I’ve never disclosed to anyone the real reason behind my content creator journey.
Because it is something that took me years to understand.
And I am finally able to put it into words, for you to have a glimpse into the heart and soul of Chinese Inside Out.
Perhaps this will give you the courage to reclaim your life more fully.
It may seem like I only started writing and filming a month ago.
But in reality, this has already been a seven-year journey.
A journey of courage, overcoming, and becoming.
What you read and watch today are the essence born from my experiences of loss, grief, redirection, remembrance, revival, and a relentless hunger for more.
More meaning, more dreaming, and more of who I am.
I’ve always been a storyteller.
I still remember this kindergarten scene: I was holding a huge storybook on my lap, reading a story out loud while a bunch of friends sat around me in a half-circle
During elementary school, I stole stacks of printer paper from my parents’ room and spent hours drawing comic strips.
As a young adult, I took on a variety of odd jobs to satisfy my explorer spirit.
I have always found solace in my imagination and creative expressions.
Until I graduated from university.
The beginning of my career was a period of disillusionment.
The workplace felt suffocating.
As much as I liked my colleagues, I felt a profound disconnect.
The environment of performing, proving, rigid bureaucracy and invisible hierarchies stifled my creative spirit.
Everyone seemed content with the repetitive 9-to-5.
I performed my role well. I was loved by my patients and respected by my colleagues.
But deep down, I was gasping for air.
In the hustle and bustle of taking care of patients, following professional training, and keeping my life in order, there was no time for creative explorations.
Something felt off, and I desperately wanted to feel alive again.
Books found me and guided me home.
Those first few years after graduation was my “dark night of the soul”.
School promised a life of stability and professional satisfaction after graduation.
But I felt deeply disappointed by the uninspiring and deadening life that I stepped into.
Almost by instinct, I turned to books.
Some of those books had a profound and transformative impact on my life.
And I will gladly share those titles with you in an upcoming video.
I am reviving the language of imagination.
A lot of people stopped reading at some point.
Perhaps school has conditioned you to associate reading with boring textbooks, dull reports, and rigid scientific literature.
When the words don’t inspire, the mind falls asleep.
No wonder people refuse to pick up a book again after intensive postsecondary education.
But stories are different.
Stories are told with the language of imagination.
They reach beyond your mind, into your heart, and gently caress your soul.
Stories connect us to wonder, to dreams, and to the abundance of miracles in our lives
Stories remind us of who we are, how interconnected we are, and how we can make our lives better.
After devouring hundreds of books, hundreds of articles, and spending thousands of hours on podcasts that nourished my soul, I came home to myself.
I am a storyteller. And I want to bring the power of stories to you.
Here’s a glimpse into what’s coming next :
Storytelling is a way that cultures preserve their values and essence across generations.
And stories are at the heart of Chinese culture.
The Chinese language is deeply shaped by two thousands years of history, mythology, and folktales.
Here are some story types that exist in Chinese culture :
成语故事 (chéng yǔ gù shì) — Short fictional and real stories that hold distilled wisdom
神话故事 (shén huà gù shì) — Myths that explore the nature of the world and humanity
历史故事 (lì shǐ gù shì) — Historical events that inform us of the consequences of our choices
寓言 (yù yán) — Simple narratives that teach morals and values between the lines
Slowly but surely, I will share with you grand classics that shaped Chinese culture and Chinese thinking.
This is part of returning home to your roots as a Chinese Canadian.
P.S. I also shared the story of my journey in this video, go check it out!
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Until next time.
Love,
Crystal
