Spark! Discussions
Sometimes, the most important dialogues are start with a spark. From mental health to identity, these mini lesson guides are based on our REALSOUL blogs, comics, and videos, aimed to inspire conversations.
Adult Doesn’t Equal Effortless
with Emily Chen
Emily explores her somewhat chaotic daily routine to find that seamless “adulting” is not a prerequisite for a fulfilling life; that “work harder” does not solve all problems; and that accepting and supporting her brain just as it is has helped her find peace and contentment.
Discussion Questions
- What does “adulting” mean to you?
- What does this suggest about what our society values most?
- How might these values fail people who struggle with “adulting”?
- Consider a typical day in your life. Does it conform to what society considers “normal,” or not? How does this normalcy (or lack thereof) benefit or hinder your everyday life?
- Reflect on a time where working harder did not work. What, if anything, did you do instead?
- How can we begin to deconstruct what we consider “normal adulting”?
Recommended Resources
- ADHD Alien comics
- Dani Donovan comics
- ADDitude Magazine
- Emily’s articles
- How to ADHD
Starting Therapy
with Emily Chen
This comic is based on Emily Chen’s DisOrient Ep. 5, Starting Therapy, a step-by-step, comprehensive walkthrough of the process of finding a psychotherapist and starting therapy, with a focus on Asian American concerns. Emily covers the “why” of starting therapy, logistics (transportation, money, scheduling), types of therapists and therapy, and how to find and reach out to therapists who might be a good fit for you.
Discussion Questions
- What is therapy? What do you know about it?
- If you’ve never been to therapy before, would you ever consider starting therapy? Why or why not?
- If you have had therapy before, reflect on the process of finding a therapist. What parts of the process were surprising? What parts were challenging?
- What qualities would you look for in a therapist? How might these aspects positively affect the quality of your relationship with the therapist?
Recommended Resources
- Psychology Today’s Find A Therapist
- Emily’s DisOrient video series on Asian American mental health
- Your state’s Department of Mental Health (US) for local resources
Adult Doesn’t Equal Effortless
with Emily Chen
Emily explores her somewhat chaotic daily routine to find that seamless “adulting” is not a prerequisite for a fulfilling life; that “work harder” does not solve all problems; and that accepting and supporting her brain just as it is has helped her find peace and contentment.
Discussion Questions
- What does “adulting” mean to you?
- What does this suggest about what our society values most?
- How might these values fail people who struggle with “adulting”?
- Consider a typical day in your life. Does it conform to what society considers “normal,” or not? How does this normalcy (or lack thereof) benefit or hinder your everyday life?
- Reflect on a time where working harder did not work. What, if anything, did you do instead?
- How can we begin to deconstruct what we consider “normal adulting”?
Recommended Resources
- ADHD Alien comics
- Dani Donovan comics
- ADDitude Magazine
- Emily’s articles
- How to ADHD
Good Girl, Best Girl
By: Katie Quan
Katie has always considered herself an underdog in a family that prides themselves on their accomplishments. She realizes that the life she’s been living is not on her own terms. For Katie, what does it mean to be herself and live life for herself?
Discussion Questions
- What are the pros and cons of being a “good girl”? Describe some common traits of “good.”
- Why are especially girls and women expected to be “good”? Why not boys and men?
- Describe how one’s ethnic and cultural background may affect these social expectations. If needed, feel free to use Katie’s s tory as a launching point.
- With so much pressure on ourselves to succeed, how have you found ways to be and care for yourself? What are you still working on? And more importantly, what have you accomplished thus far?
- How can your community support you to be your wonderful self?
Recommended Resources
- TBA
Discussion Questions
- Describe a time when you’ve felt out of place. Why so? What made you different from those around you?
- In the beginning of the story, Luna’s friend jokes, “Don’t turn too white.” What does this mean to a person of color? What does this assume about the friend, Luna, and their community?
- How does Luna showcase her own Chinese American identity? Which parts of her own identity may contradict her cultural pride?
- By the end of the story, what does Luna learn? Have you experienced something similar? How so?
Recommended Resources
- TBA
The Search for Asian Pride
By: Elizabeth Su
Elizabeth identifies as a mixed race woman. However, it took her a while to claim her Chinese heritage. With her blog “The Search for Asian Pride”, Elizabeth explores that journey it took to get to where she is today.
Discussion Questions
- Describe a time when you have felt between two identities. What are those identities and what was the conflict?
- Why would one decide to deny their ethnic background? What does this say about our society? Our communities?
- As an adult, how does Elizabeth assert her Chinese heritage? Why is it important to her?
- What about your own identity are you most proud of? Why should people care? Why do you care?
Recommended Resources
- TBA