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The Meaning of Shy and Quiet in Asian and Western Cultures
Shy. It’s often experienced as drifting in a state of quietness. A quiver in speaking our truth. Grappled with as stumbles and stumbling in communicating. Then in some cultures, shyness and quietness offer moments of consideration as we engage with others. Such traits aren’t weakness. Both shy and quiet lend a sensitivity around others, guiding…
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Chineseness and Letting Go of Perfectionism
Perfectionism has different faces and forms. It passionately inspires as much as vehemently debilitates. Drives us to chase horizons as much as stresses the soul. In the strife strive for perfectionism, things seem so oh so subliminally possible. The struggle, struggle, struggle of it all is often fuel to keep going, going, going… My eyes…
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To Label Or Not To Label – Cultural Identities
As someone who drifts in between cultures, I’m descriptive of several labels. Chinese. Australian. Asian Australian. South-East Asian. As I go about my days, I’m also descriptive of: Writer. Neurodivergent. Introvert. Astrologer. And more… Our cultural identities are often a source of pride. Yet at times our cultural affiliations can be conflicting and confusing, and…
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Balancing Reading and Writing As A Writer
Reading is a big part of writing. As a writer, naturally you read a fair bit. Take writing a non-fiction book for example: it calls for a lot of reading alongside a lot of writing on a chosen topic. How do you balance reading and writing? Or in other words: how do you fit in…
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Does Belonging Start With Self-Acceptance?
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…
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3 Differences Between Family Values in Eastern and Western Cultures
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…
Mabel Kwong 