goals for yourself in order to progress through your life successfully”, is one of the untruths that was bandied around all over the place including here on youtube over the past decade or so. I blindly set almost impossible goals over the years until I burned out under the constant pressure to ‘achieve’. I eventually abandoned the path I’d set for myself, I downsized everything where I could and took a part time job instead of flogging myself with 12 hour working days. I finally realised that the large salary, large flat and the status symbol car were actually dragging me down and making me miserable, so I simply stopped. I can manage without any of the things I ‘sacrificed’ and I’ve never been happier.

Smashing the like button after hearing only the first truth. Fortunately the younger generation seems to have cottoned on to this truth. Good things do not always accrue to hard-working good people. Keep on speaking your truths Ana; you empower us all.

Dearest Ana, you are a thought-provoking blessing to your audience. You bring honesty and inner peace to me every week. Thank you dear friend. ❤

You are a very wise young woman. And it's always such a pleasure to hear your always gentle, inclusive, non-judgemental take on things.

Exactly! There are many truths we are told that are not really true. Thanks for the thoughtful chat.

I enjoyed the path I choose and I am retired and looking back the worst part of my work life was doing hair 😵 I did it for several years to one day hate it so much I threw down my brush and walked out never to return to doing hair. I realized my enjoyment was administrative work in offices until I retired. Telling someone you’d be good at that doesn’t know you and only you can decide for yourself ❤

I just love your comments about the ten thousand hours!! It is such a dangerous belief that negates the idea that each of us has aptitudes or talents. Also, that hard work may be futile, as your analogy of the the pumpkin and apple seeds demonstrates. Such solid , hard-earned advice.💜

About having/not having kids. In my opinion is a selfish thing to want to have kids "just because" nowadays with all what is happening (and is goin to happen ) in the world. Better adopt the ones that are already here without parents or family.

I have raised a child as a single mother and have always driven myself to be completely altruistic. As a result I've been very successful; my daughter is a straight A student has nice friends, a nice boyfriend, scholarships and is a creative musician. However because for me it's just work (I don't use her as a friend, I don't count on her as a retirement plan) I'm just as alone as before I had her. When she leaves for college soon ill actually feel relieved and finally young again. I know this because she worked at a camp last summer and I enjoyed it. So people who tell you that there is more fulfillment with kids are probably not altruistic and will have problems with those kids down the road.

Girly, keep telling the truth. :)

Your videos always come at the right moment. And i love your energy ,as an introvert myself. I am 29 childfree argentinian woman, living abroad with my partner (30m, also argentinian and childfree). I am an Spanish freelance teacher. Sometimes I feel really anxious, about life , deal with my adult students. I have ptsd also. I am doing group therapy, but your videos are like a therapy too.

Love your sweater! I think you're making "truth" with these points today. I wish we could all just get along without trying to judge one another and apply our own biases to other people.

Love this, Ana! Too many people are being sucked in to a mindset that doesn't fit! And you express things with such kindness. From children to degrees. I had to learn that a degree doesn't make me a musician anymore than it would make me an artist. One truth I have found is that if anyone goes to a hairdresser to get their hair washed, once a week, the world would be a more peaceful place! Lol!

I like the once heard idea that after reaching 18 years old age we need additional 18 years of freedom to learn how to live OUR lives. It's actually so true. I am 33 years old now and sometimes it really seems that I am still learning how to thrive in this world. I really do like your way of expressing ideas, Ana. I would call your videos realistically optimistic. 🙂 Actually those ideas of "just work hard" and "next better step" seems somehow old-fashioned to me, because everyone keeps repeating them.

Oh, I love these and agree very much with all of them! Two I have been told many times that are untrue for me: You will know when you are ready. This has repeatedly turned out to be false for me, as a highly sensitive, cautious person. Time heals all wounds. I wish this one were true, but again, it has not been for me.

I love your videos, so much wisdom

I'm currently at Split airport waiting for my flight back home. It was as always a joy to watch your video. These so called "truths" are not always true. As mentioned most people project their problems/fears on to others. Society has some expectations, but thank god we don't always have to do what others want us to do. Nobody knows what is good for us. And yes, sometimes situations are not under our control. I absolutely agree with all you said. Thank you for covering this topic dear Ana 😘

Your videos often comfort me so much. Thank you for that, Ana ❤

Hi Ana, 1) I was taught this from a very young age, plus that I needed to be the best. The intentions were good, and pushed me a step further when needed. The downside was it took me a while to embrace my imperfections. 2) My friend said to me that what surprised her is that having a child doesn't change YOU. You still have the same vulnerability and 'flaws'. I don't think my kids 'complete' me. I think I have a privilege to be in their life for a while, before they go on their journey of unraveling themselves. I am just trying hard no to screw it up! 3) Better next step... This made me think about immigration, the pressure of being successful ( financially). This isn't always the case, it creates unrealistic expectations in some cases. I try no to waste my time on comparing life in different countries anymore. 4) Happiness - again lyrics from my favourite polish singer - Anna Maria Jopek - Because happiness is a fleeting guest Happiness is a feather on a palm That appears when it wants to And when it is not being pursued. ( Sounds better in Polish of course 😉) 5)Higher education...I remember the first social meeting at my Uni, this professor told us that after 3 years we will see world differently, we will question newspapers, things we took for granted, public figures, in short we were on the journey of discovering critical thinking. Am I political correspondent for BBC? No. Would I want to go to Uni again to do the same subject? Absolutely! Would I pay the 9,000 per year to study(it was free when I was a student)....? Not so sure...

