linh, thank you for sharing your experience of being an ex mormon. i am also one (living in salt lake city no less) and i can totally relate to the sense of losing a community and support that comes with it. it felt like being alienated from everyone i knew since the area i grew up in is predominately LDS. in the end it was a question of personal values vs the comfort of being part of a community. i am proud of you for sticking to what you believe is right (particularly re: LGBT+) despite the challenges that come with that. ❤
wow thank you for sharing your experience! when I first left, I watched a lot of videos on ex-mormons and their experiences with leaving the lds church and it helped me a lot :,) it’s nice to know you’re not alone.
0:00 intro 2:53 any plans for new tattoos? 4:11 have you read any books lately? 5:02 are you still going back to college in the fall? 5:42 how do you feel about your growth or overall life this 2023 year so far? 6:12 how do you manage and balance your social, work, and creative endeavours? 7:50 internships? 8:44 how to network/build your resume? 12:35 any moments of gender euphoria you want to share? 14:19 how did your parents react to your identity/pronouns? 20:00 dating anyone? any crushes? what do you look for in a potential partner? 22:10 fav bts era and/or album? 23:15 any new animemanga you're currently enjoying?
hey linh, I'm ex-mormon too. What you said about the church taking away your youth and you'll never get that back is something I relate to deeply. I'm sorry. It makes me so sad thinking about all the people that have been hurt by the church. But I appreciate your vulnerability. It reminds me that we're not alone. Thanks for sharing!
Feeling the need to be what I know others will applaud can often feel isolating. Hearing others’ experience with that same struggle doesn’t necessarily take away that feeling but it gives me hope that it’ll get better
as a trans person, it means so so much to me that you speak on anti-trans legislation. you’re amazing. sending lots of love to everyone who needs it. 💗
I have not seen any of this legislation. Can you cite your sources and explain why it is "anti" exactly not just protective of other groups? Anti any specific group laws are unconstitutional so this is surprising if they really exist.
Oh Wow!! Great internships!! And I agree with taking a gap year. I took a gap year before starting grad school and used that time to study for the GMAT as well to save money. That gap year made all the difference to me!
Linh you're genuinely one of the most relatable people ever. No matter a persons ethnicity, gender or sexuality, they can relate to you. I personally understand not fitting into the stereotypical "Daughter role", and how much it changed my childhood nor wanting to dress like all the other people around me. And you dont sugarcoat issues in the world to make other people happy, and that's a wonderful trait that I'm sure a ton of people admire! Thank you for being you and helping so many people in the world!
Linh that religious trauma talk really hit home for me. I’m in the process of trying to figure myself out. I’ve known I was bisexual for awhile and was content with keeping that a secret but now that I’m in the process of finding out my gender identity it seems like something I can’t keep hiding. I want to break away from Christianity but I’m also deathly afraid and anxious about what happens after I do so. That includes after I die and with my family. As a child I was constantly told that I need to do this and I need to do that in order to make it to heaven and one of the biggest no-no’s was being gay and I’m so scared that I don’t even think I’m following God because I love and trust him but because I don’t want to go to hell! I honestly believe that religion is honestly the cause of most of my anxiety these days. Anyways, sorry for the trauma dump and Happy Pride Everyone!! 🏳️🌈🫶🏾
Best of luck on your journey. Just wanted to say as someone who is Christian, I hate that people put so much spotlight on just homosexuality when really the focus should always be just on following God and getting to know him and fostering that relationship. My opinion would be to pursue the relationship with God and see where He leads you but also take care of yourself. None of us are perfect and have it right and I don't think God expects us to.
When you were talking about your parents raising you, it made me realize I had a similar situation! There were things they still kind of attributed to us based on gender (but honestly interest too) but my mom always told me to live my life and focus on my career, travel, etc. before I settle down (if I wanted to). Same thing with my dad and step dad, they genuinely never really cared
I literally froze when you said religious trauma and Mormonism. I’m older than you but have been learning so much from you about self identity and watching you grow has been like actually pretty healing. Here’s to being Asian, nb, tattoo’ed, and ex-mo!! :’)))
I'm new here, and I was very surprised to see you were ex-mormon. What you said about it was really relatable to me and I am definitely feeling that confliction you get when you start to think critically about the church's ideals and your own. It's very hard. There are simultaneously valuable things I identify with and things that are really troubling me with the church, and it has been difficult in the past (and still) to reconcile them. But as a highschooler required to go to seminary, it was so nice to hear you talking about it and it really brought tears to my eyes. Your voice and honesty are so inspirational to me thank you
thank you for sharing your story ❤ there is a lot that i could not understand of the church ideals and the realities of MY identity and who i know i am, so i decided to pray and reflect on it. for myself, i found that it isn't the church itself that i need to conform to. "the church" isnt what i believe in. its the gospel. its HF, HG, and JC. its the principles that help me love myself, my family, and all the others around me. so many stories of faith within our scriptures helped me find this guidance for myself where i felt like i was losing my steps and balance, spiritually. this is where i found so much balance, and i enjoyed my place more. i felt even more comfortable in my sexuality and gender identity after these prayers and reflections, due to having a Real relationship with HF at this point. my testimony grew stronger after i had the guts to question HF and really hear Him. sorry for babbling, i just felt like sharing. hope you have a great day , i hope this helps in one way or another!!
When you spoke about your religious trauma it felt like you said everything that I couldn't say for years. Also when you mentioned how lonely you'd feel as the only poc in the church too. Back when I was a Christian I felt like I was trading who I really was for the community and youthfulness that I felt in the church. This video has made me feel so seen and so welcomed. Thank you so much linh!!
i just turned 37 after finally getting top surgery in march, and it makes me so happy to see younger people able to have conversations like this and access resources like this video at earlier points in life 🥲 there are many ways in which it's scary to be queer in the world right now, but young people are making a huge difference by normalizing topics like this more and more all the time, you guys are badasses!
I feel the same way ! I'm 29 and it took so much time to figure some things out on myself, and when I see younger people being so "ahead" in the process than I was at their age, I'm so glad and proud and impressed.
linh, you’ve truly felt like my best friend for as long as i’ve watched you (for the last four years) and you’ve been my inspiration for so long, i feel like i’ve grown as a person alongside you and i’m so grateful to have watched your very first vlog all those years ago
the part where you share about your experience in mormonism hit me so hard. i had always felt a little different than my female peers, and i never really felt the full "girl" experience that a lot of kids my age had. i remember when i wore more "girly" clothes to church one day, and a friend of mine made a comment about how i "actually looked like a girl today!" i agree that something in me changed that day. its hard to know, especially as a young kid, why i felt different, but you sharing your experience validated me so much. thank you so so much.
thank you so much for sharing linh, the bit when you were talking about the way your parents raised you as well as mormonism was very vulnerable. you're extremely articulate and talented! love u
It's so comforting to see someone I really look up to online talk about their experience with mormonism. I was raised mormon and since I still live with my parents and am a teenager, I am forced to attend church and activities and it puts a lot of stress on my mental health having to fight all these norms and ideas that i don't agree with. I love you Linh, it means a lot that you share your experience cause it helps those of us who also deal with religious trauma heal and know we are not alone.
lately i’ve been busy packing and moving, so having you upload right in the middle of all of this really makes me feel calm. last night i moved into my new house and i LOVE it. my room is so cozy and peaceful, i love it soso much. thank you for uploading, you make peoples lives very nice with your calming voice. LOVE YOU LINH
In terms of dating I'm in a similar boat of deciding to just not HAHA. I've always been in a relationship and have been realizing more and more how much I hopped into them [romantic and platonic] for validation, and not because I loved them for who they were. I've really been taking the time to be alone, to learn who I really am without anyone else influence, and to learn how to love and accept all of those aspects about myself alongside embracing and accepting my shadow side. I'm becoming my own bestfriend, best lover, best family member, best support system and its been a painful but beautiful experience so far! p.s. I'm super fudging geeked for your silver jewelry line. I'm excited to get my hands on a few pieces!!!!
