traveling to Shanghai and deciding to drop out of college | Glow up Diaries Episode 12 

THIS VIDEO WAS FILMED IN DECEMBER 2018. To those commenting hate about wealth - I earned my money myself and saved up for this. I have been wanting to go to Shanghai since I was a child. I work and I don’t get anything from my parents. When I was editing this video I had so much fun being creative with the storytelling and editing. I was excited to share it with you guys in hopes of inspiring others because I loved watching videos of people’s crazy travel experiences growing up. It inspired me to set goals and make it happen for myself one day when I was older. It’s all about perspective. You can choose to hate and be unhappy about a highlight in someone’s life or you can become inspired by it and say hey..maybe not now but I know that if I’m committed, I can make it happen for myself one day. That’s exactly what I told myself years ago. I have nothing but gratitude for everything that has happened in my life, the good and the bad. Also my issue wasn’t university. My issue was the university I WAS AT. It didn’t specialize in what I wanted to learn and the location was terrible for where I want to go with my career. I’m not going to stay in a place that doesn’t help me grow. Check out Episode 15 of the Glow up Diaries for a more in depth response to my decision to dropping out of college.

its crazy to remember that the glow up diaries were filmed like two years ago, like damn, the world is so different. This whole series would be different if filmed now...its like a time travelling machines or a time capsule. I find the idea so interesting. Its mind blowing, don’t know how else to describe it. 2018....

this is so random but i love how there's shinee playing in the background when her sister was bargaining

"Your homeland isn't the only reality."

I loved the video Alivia! It was beautifully shot and gave some great advice. It's so sad to see the video's message be overshadowed by negative comments mocking your trip. I think a lot of people are forgetting that this whole series is supposed to talk about Alivia's personal glow up story. She isn't telling us that we need to hop on an international flight to glow up, she's simply sharing her own experience and what she learned from it. She even give us little steps like changing your hairstyle or trying new foods as ways to mimic some of experiences she had.

This really opened my eyes. When the video progressed i suddenly started crying without knowing why. I thought about it a bit and it’s because there is nothing for me where i live now. There is nothing i want here and just being here demotivates me from everything. I don’t even have friends here, i isolate myself, I am constantly stressed and I even developed an eating disorder. The only thing that keeps me here is school. School that i have to finish because it’s obligated and i have no choice. I just know that the second i have the chance i`ll go far away, to somewhere i can be happy. And just watching this made me remember that i am going to get that and i just have to wait a little bit more. Thank you Alivia, for reminding me that i can go somewhere i feel better aswell

WHEN I TELL YOU I SCREAMED AS SOON AS I SAW THIS, I AINT LYING IVE BEEN WAITING FOR SOOOO LONG OMG YESSS QUEEN IS BACK ILY SO MUCH!!!!!!!! ❤️❤️❤️

This was kinda bittersweet to watch for me because I wish I could’ve done this when I was in college. I also felt lost and in need of change and inspiration, but my family forced me to continue studying at college. They were NOT supportive of me taking time off and I didn’t have any money to do anything otherwise. So now I have a degree and work at an unfulfilling full-time job, but it’s paying my bills so I have to appreciate it. I can’t deny that I get jealous of people like you though, people that ditched college to travel to nice countries and stay in pretty hotels and eat cute pastries to “find themselves”. And there’s people like me who had to accept reality and just muddle through all of the mundane in order to survive. Still feeling lost by the way, but now I can’t help but feel bitter too 🥀

okay but your reasons behind dropping out that you stated made me realize that I was about to make a huge mistake by not telling my mum I don't want to do psychology anymore. I like it a lot but I'm not motivated and I've realized it would be really damaging on my mental health and am putting myself at risk of triggering trauma flashbacks by hearing other peoples traumas as I wanted to work in the trauma unit... What I wanna do since forever but pushed aside bc my mum doesn't want me to do it as she did it and didn't like it... It's to be a nursery and kindergarten teacher! For the lil babies uwu I'm not going to make the mistake of stressing out to go to Uni for 8 years for something I DON'T WANT because I'm afraid of my parents reaction and just do.what I want!

Me when I need to clear my mind: goes on a walk around the block Alivia: books a first class ticket to Shanghai lol

I’ve been watching this girl for years it’s been months since I watched her videos and honestly now I’m thinking I LOVE HER LIV YOU ARE AMAZING

For people struggling w/ acne, you could try and use these products before considering starting accutane: 1. salicylic acid + benzoyl peroxide (do *not* mix them together. use them on alternate days) 2. differin 3. tretinoin 4. isotretinoin (accutane) I got this info from a video by Sarah Cheung.

