Does Belonging Start With Self-Acceptance?

Posted on 20 April 2024 by Mabel Kwong

Finding a sense of belonging is not always easy. Belonging might seem elusive when you struggle with conflicting intercultural identities. Or when you feel like an outsider among groups.

Perhaps belonging starts with self-acceptance. Look within to accept yourself as you are. When you accept your cultural traits that you like and dislike as part of your core, you might feel closer to the experience of belonging.

The concept of belonging is complex and interpreted differently across cultures. Emotional bonding, shared values and spiritual connection are some things encapsulating belonging. It is a subjective experience within tangible places, family, society and more.

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3 Differences Between Family Values in Eastern and Western Cultures

Posted on 15 February 2024 by Mabel Kwong

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Family is a complex thing. Our concept of family is shaped by many factors such as our cultural background, personalities and experiences. In particular, family values tend to be very different in Eastern and Western cultures.

Having my family and close friends across Asia and Australia, diverse dynamics are enriching yet also chaotic in my life. Sometimes I resonate with my Chinese family values, other times western values resonate with me more.

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Healing from My Asian Childhood Trauma and Writer’s Block

Posted on 30 November 2023 by Mabel Kwong

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Writer’s block is something you encounter when you’re a writer. It’s frustrating and frustrating to overcome.

There are many reasons for writer’s block. Trauma is one of them. Unprocessed trauma, such as difficult moments in your childhood, upbringing or past experiences, can play a part in the struggle to write.

I started writing my first book almost a decade ago. I thought I’d have published it by now. But no. I am still writing it. Writing is my passion. I love writing. But often I find writing so difficult. Embedded deep in the recesses of my mind and unconscious, the expectations of being the Asian model minority eats away at me – making writing impossible.

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Do You Get More Introverted As You Get Older?

Posted on 28 July 2023 by Mabel Kwong

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There’s the possibility that many of us become more introverted as we get older. Our personalities change with life experiences. We become more self-aware and along with that, perhaps there’s an inclination to be more reserved on different levels.

Perhaps for many of us, we become naturally introverted with time and find this meaningful.

Susan Cain, author of Quiet, refers to what psychologists call ‘intrinsic maturation’ whereby our personalities become more mature, balanced and stable as we move into different phases of life. Attributing introversion to a preference for less stimulating and more reflective environments, for Cain introspection ‘may help us age with equanimity….(and) make sense of where you’ve been.’ When we are more thoughtful and reflective as we age, we likely connect with ourselves more and find certainty in who we are.

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Where Do You Really Feel At Home?

Posted on 20 April 2023 by Mabel Kwong

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Home may be a place that you know well. Or a space that resonates with you. Or something that seems elusive. The feeling of being most at home is a multi-layered, complex construct, and it can be hard to explain.

As someone who is often caught in between Eastern and Western cultures and has lived in different countries surrounded by different languages, no place has ever felt like home to me. About a year ago, an evening stroll inspired me to think a bit more about this thing called home.

Striding down the Princes Bridge, the crisp autumn air picks up. Pulling the zipper up my puffer jacket, it is just another routine evening of sunset photography in Melbourne CBD. The cold is always a familiar part of it at this time of the year in May, no surprises.

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5 Differences Between Eastern and Western Learning Styles

Posted on 2 February 2023 by Mabel Kwong

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There are different styles of learning in Eastern and Western cultures, often very distinct approaches towards learning and education.

Though Eastern and Western countries have contrasting educational systems, it’s not to say one is superior over the other. There is much to be reflected on within both systems, in turn understanding the cultures, beliefs and philosophies that underpin approaches in classrooms and universities.

I went to school in Singapore, Malaysia and Australia, and my learning experience in South-East Asia was vastly different compared to Down Under. My classmates, teachers and face-to-face learning in these countries were like chalk and cheese. More recently, this year I am doing an online writing course which is a whole other learning experience altogether.

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