Stop Shrinking, Start Living with Christina Aaliyah

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  Give me 20 minutes and I'll show you what to do with your life 21.09.2026 22分

  If you hate your job but have absolutely no idea what to do next, this video is for you.I spent £87,000 and five years in medical school for what I thought was my dream career, only to realise about 18 months into working as a doctor that I could not see myself doing it long term. That was a very expensive identity crisis.And honestly, I think a lot of people know they want to leave their job before they actually understand why.So in this video, I break it down into four things: pay, pressure, people, and purpose.Because sometimes you do not need to completely change your life. Maybe you need to negotiate your salary. Maybe you need a side hustle. Maybe your job is fine, but your boundaries are terrible. Maybe your coworkers are draining you. Or maybe you keep expecting your career to give you all the meaning that is missing from the rest of your life.Lowkey, I think that distinction matters.I also talk about what actually helped me leave medicine: building skills outside my job, becoming more visible on LinkedIn, creating financial independence, and slowly getting to a point where I had options instead of feeling trapped.Real talk, quitting is not always the answer.But neither is staying somewhere that is making you miserable just because you have no plan.TIMESTAMPS:02:13 — You’re Not Paid Enough08:20 — You’re Burnt Out14:56 — The People Are the Problem19:54 — Your Job Feels Meaningless.So if you are trying to figure out what to do with your life, what career to choose, whether to quit your job, how to find purpose in your career, or how to make more money without starting over completely, hopefully this gives you a clearer place to start.What if the problem is not that you chose the wrong career… but that you have not figured out which part of it is actually making you unhappy?🎟️ Become a LinkedIn Baddie (Join the waitlist) https://christina-aaliyah.myflodesk.com/linkedinwaitlist?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=descriptionCozy Meet Ups w/ our community London → https://christina-aaliyah.myflodesk.com/meet Manchester → https://christina-aaliyah.myflodesk.com/manchester🌱 sign up to my newsletterhttps://christina-aaliyah.myflodesk.com/newsletter💌 contact: [email protected]
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  I tried speed dating for the 5th time 14.09.2026 22分

  check out Comu Action Pro!use code：CHRISTINA66 for an early bird discount!Amazon：https://amzn.to/4gwWqJXWebsite：https://bit.ly/4A6U0urUK：https://amzn.to/4hV0mGVso i've been using comu action pro for a while now and honestly it's changed how i work.i used to spend so much time transcribing videos, writing summaries, organizing everything manually.it was draining.i'd finish editing and think "oh god now i have to do all the admin work."comu action pro literally does that for you.unlimited live transcription, ai summaries, everything organized. and you only pay once. that's it. lifetime access.➜ get $10 off right now (only $169.99 at checkout, up to £11 off in the uk) ➜ lifetime value → you literally pay once! ➜ 100% privacy compliant (gdpr, hipaa, soc 2) ➜ 12 month warranty + lifetime supportI have genuinely had enough rejection to last me until 2028.The past month has humbled me. Dating rejection. Work rejection. Getting left on read. Speed dating and somehow leaving with zero matches. At one point, I genuinely started questioning my makeup, hair, clothes… everything.That’s the thing about rejection. When the “no’s” start piling up, it becomes really easy to make them mean something about you.I’m 25 and I’ve never had a proper relationship. For a long time, I thought having a boyfriend would finally prove that I was attractive or desirable. But honestly, I’ve realised I didn’t always want the relationship itself. I wanted the reassurance I thought it would give me.Your relationship status is just your relationship status. Someone rejecting you doesn’t change your value.Real talk, putting yourself out there means sometimes getting hurt. But avoiding rejection completely might cost you even more.Maybe you don’t need to become immune to rejection. Maybe you just need enough evidence that you can survive it.TIMESTAMPS:00:00 — Intro01:03 — Sponsor03:01 — The DM Saga04:47 — The Rejection Spiral06:05 — Client Challenges08:09 — Speed Dating14:53 — Thoughts on RejectionAre you afraid of rejection… or what you’ll make it mean about you?Cozy Meet Ups w/ our communityLondon → https://christina-aaliyah.myflodesk.c...Manchester → https://christina-aaliyah.myflodesk.c...🌱 sign up to my newsletterhttps://christina-aaliyah.myflodesk.c...💌 contact: [email protected]
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  It’s time to disappoint your parents 07.09.2026 13分