Okay I just finished watching and girl, yes it took long until this episode was uploaded, but it was worth the wait. The amout of effort put into this is crazy, and this video is so aesthetically pleasing, holy shit. You're a huge, HUGE inspiration to me, because of you I started losing weight and trying to glow up myself, so THANK YOU SO MUCH AND NEVER STOP DOING WHAT YOU'RE DOING!! 🤸‍♀️❤️😊

To everyone commenting that she is a "rich kid" and privileged, she went on this trip with her OWN earned money not her family's.

I thought she wrote 'i lost my virginity at the night club' at first lmao

7:06: "open your moth you had coffee too" 7:08 : " No I like my coffee breath" 😂🙊

You looked extremely happy over the course of this trip. I'm glad that you took this time to enjoy the city of Shanghai (I've never been there but it looks like a beautiful and interesting place) and enjoy yourself. It seemed that you took this time for self-healing and you let yourself eat the food, explore the places, buy the things you liked, etc.. I wish the best for you in the future years to come!

Omg i waited soo long for this episode

It s a brave decision but it is so important to do what you feel is right for you. I did it a few years ago. I left my university to become a pastry chef. And now i own my own luxury pastry shop making high end cakes for amazing clients and earning money with what i love most and what makes me happy. Keep going and listen to your heart, no one knows what is the right or wrong decision beforehand, you just have to figure it out. And if it turns out to have been a mistake just try to make the best of the situation and do some damage control. Thats just life❤️

Alivia, you’re such an inspiration, I love you so much 🖤🖤

I love you Alivia, you are such an inspiration in my life. You are the best youtuber for me. You made me realize my mistakes and how to live life. Keep doing what you do, because what you do always inspire people

Shanghai is such a dream 🤍 I studied abroad there and I miss my time in the city everyday ✨

“In that moment I decided to drop out of college”... idk it’s hard for me to just accept this saying and how you said it so lightly and easily

For those of you saying that her message is " If you're feeling loss then take an expensive trip across the world" then you are very wrong and you're not seeing the point of the video, you don't have to take a trip around the world to clear your mind, you can go wherever you want, or you can go on a drive or go on a walk, do what YOU think you need to do and what you have the opportunity to do, this is what Alivia had the opportunity to do Edit: And the "fake phone call" in the beginning, they could have filmed that after the trip to foreshadow what was to come

This girl is pushing me to live my life and be a better person!!! God bless you🤍

i live for these glow up diaries, love the creativity ❤️

I'm currently struggling with studying at home now, but seeing your memories from the trip gave me hope

Whenever I'm feeling down I start watching her videos and it makes me feel so peaceful. She has got such a calming voice🌼

whenever i go to my grandparents’s house in japan during the summer, i just feel like a completely different person for some reason. being in a whole different country miles away from home just feels like you’re in a whole different world. im always sad when i have to come back, but i still love Cali.

4:24 Okay I DEADASS just heard SHINee's View right there. I did not expect that

Some people in the comments: Imagine you had the money to go there Other people rn: Imagine not being in a global crisis that makes travelling impossible

4:22 View by SHINee was playing 💙💚

This really motivates me to travel as soon as things ar getting back to normal

Something about your videos just bring me peace, thank you so much for sharing your journey with us. You'll always have my support 💙

Alivia I have literally been waiting everyday for this glow up diary video since the last one! You insire me so much to do better, I admire you and you make me want to do so much more than what I am!

Omg Shanghai!!! It's funny how this city changes lives. It lit. made me want to fight my right to stay in my uni in Shanghai. I love Shanghai so much and I miss it a lot after corona

Wow... I wish I could afford going on a trip right now, when I'm feeling kinda lost

Dear Alivia,I’m loving your world so much. You make me feel as if I can really do it. You’re simply amazing and I profoundly admire you for all your achievements. You always have the strenght to start again and forgive yourself! Such a great inspiration. Greetings from Italy! Just a girl trying to glow up with you❤️

Your videos are always so real. And you're so honest and unfiltered. Watching this at night, when your mind is deep in the gutter, is so surreal and it just hits in a different way. Keep being you! You always motivate me to be my better self, and that life is going to be hard, but things are going to happen, and worrying about them that much more and not doing anything about it, isn't going to help you. Thank you for putting your content out there! You are helping so many people

