Stop Dating Your Issues 

“You’re addicted to emotional chaos and your subconscious is trying to right the wrongs of your past by seeking out similar dynamics and rewriting history” Psychologists say we date someone who emulates are most difficult parent because we subconsciously want to fix our parents’ relationship by acting different from our less difficult parent.

You're doing something a little different with your makeup. I like it.

"Just re-home the baby; make another one! It's easy; it's fun!" 😂

“I’m a philosophy major drop out dressed as a f*cking clown” -Anna Akana, an absolute queen

I thought Melissa and Michelle are the same person, I was so used seeing Anna doubled so I never thought about that they are twins

Anna's channel has become "Therapy time with Anna"

I feel the need to come into someones life and "save them" much like I needed a hero when I was young and went through lots of racism and bullying. I project this and decide to jump head first into relationships early on and show them how dedicated I am, only asking what they need to be happy, without asking for anything back, until I inevitable am fed up about never having my wants and needs satisfied. wow, that felt great getting off my chest

The one thing that I’m getting out of the pandemic is self improvement. It’s a great time for self improvement.

“You’re addicted to emotional chaos and your subconscious is trying to right the wrongs of your past by seeking our similar dynamics.” Stop attacking me pls👁💧👄💧👁

This is loaded with truth. When I started learning about trauma bonds, and realize who those bonds were associated with, it opened and broke down huge emotional barriers, that otherwise contributed to a series of unhealthy relationships. Friends and lovers, alike.

This is scary. You kinda echoed my conversation with myself last night. Cheers to our drunk Asian moms.

"Through pain I find strength, Through strength I find resolve, Through resolve I find purpose, Through purpose I find happiness."

That scene with the mom telling her daughter not to have children was intense. Poor mom, poor children. All she needed was a little help back then.

I have recognized I am addicted to the chaos / emotionally unavailable people just because I have been used to that dynamic since childhood and now it's so familiar and "safe" even though I know it really isn't

You almost persuaded me to rehome my non-existent baby for the sake of my non-existent cat...the power you hold omg

I love how real she is! You don't have to look illuminated or always "in peace" to show people that you're growing and doing the work. Oftentimes you have lots of ups and downs and many times you repeat old patterns even when you've been in therapy for a while. We have to normalize that this happens, people specially influencers that always seem happy are not realistic and create unnecessary expectations for people that want to start the work! Ana, Congrats on reminding us that this process has so many gray areas and that is never lineal :)

"if you're not a clown but an entire circus" LMAO

“i don’t play the games. i play the players.” 😂😂

So true, we don't have to keep having dysfunctional relationships, we can actively work on ourselves and choose more conscious and healthy relationships

"She was at home raising 3 kids alone while my father was overseas fighting in a war or something - which I'm sure we can all agree is the easier of the two situations" LOL

"Anna, don't have children. Have a career. Don't make the mistake I made, be ambitious" did she just tell her literal child that she regrets having children?

“You’re addicted to emotional chaos and your subconscious is trying to right the wrongs of your past by seeking out similar dynamics and rewriting history”

That story about Anna"s moms breakdown explains so much about why Anna is who she is and the choices shes made

4:23 aaaaall right for someone who has recently broken up with the same person for, like, the 5th time, that was pretty much a punch in the face. Loved it and hated it. Thank you Anna!

I wish I also have a "squarespace" who supports my existential crisis....

Me, who never has been in a relationship watching this: hmm interesting, I can relate

“addicted to emotional chaos” resonated so hard

"Stop Dating Your Issues"? Joke's on you! I'm too scared of men to date them!

anna: *uploads anything related to dating* me, a minor with no dating experience whatsoever: *furiously takes down notes*

I'm really beginning to appreciate the twins!

The fear of commitment is actually really relatable so thanks for opening my eyes Anna

One time, I talked with my now ex and told him "I don't know why, but you remind me of my dad" And then he did what my dad did to my mom, a.k.a. belittling me a lot of time me: *surprise pikachu*

This is literally something I've been trying to work through with therapy. thanks for the reminder!

YOOOOO! "Re-home the baby!"👶 🤣🤣🤣

i love your videos, life lessons but in the most interesting way

Dude ACTUALLY just rehome the baby the cat is SO much more precious

“Just rehome the baby” Perfect

I'm so terrified of commitment that i only had long distance relationships and one-sided love for others, because those relationships (in my case, living in the other side of the continent) are doomed. But the good thing is that i'm starting to get more and more comfortable with the idea of settling down and emotional connection.

Pets are being with you until they end their lives but husband, friends and kids will leave you one day. I wish cats and dogs can live longer like 30 years.

Someone once told me people don’t go for what’s best for them. They go for what’s familiar.

“You’re addicted to emotional chaos and your subconscious is trying to write the wrongs of your past by seeking out similar dynamics and rewriting history.” Everytime I come here, I come for this sentence alone.

“this terrible disease called humanity”

That rehome the baby bit was beautiful

Hi Anna. Just wanted to thank you, you've helped me through so many of my darkest years and you always make me smile when I'm feeling like crying. Absolutely love your videos 😊♥️

Its literally so funny that ive heard all of these things in therapy for so long and yet when i watch your videos i still feel so exposed😂😂

Does my general avoidance of relationships mean I have a fear of commitment, or just a fear of vulnerability?

i am kinda scared how accurate this is

I love how you address real but very difficult issues in such a simple way - thank you!