  🎟️ Become a LinkedIn Baddie (Join the waitlist) https://christina-aaliyah.myflodesk.com/linkedinwaitlist?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=descriptionIf you’re constantly choosing between disappointing other people and disappointing yourself, honestly, this video is for you. I’ve been thinking about this a lot recently because I’m 25, I’m planning to move to London, five hours away from my mum, and for probably the first time in my life, I’ve really felt that tug between what I want and what the people I love might prefer for me. And lowkey, I think learning how to disappoint people might be one of the most important parts of growing up. I’ve done it with my career too. I went to medical school because I wanted to. Then I eventually quit being a doctor, even though I knew my dad didn’t necessarily understand the decision. I spent so long weighing the pros and cons, and I genuinely reached the point where I knew my life would be worse if I stayed in medicine. That sounds dramatic, but it was true for me. This isn’t about becoming selfish or ignoring everyone’s advice. Real talk, sometimes your parents are right. Sometimes you genuinely do not know as much as you think you do. But there’s a difference between listening to people who love you and building your entire life around the fear of disappointing them. Especially if you’re trying to figure out how to stop people pleasing, how to set boundaries with family, how to stop caring what your parents think about your career, or how to choose yourself without feeling guilty. Working in healthcare also changed how I see all of this. Seeing young people suddenly become seriously unwell made me realise how unbelievably short and unpredictable life can be. It made me question why I was playing small just to keep everyone comfortable. Now I keep coming back to one question: Can I keep living like this? I asked it when I wanted to leave medicine. I’m asking it again while moving out of my small hometown and starting a new chapter. Honestly, every time I answer it truthfully, my life moves a little closer to something that actually feels like mine. So maybe the question isn’t, “Who will I disappoint if I choose myself?”Maybe it’s: How long are you willing to disappoint yourself instead?Cozy Meet Ups w/ our communityLondon → https://christina-aaliyah.myflodesk.com/meetManchester → https://christina-aaliyah.myflodesk.com/manchester🌱 sign up to my newsletterhttps://christina-aaliyah.myflodesk.com/newsletter💌 contact: [email protected]
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  Why Purpose Is So Hard For Gen Z 02.09.2026 17分

  🎟️ Become a LinkedIn Baddie (Join the waitlist) https://christina-aaliyah.myflodesk.com/linkedinwaitlist?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=descriptioni spent years chasing this concept called ikigai. that concept where the four circles that overlap- something that pays you - something you're good at- something the world needs- something you love. i was convinced that if i could just find where all four circles met, my life would be perfect.so naturally as a type A, overahieving girlie i became a doctor. i checked all the boxes. i had my ikigai. but i very quickly realised, this was NOT my life's purpose because finding your purpose doesn't actually fix everything like everyone says it does.just because you do what you love doesn't mean the rest of your life is going to be perfect. you can be good at your job, get paid well, help people who need you, and still hate it. because there's always going to be deadlines you don't like, colleagues that drain you, pressure that weighs you down, and sacrifice that costs more than you expected.this video is about how we're thinking about purpose completely wrong. we're told to find our ikigai and everything will fall into place. i think what we actually need is meaning. purpose is what so manny people chase but meaning is the small moments that give you a real sense of fulfillment. a conversation with someone that actually mattered. helping someone when they needed it. connecting with a friend. those tiny ingredients that make life feel worth living. that's what gave me the idea for The Kitchen Theoryi didn't realize until i quit: life is always going to be stressful. there's always going to be something to worry about. you're always going to have ups and downs. so instead of waiting for the stress to end, instead of waiting for the perfect job to fix everything, maybe the answer is learning how to find joy in the midst of the chaos.i spent so many years counting down. counting down to sixth form, to university, to graduation, to becoming a doctor, to quitting my job. always waiting for the next thing to finally make me feel relieved. and it took me quitting to realize i was missing my actual life while i was waiting for it to start.but what do you thinkdo you have a purpose?or are you just finding ways to make life feel more meaningful?0:00 Intro2:08 Your Job =/= Ikigai7:22 The Kitchen Theory11:07 My PurposeCozy Meet Ups w/ our communityLondon → https://christina-aaliyah.myflodesk.com/meetManchester → https://christina-aaliyah.myflodesk.com/manchester🌱 sign up to my newsletterhttps://christina-aaliyah.myflodesk.com/newsletter💌 contact: [email protected]
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  I quit my job as a doctor 6 months ago (update) 16.08.2026 25分