I’ve been contemplating if I’m going to take a gap year for a long time and I’m regretting I didn’t just because no one around me did. seeing how you enjoyed your gap year made me envious. 😢
Can you maybe explain your situation a little more? Of course only if you want to!! I am in a similar situation and I would love to know what you did after school and how you wished you did it
@@charlottew.8460 after finishing my 3rd year, i felt exhausted after all the pressure from pandemic, from school (my uni is in tri sem so triple the work a year), social pressure. i watched linh’s video last year and discussed it with my parents. obviously they were against it since they wanted me to graduate already, also when i discussed it with my friends they obviously have no clue what that was because it’s not very common. i still continued my study and it literally ruined my mental health because i obviously am not willing to go to school because i want to take my gap year. my parents agreed to me just taking off 1 sem (about 3months). i did get rest but you cant even apply for jobs for only 3 months so im stuck in the house doing nothing but commissions (which is not on regular basis).. i have a friend who’s not financially independent but took a gap year (shes the first person we know to do that so a lot of people got shocked), had a lot of opportunities and now her resume is full of credentials and experiences so im quite jealous of her (but very happy for her at the same time). she said that taking a year off is the best thing she did. i hope i explained it well since english is not my first language 😳
I’m not mormon or remigious and I have virtually no experience with being either, but it’s interesting to hear about other peoples experiences with being mormon and how it effected their identity/they way they express their identity and the pressures that come with it, i’ll definenently be watching more videos on it and hearing other peoples experiences! It’s also really interesting to see other trans people talk abt their identity and how it relates to their race. I’m white and skandinavian and I grew up in a very white, christian and non-queer town in austria, so seeing poc talk about their experiences gives me a lot more perspective on queer identities and how they relate to race. Also really glad you adressed the anti trans laws currently being put into place/suggested in a lot of states. I’m swedish and I also live in Sweden for the time being, and i’m very thankful that this country is so supportive of LGBTQ+ rights and people, but the laws and bills still make me worried for trans and queer people in the US. (Sorry if my english is bad it isn’t my first language)
I love hearing you talk about mormonism because I can relate to it so much. I grew up mormon and still am, but I truly believe that you don't need to sacrifice your values to practice certain religions. As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, I dealt with so much religious trauma. I was in the closet for so many years, absolutely terrified to tell anyone- thinking that I would be disowned if I told my parents. I did end up coming out to them and even though they were a bit iffy about it, they've now become so supportive. Suddenly everything I thought I knew about them was wrong. I've found people in the church like me, and its entirely changed my view on mormonism. Of course there are still so many ridiculous people I deal with in the church but I openly talk about my more liberal views in church and have opened some minds. The church itself is getting a lot better now too. I remember back then we weren't even allowed to wear certain types of clothing, have certain hairstyles, or get tattoos or multiple piercings- but theyve changed all those ridiculous mysognistic guidelines. I think with progressive christianity, everythings going in a better direction.
im in the same boat ❤ there is a lot of trauma that many members can go through that paralyzes and limits you, which is why many people leave the church. the community around the church they attend heavily influences it as well, so it makes it very hard to think about even staying. thankfully, i did not have a community like that. there is so much of the gospel that is interlaced with our community (lgbt) and the love HF has for us all, especially with your personal testimony and relationship with HF. im glad i dont have that traumatic experience with the church and my gender identity+sexual orientation dont feel like something in danger of my love for the gospel / my spiritual relationship with it, but rather a BOOSTER to my testimony. like you said, there are still a majority of very ignorant minds but it's better to speak more liberally around these people to remind them that we exist and we arent going anywhere.
@@andrealiee yes!! i definitely agree with this. ive moved so many times in my life and got to experience being at so many different stakes. i can say with confidence that just because we all practice the same religion, the church you go to heavily influences your views on the religion itself. Back when I lived in the suburbs most people were extremely conservative. But after moving to the city, majority of the people at our church are rather open minded. Its great that youve had a good experience with the lds community. i also feel that being comfortable with my sexuality has actually brought me CLOSER to god.
I feel so seen, so understood, so encouraged. Gosh, Linh! You’re so amazingly smart, and I’ll be taking all this life advice with me, everywhere I go. I love you so much - thank you for putting all this effort in us 🍓✨
This part about the organizational nightmare of seeing your friends once a quarter. The worse is I feel like I'm the only one who is not busy, so I'm just bored and lonely most of the time.
i love u linh, i had just decided to take a gap year around when u did last year and u really comforted me on my fears. it's so fun to see u getting back to sch now
this was a lovely catch-up! i actually rewatched one of your older ones & loved the feeling of, like you said, a facetime call. I've just finished exams and felt a bit lonely not having my friends around after a friendship group split - it's been comforting to hear about your big decisions & also relate to some of your past church experiences as i grow into a new and better community :] wishing you (and everyone who reads) all the best!
Linh!!! Your good luck wishes paid offffff orientation was so good!! I met so many people and that's surprising since social anxiety kinda hits when you least want it to. I'm so proud to have helped organize a 6 person Barbie Princess and the Pauper watch party night 1 which originally was just the friends I made but spiraled into having 23 people total!!! It's one of my favorite memories for sure and makes me super excited for school, thank you so much for commenting on my last post and giving me the drive and excitement to step out of my comfort zone. And to everyone also starting college or something new in general, you got this!!! It might be scary but courage isn't the absence of fear, it's the overcoming of it, and you're all hot, courageous people!!
when you said that the butterfly tattoo was inspired by Ocean Vuong's novel, I started crying because 1) I adore that novel and identify so much with the butterflies and 2) I always associated that metaphor with you!! i remember reading the book and reaching the end where he finishes the idea of the butterflies and just thinking how much it sounds like linh - please give me your thoughts when you finish it
linh, thank you so much for bringing such important topics and sharing your experiences 🫶🏼 from someone who’s going through immigration at the age of 20 and is queer but grew up in a country where it is forbidden to even talk about lgbtq+ - please know that you give us SO SO SO much support and inspiration JUST by telling about the tiniest experiences and being just the way you are 💗💗💗 lots of love!
linh, when i tell you it was like looking in a mirror when you were opening up about your experience with your gender identity and everything. i, too, felt for so long like an outsider to "feminine" things. i, too, quickly grew out of that stuff and became less and less comfortable with skirts and dresses. being non-binary, and seeing you open up about that and speak up about the anti-lgbtq+ laws/restrictions/legislations that are currently taking place, just meant so so much to me! as for me + my life, i am currently enjoying my summer vacation, just finished community college and heading off to complete my final 2 years to achieve my bachelor's (BSA!!) and i am so excited! looking back at high school and early college me, i have grown and changed A LOT. but in a good way :) i am very happy, very excited about my future, and very satisfied with my life and where i am in this moment! love u and ur vids
I love hearing you talk about your identity and experience growing up. I also am the oldest child, I kinda fell into womanly roles (especially growing up mormon in Utah) I love your thoughts so much. I kinda lost my path a little bit and got lost in mormonism trying to conform and ended up getting married when I was 19. Thank you for sharing your story. I am also healing as a 22 year old now trying to navigate so many things. This is such a lovely video thank you for sharing :))
i am going into uni this fall as a freshmen and it's so fun to see you also go back to school. it makes the process feel less daunting to know other people are part of it. also i LITERALLY JUST FINISHED ON EARTH WE'RE BRIEFLY GORGEOUS AND IT LEFT ME *DESTROYED*. hope you have a great time in the upcoming months at uni, looking forward to vlogs lysm❤❤
As someone who just finished their gap year, it makes me so happy to see you talk about it :)) I keep saying that if anyone wants to take a gap year, and they're able to do so, they absolutely should!!!
You’re the perfect person to have playing in the background while I do school stuff or art. I just finished my first exams, as much I don’t want to do it again I gotta have too but I feel confident that I did pass but till find that out next week, you give me so much hope for my future and inspire me to keep pushing. Continue what you love and have a great day!
