Feelings of Post Nostalgia Mei Tomko

Growing up as one of the “smart kids” has impacted and shaped my life in ways I never realized. Upon recent reflection, I’ve begun to unpack these feelings and tendencies.

Growing up in a rural, conservative, and predominantly white community was not easy as one of the five Asian American kids at school. It took a deep toll on my mental health and self-image that lead to 14 years of self-loathing. But, through media, I was able to find Asian idols, content creators, and public figures, that catalyzed my sense of personal success and self-worth. In short, representation matters.

How did I find myself? My emo phase. I’ve grown tremendously as an individual since middle school when I saw that I was not becoming the person that I wanted. Realizing that I was the roadblock in pursing my passions was the first step taken in my ongoing journey to finding my own happiness.

What is PostNostalgia? A word I made up in middle school to describe the feeling after the feeling of nostalgia . . . Get to know a little about me and what plans I have for this podcast!