  🎟️ Become a LinkedIn Baddie (Join the waitlist) https://presellstudio.short.gy/ytdescription ⭐️ Cozy Meet Ups w/ our communityLondon → https://christina-aaliyah.myflodesk.com/meetManchester → https://christina-aaliyah.myflodesk.com/manchester🌱 sign up to my newsletterhttps://christina-aaliyah.myflodesk.com/newsletter0:00 intro3:14 work life balance4:43 social life8:24 earnings13:12 purpose21:20 what’s next💌 contact: [email protected]
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  i'm done playing it safe in dating 29.07.2026 20分

  ⭐️FREE Quarter Life Clarity WorkbookGrab yours here → https://christina-aaliyah.myflodesk.com/qlc🌱 sign up to my newsletterhttps://christina-aaliyah.myflodesk.com/newsletter💌 contact: [email protected]
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  The Art of Wasting Money In Your 20s 15.06.2026 21分

  ⭐️FREE Money Print WorkbookGrab yours here → https://christina-aaliyah.myflodesk.com/moneyprint0:00 intro2:51 what is wasting money?08:08 - What I'm planning to 'waste' money on 💌 contact: [email protected]
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  i’m retiring from dating 27.05.2026 21分

  Cozy Corner Events in London:https://christina-aaliyah.myflodesk.com/meet0:00 intro3:14- men are leftover 4:28 - soulmates7:00 - the more you need a guy in your life the more you will end up settling8:13 - changing for men10:30 - taking a step back12:07 - spent so much time inside14:43 - no one is willing to settle 16:06 - improve your social life💌 contact: [email protected]
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  Before You Quit Your Job, Watch This 01.04.2026 26分

  Should you quit your job? If you are wondering should I quit my job without a backup plan or feeling stuck in a job you hate, this video breaks down exactly what you need to consider before quitting your job. This is especially relevant if you are burnt out, unhappy at work, or going through a quarter-life crisis.In this video, I share the 6 most important things to consider before quitting your job, based on my experience leaving a stable career to build a life that actually aligns with my values. The truth is, just because you are unhappy at work does not always mean it is time to quit.We talk about career clarity, job dissatisfaction, burnout, and how to know if you are in the wrong job or just going through a difficult season. The goal is to help you make a decision you will not regret.If you have been searching for:how to know when to quit your jobshould I leave my job if I am unhappycareer change advice in your 20sthis video will give you clarity.👯 discordjoin here → https://discord.gg/CuZrjBR4Dn⭐️ free 'Cringe to Confident' workbook grab yours here https://christina-aaliyah.myflodesk.com/ctc📖 my ebookGrab 'Stop Shrinking Start Living' here → https://christina-aaliyah.com/🌱 sign up to my newsletterhttps://christina-aaliyah.myflodesk.com/newsletter💌 contact: [email protected]
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  Don't Waste Your 20s on a "Good Job" 23.03.2026 21分