Thank you for the video Linh and for being so open and vulnerable with us. I have a lot to say but I’ll keep it short. It was lovely seeing that I am not the only this past year and some who’s been processing gender and sexuality and healing some religious wounds. So happy to hear that your parents have done a wonderful job at accepting you for who are since day 0. Cheers to all parents like that. I’m so glad to hear that you have been leaning in to healthy community (I, unfortunately, have slowly pulled away from mine). This is an encouraging push to make my way back into the loving community I have built in the place I now live. (Especially since I am blessed to remain here for a little while longer as I head back to grad school.) Also, you are the first person outside of my head who has spoken about the ick of being desirable-my friend, I am so happy I am not the only one!!! (Anyway, back to the corner of the room where I lurk and recharge from sharing on the internet.)
It’s super validating to hear your experiences during your gap year! Thank you so much for sharing, I am a new graduate fresh out of high school and am not too sure about what path I want to take. I planned to take a gap year and was really hesitant since it felt like everyone else was moving on without me but I’m happy to hear someone’s similar experiences to me and how they went about their gap year. It feels like a new world of opportunities sprang up just from listening!
for me--i think i felt the same way about romance and dating and so on. i had a first experience with a partner that had asked me out while they weren't mentally stable enough to be dating (i'm talking they were in a psych ward for half of our year-long relationship) and i didn't know myself if i loved them romantically, but i definitely did platonically. i always struggled making that distinction, and so when i broke up with them they thought of me really negatively for "leading them on" (you could definitely see it that way. i just was not like able to make a distinction between platonic and romantic love) now i have another partner, but they are amazing and we've been able to work out that romance and dating are society things that don't actually mean much. we know that we love each other, and that's really all that's needed. it took us a while to get to a point of "dating", using romantic terms, etc. you absolutely do not need to find a partner to feel fulfilled. platonic love is just as powerful, if not more. but i'm also saying that "a partner" doesn't really mean shit. it's basically like a best friend. romantic and platonic love, to me, are kind of constructs?? like--just love people.
Thanks for the update Linh! I recently study abroad to Florence, Italy and romanticize every moment like I was in Call Me By Your Name LMAO. I miss it so much the food, the vibes, the memories with friends. But back in the US now currently doing my summer internship which has been great. Learning so much about corporate branding, marketing, and design! Wishing you da best!
these videos are some of my favourites from you, thank you for sharing your experience on platonic love, I've been trying to figure out my asexuality, and putting in the work in making and maintaining platonic relationships as an adult, it's definitely a lot of work and harder than i remember but i think it'll be worth it. your experience on gap years also resonates with me, I took a 2 year break from school and recently finished my first year of uni, and without my gap year I wouldn't even have known about the thing I'm studying right now, and I'm so so happy for the amazing opportunities you've been having!! you're a big inspiration❤
Hi linh! Glad your doing well! Gosh I really feel you on what you said abt relationships😭. A lot of the time I feel like going in with those expectations hinders you from getting to know a person and it sucks. Also Skip and Loafer is one of my fav anime’s this season let’s goooooo 🎉
My birthday was yesterday and I had a great time, I feel very positive and fulfilling changes coming into my life! Always a joy to watch your videos Linh❤❤
your videos give me so much comfort, and I find when Im struggling the most I watch your videos and I feel like I can breathe haha. Keep being your wonderful self linh, you are incredible!
I'm so glad to hear you are getting back into college and have grown as a person through your gap year. I am currently taking summer classes as well as working my first real job, and seeing your videos after a long, stressful day has been one of my favorite things in the world. Thank you, Linh!
Im so happy to hear your journey and growth linh! I too have been experiencing a lot of changes in my life in terms of career. I finally became an Architect just this June ✨🖤 I hope to see your growth and adventures soon. Love your vids, its very inspiring and entertaining its like Im having a virtual friend. Love lots ✨
This video was so sweet and comforting for me. I also grew up in the church, but as a Lutheran. I went to a Lutheran school for 10 years of my life and after graduating I went to public schools for high school and college. And hearing you talk about your experiences after leaving the church hit me so hard. I don’t even think i’d processed my own feelings about loosing my youth to it so hearing your voice break a bit also made my heart ache. I really appreciated hearing that I’m not alone in this. And also that adult relationships are similar for you too. I’m always so busy now and i feel crazy. The Most Beautiful Moment in Life era is my literal favorite. The songs have such deep and beautiful meanings and i think it also ties back into that longing for your youth. I recently bought 2 “Omnibus”volumes of the Noragomi manga! It’s the first manga i’ve ever owned so i’m really excited to continue the story where the anime left off. Fully recommend to anyone looking for recs!
i used to be so against the idea of a gap year because i wanted my education to be over as soon as possible but then i was so burnt out by my senior year of high school so i took a gap year and worked and traveled and RESTED for 1 year and a half basically and i’m so glad i did. i’m going to florence for a week for summer school next weekend and i’m so excited, florence is my favourite city in the world. plus it means i get to see my family. i got invited to a brunch with other bookish people to meet cassandra clare next wednesday which i’m so excited for. i’ve only got to see her once at the release of her book lord of shadows in 2017 and barely got to talk to her at the signing. i am really excited to finally go on a little trip to a costal town in italy with my cousin towards the end of the summer too before i go back to uni. we’ve been trying to take this trip for 3 years but couldn’t because of so many things (the pandemic especially) so i’m so happy we’re genuinely planning on going this time. i miss the beach living in london😂
I am also a multi-texter lol as well as my partner. Own it! I love texting that way because I feel like it showcases my emotions better. Also edit because I got to the end of the video. I am excited that I finally moved out of my toxic household and am living with my partner for the summer before going back to college. I am not super excited to go back, I kind of wish I had taken a gap year, but also I just want to be done with it at this point so we are pushing through!
Linh you are so amazing. When I was your age all I did was keep saying “I’m done with life” and here you are encouraging people to get new experiences in life. Keep slaying honey 💜💛❤️💙💚
loved this vid 🫶 you're such a comfort youtuber for me!!! currently i'm working on finalizing my second piece for a fashion collection i'm working on :3 so excited!!!
Oh gosh what you said about not wanting people to desire you as something sexual! Same here! I am a biromantic asexual and really, I want people to look at me and think I'm cool and charismatic, I do NOT want them to desire me carnally. I think that's something that also holds me back in dating, as someone sexualising me gives me the major ick
Thank you for your positive view on gap years. I just started one and everyone I tell has a negative reaction. I started to have doubts on my decision but your uplifting view was really refreshing.
Linh, My heart swelled with joy hearing how you are doing. As a queer ex-mo person in the dmv area, I find so much comfort in hearing experiences we share. I look up to all that I have seen you accomplish and I really admire your ability to balance school/life/mental health/etc. While I left the church when I was very young and do not have a lot of personal stories, I have seen my family try to process the religious trauma and so whenever I see another ex-mormon, I admire their strength. Congratulations on all that you have accomplished and I hope you have an amazing rest of your day/week/month/year/life.
hi linh!! i've been super busy with my final exams, almost done with my freshman year of university (philosophy and history are my mayor and minor) and it's been hard, feeling a little burnt out so summer break will do me good. Your videos are very inspiring to me, i'm starting to post my own videos and it's a lot of fun!! stay safe n healthy
I'm going for a taster day for my year 11 and 12 and I am so pumped. I have also going through my first break with my girlfriend of 10 months and it has been tough, but seeing your videos has helped a lot.
I did a gap year before grad school and it was AMAZINGGG! i got to live in dc and meet queer friends, discover new hobbies, and a plus was definitely meeting you, linh, at a safeway hehe
last year i got my first tatto and it was like 2 different eras before and after that, this year i got a big one and i want more and i can feel you when said about artist tatto and designing bc my 2 tattoos was designed by amazing artists which makes me feel like my own personal museum idk feels so great. i'm currently in my gap year before start writing my thesis and everything and finally i can you know procrastinating my mind, breathe without overthinking about the time spend space out and not being productive, being the only child in ur family can be very sucks sometimes for real all the pressure from people and their opinion in ur head, fortunately my parents are very supportive people about my career and life just like urs and random fact my mom was mormon too and i went to the church when i was little and background religious really mess up with you years later at least in my case, starting therapy in my adult era makes me realize so many aspects in my life and gives me opportunity to be better for myself, i can really write a chapter with my updates so the last thing so so good seeing you going around meeting good people, having new experiences and living your life best way you can, thank you for taking time to chat with us through this video linh 💚
hey linh, thank you for being so honest and open with us. Your videos give so many safe space vibes all the time❤ You also inspire me to be myself unapologetically, dress the way I want and live my personality out to the fullest.
linh the staggering surprise i felt when you spoke on your experience as a mormon and losing your youth... just when I think I can’t relate to you more xD I absolutely get what you mean about how well they do community building and that’s genuinely the only thing I ever miss. I was in a spanish speaking ward full of hispanics from all over latin america since I was a kid and I am thankful that I got to have that community growing up, but as someone who dreaded every sunday for having to wear dresses/skirts (nonbinary as well!) and was forced to go to seminary for 3 years (even when it was at 6am... -.-) I do relate to feeling pressures to be someone i’m not. I’m glad I had the opportunity to leave peacefully and with the support of my family, but those years of being instilled homophobic/transphobic/racist/misogynistic beliefs are ones I’m never getting back. anyway we’re healing
krazy idea but damn you NEED a podcast ☺️ you are so well spoken and i love hearing you talk. Your perspective on a lot of things are so relevant and just so smart. ily linh!!!
