Getting to know yourself so that you may be kinder to yourself.

Yuri Chu Su is a digital nomad who embarked upon a 20-month transformative journey around the world. Growing up in a household where emotions were not openly discussed, Yuri felt alone in her struggles with stress and anxiety.  In a critical step in college, Yuri found a female Chinese therapist on campus and her therapy journey began.

Through therapy, Yuri realized the importance of self-awareness and self-compassion. The process of observing thoughts without judgment and recognizing the value of having a safe space to unload and be validated are just some of the benefits she received from going to therapy.

How to take a beat and step out of reaction mode to witness the thoughts that are bothering us is the greatest tool for self-awareness. “I’m not my thoughts, but I’m the awareness of my thoughts” – is the biggest lesson Yuri learned by going to therapy.

Show notes

 🇨🇷Yuri and Dr. Bonnie met in the jungle in Costa Rica. 01:07

👩🏼‍🎓 Yuri has been in therapy since she was 19: her family does not speak about emotions or mental health, so she has often felt alone in her struggles. 04:04

😇 Challenging herself to speak about emotions: getting out of the comfort zone in order to feel better. 06:46

🤩 A good therapist validates feelings without judging whether they are good or bad. 08:38

👩🏻‍⚕️ Cultural experiences with therapy: Yuri’s first therapist was Chinese and female, which led to a deep and more complete understanding of each other. 10:01

✌️ The importance of finding a therapist with experience working with issues similar to yours. 11:48

✍🏻 Finding the method that works for you: different types of therapies – online typing therapy, video call therapy, classic one-on-one. 14:27

🤗 The benefit of talking to someone who is not judging you: present and validating relationship. 16:13

🛠️ The concept of self-awareness and personal programs: getting the tools to navigate situations through your life. 18:18

🤓 Self-awareness is creating a space between thoughts and observing them with critical thinking. 21:24🪷 Cultural clash and contrasts of Chinese and Peruvian cultures: finding a way to navigate two different worlds. 24:02

🎯 You are not flawed – challenge the preconceptions we have. 25:49

😍 Therapy helped Yuri to become an even kinder version of herself and improve the negativity, judging and shame she unleashed on herself. 28:13

💎 Push through the reluctance: only good things can meet you on the journey of getting to know yourself. 29:16