  Cozy Corner Meet Ups London get early access here →https://christina-aaliyah.myflodesk.com/meet0:00- Intro1:55 - your job is a transaction, not a calling4:21 - your 20s are for gathering data8:08 - a good job is a hard job10:28 - the myth of meaningful work15:37 - bravest person wins not the most obedient16:01- the real pursuit in your twenties is opportunity20:07 - build your foundationso many of us were told the same story growing up. study hard, get the prestigious job, climb the ladder, and everything will work out. doctor, lawyer, investment banker. the jobs our parents brag about. the ones that look perfect on paper.but the reality is starting to crack.more and more people are realizing that a job is just a transaction. companies don’t really care if you’re burnt out, dealing with mental health, or sacrificing your entire twenties to stay afloat. meanwhile an entire generation is entering a job market that feels unstable, performative, and sometimes completely fake.in this video we talk about the uncomfortable truth about modern careers. why so many people in “successful” jobs are miserable, why climbing the ladder might not be the best use of your twenties, and why more people are starting to question the system they were told would make them happy.if you’ve ever felt like the corporate world is just one big role play, you’re not the only one. this conversation is for you.📕 Six Pillars of Self Esteem book grab it here → https://amzn.to/40OAJ0u📘 subscribe to my newsletter join here → https://christina-aaliyah.myflodesk.com/newsletter🌱 sign up to my newsletterhttps://christina-aaliyah.myflodesk.com/newsletter💌 contact: [email protected]
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  I Quit My Job As a Doctor 07.01.2026 17分

  I’m quitting my job as a doctor and not coming back.Here’s why 0:00 2:55 Reason 14:59 Reason 211:43 Reason 3 14:55 What’s next for me?Let’s hang out in London:https://christina-aaliyah.myflodesk.com/meet
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  The Ultimate: ‘What Should I Do With My Life?’ Podcast Episode 24.12.2025 41分

  If you’re feeling lost in your career… Searching things like “what should I do with my life?” or “should I quit my job for my side hustle”? This episode is for you.In this deep‑dive conversation with career coach and founder Cristina Espinal, we unpack what to do when you feel stuck, burned out, or off‑track in your career, and you can’t tell if the answer is a new job, a bold pivot, or finally going all in on your side hustle. You will learn why fulfilment is not something you “find” in the perfect role, but something you cultivate from the inside out by taking back the pen and consciously designing your own career ecosystem.Check out Cristina’s work here:🤸 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cristinaespinal/💡 Play Big Careers: https://playbig.careers/✉️ Cristina’a bi-weekly newsletter: https://subscribepage.io/playbignewsletter⏰ Timestamps00:00 – Feeling stuck in your career and questioning your next move 02:00 – Cristina’s career journey: consulting, startups, and the pivot moment 05:00 – Why fulfilment doesn’t come from a job title (career ecosystem explained) 07:40 – Should you quit your job or start a side hustle instead? 11:40 – The 4 career alignment dimensions: needs, strengths, vision, values 17:15 – What people are really searching for when they say they want a new job 20:40 – Traits of people who feel fulfilled at work (and why most don’t) 26:00 – Nervous system regulation, rest, and burnout in modern careers 34:45 – Why purpose isn’t something you “find” (and what to focus on instead) We talk about:🍎 How to know if you are genuinely misaligned in your current job vs. just in a tough season🍎 The four dimensions of real career alignment: your needs, strengths, vision, and values🍎 How to decide between staying, quitting, or going full time on your side hustle without acting from fear or scarcity🍎 Why your nervous system, inner safety, and nervous system regulation matter more than another CV tweak or job search tactic🍎 How to stop “black‑and‑white” thinking (stay or go, 9–5 or entrepreneur) and start building an abundant career ecosystem that can include a day job, side projects, learning, community, and creativity🍎 The biggest myths about “finding your purpose” and how to actually cultivate a sense of purpose in everyday life and workIf you've ever thought:- “I'm feeling lost in my career,” - “I hate my job but I’m scared to quit,” - “should I go full time on my side hustle,” - “how to find my purpose,”- “how to feel fulfilled at work,”This conversation is for you ✨More from me:📖 my ebookGrab 'Stop Shrinking Start Living' here → https://christina-aaliyah.com/🌱 sign up to my newsletterhttps://christina-aaliyah.myflodesk.com/newsletter💌 contact: [email protected]
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  you don’t need another glow up, you need to shadow work 17.12.2025 20分

