Adrianna TanMay 15, 2023

I thought I was well past any likelihood of first gen immigrant depression until I had a Trader Joe’s scallion pancake this week and cried (I hate it / why did I leave home / why am I eating frozen food / why is it so bad). I completely overreacted, but that’s why it’s called depression. Anyway, lesson learned. I will not be eating anything like that again

I want to write about first gen immigrants’ cultural shock at frozen / convenience foods as a way of life. I still struggle with it!

Show threadAdrianna TanMay 15, 2023

My wife says now we have a scale of on a one to Trader Joe’s scallion pancake how bad is it?!

I think many people love this stuff, and that is great!! But it is very much not for me, a person not used to eating frozen food, and definitely not used to eating frozen Asian food

Show threadAdrianna TanMay 15, 2023
I always took freshly made, varied, hot food for granted when I lived in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, India, Indonesia. Some days the idea that I can’t just go out onto the street and feed myself a hot dish at any time of the day or night really kills me on the inside. I will not be making that mistake again (and will appreciate it deeply when I return for visits), but the part of my life that has those things as a daily food way is mostly over, which makes me sadder
Show threadAdrianna TanMay 15, 2023

I’m speaking with not one, but FIVE therapists who specialize in immigration depression. Genuinely did not know that was a thing until this week. I also feel like I’m losing my mind slowly, by losing my other languages; living in an insular superpower where I hear literally nothing about the rest of the world unless I really, really try, doesn’t help either.

The racist incident I recently faced definitely accelerated all of this.. stuff. It has not been a good week.

Show threadYontMay 15, 2023
@skinnylatte My situation is different - I immigrated to the UK where I already knew the language and a lot of things are very similar. But I can sympathise with the frustration you're feeling and the notion of starting from scratch in an unfamiliar place. It's hard, but like everything else it gets easier in time. Wishing you all the best.
Show threadAdrianna Tan
@whylamb Thanks. I personally thought I was well past it because I speak English and have assimilated well. But not being able to speak my second, third languages regularly feels like another type of loss.
May 15, 2023 at 4:36pmWeb
Show threadYontMay 15, 2023
@skinnylatte I'm sorry to hear that. It's okay to feel homesick sometimes. Are there groups where you can speak your second and third languages with other people?