I.... thank you. It makes a lot of sence. As someone that came from a toxic family moving to the other side of the world and no longer being entrenched in them really opened up my eyes to how bad they really were and how much so many of my issues developed with them. Then 2016 happened and I found myself drawn into someones fold that over the course of 4 years mentally broke me to the point of self harm and reverting back to wanting to be a shut in again because clearly I was the worst and not worthy to be around people just like my family said. Worse yet people who knew me outside of his community kept trying to tell me how he and his associates were treating me wasn't right, but being around them felt so familure I guess my mind tricked me into thinking I had come home in a sence.

I really love what you are doing and how you are able to see through the chaos inside you. Yeah it's hard and you've said so many times but your videos are inspiring me to do the same thing! Thank you for that❤

I always think that Anna comes out with videos just when we need them . Thank you

Final Fantasy dialogue boxes. Awesome.

man.. i never thought about rehoming the baby. It does make sense the way you put it.

What if you never dared to ben in a relationship before ? what kind of issues do I have ? omfg, I feel attacked ! Why?!

I really love how you are talking about such important and personal topics in such entertaining, light-hearted and creative ways. Selflove and Selfworth are so important for everyone. Last year I had a datingexperience that made me realise that I had selfesteem issues and tried to escape this feeling of worthlessness by being of importance for someone. In the past 1 1/2 years I worked a lot on myself, even did a therapy and now I'm able to give myself what I wanted others to give me. Now all the attention and affection that I receive feels so much better, because now I know that I don't need it. I also get so much positive feedback from friends, family, my therapist and the woman I dated this year who even told me that after we seperated she is seeking out a therapist to work on her topics and that I gave her the courage to do so. People are mirrors and the one's you get the closest to reflect the clearest. Really appreciate your videos and hope that you keep doing them!

Sis you don’t even know how much you help us ... thank you Anna you are awesome ❤️

"some of those lessons are so obvious that everyone we love wants to eyeroll into oblivion" OH MY GOD CALL ME OUT (also the clown makeup is absolute genius)

I just feel good that I am not the only one who has gone back to the emotionally unavailable one and avoided the actual ones. I feel less critical towards myself 😂

You're the life coach I never thought I needed. I subbed a long time ago just thinking like hey this girl is funny and fun to watch when I got some free time

My goodness! I have never done that much overthinking nor ruminated over past regrets. Fascinating listening to you.

Well I wasn't expecting to see my recent relationship displayed on the internet by a clown that absolutely nails it, but here we are.

Did you know You can marry someone without bearing children Crazy, I know.

I love your videos Anna! Please don’t stop doing these videos. It’s the only thing I look forward to every week🥺 You’re awesome!

you never fail me with your content. queen

'Find what I want' , THAT!!! is the question. What do YOU WANT! If you don't know this, don't go forward with any relationships.

5:12 realest thing you've ever said

i needed to hear this, thank you

I love the heart shape neon light in the background 💗

I used to date girls that were fatherless “daddy issues” . I never had a relationship with my own father till I was an adult.

Anna, I love the way you transmit these ideas/behaviors that sometimes are difficult to detect by ourselves. thanks!!! 😊

Lately, your videos are coming up at exactly the right time for me and my problems

I thought that I was the only one I kept on dating my issues .

the ultimate solution : DONT DATE ANYONE ! Hence you have no couple fighting , no kids , no family obligations and no commitment required. All problem are now resolved :)

Love it and the support for u!

I needed this so much

Anna wants to say that: You already have those issues, You don't need to Date them as well! 🤣🤣🤣🤣 You Need to FIX your issues, NOT Date them! 🤣😒👍🏻

Ah fear of commitment. It's been a lifelong struggle for most.

I thought the delivery of the message was on point. I have the hardest time believing relationships and happiness eludes you, as you shown so much talent, creativity, ability, emotion and intelligence. Perhaps patience and acceptance are directions that needs to be reviewed. The right person is probably there in plain sight and overlooked.

one of my favorite videos from you so far!!

i spit out a gasp reading that title in my recommendations feed. danke akana-san :')

Me beeing a clown for Dean and Cas' relationship Me watching Anna in a clown mask: *interesting*

Annnna, I came across Ur channel recently n now I am ADDICTED to u !!! I think I need to watch your videos twice atleast - once to enjoy what u r saying and once to enjoy the animations 🤣🤣🤣 U are a RARE ONE indeed !! Love Ur style n sense of humour 😍🥰🤩😘🤗😋

great vid, Anna!

Does anyone want to donate me some trusted friends 😦, because at this point I'd rather have a good friend than a dating partner 🥺

I’ve been watching Anna for years and I didn’t know she was half filipino until she said “anak” LOL

i love love loveeeeee your videos, its to the point, insightful, and entertaining.

I seriously love your channel, I relate so much to your videos, I was already on therapy when I found you, but wish I would have found you sooner so I could have gone earlier

If you date your issues and fall in love with them, maybe they'll leave you too 🥺

Free therapy, yay! :>

I am so happy I found your channel

This is so so good thank youuu ☺️

I thought you would be sponsored by a make-up remover company and at the end you would clean the clown in you

So being a single mom is harder than fighting a war!

I loved this. Thank you.

Thank you Anna! Truly well said.

I will be saving this as a reminder when I start dating again. Thank you beautiful rodeo clown. (Didn't know you were a philosophy major that's interesting)

The "A" is new right? nice

I’ve just subscribed to your channel, but I’m like obsessed

Anna, you continue to be an inspiration. Gurl your videos are like mini therapy session.

The clown makeup was refreshing