  ⭐️ Download all the Shadow Work Prompts here https://christina-aaliyah.myflodesk.com/shadowIf you've ever felt like you've tried everything and nothing has worked, you're in the right place.Watch if you’re struggling with:• emotional avoidance• self-sabotage and repeating patterns• burnout from self-improvement• perfectionism or people-pleasing• feeling disconnected from who you really are0:00 - Intro1:32 - What is your shadow?2:35 - Write down all the parts of you that you reject about yourself5:03 - How the shadow controls your life5:45 - Meeting your shadow9:34 - Where most people get it wrong14:09 - Upper limit👯 discordjoin here → https://discord.gg/CuZrjBR4Dn⭐️ free 'Cringe to Confident' workbook grab yours here https://christina-aaliyah.myflodesk.com/ctc📖 my ebookGrab 'Stop Shrinking Start Living' here → https://christina-aaliyah.com/🌱 sign up to my newsletterhttps://christina-aaliyah.myflodesk.com/newsletter💌 contact: [email protected]
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  Gen Z has relationship PTSD 10.12.2025 18分

  ⭐️ FREE Dating Detox Workbook grab yours here → https://christina-aaliyah.myflodesk.com/tdd 01:24 Gen Z has relationship PTSD03:58 what do the numbers say05:35 Gen z wants romance but not love07:43 Compromise is a requirement not a choice11:07 making the right decision14:17 Singlehood isn’t a waiting room👯 discordjoin here → https://discord.gg/CuZrjBR4Dn⭐️ free 'Cringe to Confident' workbook grab yours here https://christina-aaliyah.myflodesk.com/ctc📖 my ebookGrab 'Stop Shrinking Start Living' here → https://christina-aaliyah.com/🌱 sign up to my newsletterhttps://christina-aaliyah.myflodesk.com/newsletter💌 contact: [email protected]
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  Are We Too Independent for Real Friendships? 03.12.2025 18分

  0:00 intro2:22 hyper independence is a trauma response4:10 hyper individualism6:33 social media has raised our standards7:41 religion8:55 relationships10:47 emotional numbness13:59 effort budget16:11 get used to being unproductive⭐️ free 'Cringe to Confident' workbook grab yours here https://christina-aaliyah.myflodesk.com/ctc📖 my ebookGrab 'Stop Shrinking Start Living' here → https://christina-aaliyah.com/🌱 sign up to my newsletterhttps://christina-aaliyah.myflodesk.com/newsletter💌 contact: [email protected]
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  the price of SUCCESS is facing your fears 26.11.2025 16分

  ⭐ Download the FREE Superhuman habits workbook here→ https://christina-aaliyah.myflodesk.com/shh📘 Read the newsletter I mentioned here!→ https://view.flodesk.com/emails/68fe2078623d7516ea4687b10:00 intro1:16 Your biggest dream3:35 The Psychology Behind Avoidance7:10 The Comfort Trap9:08 The Real Consequence: Emotional Shrinking12:10 Breaking the Cycle🌱 sign to read it weekly! → https://christina-aaliyah.myflodesk.com/newsletter👯 discordjoin here → https://discord.gg/CuZrjBR4Dn⭐️ free 'Cringe to Confident' workbook grab yours here https://christina-aaliyah.myflodesk.com/ctc📖 my ebookGrab 'Stop Shrinking Start Living' here → https://christina-aaliyah.com/💌 contact: [email protected]
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  5 Huge Mistakes I Made in College 19.11.2025 16分

