About

Hi, I’m Mabel.

I’m a writer, astrologer and cross-cultural consultant. I’m also an introvert. Currently I’m based in Melbourne, Australia.

My mission is to normalise talking about not belonging in a culturally complex world. I help people find inner freedom to embrace intercultural identities and creative passions.

I aim to create spaces to overcome limiting cultural beliefs around yourself and connecting with others in the in-between, increasing self-acceptance for the experience of belonging.

Many of us are used to conforming to certain traditions, belief systems and relationships. While they may offer wisdom and comfort, they don’t always align with our diverse affiliations across cultures and our true selves. So we have a cultural identity crisis: feeling stuck, ashamed of where we come from and confused about where we fit in.

We are in a time questioning more than ever on racism and marginalisation – and more receptive towards inclusiveness, healing practices and personal development.

I believe that in a supportive container, you can break free from internalised conditioning and embrace the different parts of your core. By balancing and integrating your cultural stereotypes and non-stereotypes as a whole within your innermost core through positive mindsets and habits, you find confidence in your (conflicting) identities and unique abilities. This allows you to have a stronger sense of belonging to yourself and in turn connect authentically with others.

Belonging is complex. It is a human need, a subjective experience influenced by many factors. Feeling confident in your different identities and your place among diverse groups is what I like to call Intercultural Belonging.

On this blog, I share my thoughts about what it means to be Asian in Australia, introversion and my passion for writing. Here I explore this multi-layered concept of belonging and cultivate positive attitudes towards cultural differences.

My story as an Asian Australian and introvert

I was born in Melbourne, Australia to Chinese-Malaysian immigrant parents. For a decade, I lived in Malaysia and Singapore, finishing school in Asia. Then I travelled around Asia and Australia before settling back in Melbourne.

For years I chased a dream of becoming a journalist and working in Australia’s mainstream media. One day I decided that a media career wasn’t for me. I worked in the non-profit sector and corporate world, and later became a freelance writer and consultant.

My journey as a writer is fulfilling but also challenging. Growing up and into my adult years, I was conditioned to be a model-minority Asian stereotype. My Chinese parents frowned at writing as a career and a thing to do in my spare time. I felt discouraged given that some Chinese values are important to me – yet other (Western) values resonate with me as well. I always feel too Asian or not-Asian-enough on countless occasions.

As an introvert, I’ve been constantly labelled as ‘too quiet’, ‘so sensitive’ and ‘so shy’ by family, friends and strangers. It added to my discouragement as a writer and confusion about where I belonged as an Asian Australian, and simply as a person. It can be hard to put yourself out there when you’re Asian and a creative introvert – and also living within systems of oppression and in a world challenged to live alongside each other’s differences.

It took many years for me to feel not only confident but free and safe in my intercultural identities and introversion. That saw me confronting my fears as a cultural disappointment, transcending cultural boundaries by acknowledging my needs and spending time in solitude finding meaning in higher states of consciousness.

My expertise

I write primarily non-fiction. As a wordsmith, my written work delineates narratives on the diversity of the human experience, connection and cultural nuances through storytelling techniques. I have a strong affinity with the creative non-fiction genre.

Through my writing, I motivate others to see how enriching embracing your different identities can be. I participated in various courses from the Australian Writer’s Centre as part of my continuing education as a writer.

As a cross-cultural consultant, I have worked with clients to tailor their personal and online brand towards targeted cultural demographics. Both my written and consulting work are grounded in Positive Psychology theories surrounding positive emotions and gratitude.

I have a Bachelor of Arts with a double major in Cultural Studies and Applied Mathematics.

My Master of Arts specialises in Audience Reception theory, with a focus on media as a means for migrants to connect with their homelands and beyond. My research is academically peer-reviewed and published in 3CMedia Journal.

I hold a Graduate Certificate in Positive Psychology, where I explore gratitude writing in organisational settings.

