In 2021, during a period of widespread uncertainty and challenging times, I experienced a nervous breakdown. Having been confined to my home in Vietnam for three straight months, unable to go out, I finally snapped. Paranoia about the world consumed me. It was the lowest point of my life, but looking back, it proved to be the greatest teacher. As they say, what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.
The world’s forced lockdown led many of us to re-evaluate our lives, question our choices, and in some cases, reconnect with ourselves. We began to question the reasoning behind our sometimes-mundane existences. I was no exception, and I started asking myself, “What is my mission on this planet?” My mind wandered back to high school, where I loved standing in front of the class and giving speeches. Fast forward, and my passion for speaking to an audience has only grown stronger, especially when it involves teaching and empowering the next generation. Teaching truly runs in my blood, as both of my grandparents were educators.
So, how can I amplify my vision for the world? I want people to express themselves freely, to increase collective consciousness, and to have truly meaningful conversations. This includes me—when was the last time you had a deep conversation about life, its meaning, your dreams, your aspirations? For me, it was a long time ago, and I yearn to find people with whom I can share such discussions.
As Dr. Nicole LePera profoundly states, “The world is spiritually starving. We want more deep conversations. More connection to how our ancestors lived. More work that actually positively impacts people’s lives. When humans are made to be machines, addiction and depression are the natural result.”
Do our public schools truly teach us about self-awareness, self-management, responsible decision-making skills, social awareness, and relationship skills? The answer, unequivocally, is NO. This is what I aim to change with the startup I’m developing. Let’s start having meaningful conversations and teach the next generation how to be effective communicators and digital storytellers.