Month: August 2023

Posted in Kdrama

See You in My 19th Life (Korean Drama)

Posted on by M Artisans

This is a beautiful love story! Adapted from the webtoon “See You in My 19th Life” (이번 생도 잘 부탁해) by Lee Hye (이혜). A tale about love that spans several lifetimes.

No spoiler here.

This newly released drama has exceptional cinematography and superb acting, particularly my favorite – Shin Hye Sun. It is slightly different from the webtoon but they created a wonderful fantasy tale about love and memories.

One of the elements I loved the most is the portrayal of the lead actress’s infallible, persistent, and unconditional love. While the male lead (Ahn Bo Hyun) struggles with past traumas and guilt. Their chemistry is just perfect!

The role and acting of her sister (Ha Yoon Kyung) is equally impressive, she is adorable and sweet.

I’m not done with the drama yet, still cherishing every episode…

❤

Posted in motivational

Being a Bitter Person

Posted on by M Artisans

Someone who is bitter is anger and unhappy because they cannot forget bad things that happened in the past;

– Cambridge Dictionary

What does it mean to be a Bitter Person?

Bitter people have two core emotions ~ anger and unhappiness. They have a lot of drama and excuses in their lives. They have a hard time seeing the positive in every situation. Resentment is the closest emotional construct to bitterness according to experts. They harbor deep-seated resentment and carry negative emotions. They have an endless sense of dissatisfaction and an inability to let go and move on from past grievances.

According to Psychology Today, the root of bitterness is “hurt” and “emotional pain”, having complex emotions that also include disappointment.

A bitter person is often angry, sad and disappointed. They seem to be preoccupied with too much negative feelings. And greatly affects people around them. They can cause harm and even destroy relationships.

You may be dealing with someone bitter in your life, knowledge and understanding is the key to handling them.

Here are the characteristics of bitter people;

  1. Bitter people are constantly jealous and envious – they are not happy and contented with their lives. They want what you have and constantly compare themselves with other people.
  2. Bitter people use drama to get attention and sympathy – They often find themselves bored and lonely so they create dramatic situations to get sympathy and attention.
  3. Bitter people focus on the negative – they are often judgemental and talk about the faults of others. They live in negativity and don’t like you to be happy.
  4. Bitter people are narcissistic – we have a separate post on this topic, the kind of people that are selfish and detached.
  5. Bitter people hold grudges – they hold grudges and they can’t let go of something for a long time. Feeding on anger and hatred.

No matter how much you want to help this person, you have to understand that for them they don’t really want your help. If these people were open to advice, they wouldn’t be so miserable in the first place.

There’s still something you can do about it if you want to help them though. Find the courage to sit down and talk to them about their bitterness and how they can improve themselves.

It is possible to be bitter and not be aware of it, so if you care for that person tell them, pray for them…

Posted in life, psychology

Gen Z is More Stressed

Posted on by M Artisans

Generation Z or Gen Z refers to the generation that is born between the years 1997 and 2012. The first generation to be raised entirely with the internet and smartphones.

Growing up in tumultuous times that include multiple stressors such as climate change, conflicts, and political unrest. There’s a lot going on and all at once, TMI for sure! They are not just dealing with everyday stress, they are in constant bombardment of information and pressure.

In fact, many recent surveys and studies showed that these young adults are the most stressed, pressured and exhausted group.

They have a ton of reasons to feel more stressed than previous generations. Stress that can contribute to psychological concerns like anxiety and depression.

Here are the examples of stressors for Gen Z’s;

  • In one survey, it was reported that almost half of Gen Z are on their phones or online for 10 or more hours a day. That means more screen time and less time connecting with others in person, this could increase feelings of isolation and loneliness. There’s also less time going outdoors and being with nature.
  • In the American Psychological Association report, 91% of Gen Zs are experiencing physical or psychological symptoms due to stress. Causes of stress are money/work, debt, school and hunger.
  • Issues like climate change, political conflicts and fear of the future in general.
  • Exposure to harmful content through social media at a young age.
  • Research from University College London found that Gen Z was more likely to self-harm, have poorer body image, lack sleep, be overweight and have depression.
  • They also face pressure related to social media and the need to perform and conform for a picture-perfect image (and life).

Coming from a parent of a Gen Z, it’s not all negative for our children. Actually, because of social media, they’ve increased awareness of the importance of mental health. They are interconnected globally through the internet. They are more likely to seek psychological help and speak up about their concerns.

We should be the first advocates of their physical and mental health. Understanding, patience, and open communication among families – these are some of the keys in addressing and helping our Gen Z children.

❤

Posted in motivational

What it really feels like to be Depressed

Posted on by M Artisans

A sunny Saturday morning, I’ve been feeling worthless… I cannot really put into words how I feel – crappy? It’s like something hurts inside, not physically, something you cannot grasp.

I read I Want to Die but I Want to Eat Tteobbokki last year, written in such detail about the author’s conversations/therapy with her psychiatrist. Some parts are still clear in my mind and resonate with my feelings, the writhing emotions which threatened to tear me apart…

“I wonder about others like me, who seem totally fine on the outside but are rotting on the inside, where the rot is this vague state of being not-fine and not-devastated at the same time.”

– Baek Se-Hee, I Want to Die but I Want to Eat Tteobbokki

There are times when I just want to sit alone, doing nothing, staring blankly at something. The things I used to enjoy doing, they don’t excite me anymore… Now, I’m really depressed. Nothing interests me at all… Everything appears like a chore I must do in order to get through the day.

Anhedonia, that’s what I’ve learned in my short course in Psychology. No medical terms matter to me today.

As a Christian, I cited examples in the bible. And yes even prophet Elijah battled depression.

Elijah himself traveled a day’s journey into the wilderness, and he came and sat down under a juniper tree and asked [God] that he might die. He said, “It is enough; now, O Lord, take my life, for I am no better than my fathers.”

– 1 Kings 19:4-7



It feels reassuring I guess, that many great people fell into depression… Elijah’s suffering was an accumulation of fatigue and exhaustion. It’s a slap to my self-doubt, that I’m not religious enough to feel this low. It just happens to anyone.

“Looking deep within myself is always difficult. Especially when I’m in the throes of negative emotion. How shall I describe it? It’s like I know everything is fine, but I can’t stop myself from endlessly checking to make sure it really is fine, and in the process I make myself miserable. Today was like that. I just felt like whining. And leaning on someone, and being sad. To me, sadness is the path of least resistance, the most familiar and close-at-hand emotion I have. A habit that has encrusted itself onto my everyday.”

– Baek Se-Hee

So when Elijah was depressed, God sent His angel to touch him. Delivering a message of hope and the angel gave him nourishment to his tired body. (1 Kings 1:6-7)

Closing this post, I’d like to end this by saying that there is hope. There are things even minute things that can help us, like taking a shower, writing a journal, scribbling, painting… There’s something that can give you relief. I know from experience, it is hard. But there is hope…

hugs ❤

when I’m afraid, I put my trust in You.

– Psalm 56:3

casting all your cares [all your anxieties, all your worries, and all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares about you [with deepest affection, and watches over you very carefully].

1 Peter 5:7