I attended the Faculty of Astrological Studies of London and the London School of Astrology. I see astrology as a language; a tool to reach a greater understanding of who you are, your potentials and your authentic self – shedding light on ‘Who am I?’ amidst doubts and uncertainty. My approach to astrology incorporates modern and traditional techniques with a psychological foundation, empowering others to find meaning in the process of belonging and becoming as part of deeper cycles.

I am currently writing my first book Where Do I Really Belong, a book on the complexities of belonging as an Asian Australian.

Sunset Blue Hour. Princes Bridge. Melbourne, Australia (1)

353 thoughts on “About”

  1. First, thanks for the follow. Second, I like you!!! We have several things in common so that explains my three “!” before this sentence 🙂 Plus, I’ve always liked the way you engage in discussions over at Lani’s blog. I know it’s safe to say you are much younger than me, judging by looks alone, but I feel quite a maturity in you. Good luck on your book 😀

    Liked by 2 people

  12. Your blog is quite refreshing!
    I love to read about your perspective as an Asian Australian, as I believe that not many people are aware about that.
    I have a question if I may ask. How come you spent overseas in Malaysia and Singapore for school?
    It honestly sounds amazing, and I do quite envy you!
    I wish I was raised for a significant time either in Burma or Thailand.
    Did you accent changed a lot when you came back to Oz?

    Liked by 1 person

    • Thank you so much, Suaylia. You are very kind and thank you so much for reading 🙂

      My family was the “parachute” kind of family, with my dad traveling a lot of for work. So, my family got to live in Singapore and Malaysia when I was a kid, and even when we moved around within these countries quite a bit.

      As for my accent, it has always been evolving. These days, in some situations I sound more Australian than Malaysian and vice-versa in other situations. But when I think in my head, it’s mostly Malaysian.

      Your background sounds very interesting and unique, and you must have your own unique story to tell 🙂

      Liked by 2 people

      • Oh wow that is very interesting. You sound like a tck: third culture kid then. I find Southeast Asia quite fascinating. One of the most diverse regions in the world.

        Liked by 2 people

  13. Hi Mabel
    Thanks for dropping by my blog and taking the time to leave a comment, appreciated. I noticed the alignment of the stars when framing the shot, so tried to include as much of the sky without cropping too much of the road. Considered using a wider angle lens, but thought it would reduce the scale of the mountain, so stayed with the 24mm instead :-):-).

    Liked by 2 people

    • No worries, 4otomo. It was a great shot. Very well positioned and the bus came along at just the right time 😊 Good luck with more photos like that and thanks for stopping by 😊

      Like

  14. Hello,AmazingBlog You have,very happy to be here,hey please if you have some time take a look on my site and tell me what You think about my photos,i appreciate ,not much people visit me because my photos is weak ? i want to know Your opinion ,if You can tell somebody , tell friends about me about me i do not want to die in silence of art , Take care good soul

    Liked by 1 person

        • I am not one for lies and believe honesty takes us far. I have followed your blog for a while and love your close ups and nature photography. It is evident you put a lot of work and more importantly passion into your art. Personally, I believe success lies not in our popularity and views but by what we choose to do that makes us happy.

          Liked by 2 people

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  16. Enjoying reading some of your posts, Mabel! As an Asian (Sri Lankan) living abroad as well, I share a lot of your experiences. Thanks for commenting on my blog, and I’m looking forward to following yours and reading more! 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  19. Hey Mabel, thought I would say hi and encourage you with a thank you. I’ve been reading a few of your posts and they have been a blessing to me. You speak well and I quoted you in one of my own blog posts! Your experiences helped clear up mine as a Chinese-American, and I didn’t realize that Asians in Australia face similar issues. Keep on writing!