I love listening to these types of long, chatty videos. I've always considered taking a gap semester after graduating to work and travel. Especially since I want to create more comics, animations, and videos in general! The idea of getting to be with my friends while we explore the world is so appealing. I've also been able to be more present lately, which is really nice to do :]
i think it's been hard for me to recognize what religious trauma can do and what it specifically does to me, but i definitely agree with what you're saying. when you're around people whos community is built around acceptance and understanding, and then you suddenly feel like there is a big gap between you and them, it feels weird and discomforting.
As an ex Mormon as well it is so hard conforming and then also breaking away from all of that .....I'm proud of you for being your best version of you 💜🏳️🌈
as someone who's bestie is also not in the same city anymore, we came up with the idea of just sending each other mini vlogs about our day, and it has been the most fun thing ever, and it's also so beautiful how we feel so much closer now even though we're miles apart. i love friends and friendships so much
I'm always so impressed with you. I'm 10 years older than you but have only recently been finding myself the way you are. As weird as it sounds, I'm proud of you and others doing the same. Thank you for being so open and honest.
I'm at the part you're talking about the gap year, heavy agree. I didn't take one, and tbh at almost 28, I still feel like I'm recovering from the last 25 years. Just grateful my work and privilege have put me a in a spot where I can rest for a while.
i'm abt to head into my final exams for high school and then in the fall, i'm heading into first yr of post secondary waaaaa~ and so hearing ur affirmations that it's ok to take a gap year or just voicing out the hell that is being a student (although i enjoy learning so much, everything else can be a pain to the enjoyment) 24/7 calms me inside a bit. tysm for ur videos, they always make me v happy ^^~ love you
In your last q&a you made me realize I'm gender nonconforming and while it is such a hard journey to go through, it's also so rewarding to discover things about me I never realized before and find out what makes me happy :,) Thank you so much Linh
im also have the same feeling about adulting, my friends that really helps me a lot already married this just makes me so happy for them seeing they already find their soulmates for the rest of their lives
Linh 🥺 Also exmormon here. When you’re voice starting shaking talking about how there is a part of your youth that you will just never get back, it really did break me. Unfortunately, that feeing is all too relatable. I left in 2015 a little after turning 18, after growing up my whole life in the church, very devoutly, starting a several years long journey of deconstruction. After lots of years now, the majority of days it’s something that I just don’t think about anymore. But some days… that feeling that you lost your childhood and can’t ever get it back, and the resentment that often comes with it HITS HARD But it looks like you are living so much much life now! Sending lots of love ❤
The timing! I just got out of an exam for the end of my high school years and tomorrow I have another, you are giving me so much comfort 😭 I really needed a distraction, you are the best🤍 (let's hate the Italian school system together)
as the youngest daughter of an immigrant family, I've always lacked a sense of identity, belonging, and ambition. no one expected anything of me but at the same time they did (generational trauma shit). Ive tried going to school dealing with all this and my mental health and, obviously, it doesn't just fix itself. Ive been pondering a gap year for awhile now and your video has been so helpful linh!!! I'm becoming more comfortable with my thoughts, wants, and needs, so thank you so much, words can't express how grateful i am to you linh
hey linh! i finally get to watch this :D i rarely ever comment on videos but i need you to know that a lot of times when i'm in doubt, your words made me believe in myself more and go through it :) its an oversimplification of my life but just know you helped a lot of people in real life just by doing this, and i want to thank you. stay healthy linh
i’m late to the party and i’m sure you’ve gotten plenty of comments, but i had no idea you were exmormon and i’m super touched you were willing to like be vulnerable and talk about that part of your life. i’m exmormon as well (& nonbinary) and could heavily relate to you in terms of how the church suppressed my thoughts of gender non conformity as a child and alienated me for not fitting in a box….i’m still very much deprogramming and processing and trying to undo the harm that their beliefs and ideals did to me and researching thoroughly the things they try to hide so yeah thank you for talking about that bit with us
linh, you are amazing! Your experiences make me think and consider so much in my life as I try to navigate who I am as I learn to survive as an adult. I live in an area that is predominately Mormon, and I have friends who have had bad experiences while in school because of the culture. I really appreciate you talking about your experiences and giving me some things to think about and reflect on. Especially the part about being an older sibling and taking the leadership and protector role. Thank you so much for your kindness and willingness to share! ly ❤
thanks for being so honest, I love hearing the way you talk about these kinds of topics! I especially love how you emphasized platonic love and queer stuff. I'm on the aro spectrum so I don't really care for dating and I sometimes feel isolated in a world that has so many expectations of romance, so that's why my platonic friendships are so important to me. anyway, happy pride month!
i took a gap year right out of high school graduation in 2019, knowing college (university or community college) wasn't for me as i was so indecisive about what i wanted to study. So the gap year was me discovering new hobbies, having a change of lifestyle and pace, learning about me. And then after that i thought about schooling again, still wasn't really convinced to go if i wasn;'t sure or if it felt like a me thing to do. But i chose to not do it even after i started getting pressure to start enrolling and setting up at a local college, but then covid happened in march 2020 so it was then knew i should just hold off for the time being. It's 2023 and srill only a high school grad but i have a full time job and a side job that i love going to on weekends. There's still pressure on teens that college is the answer, but its not everyone's calling to spend money on what you are positive isn't for you. a few friends i have left from high school graduated university this year and yeah its weird to think its been 4 years already
Linh, i did take a semester off last year bc of my mental health and this decision was so good. Of course now i am a semester further of having a job and making money, and this is not good. But i am certain that if i didn't take that semester, i would failed every class and not get the rest that i deserve. PS: Now that i am back i love study with your videos keeping me company
linh, thank you for sharing your experience of being an ex mormon. i am also one (living in salt lake city no less) and i can totally relate to the sense of losing a community and support that comes with it. it felt like being alienated from everyone i knew since the area i grew up in is predominately LDS. in the end it was a question of personal values vs the comfort of being part of a
community. i am proud of you for sticking to what you believe is right (particularly re: LGBT+) despite the challenges that come with that. ❤
wow thank you for sharing your experience! when I first left, I watched a lot of videos on ex-mormons and their experiences with leaving the lds church and it helped me a lot :,) it’s nice to know you’re not alone.
I grew up around a lot of kids like this (I went to HS in Az) so I appreciate you both sharing. I know it’s not easy ❤
0:00 intro
2:53 any plans for new tattoos?
4:11 have you read any books lately?
5:02 are you still going back to college in the fall?
5:42 how do you feel about your growth or overall life this 2023 year so far?
6:12 how do you manage and balance your social, work, and creative endeavours?
7:50 internships?
8:44 how to network/build your resume?
12:35 any moments of gender euphoria you want to share?
14:19 how did your parents react to your identity/pronouns?
20:00 dating anyone? any crushes? what do you look for in a potential partner?
22:10 fav bts era and/or album?
23:15 any new animemanga you're currently enjoying?
