the story of ‘yan.’

Hello, this is the story of Yen. Have you ever had a moment that changed everything? For me, that moment came on October 3rd, 2024. On that day, I had an epiphany, a calling if you will. But before that moment, I was at my lowest. I had just returned from my scholarship program and graduated, only to find myself stuck in the limbo. Don't get me wrong, I cherished the experience, yet the abrupt shift left me feeling unsettled. I had family close by but no close friends near me as they were all in Seattle. I didn't have a job, yet I seemingly had everything I needed, which I'm grateful for. I had also recently ended a relationship. Emotionally and mentally, I was at rock bottom, overwhelmed by ambivalence. It felt like there was there was nowhere else to go but up. Nothing could get worse, so I thought, why not do something about it? Was I motivated? Not exactly, but I acted anyway. I posted a video about lessons I had learned from love, and to my surprise, it went viral on YouTube, amassing 560,000 views in just two months. Encouraged, I shared another video about beliefs I had let go of. And it skyrocketed to 1.5 million views in the same time frame. This growth brought not only incredible support but also new faces, my new family, all of you. When no one else could help me, I realized I had to save myself. That's why I started my YouTube channel. I often get asked, why did you start a YouTube channel? And why did you name it Yet? I began documenting lessons I'd learned from books, scientific articles, my parents, and life itself, mainly as a reminder for me to look back on later in life. Sharing this knowledge felt meaningful, especially in a world where genuine insights often feel scarce. As for the name Yin, it is my Mandarin name. My full name is Yin Yin, but I chose one character to represent my channel. In Mandarin, Yan carries profound meaning. The top part, zhi, represents the sun, while the bottom, mian, also known as bao gai tou, depicts a house sheltering a girl inside, nu. To me, it symbolizes safety, warmth, and authenticity— qualities I want my channel to embody. I aim for it to be a safe, comforting space for everyone. What's the secret to my success? Thinking about what to share with you all from morning to night. It's what keeps me awake at 1 AM. I love guiding people, and it was once my dream to become an adolescent psychologist. That old dream still inspires me every day. So as you start this new year, focus on what you're passionate about and what you're good at. Pursue it and really start this year, 2025. Let the rest take its natural course and success will naturally follow. I hope you have a good year.