    Moire

    Liked by 1 person

    • Thank you so much for the kind words, Moire. I really loved the ‘…why are you white?’ post that you wrote. It has so many thoughts on being Chinese-American, and you also voiced some of my feelings which I haven’t been able to describe in words. Personality vs values is such an important concept to think about and you have made me look at it in a different way. Once again, thank you so much and it is so lovely to have connected 🙂

      Like

  21. Hello! I just discovered your blog – I am a Malaysian migrated to Sydney after studying and falling in love with this beautiful country. However, there are some darker sides to life in the lucky country and some of your posts really strike a chord on what being ‘Asian Australian’ is. Keep up the good work!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Thank you so much for stopping by, Sue-Wen. It is so true there is a darker side to life in Australia – it’s a fact and something all of us should talk more about. Stay safe and take care.

      Like

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  24. HI Mabel! It’s great to meet you & find your blog! As someone who is still struggling to find that perfect compromise between Chinese values and Western mindsets, I completely understand the transition you make in everyday situations. I look forward to reading posts on your blog and engaging in discussions on multiculturalism and diversity 🙂

    ~Jade

    P.S. I’m also Chinese-Malaysian!

    Liked by 1 person

    • It really is so hard to find a compromise between Chinese and Western values… I guess people will talk and judge but at the end of the day, our lives is ours to live. Amazing you are Chinese-Malaysian too! So glad to have connected with you 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  25. Hi Mabel! So lovely to meet you! Thanks again for visiting my blog earlier today. 🙂 What a fun photo you have of Link trying to pick up a fight with you. 😉 I look forward discovering and reading your blog! We seem to have a lot in common, apart from all things art – and here I include writing as well – I´m also very interested in multiculturalism. Have a happy weekend! 🙂 ❤

    Liked by 1 person

  27. Lovely to meet you! I appreciate your openness to different cultures, what a demonstration of loving and courage to deeply listen. ❤ And, congratulations on writing your first book! Blessings to you — Debbie

    Liked by 1 person

  28. I love the charming drawing on your banner and pleased that you commented on my blog yesterday. Now, I’m commenting on yours.

    There is much to admire here, including the fact that you embrace diversity. Again, thank you, Mabel!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Thank you very much, Marian. The header was designed by a wonderful artist called Anna/Pinodesk 🙂 So lovely of you to stop by here, Marian. You are very kind and hope you have a wonderful day!

      Like

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  31. Mabel, you are both an inspiration for one so young and also wise beyond your years. Writing about yourself speaks to me…resonates with me. I was raised in an ethnically diverse family in a middle class neighborhood where the majority of residents were Caucasian. Growing up I could never really figure out where I belonged. My mother of German, Irish and English decent and my father of Catalonia, French, German and Native American decent. Two very different worlds. It has taken me a lifetime to know who it is I am, uniquely made and very much an individual. I, too, am an introvert so it has been difficult to be in a world where being social is to belong. I write, create art and read abundantly. I now do not have quite the difficulty I used to when being out in the social arena but still, I prefer being alone for my thoughts are always fluttering within me. I will follow you here and I am happy you visited my site. You can know a bit more about me by reading my About page. Do take good care.

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    • It is very kind of you to stop by and check out my blog, Renee. Thank you so much, and thank you for sharing a bit about yourself. It sounds like you came from a very diverse family – two different worlds as you said, which has its pros and cons. While it’s great being a part of different ethnicities and being more aware about the world, fitting in can be difficult – cultural identities can be so conflicting and contrasting.

      That is great you have embraced being introverted and you channel that towards writing, reading and being creative. Being introverted comes with many strengths and I hope many introverts see that.

      You take care too, Renee. I have followed your blog. Looking forward to visiting again soon.

      Liked by 1 person

      • Thank you for you comments here. The world is a ‘social’ place and due to many factors I cannot go into here, it has been difficult to learn to be myself and still be social when necessity arises…and it does. I raised five children which added another degree of difficulty. If you would like to know a bit more about me go to my About page. Thank you again and I look forward to following you as well. Take good care, Mabel.

        Like

        • The world is indeed a social place, so much pressure on each of us to be social and mingle. It was a pleasure reading your About page and get to know you better, Renee. Keep being yourself and keep writing.

          Like

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