I’m a simple creature - I see linh post and click immediately and she never fails to amaze 😌
You literally said my words perfectly 🎉❤❤
Same ❤
yess she's the best
I'm a complicated creature, I wait as long as possible before clicking on new linh videos
Same
hey linh, I'm ex-mormon too. What you said about the church taking away your youth and you'll never get that back is something I relate to deeply. I'm sorry. It makes me so sad thinking about all the people that have been hurt by the church. But I appreciate your vulnerability. It reminds me that we're not alone. Thanks for sharing!
Feeling the need to be what I know others will applaud can often feel isolating. Hearing others’ experience with that same struggle doesn’t necessarily take away that feeling but it gives me hope that it’ll get better
it does! everyone has their own path and it sucks that we measure life with certain milestones :/ but you’re not alone!
@@withlovelinh thank you🫶🏽❤️
as a trans person, it means so so much to me that you speak on anti-trans legislation. you’re amazing. sending lots of love to everyone who needs it. 💗
I have not seen any of this legislation. Can you cite your sources and explain why it is "anti" exactly not just protective of other groups? Anti any specific group laws are unconstitutional so this is surprising if they really exist.
@@csabo1725check out the description under the video! Linh links resources about anti-Trans bills
Oh Wow!! Great internships!! And I agree with taking a gap year. I took a gap year before starting grad school and used that time to study for the GMAT as well to save money. That gap year made all the difference to me!
YES GAP YEAR FTW! I’m so proud of ya too, hope grad school is going/went well!
Linh you're genuinely one of the most relatable people ever. No matter a persons ethnicity, gender or sexuality, they can relate to you. I personally understand not fitting into the stereotypical "Daughter role", and how much it changed my childhood nor wanting to dress like all the other people around me. And you dont sugarcoat issues in the world to make other people happy, and that's a wonderful trait that I'm sure a ton of people admire! Thank you for being you and helping so many people in the world!
Linh that religious trauma talk really hit home for me. I’m in the process of trying to figure myself out. I’ve known I was bisexual for awhile and was content with keeping that a secret but now that I’m in the process of finding out my gender identity it seems like something I can’t keep hiding. I want to break away from Christianity but I’m also deathly afraid and anxious about what happens after I do so. That includes after I die and with my family. As a child I was constantly told that I need to do this and I need to do that in order to make it to heaven and one of the biggest no-no’s was being gay and I’m so scared that I don’t even think I’m following God because I love and trust him but because I don’t want to go to hell! I honestly believe that religion is honestly the cause of most of my anxiety these days. Anyways, sorry for the trauma dump and Happy Pride Everyone!! 🏳️🌈🫶🏾
felt this so much, i'm pan and I grew up Christian and it's definitely a lot to navigate, but take your time!
Best of luck on your journey. Just wanted to say as someone who is Christian, I hate that people put so much spotlight on just homosexuality when really the focus should always be just on following God and getting to know him and fostering that relationship. My opinion would be to pursue the relationship with God and see where He leads you but also take care of yourself. None of us are perfect and have it right and I don't think God expects us to.
When you were talking about your parents raising you, it made me realize I had a similar situation! There were things they still kind of attributed to us based on gender (but honestly interest too) but my mom always told me to live my life and focus on my career, travel, etc. before I settle down (if I wanted to). Same thing with my dad and step dad, they genuinely never really cared
I literally froze when you said religious trauma and Mormonism. I’m older than you but have been learning so much from you about self identity and watching you grow has been like actually pretty healing. Here’s to being Asian, nb, tattoo’ed, and ex-mo!! :’)))
I'm new here, and I was very surprised to see you were ex-mormon. What you said about it was really relatable to me and I am definitely feeling that confliction you get when you start to think critically about the church's ideals and your own. It's very hard. There are simultaneously valuable things I identify with and things that are really troubling me with the church, and it has been difficult in the past (and still) to reconcile them. But as a highschooler required to go to seminary, it was so nice to hear you talking about it and it really brought tears to my eyes. Your voice and honesty are so inspirational to me thank you
thank you for sharing your story ❤ there is a lot that i could not understand of the church ideals and the realities of MY identity and who i know i am, so i decided to pray and reflect on it. for myself, i found that it isn't the church itself that i need to conform to. "the church" isnt what i believe in. its the gospel. its HF, HG, and JC. its the principles that help me love myself, my family, and all the others around me. so many stories of faith within our scriptures helped me find this guidance for myself where i felt like i was losing my steps and balance, spiritually. this is where i found so much balance, and i enjoyed my place more. i felt even more comfortable in my sexuality and gender identity after these prayers and reflections, due to having a Real relationship with HF at this point. my testimony grew stronger after i had the guts to question HF and really hear Him. sorry for babbling, i just felt like sharing. hope you have a great day , i hope this helps in one way or another!!
We wish you all the best no matter what. Pain is just temporary, and we all know for sure you’ll be able to heal and get past that.
When you spoke about your religious trauma it felt like you said everything that I couldn't say for years. Also when you mentioned how lonely you'd feel as the only poc in the church too. Back when I was a Christian I felt like I was trading who I really was for the community and youthfulness that I felt in the church. This video has made me feel so seen and so welcomed. Thank you so much linh!!
i just turned 37 after finally getting top surgery in march, and it makes me so happy to see younger people able to have conversations like this and access resources like this video at earlier points in life 🥲 there are many ways in which it's scary to be queer in the world right now, but young people are making a huge difference by normalizing topics like this more and more all the time, you guys are badasses!
I feel the same way ! I'm 29 and it took so much time to figure some things out on myself, and when I see younger people being so "ahead" in the process than I was at their age, I'm so glad and proud and impressed.
linh, you’ve truly felt like my best friend for as long as i’ve watched you (for the last four years) and you’ve been my inspiration for so long, i feel like i’ve grown as a person alongside you and i’m so grateful to have watched your very first vlog all those years ago
the part where you share about your experience in mormonism hit me so hard. i had always felt a little different than my female peers, and i never really felt the full "girl" experience that a lot of kids my age had. i remember when i wore more "girly" clothes to church one day, and a friend of mine made a comment about how i "actually looked like a girl today!" i agree that something in me changed that day. its hard to know, especially as a young kid, why i felt different, but you sharing your experience validated me so much. thank you so so much.
That was an emotional punch. I'm glad you are doing better, and I wish you all the best ❤
okay so you asked, i deliver!!
hey linh
starting my day off with a new linh video...hope has been restored the ecosystem is healing the vibes are vibing
thank you so much for sharing linh, the bit when you were talking about the way your parents raised you as well as mormonism was very vulnerable. you're extremely articulate and talented! love u
It's so comforting to see someone I really look up to online talk about their experience with mormonism. I was raised mormon and since I still live with my parents and am a teenager, I am forced to attend church and activities and it puts a lot of stress on my mental health having to fight all these norms and ideas that i don't agree with. I love you Linh, it means a lot that you share your experience cause it helps those of us who also deal with religious trauma heal and know we are not alone.
lately i’ve been busy packing and moving, so having you upload right in the middle of all of this really makes me feel calm. last night i moved into my new house and i LOVE it. my room is so cozy and peaceful, i love it soso much. thank you for uploading, you make peoples lives very nice with your calming voice. LOVE YOU LINH
In terms of dating I'm in a similar boat of deciding to just not HAHA. I've always been in a relationship and have been realizing more and more how much I hopped into them [romantic and platonic] for validation, and not because I loved them for who they were. I've really been taking the time to be alone, to learn who I really am without anyone else influence, and to learn how to love and accept all of those aspects about myself alongside embracing and accepting my shadow side. I'm becoming my own bestfriend, best lover, best family member, best support system and its been a painful but beautiful experience so far!
p.s. I'm super fudging geeked for your silver jewelry line. I'm excited to get my hands on a few pieces!!!!
