Nothing Changes If

Change comes with change. An exchange with a range that feels motivating, energizing, terrifying, and paralyzing. But I choose not to be in adjacency with comfort and complacency. To stay the same and feel the pain when you crash upon the shore of change.

Confronting the ugly me, there’s courage in vulnerability. Believing I can be the change I hope to see in life’s uncertainty of the outcome and how come it’s something we resist? Truth is, change and comfort can’t coexist.

I must be the catalyst, a change agent turned activist. You may laugh at this, but I ain’t lying, and damn sure I can’t accept not trying because no change happens on its own. Nothing ever grows in a comfort zone. I must act and celebrate the fact that I’m built to adapt. Cause change is the only constant in life.

This was a poem I wrote to myself as a call to action while reflecting on all the change that’s happened last year. 2021 is the year I turn inward, seek personal change, reevaluate my priorities and set an intentional path to pursue projects that are meaningful and purpose driven.

I truly believe that change starts from within and through the actions of empowered individuals who believe that we can be the change we hope to see in the world.

I take pride in a recent project I launched called “Nothing Changes If Nothing Changes.”

To me, it means that I can’t expect change to happen on its own and believing that only through taking action can things change. My goal for it was to raise more awareness and funds to support the cause against the anti-Asian violence happening now. Being able to give back to the community through the power of design has been really rewarding.

Power of Representation

Growing up Asian American (pre-internet and social media), I rarely felt seen as there wasn’t much representation of AAPI designers in the mainstream media, so I’m very proud and empowered when I see people that look like me become leaders in my industry.

I’ve been so inspired by my Asian American friends, whose voices and actions have empowered me with the courage to share my story and be vocal in standing in solidarity with the AAPI community.

I’m now waking up to the power of my own voice and how I could utilize my social platforms to spread awareness of what’s been going on with the anti-Asian sentiment and violence in this country and how to advocate for social change.

Child of Immigrants

I’m a first-generation child of immigrants and I’m so proud of my parents for building something out of nothing here – which I still believe is the American Dream. I think that’s why the film, Minari, is so close to my heart. As a Korean American, I’m so grateful to grow up with dual cultures and perspectives. I celebrate my culture by sharing unique and personal stories through my brand, Haerfest. I believe our stories celebrate the rich diversity of the AAPI community and help dispel the belief that we’re seen as a monolith.

To my AAPI community, if you see something wrong, act and speak up. Culturally, some of us aren’t comfortable with confrontation, so I suggest talking to a friend or colleague about your concerns. It’s so important to build a support system and join a community that uplifts one another, keeping each other accountable.

Also, don’t internalize things because they can become unhealthy and toxic. Try to communicate your feelings and make an effort to educate those unaware of racist actions – even if they come in the form of microaggressions – because words do matter and they have power.

Destigmatizing Mental Health

I’ve been making space to process my feelings around the ongoing anti-Asian violence. Doomscrolling has triggered my anxiety and it’s really exhausting to process all my emotions.

Growing up as a Korean American, mental health was rarely discussed in my family. My grandfather and father survived through some traumatic times. They experienced the hardships of war and immigration. Each processed emotional pain, anxiety, and stress in unhealthy ways, and in my culture, drinking was a common form of coping.

I personally struggle with cycles of anxiety, and I’m now aware of its significant impact on my mental health. However, seeking therapy has been so stigmatized in my culture. I hope to create a safe space to normalize conversations around the benefits of seeking mental health support and adopt healthier ways to manage anxiety and stress. I believe mental health is an investment and not an expense.

Breaking The Cycle

My most recent and personal project I’m proud to announce is an initiative called “M I N D F U L” with the goal to raise awareness around the importance of mental health within the AAPI community.

I want to advocate the pursuit of building inner peace through the practices of being more present while releasing the weight of the past & future. I believe that inner healing can come from practicing daily self-love and gratitude. As an entrepreneur that’s experienced frequent burnout, I’m a strong believer that promoting rest is an essential approach to making your growth more sustainable.

With a renewed focus on personal growth from investing in my own mental health journey, I’m hopeful others find courage in vulnerability and feel empowered to share.