Growing up, I have learned that the things that make me different are the very things that make me special as an individual.This hasn’t always been an easy path but like all things in life, all it takes is time and knowledge.
I started this list when I was 22 and now I’m 23, and I’m learning to actually celebrate my differences and views, instead of tying to hide them away.
I have never truly embraced myself before because I was always struggling with myself, whether that be my self-image, my social life, or my interests and hobbies.
#1 - My British/American pronunciations
I have this weird thing where I have an American accent but I pronounce things in a British way, unintentionally. Well I blame Harry Potter, Thomas and Friends, Postman Pet, and my elementary British education. I’ve heard a lot of my American friends say that I say certain words in a weird way. Examples would be; calling the elevator a lift, calling a band-aid a plaster, and saying mum instead of mom.
#2 - Tea before bed
I don’t know if this is a weird habit but I need to have tea before bed, especially during an anxious week. My go-tos are always green tea or any kind of herbal tea. I find that it really soothes me and calms me down after a stressful, hectic day.
#3 - Teeth obsession
Growing up, I’ve always been automatically attracted to people with an amazing teeth. Whether that be celebrities or random strangers, I can’t help but gravitate towards them.
#4 - Sing to myself when I’m agitated
I like to stress-sing when I’m not feeling very great. The mama mia soundtrack, my fave 90s hits, or just gibberish. I find that it really helps with my anxiety.
#5 - My ethnicity
I am Burmese, Filipino, Chinese, and Spanish, and it has always been hard for me to just identify myself with one particular culture or ethnicity. I almost always get asked the question of “what are you?” whenever I meet people and it has always been a hard question to answer. However, I’ve become more confident and comfortable in just stating all four of my ethnicities.
#7 - Ice-cream on bread
My dad used to make me this before I go to bed when I was a kid and I still love having it. Definitely at the top of my comfort food list and I can’t think about it without feeling nostalgic.
#8 - Falling asleep to background noise
I find falling asleep to the sound of sirens and horns somewhat soothing. This is probably because I was raised in a high-rise apartment in the middle of the city and that was all I could hear as a child.
#9 - I like to pretend to have a case of the sniffles or cough whenever I feel uncomfortable
This is definitely my defense mechanism and I realize I tend to do that a lot around people that makes me anxious or whenever I find myself in socially uncomfortable situations. Whenever I’m on the train without my headphones, waiting around at a doctor’s appointment, or assigned to be in a group with people I don’t usually mix with.
#10 - I love to do squats in the shower
There’s always the chance of me slipping and hurting myself, but I find dancing and doing squats in the shower really lifts my mood. Maybe it’s because that’s when I feel the sexiest and most driven? Who knows? But I love checking myself out if there’s a mirror andwill try to incorporate at least 5 squats. 10 if it’s a good day.
I started this list when I was 22 and now I’m 23, and I’m learning to actually celebrate my differences and views, instead of tying to hide them away.
I have never truly embraced myself before because I was always struggling with myself, whether that be my self-image, my social life, or my interests and hobbies.
#1 - My British/American pronunciations
I have this weird thing where I have an American accent but I pronounce things in a British way, unintentionally. Well I blame Harry Potter, Thomas and Friends, Postman Pet, and my elementary British education. I’ve heard a lot of my American friends say that I say certain words in a weird way. Examples would be; calling the elevator a lift, calling a band-aid a plaster, and saying mum instead of mom.
#2 - Tea before bed
I don’t know if this is a weird habit but I need to have tea before bed, especially during an anxious week. My go-tos are always green tea or any kind of herbal tea. I find that it really soothes me and calms me down after a stressful, hectic day.
#3 - Teeth obsession
Growing up, I’ve always been automatically attracted to people with an amazing teeth. Whether that be celebrities or random strangers, I can’t help but gravitate towards them.
#4 - Sing to myself when I’m agitated
I like to stress-sing when I’m not feeling very great. The mama mia soundtrack, my fave 90s hits, or just gibberish. I find that it really helps with my anxiety.
#5 - My ethnicity
I am Burmese, Filipino, Chinese, and Spanish, and it has always been hard for me to just identify myself with one particular culture or ethnicity. I almost always get asked the question of “what are you?” whenever I meet people and it has always been a hard question to answer. However, I’ve become more confident and comfortable in just stating all four of my ethnicities.
#7 - Ice-cream on bread
My dad used to make me this before I go to bed when I was a kid and I still love having it. Definitely at the top of my comfort food list and I can’t think about it without feeling nostalgic.
#8 - Falling asleep to background noise
I find falling asleep to the sound of sirens and horns somewhat soothing. This is probably because I was raised in a high-rise apartment in the middle of the city and that was all I could hear as a child.
#9 - I like to pretend to have a case of the sniffles or cough whenever I feel uncomfortable
This is definitely my defense mechanism and I realize I tend to do that a lot around people that makes me anxious or whenever I find myself in socially uncomfortable situations. Whenever I’m on the train without my headphones, waiting around at a doctor’s appointment, or assigned to be in a group with people I don’t usually mix with.
#10 - I love to do squats in the shower
There’s always the chance of me slipping and hurting myself, but I find dancing and doing squats in the shower really lifts my mood. Maybe it’s because that’s when I feel the sexiest and most driven? Who knows? But I love checking myself out if there’s a mirror andwill try to incorporate at least 5 squats. 10 if it’s a good day.