I’ve been contemplating if I’m going to take a gap year for a long time and I’m regretting I didn’t just because no one around me did. seeing how you enjoyed your gap year made me envious. 😢
Can you maybe explain your situation a little more? Of course only if you want to!! I am in a similar situation and I would love to know what you did after school and how you wished you did it
@@charlottew.8460
after finishing my 3rd year, i felt exhausted after all the pressure from pandemic, from school (my uni is in tri sem so triple the work a year), social pressure. i watched linh’s video last year and discussed it with my parents. obviously they were against it since they wanted me to graduate already, also when i discussed it with my friends they obviously have no clue what that was because it’s not very common.
i still continued my study and it literally ruined my mental health because i obviously am not willing to go to school because i want to take my gap year. my parents agreed to me just taking off 1 sem (about 3months). i did get rest but you cant even apply for jobs for only 3 months so im stuck in the house doing nothing but commissions (which is not on regular basis).. i have a friend who’s not financially independent but took a gap year (shes the first person we know to do that so a lot of people got shocked), had a lot of opportunities and now her resume is full of credentials and experiences so im quite jealous of her (but very happy for her at the same time). she said that taking a year off is the best thing she did.
i hope i explained it well since english is not my first language 😳
I’m not mormon or remigious and I have virtually no experience with being either, but it’s interesting to hear about other peoples experiences with being mormon and how it effected their identity/they way they express their identity and the pressures that come with it, i’ll definenently be watching more videos on it and hearing other peoples experiences! It’s also really interesting to see other trans people talk abt their identity and how it relates to their race. I’m white and skandinavian and I grew up in a very white, christian and non-queer town in austria, so seeing poc talk about their experiences gives me a lot more perspective on queer identities and how they relate to race. Also really glad you adressed the anti trans laws currently being put into place/suggested in a lot of states. I’m swedish and I also live in Sweden for the time being, and i’m very thankful that this country is so supportive of LGBTQ+ rights and people, but the laws and bills still make me worried for trans and queer people in the US. (Sorry if my english is bad it isn’t my first language)
I love hearing you talk about mormonism because I can relate to it so much. I grew up mormon and still am, but I truly believe that you don't need to sacrifice your values to practice certain religions. As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, I dealt with so much religious trauma. I was in the closet for so many years, absolutely terrified to tell anyone- thinking that I would be disowned if I told my parents. I did end up coming out to them and even though they were a bit iffy about it, they've now become so supportive. Suddenly everything I thought I knew about them was wrong. I've found people in the church like me, and its entirely changed my view on mormonism. Of course there are still so many ridiculous people I deal with in the church but I openly talk about my more liberal views in church and have opened some minds. The church itself is getting a lot better now too. I remember back then we weren't even allowed to wear certain types of clothing, have certain hairstyles, or get tattoos or multiple piercings- but theyve changed all those ridiculous mysognistic guidelines. I think with progressive christianity, everythings going in a better direction.
thank you so much for sharing your thoughts! As a fellow member I am appreciative of your bravery and echo your sentiments.
im in the same boat ❤ there is a lot of trauma that many members can go through that paralyzes and limits you, which is why many people leave the church. the community around the church they attend heavily influences it as well, so it makes it very hard to think about even staying. thankfully, i did not have a community like that. there is so much of the gospel that is interlaced with our community (lgbt) and the love HF has for us all, especially with your personal testimony and relationship with HF. im glad i dont have that traumatic experience with the church and my gender identity+sexual orientation dont feel like something in danger of my love for the gospel / my spiritual relationship with it, but rather a BOOSTER to my testimony. like you said, there are still a majority of very ignorant minds but it's better to speak more liberally around these people to remind them that we exist and we arent going anywhere.
@@andrealiee yes!! i definitely agree with this. ive moved so many times in my life and got to experience being at so many different stakes. i can say with confidence that just because we all practice the same religion, the church you go to heavily influences your views on the religion itself. Back when I lived in the suburbs most people were extremely conservative. But after moving to the city, majority of the people at our church are rather open minded. Its great that youve had a good experience with the lds community. i also feel that being comfortable with my sexuality has actually brought me CLOSER to god.
I feel so seen, so understood, so encouraged. Gosh, Linh! You’re so amazingly smart, and I’ll be taking all this life advice with me, everywhere I go. I love you so much - thank you for putting all this effort in us 🍓✨
This part about the organizational nightmare of seeing your friends once a quarter. The worse is I feel like I'm the only one who is not busy, so I'm just bored and lonely most of the time.
i love u linh, i had just decided to take a gap year around when u did last year and u really comforted me on my fears. it's so fun to see u getting back to sch now
this was a lovely catch-up! i actually rewatched one of your older ones & loved the feeling of, like you said, a facetime call. I've just finished exams and felt a bit lonely not having my friends around after a friendship group split - it's been comforting to hear about your big decisions & also relate to some of your past church experiences as i grow into a new and better community :] wishing you (and everyone who reads) all the best!
i love listening to you talk it’s so like comforting in a way you just have that voice that makes you want to listen i can’t describe it
Linh!!! Your good luck wishes paid offffff orientation was so good!! I met so many people and that's surprising since social anxiety kinda hits when you least want it to. I'm so proud to have helped organize a 6 person Barbie Princess and the Pauper watch party night 1 which originally was just the friends I made but spiraled into having 23 people total!!! It's one of my favorite memories for sure and makes me super excited for school, thank you so much for commenting on my last post and giving me the drive and excitement to step out of my comfort zone. And to everyone also starting college or something new in general, you got this!!! It might be scary but courage isn't the absence of fear, it's the overcoming of it, and you're all hot, courageous people!!
when you said that the butterfly tattoo was inspired by Ocean Vuong's novel, I started crying because 1) I adore that novel and identify so much with the butterflies and 2) I always associated that metaphor with you!! i remember reading the book and reaching the end where he finishes the idea of the butterflies and just thinking how much it sounds like linh - please give me your thoughts when you finish it
linh, thank you so much for bringing such important topics and sharing your experiences 🫶🏼 from someone who’s going through immigration at the age of 20 and is queer but grew up in a country where it is forbidden to even talk about lgbtq+ - please know that you give us SO SO SO much support and inspiration JUST by telling about the tiniest experiences and being just the way you are 💗💗💗 lots of love!
The way I’ve been craving a linh sit down video like caffeine and have finally gotten it has just made my week
excited! hope you enjoy school again! all the best linh ily
ily2! :,)
linh, when i tell you it was like looking in a mirror when you were opening up about your experience with your gender identity and everything. i, too, felt for so long like an outsider to "feminine" things. i, too, quickly grew out of that stuff and became less and less comfortable with skirts and dresses. being non-binary, and seeing you open up about that and speak up about the anti-lgbtq+ laws/restrictions/legislations that are currently taking place, just meant so so much to me!
as for me + my life, i am currently enjoying my summer vacation, just finished community college and heading off to complete my final 2 years to achieve my bachelor's (BSA!!) and i am so excited! looking back at high school and early college me, i have grown and changed A LOT. but in a good way :) i am very happy, very excited about my future, and very satisfied with my life and where i am in this moment! love u and ur vids
Amazing seeing how everyone is growing. I am graduating in 2 days from pre-grad school and I'm so happy right now. Love listening to you!
I love hearing you talk about your identity and experience growing up. I also am the oldest child, I kinda fell into womanly roles (especially growing up mormon in Utah) I love your thoughts so much. I kinda lost my path a little bit and got lost in mormonism trying to conform and ended up getting married when I was 19. Thank you for sharing your story. I am also healing as a 22 year old now trying to navigate so many things. This is such a lovely video thank you for sharing :))
from one exmo to another, best of luck in your healing journey
i am going into uni this fall as a freshmen and it's so fun to see you also go back to school. it makes the process feel less daunting to know other people are part of it. also i LITERALLY JUST FINISHED ON EARTH WE'RE BRIEFLY GORGEOUS AND IT LEFT ME *DESTROYED*. hope you have a great time in the upcoming months at uni, looking forward to vlogs lysm❤❤
HAPPY PRIDE MONTH, BESTIE! ILY!
I came out as lesbian two years back hehe
HAPPY PRIDE MONTH YUHHH :,) 🫶🫶🫶🫶🫶🫶
As someone who just finished their gap year, it makes me so happy to see you talk about it :)) I keep saying that if anyone wants to take a gap year, and they're able to do so, they absolutely should!!!
I just love this time of video because I just feel like i am having a heartfelt conversation with Linh and that feels nice :)
You’re the perfect person to have playing in the background while I do school stuff or art. I just finished my first exams, as much I don’t want to do it again I gotta have too but I feel confident that I did pass but till find that out next week, you give me so much hope for my future and inspire me to keep pushing. Continue what you love and have a great day!
