From  | | | | For my whole life, I have devoured self-help and personal development content, but the books and online advice columns I looked to were often written from White, individualistic perspectives. These books and columns have helped many, but they often reinforce only one way to grow, self-reflect and heal. Don't get me wrong: I have been inspired by these same books and columns, and I also have been left asking: Where are the authors and writers who look like me, sound like me, share stories and challenges like mine? Representation matters. In 2019, I was nearing the end of my first career as a senior editor in digital media; newly married as the first person in my family to marry a partner of a different race and culture; starting my graduate program in mental health; and ultimately grappling with many questions about my personal and professional identity crises. | |  | | How Indian do I have to be to be considered Indian enough? How does my bicultural identity impact my friendships? How do I talk to my immigrant parents about therapy? How do I navigate the "not enoughness" I feel in predominantly White spaces? The more I asked and sought answers the less I knew. So I created Brown Girl Therapy, the first and largest mental health community for adult children of immigrants living in the West. In this space, I work to democratize mental health and promote and destigmatize therapy for a very underserved population. I also aim to create a community where folks can share and connect with others who struggle with similar lived experiences. Now I am at the end of my three-year graduate program in clinical mental health counseling, working as a therapist-in-training in a field that often centers Eurocentric perspectives. I've been reminded once again that for many, it's hard to believe you deserve quality care when you don't see parts of yourself reflected back to you. | | A message from McKinsey & Company |  | Attributes—not skills—determine whether you cut it. Retired Navy SEAL commander Rich Diviney believes that attributes such as patience, situational awareness, and adaptability often inform the way we handle situations, especially stressful and challenging ones. In a recent interview, he delves into the importance of assessing and developing our attributes—and explains how reflection, self-understanding, and a bit of vulnerability can give you a performance edge. Don't miss this. | | | | | | My passion is at the intersection of narrative storytelling and mental health advocacy. So it's no surprise that I have found myself taking on this new endeavor of answering your questions in the form of my own advice column. So far, I've answered Washington Post reader questions about family dynamics, friendship and more. But I want to hear from you. Yes, you. I hope that you write in with your questions about identity, relationships, career or mental health. I want to help. I strongly believe that when we lean into our discomfort and share our stories, we not only encourage others to do the same, but we also allow ourselves to take up the space we deserve. You don't have to navigate your struggles alone. So, if you have something you're grappling with, submit your question here. I look forward to hearing from you and being on this journey with you. I am rooting for you, Sahaj | | | | | Three need-to-know stories | | 01.Pregnant people who are vaccinated against the coronavirus are nearly twice as likely to get covid-19 as those who are not pregnant, according to a new study that offers the broadest evidence to date of the odds of infections among vaccinated patients with different medical circumstances. 02.Last week, Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) became the first Republican to announce her support for Supreme Court nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson, giving the White House at least a minimally bipartisan vote. The Senate Judiciary Committee is scheduled to vote on Jackson's nomination today. 03.Sunday night was a big one for sports and entertainment. South Carolina defeated the University of Connecticut, 64-49, to win its second NCAA women's basketball title. And the Grammy Awards also aired; see the performances ranked best to worst here. | | | | | | | A story to make you smile | | | In her small town of Danville, Va., Jennifer Williams is widely known as the "book lady." It's a fitting title, as she is on a mission to donate 1 million books to local children. Williams, who has been a teacher for 32 years, started buying and distributing books around her community in 2017. "There is such a clear divide you see with kids who have books at home," said Williams. Williams works two jobs to be able to fund her book-bestowing project, teaching elementary school and tutoring additional students. Although she receives donations from friends and community members, she primarily pays for the books out of pocket. Last month, she reached a major milestone: She donated her 90,500th book. Read more from Sydney Page in The Post. | | | | | But before we part, some recs | | | (Courtesy of Marian Chia-Ming Liu) | Marian Chia-Ming LiuOperations editor, The Washington PostYou recently wrote about witnessing racism, and how it spurred you to stand up for your community. Tell us about it.
When that happened, my husband, who is also Asian, reminded me: "We need to stand up and stand tall. We need to be proud of who we are and look people in the eye." Instead of cowering, it's important to be proud, and a big part of that was deciding to use my full name, with my Chinese name in my byline. I wrote about that decision in The Washington Post Magazine. But I also realize that it's a process for everyone to feel comfortable in their own skin, and I'm still getting there too. What are you watching right now?
I always have a K-drama on. Right now, it's a serious one — "Thirty-Nine" with the actress Son Ye-jin from one of my all-time favorite K-dramas, "Crash Landing on You" — as well as a silly one, "Business Proposal." There's always something about K-dramas that make the mundane so very happy. What's keeping you busy?
I love all kinds of handiwork, from cooking and baking to doing arts and crafts. In the past, I've made boba, dumplings and egg tarts. Right now, I'm learning how to make polymer clay earrings. | | | | | | |