Girl you need your own podcast

The fact that she’s a Taurus and she is so big about change 😌✨

you remind me so much of myself. i'm so proud of you that at 18 you figured this out, and took such a big leap. i left university at age 24, literally a few days before my 25th birthday. i spent 7 years in heartache, going back and forth between following MY truth (freelancing, creative careers) and doing what everyone else wanted me to do (formal degree). i've done so much healing to feel confident following my heart, and now at 26, i'm leaping into my dreams. i'm starting my own business and going for everything i want in my highest truth. something else we have in common is travel: i lived in paris for 2.5 years, which is really where i found myself. being so far away from home allowed me to make these changes in my own way and time. i'm back in the US now, and feeling more aligned than ever. it's so inspiring to see you do this at such a young age, i'm so impressed. and watching this reminded me of how far i've come, even in the past year. thank you for this beautiful video, and for being SO brave! you will go so far by following your heart. sending all my best to you xoxo

you are so inspiring, your curiosity for life is so beautiful and the fact that you take a chance and listen to your soul is unique. keep it up, you wont regret life.

I'm new to your channel and I am so inspired. You are such a beautiful person and please continue to spread your message 😁❤

How does Alivia actually work? Does she rely on her youtube channel? Has she been saving money for years?? How can anyone earn so much money like that.. not hate but I'm just curious.

This is really the best one(yet) of all of ur glow up diaries! Keep going!

i’m loving these series and i’m actually always looking forward for the next episode, you inspire me so much

girl your glow up videos just keep getting better and better and this was so inspirational

Girl, the glow up is on your videos too! You are so grown! They are terrific. The style, the photography, the music, the words... It's an adults' work. Congrats. You are improved magnificently

I'm waiting for the next chapter of this series. It has really helped me a lot with understanding balance and perseveration. Thanks from Ecuador, Alivia :3

I love your glow up journey videos so much! They have helped me to stay motivated and given me soooo many tips! I used to skip meals and always got giant cravings and was so upset with myself when I slip up just the tiniest bit. But i am trying my best to not bounce back into old habits and to actually live a healthy life for myself and not anybody else

Panic!At the disco : - Dying in LA Alivia : - Falling in Shanghai

I lived in Shanghai for 10 years of my life about 6 years ago. Its such a beautiful city and it is making me miss it so much seeing clips of the bund and the pearl tower all those lights. Its especially a beautiful place to grow up, and i wouldn't of changed a thing! Have fun girl :)

Your homeland isn’t the only reality ... I needed to hear this sentence so much rn. I was traveling a lot the last few years even international but I was stuck the last two years in college. I am so happy to be able to start studying abroad for the last two semester eventhough it is just like outside my countries borders. I know the feeling of being lost in college but I wanna gain that knowledge do bad and my parents payed so much for me till now that I don’t want to disappoint them therefore I will stick to this degree and just enjoy being abroad Edit: been teary the whole video cuz I can just feel you

Thank you sooo much for giving me the tips and the motivation that I really need to finally change my life♡☆♡

I fell off track for a while and, as a result, avoided these videos because I knew they'd call me out on my slacking 😅 But I'm back now. It sucks that people think that just because you've taken this trip you're privileged and unrelatable. To anyone who comes across this comment, it's possible if you're able to work and stringent about savings. I'm currently saving to take a trip to maybe Italy or Canada with money I earned during summer jobs

7:50 No one asked but this song is called Moow by Honey I'm random 👍👍 Also, Alivia you're really inspiring 🌹🌟🌷🤗💕

I just want to say thank you❤️❤️❤️ u are so so so pretty on the outside and the inside. Please upload more!!!!!!! I can't count the number of times I've rewatch all your videos!!!!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

you just made me realise what i really wanted to do with my future. i had already thought about it, but it suddenly struck me as obvious. i want to live in south korea. i really do. i need to live in another country, discover a new culture, learn a new language and experience different things. i am a french dancer and choreographer, and i finally know what i want to do with my life. thank you.

It’s so amazing to see her go from an unsatisfied highschooler to the girl that moved to shanghai...

this is one of my fav vids from the glow up diaries

Alivia is the most talented, creative editing genius on RU-vid 🙌🏼

I heard shinee in the background and got so excited 😂

I wished my parents would just allow me to go on trips as well they think it is just a waste of money.I hope that they were more open because we have to enjoy life while we are still young.

