Hey, I'm Alyssa 💗

Hey girl. I'm Alyssa Howard, though if you hang out with me long enough you'll end up calling me Lyss.

From iPad Mini Kid to Camera Girl

My first real YouTube video went up in 2014. I was eleven, filming on my brand-new iPad mini that I got for Christmas. I taught the internet how to stretch for the splits… and I couldn't even do the splits. At all. I watched a couple tutorials, propped my iPad up, and said "yeah, I got this." Before that, I was that kid fake-filming in the mirror, narrating everything like I already had an audience. No strategy, no "niche," just pure love for talking to a camera and editing clips for hours in iMovie. Middle school and high school looked like: classes, a job at Journey's, editing at lunch, filming after school, and grinding on weekends. I even took college classes in high school and was on track to graduate with my associate's degree early. Then senior year hit and I dropped dual enrollment on purpose. I knew college wasn't my path. I knew I wanted YouTube and entrepreneurship. That decision didn't make sense to everyone around me, but it felt right in my spirit, so I ran with it.

Growing Up on the Internet

The internet has watched me grow up: awkward middle school phases, curly-hair era, glow-up stages, messy seasons, healed seasons, all of it. The fun part is looking back and seeing my growth. The weird part is that people sometimes hold onto old versions of me, long after I've moved on. Sharing friendships, thoughts, and phases online taught me one huge lesson: I cannot live for how people remember me. I'm allowed to learn, change my mind, outgrow friendships, and level up. Some viewers will stay stuck on chapter three when I'm on chapter ten, and that's okay. Hate comments happen. Sometimes I delete them, sometimes I laugh, sometimes I reply if it feels like confusion more than hate. Over time I stopped taking it personally. A lot of people project their own pain. I'd rather protect my peace and keep showing up as the real me. There have been surreal highs too: my first video hitting a million views, getting my 100k subscriber plaque, my first SKIMS sponsorship, and finally finishing Vlogmas after failing four years in a row. Twenty-five videos in twenty-five days showed me my own discipline in a new way. I saw a different side of myself and I'm still proud of that girl.

My Mindset and Spiritual Wake-Up

I grew up Christian, in church, with this scary feeling in the back of my mind that if I messed up I was done for. I had a lot of questions, and most answers left me more confused. At eighteen, something shifted. I realized I can watch my thoughts. If I can watch them, that means I'm not my thoughts. That clicked for me. I started to see how powerful the mind is and how much power we hand away when we act like we're just stuck with whatever shows up. Now I talk to God in my own way. I believe in a loving Creator, in divine timing, in signs, in that inner nudge that guides you. I see that creative power in us too. What you focus on grows. If you walk around convinced that life is trash and everyone is out to get you, you'll keep finding proof. If you train your mind to look for lessons, blessings, and reasons to be grateful, you'll keep finding proof of that instead. That's why I go so hard for affirmations and self-talk. I hype myself up in the mirror on purpose. I remind myself that I change lives just by being my authentic self. I remind you to do the same. Not fake positivity, just choosing thoughts that support the life you want instead of tearing you down.

Habits That Quietly Changed Everything

The things that changed my life the most weren't big dramatic moments. It was little choices I repeated: Moving my body – gym days, walks, yoga, stretching Fueling myself with better food instead of living off junk Reading self-growth books and random topics that spark my curiosity Spending real time alone with my thoughts Taking myself on solo dates and even solo birthday trips When I stop moving my body and start eating trash, my mood drops fast. My energy tanks, my brain feels foggy, and my routine falls apart. When I choose a workout and a home-cooked meal, my mind thanks me. Alone time used to scare me. I grew up around family, siblings, a dog, friends… there was always someone in the house. When I moved out on my own, the quiet felt loud. I would call people, make plans, and avoid being still with myself. Then I started leaning in. Journaling. Sitting with uncomfortable thoughts. Crying sometimes. Praying. Little by little, I got to know myself on a deeper level. That self-awareness turned into self-trust. Now, I guard my alone time. I love my people, and at the same time I love recharging by myself. Losing my dog Dexter in 2025 broke my heart. He was a little star in my vlogs and everyone adored him. Grieving him reminded me how precious simple moments are: cuddles on the couch, walks, lazy days. It pushed me to be even more present with the life I have right now.

Lyss 5.0: My Highest Self

I have a name for my next level: Lyss 5.0. She is the version of me who runs her businesses, travels the world, pours into young women, has a tall-girl friendly clothing line, a curly hair brand, gives girls trips and hygiene kits, and lives in deep peace with herself and God. She is soft and kind, yet firm with her boundaries. She walks into rooms with quiet confidence and knows she belongs. I'm not waiting for some magic moment to "become" her. I'm becoming her now. Every time I keep a promise to myself, film when I don't feel like it, stay at the gym a little longer, choose honesty, or walk away from what doesn't serve me, that's Lyss 5.0 coming online a little more.

Soft Luxury, Big Dreams

Right now I'm in my "young, luxurious woman taking on the world" era. To me, luxury starts at home. Fresh sheets, a long everything shower, shaved legs, lotion and body oil, clean PJs, candles lit, perfume on just to sit in your room, a good book, hair in a mask, skin cared for, and a calm mind? That is luxury. Speaking to yourself with kindness, keeping your space tidy, protecting your energy, and holding standards in dating, friendships, and work? That is luxury too. I love cute outfits, little heels, travel, and nice things. I love pink, matching sets, and smelling good. I just never want you to think luxury only lives in price tags. It lives in how you treat yourself daily.

What I Stand For

Under all the jokes and "yapping," I care deeply about: Loyalty, honesty, and kindness Mental health and self-respect Women getting out of harmful relationships Girls learning to love their bodies and natural features People building confidence from the inside out I know what it feels like to question yourself, to stay too long, to be scared to be seen as "too much." My content is my way of sitting you down like a close friend and reminding you that you deserve safety, respect, and a life that feels like home.

To the Girl Reading This

Maybe you feel too tall, too shy, too loud, too emotional, too "extra," or like you don't fully fit anywhere yet. I felt that way too. I used to hate my height and call my curls "poofy" in a bad way. Now my curls are part of my brand and my height is one of my favorite features. I want my space to give you that same flip. I want you to laugh, feel seen, pick up a new habit here and there, and slowly start to believe that you are allowed to take up space just as you are. You do not have to be perfect to level up. You can still be healing, still be figuring things out, still be scared, and still show up for your own life. So grab your bonnet, your drink, your snacks, and come hang out. Watch the vlogs. Listen to The ReaLysst Podcast when you clean, drive, or get ready. Take notes when something hits. Send me your long comments and life updates. I'll keep growing in public, learning, falling, getting back up, and stepping closer to Lyss 5.0. And I'll keep reminding you that everything really does happen for a reason, and you are strong enough to turn every chapter into a better one.