  Use Code DRCHRISTINA5 to get money off your Mob Annual or Monthly Subscription! Check it out here! https://www.mob.co.uk/⭐ Download the FREE Superhuman habits workbook here→ https://christina-aaliyah.myflodesk.com/shh0:00 intro01:47 You’re Not a Self Improvement Project05:27 Learning to cook more18:01 Avoiding problems makes the get bigger10:47 A hobby is an investment in your happiness12:30 you need to have audacity👯 discordjoin here → https://discord.gg/CuZrjBR4Dn📖 my ebookGrab 'Stop Shrinking Start Living' here → https://christina-aaliyah.com/🌱 sign up to my newsletterhttps://christina-aaliyah.myflodesk.com/newsletter💌 contact: [email protected]
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  The Rise of 'Low-Effort Boyfriends' (Why Women Are Tired) 12.11.2025 20分

  Let’s be honest, dating feels different now 😭After Vogue’s published the infamous “Is Having a Boyfriend Embarrassing?” and it blew up online, I had to sit down and talk about it, so cue the very spontaneous and unscripted video... enjoy!It’s not that having a boyfriend is embarrassing, it’s having a low-effort boyfriend that is.I'm sure we can all agree, right?The kind who forgets your birthday, doesn’t plan dates, or treats emotional effort like a chore.That’s what women are calling out, not love itself.In this video, I unpack why so many women are frustrated, why men feel attacked, and how social media turned relationships into a status game.We talk about the expectation gap between men and women, how independence and emotional labor are reshaping dating, and why a healthy, reciprocal relationship has become the new flex.If you’ve ever felt disillusioned by modern dating culture, this conversation is for you.Let me know in the comments:- Do you think having a boyfriend is embarrassing in 2025?- Or are we just tired of settling for less?📖 my ebookGrab 'Stop Shrinking Start Living' here → https://christina-aaliyah.com/🌱 sign up to my newsletterhttps://christina-aaliyah.myflodesk.com/newsletter💌 contact: [email protected]
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  I Wish Someone Told Me This at 18 12.11.2025 14分

  ⭐ Download the FREE Superhuman habits workbook here→ https://christina-aaliyah.myflodesk.com/shhHigh school can shape the rest of your life, but most people don’t realise it until it’s too late. In this video, I’m breaking down the 5 biggest mistakes students make in high school that can hold them back for years to come.From chasing popularity instead of purpose, to ignoring mental health, and choosing comfort over growth, these lessons will change the way you approach school, friendships, and your future.Whether you’re a student or just someone starting over, this video will help you avoid regrets and build a life you’re proud of.0:00 - intro2:06 - Your silence won’t protect you 5:31 - Don’t leave anything behind in high school 7:19 - Serious about it, school, but gentle with yourself 9:12 - People make or break any experience 12:15 - Tell the truth 👯 discordjoin here → https://discord.gg/CuZrjBR4Dn⭐️ free 'Cringe to Confident' workbook grab yours here https://christina-aaliyah.myflodesk.com/ctc📖 my ebookGrab 'Stop Shrinking Start Living' here → https://christina-aaliyah.com/🌱 sign up to my newsletterhttps://christina-aaliyah.myflodesk.com/newsletter💌 contact: [email protected]
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  How to Stop Caring What People Think (For Real This Time) 05.11.2025 20分

  0:00 intro02:49 It's not vain, it's survival06:35 Validation is borrowed self-worth10:19 Transforming your self-concept13:27 You need an identity change👯 discordjoin here → https://discord.gg/CuZrjBR4Dn⭐️ free 'Cringe to Confident' workbook grab yours here https://christina-aaliyah.myflodesk.com/ctc📖 my ebookGrab 'Stop Shrinking Start Living' here → https://christina-aaliyah.com🌱 sign up to my newsletterhttps://christina-aaliyah.myflodesk.com/newsletter💌 contact: [email protected]