An Asian-American woman who was expected to be 'perfect' growing up. Perfection meant always being happy, earning straight A's, excelling at everything, and pleasing everyone. I felt I had to keep wearing the Mask of Perfection because taking it off would shatter the illusion others had grown accustomed to. I kept up the insanity, especially when my teachers and peers deemed me an 'overachiever'—yet to my family, I was simply being Asian. I realized that leadership roles and accolades were the bare minimum—not worthy of praise. So, it was no surprise that my accomplishments were rarely acknowledged, let alone celebrated.

Honestly, the struggle of being 'too much' for some and 'not enough' to those who mattered only fueled my perfectionism and people-pleasing tendencies. I felt that I had to earn validation, permission, and approval that never came. The relentless cycle of high performance with little fulfillment was unsustainable. Though I appeared confident, deep down I believed my worth was measured by how much I excelled.

Eventually, I became overwhelmed and numb to my emotions. I burned out from the constant pressure to be who others wanted me to be, instead of doing what brought me joy. Once I hit rock bottom, life was just heartbeats—as if nothing mattered anymore. I became a shell of myself, disconnected from the life I built—it was devastating.

Then, I started writing poems again. I felt hopeful that things could change. The act of writing helped me through some of the darkest periods of my life. Poetry allowed me to process my thoughts, emotions, and experiences. Sharing my poetry on stage showed me I wasn't alone—my words resonated with others who were struggling too.

This is why I am passionate about poetry as a therapeutic and empowering outlet. The act of transcribing our internal world is an acknowledgment of how we are truly feeling, thinking, and perceiving our experiences. Sharing our vulnerability not only builds confidence but also gives others the chance to know us on a deeper level. Thus, I am committed to faciliating sessions that allow people to feel seen, heard, and understood through poetic expressions. After all, when we speak from our hearts, we speak to the hearts of others.