Shanghai is beautiful city🥺😩

My parents: "Get out of my house you stubborn child!" Me: So, Uhm, I'm planning to take a scholarship abroad- them: How about NO?

You’ve inspired me in so many different ways and I really can’t explain how much I needed these eye opening videos ❤️

This doesn’t come off as entitled to me but I think it’s very insightful and you are very fortunate to be able to have these experiences. I hope you get to where you want to be :) thanks for sharing with us

4:09 "I noticed the details and it added flair to her," so true

Why does it feel like i'm watching a movie everytime i see Alivia's videos??

It wasn’t a glow up diary !!!! It was just a vlog ,,,, 😒😒😒😒😒

The timing is so good rn, I’m in a place where I have to do similar choices now but i’m just so unsure about my path and future as well. I feel stuck. I always dreamed big but feel tiny and lost. It’s a mad place in my head.

Your videos make me emotional..in a good way..

you are so inspirational. you should definitely give a TEDtalk. All teenagers need to see you're videos. They give so much motivation and confidence. Love u and thanks so much for your videos. y changed my life. Xx

This video makes me want to go to Shanghai!

*I felt the pain when I just saw her Shin bleeding* I hope you take care of yourself well T^T Note: I rlly love your Bangs it suits you

I can tell you really enjoyed putting this one together

I love your vlogs ever since the beginning you are real and really motivated me to start eating clean to start taking care of my skin and working out thank you

4:22 SHINee brings back so many childhood memories

Lol I’m sitting here in quarintine its 2020 and I’m like “I really wanna go to China rn” I really love the glow up diaries though💕

I didnt watch this for the longest time, I thought it was going to be shallow/ boring. Now that ive really watched it, it’s impacted me so much. I guess god really does save some things until you need them.

I’ve never related to a channel more. Thank you 🙏🏻

the hot tub 2:50, reminded me of the scene from To All The Boys Ive Loved Before. I love these blowup diaries, I’ve watched everyone

OMG! just because you guys are broke doesn’t mean you can attack her. Anyone can take a trip, it doesn’t have to be expensive.

4:29 "by my sideee" hehe i will go out of the comments now lol

This is a fun video, if I was good with money and had the guts to actually fly somewhere by myself I would. But rn I'm In a place where i put my efforts towards my family and community college but definitely 1 week even a state or 3 hours away would be a good release.

I just keep remembering that insta post you made maybe two or three years ago saying that city lights made you feel alive. 🚦🗼🏙🌃🌌🌆🌇

This is by no means hate but I think in trying to become healthier and watch what you are eating (not necessarily in this episode just in general), you become obsessed with food and always having food on your mind makes it harder and harder to resist. The only way I was able to lose weight was to try and break off my relationship with food, now this means stop making your life revolve around food (I used to plan my next meal hours in advance to make sure it was healthy) but I only lost weight AFTER I stopped obsessing about what I was eating. I used to eat food whenever I was sad, whenever I was bored, and just in general thinking about food made me want to get a snack even if I wasn't hungry. Now, I tried to respond to my emotions in other ways like if I'm sad I'll watch a feel-good movie, etc. I hope this helps you or someone else with their journey!

your honestly so motivational omg

4:23 SHINEE WE STAN

I'm binge watching this series, so I'm glad I got a 2,2 liter bottle last week because I'm drinking everytime you remind me to 😂

I know she just wants to show her personal growth but like.... if she‘s also trying to give advice to her viewers MAYBE she should do it a little less wealth-centered

I've never been more proud of you... I wish you a happy and healthy life sweety... Keep it up!

I just want to say I really thank you for your lovely video because of you I can change my lifestyle and make me proud of myself too before I just want to give up on life because everyone judge me that I'm fat and ugly. But now I won't give up and I will try my best to achieve my goal like you.

U should have ur own Netflix show! I have never rooted so much for a stranger like I do for u

Fantastic video! I love that you are constantly learning and growing, you are my biggest inspiration!

Girl where I'm at this posted a 4 in the morning!!!

I loved the positivity in this video, thank you for sharing!

Did anyone else realise that View was playing in the background of the shop when they were bargaining

You always make me smile ♥️ I was soooo happy when I saw you posted a new video!