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How I Find Balance When Indulgences Become a Habit
Submitted by Angelina Ng After a long, stressful, week of classes, I found myself rewarding my small behaviors a little too much. It would bring me so much joy in such an easy process: find something I like, take out my card, and now I have it! There are some small indulgences I would do after I complete a task: go out and buy a snack, go to small shops and buy some jewelry, allow myself to eat more snacks, or get a large drink from Dunkin Donuts. These small actions definitely made me feel accomplished for my hard work throughout the week, but it eventually started to feel costly…
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A Letter to My Past and Future Self
Dear Past and Future Me, I sit down to write this letter currently at the age of 20 years, 6 months, and 26 days. I find myself in a moment of reflection, caught between the memories of my past and the expectations of my future. At 20 years old, I stand on the threshold of adulthood as well as feeling like a child. I have thoughts of unrealistic dreams of the future like a child, but harsh realities headed my adult life. However...
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Fatphobia in Asian Cultures: Unveiling the Layers of Body Image Stigma
Fatphobia—the irrational fear or aversion towards individuals with larger bodies—is a pervasive issue that transcends geographical and cultural boundaries. While discussions on body image often focus on Western societies as they open up to the reality and embracement of each and every body, it is crucial to recognize that fatphobia also exists in Asian cultures, albeit manifesting itself differently. There are complexities of fatphobia in Asian societies that run in its cultural roots and manifestations, and end up causing many potential consequences.
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Unlearning Colorism
I think every Filipino girl has their fair share of horror stories about Titas who were much too grown and much too busy to have the time to be commenting on the appearance of girls who aren’t even theirs. To no fault but their own toxic upbringing, they judged anything and everything that caught their attention. Weight gain, weight loss, academics—the list goes on and on. However, there was one thing in particular that they would point out about without fail. Even more outside of my control than my fluctuating weight and static height—it was my skin color. Brown and so unlike the porcelain white skin that they believed to…
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A Piece of Self-Discovery in Spain
Understanding your true self takes time; for me, it took years. It was the vagueness of it all that sparked my anxiety: having no direction in life and feeling lost within the constraints of my own mind. You would think that even with large academic and long-term goals, I would feel more satisfied in fulfilling them with “ease,” but I continued to struggle with the idea of commitment and the thought that my dreams would somehow turn into reality.
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Breaking the Pattern: Intergenerational Trauma
In many Asian cultures, mental health is swept under the rug. It is not an excuse to not be okay as it is seen as a sign of weakness. Those who are similar in age to my parents strongly believe this as they were taught to do so by their mothers and fathers. Unfortunately, this is a dilemma that many younger generations and first generation kids continue to experience.
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Self Love in the Age of Social Media
Nowadays, it’s become second nature to open a social media app and scroll past a series of flawless people, places, and things. Having this kind of pressure shoved down our throats 24/7 can really do a number on our mental health—I’ve found myself down a rabbit hole of jealousy and self-deprecation too many times to count. But the real question—and the one I believe we should be focusing on—is how do we learn to just be content in our own field?
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A Musical Ode to Self Love
February is filled with holidays, but one in particular seems to stand out – Valentine’s Day. This year, I encourage you to be kind to yourself and remember to practice self love and care. To help, here are some anthems to blast to remind you of prioritizing you first and loving all that you genuinely are ❤️
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Does the “Model Minority Myth” Hurt Asian Americans’ Mental Health?
Today in America, it is a term used to describe Asian Americans and their socioeconomic success, despite being a minority race. While this sounds like it’s a compliment, it’s really a term that is politically exploited by the media and politicians to put down other races. They point to Asian Americans and say, “If they can make it, then anyone can make it as long as they put in the work.” This drives a wedge between Asian Americans and other minorities in America, which is horrible in a time where all people of color need to stick together.
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Julia’s POV: Balancing School and Mental Health
Have you ever wondered what goes on in the mind of a seemingly exceptional and talented individual? The one you’d consider to be a “try hard”, or maybe the “teacher’s pet” that received neverending compliments and appraisal for their high quality work? Simply speaking, I was that person from when I started my first day of kindergarten until now. Perfectionism coursed through my veins.