Thank you for the video Linh and for being so open and vulnerable with us. I have a lot to say but I’ll keep it short.
It was lovely seeing that I am not the only this past year and some who’s been processing gender and sexuality and healing some religious wounds. So happy to hear that your parents have done a wonderful job at accepting you for who are since day 0. Cheers to all parents like that. I’m so glad to hear that you have been leaning in to healthy community (I, unfortunately, have slowly pulled away from mine). This is an encouraging push to make my way back into the loving community I have built in the place I now live. (Especially since I am blessed to remain here for a little while longer as I head back to grad school.) Also, you are the first person outside of my head who has spoken about the ick of being desirable-my friend, I am so happy I am not the only one!!!
(Anyway, back to the corner of the room where I lurk and recharge from sharing on the internet.)
It’s super validating to hear your experiences during your gap year! Thank you so much for sharing, I am a new graduate fresh out of high school and am not too sure about what path I want to take. I planned to take a gap year and was really hesitant since it felt like everyone else was moving on without me but I’m happy to hear someone’s similar experiences to me and how they went about their gap year. It feels like a new world of opportunities sprang up just from listening!
for me--i think i felt the same way about romance and dating and so on.
i had a first experience with a partner that had asked me out while they weren't mentally stable enough to be dating (i'm talking they were in a psych ward for half of our year-long relationship) and i didn't know myself if i loved them romantically, but i definitely did platonically.
i always struggled making that distinction, and so when i broke up with them they thought of me really negatively for "leading them on" (you could definitely see it that way. i just was not like able to make a distinction between platonic and romantic love)
now i have another partner, but they are amazing and we've been able to work out that romance and dating are society things that don't actually mean much.
we know that we love each other, and that's really all that's needed.
it took us a while to get to a point of "dating", using romantic terms, etc.
you absolutely do not need to find a partner to feel fulfilled. platonic love is just as powerful, if not more.
but i'm also saying that "a partner" doesn't really mean shit. it's basically like a best friend. romantic and platonic love, to me, are kind of constructs?? like--just love people.
Thanks for the update Linh! I recently study abroad to Florence, Italy and romanticize every moment like I was in Call Me By Your Name LMAO. I miss it so much the food, the vibes, the memories with friends. But back in the US now currently doing my summer internship which has been great. Learning so much about corporate branding, marketing, and design! Wishing you da best!
these videos are some of my favourites from you, thank you for sharing your experience on platonic love, I've been trying to figure out my asexuality, and putting in the work in making and maintaining platonic relationships as an adult, it's definitely a lot of work and harder than i remember but i think it'll be worth it. your experience on gap years also resonates with me, I took a 2 year break from school and recently finished my first year of uni, and without my gap year I wouldn't even have known about the thing I'm studying right now, and I'm so so happy for the amazing opportunities you've been having!! you're a big inspiration❤
if you don't mind me asking, what are you studying ?
Hi linh! Glad your doing well! Gosh I really feel you on what you said abt relationships😭. A lot of the time I feel like going in with those expectations hinders you from getting to know a person and it sucks. Also Skip and Loafer is one of my fav anime’s this season let’s goooooo 🎉
My birthday was yesterday and I had a great time, I feel very positive and fulfilling changes coming into my life! Always a joy to watch your videos Linh❤❤
HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY WAHHH
@@withlovelinh thank you lovely!!!❤️❤️
I love watching her videos when i am taking a break from studying.They are so relaxing 💜💜
your videos give me so much comfort, and I find when Im struggling the most I watch your videos and I feel like I can breathe haha. Keep being your wonderful self linh, you are incredible!
I'm so glad to hear you are getting back into college and have grown as a person through your gap year. I am currently taking summer classes as well as working my first real job, and seeing your videos after a long, stressful day has been one of my favorite things in the world. Thank you, Linh!
Im so happy to hear your journey and growth linh! I too have been experiencing a lot of changes in my life in terms of career. I finally became an Architect just this June ✨🖤 I hope to see your growth and adventures soon. Love your vids, its very inspiring and entertaining its like Im having a virtual friend. Love lots ✨
This video was so sweet and comforting for me. I also grew up in the church, but as a Lutheran. I went to a Lutheran school for 10 years of my life and after graduating I went to public schools for high school and college. And hearing you talk about your experiences after leaving the church hit me so hard. I don’t even think i’d processed my own feelings about loosing my youth to it so hearing your voice break a bit also made my heart ache. I really appreciated hearing that I’m not alone in this. And also that adult relationships are similar for you too. I’m always so busy now and i feel crazy.
The Most Beautiful Moment in Life era is my literal favorite. The songs have such deep and beautiful meanings and i think it also ties back into that longing for your youth.
I recently bought 2 “Omnibus”volumes of the Noragomi manga! It’s the first manga i’ve ever owned so i’m really excited to continue the story where the anime left off. Fully recommend to anyone looking for recs!
i used to be so against the idea of a gap year because i wanted my education to be over as soon as possible but then i was so burnt out by my senior year of high school so i took a gap year and worked and traveled and RESTED for 1 year and a half basically and i’m so glad i did. i’m going to florence for a week for summer school next weekend and i’m so excited, florence is my favourite city in the world. plus it means i get to see my family. i got invited to a brunch with other bookish people to meet cassandra clare next wednesday which i’m so excited for. i’ve only got to see her once at the release of her book lord of shadows in 2017 and barely got to talk to her at the signing. i am really excited to finally go on a little trip to a costal town in italy with my cousin towards the end of the summer too before i go back to uni. we’ve been trying to take this trip for 3 years but couldn’t because of so many things (the pandemic especially) so i’m so happy we’re genuinely planning on going this time. i miss the beach living in london😂
I am also a multi-texter lol as well as my partner. Own it! I love texting that way because I feel like it showcases my emotions better.
Also edit because I got to the end of the video. I am excited that I finally moved out of my toxic household and am living with my partner for the summer before going back to college. I am not super excited to go back, I kind of wish I had taken a gap year, but also I just want to be done with it at this point so we are pushing through!
Linh you are so amazing. When I was your age all I did was keep saying “I’m done with life” and here you are encouraging people to get new experiences in life. Keep slaying honey 💜💛❤️💙💚
loved this vid 🫶 you're such a comfort youtuber for me!!! currently i'm working on finalizing my second piece for a fashion collection i'm working on :3 so excited!!!
always love hearing your opinions on issues that matter linh!! thanks for always sharing us your thoughts :)
my heart goes to everyone in the comments who has trauma related to religion or identity/queerness :( Love yall
Oh gosh what you said about not wanting people to desire you as something sexual! Same here! I am a biromantic asexual and really, I want people to look at me and think I'm cool and charismatic, I do NOT want them to desire me carnally. I think that's something that also holds me back in dating, as someone sexualising me gives me the major ick
Thank you for your positive view on gap years. I just started one and everyone I tell has a negative reaction. I started to have doubts on my decision but your uplifting view was really refreshing.
Linh, My heart swelled with joy hearing how you are doing. As a queer ex-mo person in the dmv area, I find so much comfort in hearing experiences we share. I look up to all that I have seen you accomplish and I really admire your ability to balance school/life/mental health/etc. While I left the church when I was very young and do not have a lot of personal stories, I have seen my family try to process the religious trauma and so whenever I see another ex-mormon, I admire their strength. Congratulations on all that you have accomplished and I hope you have an amazing rest of your day/week/month/year/life.
HI LINH
hi linh!! i've been super busy with my final exams, almost done with my freshman year of university (philosophy and history are my mayor and minor) and it's been hard, feeling a little burnt out so summer break will do me good. Your videos are very inspiring to me, i'm starting to post my own videos and it's a lot of fun!! stay safe n healthy
I'm going for a taster day for my year 11 and 12 and I am so pumped.
I have also going through my first break with my girlfriend of 10 months and it has been tough, but seeing your videos has helped a lot.
