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Nurturing Your Inner Child THE ULTIMATE FORM OF SELF CARE
Our inner child is regarded as the truest form of self. Returning to this part of ourselves seems inherently tied to growth, as if we must practice self-reflection in order to move forward and achieve. Activities that enable this level of introspection are mostly those that spawn creativity, such as painting. Meditation is also highly regarded for its ability to heighten awareness. Even revisiting old photos and albums are a reminder of who we used to be and the experiences that shaped us. Perhaps it’s why nostalgia is so admired in our culture — we’re akin to who we were, not who we are. Personally, cooking native dishes has invited me to explore the child within. Making Cong You Bing [葱油饼], also known as a spring onion pancake that is a staple of Chinese cuisine, has been my most frequented hobby. It’s a simple form of meditation as I fall into the rhythm of kneading: the pull, stretch and general ease of motion. My senses are awakened by the aroma. Ears, attuned to the hiss of the fry pan. But my heart and mind are tethered to my memory.
Issue 02/2021: Growing Pains
Often, it’s not the event or activity itself but rather the emotions felt during the process that are imprinted on us. Food is not always synonymous with bonding as a child. A common theme amongst many Asian Australians is the conflict of whether to bring a Vegemite scroll to school for lunch or the ‘exotic’ (and delicious) food your mum would labour over for hours. In retrospect, the fear of being regarded as the ‘other’ amongst my peers was the catalyst that pushed me to deviate from my true self. I chose to drive a wedge between myself and ‘foreignness’— my family, my traditions — in order to feel secure and that I belonged. On some level, it was my way of surviving. But it also left me stranded in limbo, unsure of the ground I stood on, feeling misunderstood, and disconnected. Award-winning poet and author Ocean Vuong regards it as the brutal demand of foreign social standards; if you want to “fit in,” assimilate, what will you be prepared to lose?
