Concept and Meaning

Revisit your childhood roots with a fresh perspective, deeper understanding, and a sense of nostalgia. The Inner Child Issue is intended to nurture healing and self awareness to carry us through big second quarter themes such as the environment (April), AAPI heritage (May), mental health (May), and pride (June). How have these larger themes impacted your upbringing? What would you do differently knowing what you know now? In this issue, let’s lean into our inner childlike nature and celebrate what was meant to be celebrated, forgive what was meant to be forgiven, and let go of what was meant to be or wasn’t meant to be.

Inspiration Questions

Environment (April) — Reflect on the environment you grew up in (shorelines, forests, urban jungles, etc.) Did you connect with this environment or feel like you were meant to be elsewhere? Describe your ideal environment space, real or fictional. Relate to your world in terms of the environment or the elements. Is there an environmental issue today that hits closer to home for you? How can we learn more or help your cause?

AAPI/Mental Health (May) — Was your childhood upbringing a positive or negative experience? List a few things you are grateful for and a few things that you still need to heal from. How has your Asian American/Pacific Islander culture shaped your childhood upbringing and adult mental health? How has your relationship with your parents changed over the years? If you could change anything about your childhood, how would you raise yourself knowing what you know now?

LGBTQ Pride (June) — In your own words, what do you want people to know about your LGBTQ identity? At what age or point in your life did you start to become aware of your LGBTQ identity/orientation? What challenges did you come across while coming of age? What are a few things that were helpful or hurtful to you? Is there an LGBTQ issue today that personally affects you? How can we learn more or help your cause? Your story could potentially become someone else’s guide book.