I did a gap year before grad school and it was AMAZINGGG! i got to live in dc and meet queer friends, discover new hobbies, and a plus was definitely meeting you, linh, at a safeway hehe
last year i got my first tatto and it was like 2 different eras before and after that, this year i got a big one and i want more and i can feel you when said about artist tatto and designing bc my 2 tattoos was designed by amazing artists which makes me feel like my own personal museum idk feels so great. i'm currently in my gap year before start writing my thesis and everything and finally i can you know procrastinating my mind, breathe without overthinking about the time spend space out and not being productive, being the only child in ur family can be very sucks sometimes for real all the pressure from people and their opinion in ur head, fortunately my parents are very supportive people about my career and life just like urs and random fact my mom was mormon too and i went to the church when i was little and background religious really mess up with you years later at least in my case, starting therapy in my adult era makes me realize so many aspects in my life and gives me opportunity to be better for myself, i can really write a chapter with my updates so the last thing so so good seeing you going around meeting good people, having new experiences and living your life best way you can, thank you for taking time to chat with us through this video linh 💚
Thank you for your videos Linh
hey linh, thank you for being so honest and open with us. Your videos give so many safe space vibes all the time❤
You also inspire me to be myself unapologetically, dress the way I want and live my personality out to the fullest.
linh the staggering surprise i felt when you spoke on your experience as a mormon and losing your youth... just when I think I can’t relate to you more xD I absolutely get what you mean about how well they do community building and that’s genuinely the only thing I ever miss. I was in a spanish speaking ward full of hispanics from all over latin america since I was a kid and I am thankful that I got to have that community growing up, but as someone who dreaded every sunday for having to wear dresses/skirts (nonbinary as well!) and was forced to go to seminary for 3 years (even when it was at 6am... -.-) I do relate to feeling pressures to be someone i’m not. I’m glad I had the opportunity to leave peacefully and with the support of my family, but those years of being instilled homophobic/transphobic/racist/misogynistic beliefs are ones I’m never getting back. anyway we’re healing
krazy idea but damn you NEED a podcast ☺️ you are so well spoken and i love hearing you talk. Your perspective on a lot of things are so relevant and just so smart. ily linh!!!
I love listening to these types of long, chatty videos. I've always considered taking a gap semester after graduating to work and travel. Especially since I want to create more comics, animations, and videos in general! The idea of getting to be with my friends while we explore the world is so appealing. I've also been able to be more present lately, which is really nice to do :]
i think it's been hard for me to recognize what religious trauma can do and what it specifically does to me, but i definitely agree with what you're saying. when you're around people whos community is built around acceptance and understanding, and then you suddenly feel like there is a big gap between you and them, it feels weird and discomforting.
As an ex Mormon as well it is so hard conforming and then also breaking away from all of that .....I'm proud of you for being your best version of you 💜🏳️🌈
as someone who's bestie is also not in the same city anymore, we came up with the idea of just sending each other mini vlogs about our day, and it has been the most fun thing ever, and it's also so beautiful how we feel so much closer now even though we're miles apart. i love friends and friendships so much
Hi Linh!! Your videos never fail to make me happy, I love your aesthetic and style so much! Love you!
I recently finished reading On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous and when I say it was the best piece I’ve read
I'm always so impressed with you. I'm 10 years older than you but have only recently been finding myself the way you are. As weird as it sounds, I'm proud of you and others doing the same. Thank you for being so open and honest.
this was so honest and truly like a facetime call!!
I love the outfit!! You always dress so effortlessly! Couldn’t be me💀
I'm at the part you're talking about the gap year, heavy agree. I didn't take one, and tbh at almost 28, I still feel like I'm recovering from the last 25 years. Just grateful my work and privilege have put me a in a spot where I can rest for a while.
i'm abt to head into my final exams for high school and then in the fall, i'm heading into first yr of post secondary waaaaa~ and so hearing ur affirmations that it's ok to take a gap year or just voicing out the hell that is being a student (although i enjoy learning so much, everything else can be a pain to the enjoyment) 24/7 calms me inside a bit. tysm for ur videos, they always make me v happy ^^~ love you
In your last q&a you made me realize I'm gender nonconforming and while it is such a hard journey to go through, it's also so rewarding to discover things about me I never realized before and find out what makes me happy :,) Thank you so much Linh
with this new launch, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE make your jewellery available to ship to India. love you Linh. you're amazing!
im also have the same feeling about adulting, my friends that really helps me a lot already married this just makes me so happy for them seeing they already find their soulmates for the rest of their lives
Love you Linh.... been binge-watching you for a while now ❤️
Linh 🥺
Also exmormon here. When you’re voice starting shaking talking about how there is a part of your youth that you will just never get back, it really did break me. Unfortunately, that feeing is all too relatable.
I left in 2015 a little after turning 18, after growing up my whole life in the church, very devoutly, starting a several years long journey of deconstruction. After lots of years now, the majority of days it’s something that I just don’t think about anymore. But some days… that feeling that you lost your childhood and can’t ever get it back, and the resentment that often comes with it HITS HARD
But it looks like you are living so much much life now! Sending lots of love ❤
its so nice to see your growth and that you are spending time on yourself and your platonic friendships
The timing! I just got out of an exam for the end of my high school years and tomorrow I have another, you are giving me so much comfort 😭 I really needed a distraction, you are the best🤍 (let's hate the Italian school system together)
as the youngest daughter of an immigrant family, I've always lacked a sense of identity, belonging, and ambition. no one expected anything of me but at the same time they did (generational trauma shit). Ive tried going to school dealing with all this and my mental health and, obviously, it doesn't just fix itself. Ive been pondering a gap year for awhile now and your video has been so helpful linh!!! I'm becoming more comfortable with my thoughts, wants, and needs, so thank you so much, words can't express how grateful i am to you linh
hey linh! i finally get to watch this :D i rarely ever comment on videos but i need you to know that a lot of times when i'm in doubt, your words made me believe in myself more and go through it :) its an oversimplification of my life but just know you helped a lot of people in real life just by doing this, and i want to thank you. stay healthy linh
i’m late to the party and i’m sure you’ve gotten plenty of comments, but i had no idea you were exmormon and i’m super touched you were willing to like be vulnerable and talk about that part of your life. i’m exmormon as well (& nonbinary) and could heavily relate to you in terms of how the church suppressed my thoughts of gender non conformity as a child and alienated me for not fitting in a box….i’m still very much deprogramming and processing and trying to undo the harm that their beliefs and ideals did to me and researching thoroughly the things they try to hide so yeah thank you for talking about that bit with us
linh, you are amazing! Your experiences make me think and consider so much in my life as I try to navigate who I am as I learn to survive as an adult. I live in an area that is predominately Mormon, and I have friends who have had bad experiences while in school because of the culture. I really appreciate you talking about your experiences and giving me some things to think about and reflect on. Especially the part about being an older sibling and taking the leadership and protector role. Thank you so much for your kindness and willingness to share! ly ❤
thanks for being so honest, I love hearing the way you talk about these kinds of topics! I especially love how you emphasized platonic love and queer stuff. I'm on the aro spectrum so I don't really care for dating and I sometimes feel isolated in a world that has so many expectations of romance, so that's why my platonic friendships are so important to me. anyway, happy pride month!
as a fellow aro, a big yes to all that
i took a gap year right out of high school graduation in 2019, knowing college (university or community college) wasn't for me as i was so indecisive about what i wanted to study. So the gap year was me discovering new hobbies, having a change of lifestyle and pace, learning about me. And then after that i thought about schooling again, still wasn't really convinced to go if i wasn;'t sure or if it felt like a me thing to do. But i chose to not do it even after i started getting pressure to start enrolling and setting up at a local college, but then covid happened in march 2020 so it was then knew i should just hold off for the time being. It's 2023 and srill only a high school grad but i have a full time job and a side job that i love going to on weekends. There's still pressure on teens that college is the answer, but its not everyone's calling to spend money on what you are positive isn't for you. a few friends i have left from high school graduated university this year and yeah its weird to think its been 4 years already
Linh, i did take a semester off last year bc of my mental health and this decision was so good. Of course now i am a semester further of having a job and making money, and this is not good. But i am certain that if i didn't take that semester, i would failed every class and not get the rest that i deserve.
PS: Now that i am back i love study with your videos keeping me company