What up beautiful people? It is your homegirl Ms. Shameless,
all up in my work area.
This is the work area.
And this video is entitled, "#DEARME."
And it's basically what advice would I give my former younger self.
My first tip for younger Maya, pre-Shamelessness
is to be kind, and it's all about being empathetic,
and thinking about yourself in that person's position.
So, I love to do this in New York when I'm on the trains.
I always see women going up the stairs with a stroller, with a child,
and nobody helping them.
I like to make a point to stop and help them up the stairs,
because that was my struggle with my mom growing up,
it was her raising me and my brother.
And I remember going up a flight of stairs,
and she was carrying my brother in one stroller,
and me walking in the other.
So if you were in that position you'd want some help.
Also helping people with suitcases,
and not just strangers, but your friends and your family.
I have a 90 year old aunt that lives not too far from me.
So I try to make it an effort to visit every weekend and call.
Which reminds me I have to call right after this,
oh it's still too early.
My next tip is to work hard.
Work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work.
Luck is preparation meeting opportunity.
And in order to be prepared you have to put in the work.
There are no shortcuts in life.
I didn't realize how valuable all the work I've done
over the course of all these years have been,
but now that I am where I am,
the things that I took for granted like the
thousands of hours I spent editing photos,
taking photos, working a billion jobs,
they all make sense now that, and I am in this awesome space.
And it didn't come --
It came through luck,
preparation meeting opportunity, hello.
Then my next tip is to,
this is especially for you young ones,
I don't know how young you guys are,
but do not give into peer pressure.
And in order to not give into peer pressure
you need to be strong, and sure of who you are.
Always ask questions,
whether it's other people or yourself.
Is this something I agree with?
Do I believe in what these people are doing?
If you don't agree with it,
and you don't believe in it, don't support it.
Don't support things just because you want to be cool.
Being cool, if that what it means to be cool
that just means you're a follower.
Be independent, and be a leader, set the tone, is all I'm saying.
Have I been like that growing up?
Peer pressure? I was kind of in my own world. [chuckles]
Prom night, prom night,
I did not do what people do on prom night.
I didn't give into the peer pressure, I didn't go there.
What else? Be grateful, be grateful for everything that you have.
Did you know that you are living a life that someone is praying for?
Someone, somewhere in the world would give a lot to have what you have,
so be grateful with what you have so you can receive more.
And of course the tips that I always leave off with is to do you.
Doing you is so important.
I had a passion for the arts ever since I can remember.
And when I was a teenager I remember my mom would
try to dissuade me from pursuing it,
because she was concerned, she cared, she's a parent,
she doesn't want me to live a life of struggle.
And if I listened to her I would not be where I am.
So, I was like, "Thanks mom."
I attempted to do what she wanted me to do,
so I went to university, took business courses,
did the whole accountant thing, was not for me.
I went back to doing me,
and it's been doing pretty well.
But my mom is now a huge fan.
Aren't you glad I ignored you mom? [laughs]
I have good instincts.
And you know what? Speaking of instincts, bleh.
Speaking of instincts, trust your gut.
Your gut has never been wrong,
if anything I'm always like, "Damn it, why didn't I listen to myself?
Why didn't I trust my gut?" So yeah.
And be Shameless.
You guys are new to my channel.
I am all about being Shameless,
and that just means not being ashamed to be who you are.
So, be who you are, be proud. [dog barks]
And be quiet. [dog growls]
OK, anyways, that's my #DearMe video.
I would love to see what you guys have to say in a video,
or even a post. use the hash tag #DearMe.
And in the comments show your advice that you give to your former younger self.
Remember to do you. 00:04:55.562,00:00:00.000 Be you. Stay true. Be shameless boo. #DearMe.