Thanks, Ana, for the video! I found it recently, and you speak to my heart as I feel like you do, and I am in my mid-30s. I am trying to find myself again, as I grew up also in a place that it didn't allow you to flourish as yourself if you didn't fit the norm. A new subi here! Regards from Germany

Thank you ,You are very wise!

Hello Ana. Your video topics are always so thought provoking & interesting. Thanks so much❤ Enjoy your week 🙏😘

The first rule is propaganda from people with success and money. There are billions of hard working people in the word - working for survive.

Thank you so much ❤️

poetry! (also that sweater is poetry also)

This is a much needed video.

This is really inspiring ❤

41? I always thought you were younger than me, like 27 or so. Beautiful, inside and out❤

Such a reassuring chat. Thank you 😊

Every once in awhile I become aware that decisions I'm making or things I'm doing are based on old beliefs that when examined don't make any sense! Your lying truths 🙂are spot on. Also, I'm glad you were able to hear the unsolicited advice for what it was. Anytime I hear some one "shoulding" all over another whether in person or in comments online, I'm kind of sad for them. I don't think I would presume to think I know best for another especially when I'm still figuring out what's best for me in some scenarios! Please, keep doing you! (You inspire me to wonder if I could create such beautiful knitted creations! I love thae sweater you're wearing.)

Thank you for these wonderful reminders about what really matters to me. My life is beautiful without having many of these "truths" come true.

Ah, the unsolicited advice in marshrutkas, maybe one day I'll feel nostalgic about it 😄😄 but not today

Have a great day Ana

Oh Anna, this was so nice. I found myself relating and smiling the whole time I was listening to you. Succinct insights as always. ✨

‘It’s the dumbest thing ever.’ Haha!! 😊Hearing you say this made me laugh out loud, Ana. I so agree (with everything you speak about here!) (Btw, I also agree about translation-I don’t have any work now whatsoever, either! Definitely not the end of the world…) 🤗

Thank you Ana I totally agree you don’t have to be a parent just because this is what people think is normal and a degree or corporate life is not everything I believe being your true authentic self is very important I’ve lived many years of my life to fit in with Micky mouse world but now I live as I please regardless of what anyone may think or say thank you for your wisdom

100% Agree!

You are such a beautiful soul 🥰⚘️

Thank you Ana.

Thank you Ana that was perfect to hear on this Monday morning 😊

There is nothing you said that I could possibly disagree with! For example, one of my sons has no higher education qualification, and yet at age 40 he has a job he loves and earns more money than I ever did even though I have a science degree and worked much of the time in my field.

Very nice vid. You look so alive! ( Cannot remember seeing you this way) 💜🍇🍒❤

Pokapoka! ; ) Your essays help me live a more authentic life. Thank you!

I haven't read Gladwell's book about 10K hours of practice, but I wonder if it's been misinterpreted as meaning that 10K hours will guarantee success while it might actually mean that success requires 10K hours? They are not synonymous. Re having kids or not, while at your age you are comfortable with your childlessness, you are still quite young, so give yourself the flexibility to continue to evolve how you feel about it. I think that for many of us, children are a place to express ourselves and without that.....? I say this with kindness from 20 years down the road from you. Good luck!

Just brilliant 🤗

You say: A childfree life is banned officially by law in Russia? Some people are not able to get children, even if they would want to get pregnant, so how is this law working?

Dear Ana, would u consider doing a course on croucheting? On patreon for example?

Because of you The boots you wear, the winter coat heavy Your snow covered tuque The sunlit day, the snowy path The morning air blue and bright You make a simple moment Important and exceptional Like an old song on the Sunday radio Like cinnamon spiced apples Scents the soul- You turn chaos into serenity I lay myself completely in you- For yesterday I died Wearing the brown suit and the brown shoes and the serious necktie. Protecting. Insuring. Trying to be seen and hopelessly trying not to stand out. I add, I count, I type. “The keyboard is mightier than the pen”, I am told. “Bring an umbrella. Be on time. This is your house, your street, your life. 
Be patient. Be content.” I died safely on a Monday Drinking the poisonous draft Of compliance And freedom from fear and anxiety And I died again the next day Patiently, dutifully Today I lay myself completely in you Your snow covered tuque The sunlit day, the snowy path The smell of cinnamon spiced apples Today, I see, I smell, I live, I am Because of you

I had 4 kids (one set of twins) and I can't wait to live my next life without any!! ;-D

You enter this world alone and you'll leave it alone. Your offspring won't make that different.

Diplomas of higher education are important, cause without them you won't get a working visa in a lot of countries or won't be able to relocate legally. At least, it would be more challenging without a diploma.

❤❤❤

😌💜

🥰

🩷

🍵🍵❤❤

You have not reached your old age though, dear.

I decided to make this channel because there are not a lot of people of color with Autism and ADHD combination. I'm not trying to have a billion subscribers, I just want people to know that yes Women do get Autism not just men. It just makes diagnosis harder because we mask to fit into a society that doesn't want us here. I'm going in with a mindset to just have fun. If I need to have a break because of meltdowns it's ok.

Hi, Ana, I told my daughter that she does not have to have children just because she's a female. She said I know she stated that she will not have any. I understand she's 21 and her frontal lobe is not fully developed until she's 25. Perhaps she might or she won't whatever her decision is she would be a good mom, but only if she wants to be a mom.

❤❤❤

❤❤❤❤❤❤