The Things in Life that Define Me

It’s difficult to create an accurate, specific definition for a human being when there are so many traits and characteristics that factor into a person. But, picking out a few of the most important aspects of myself can help me pinpoint a little more closely to who I am.

Heritage

Family and culture are less prominent in my current college lifestyle, but its effects are permeated throughout the way I live. My parents originate from South Korea. As immigrants, they have passed down their habits and language to their children. Some are obvious like my appearance, the black hair and eyes I look back at every morning in the mirror’s reflection. Others are more subtle, influencing the choices of what I eat or drink (curse my lactose intolerance) and the mannerisms I put on when I interact with people. Heritage is not noticeable in my daily life at all. I often go by my days without thinking of it, even while K-pop is playing on my phone. I can understand its lyrics while listening, but I don’t think about the fact that I can. This just shows how heritage defines me to the point where simply it being there impacts me.

Notebook and Pen

Where does a writer keep their sprung up thoughts and ideas that simply come and pass by? Just in case of sudden inspiration, I have my notebook with me in my backpack so that when that language epiphany comes, I’ll always have a place on hand to seep the phrases in its memory. If I feel that these thoughts will fade away before I could take out a pen and notebook, I don’t have any choice but to put it in my cell phone. Usually, putting my thoughts on paper inspires further words that come out seamlessly through the pen. Even though I prefer to jot down notes this way, the phone is convenient because it’s always around.

Laptop/Cellphone (Technology)

Think about where this writing piece is read, and what it was written on. As a college student, the work I accomplish, whether it’s an article or an essay, is done on my portable computer which is always carried around with me along with its chargers. My phone was the obvious object that I considered when I was thinking about the items I use the most because I’m in Gen Z and smartphones are things that have existed for me since I was in elementary school. My phone is an electronic entity that tells me to wake up in the morning, reminds me I have class, plays my music, and sends messages to people – all forms of communication on a single device. I’ve completely become accustomed to using my phone in my downtime, for good or for worse. The tech I use defines the sort of era that I was born accustomed to, but the things I use it for is part of what defines me.

Mug

If it’s the morning: coffee with sugar and milk. If it’s the evening: green tea. In the early morning, I need something to wake me up. But after classes, I need something relaxing to drink. My mug indicates the state of my condition. Its contents gently urge me to wake up in a way that is much more pleasant to tolerate than the constant beeping of the snoozed alarm. My mug is usually beside me when I do some homework or read a book. Currently, the one I have is adorned with a picture of foxgloves and a line of leaves around the edge of the top.

 

I don’t think that these things are especially unique or interesting, but maybe that’s because my life isn’t all that unusual for a college student. Although the defining aspects of my life are common for many others, it doesn’t necessarily make them any less important to me.

• heritage
• personal growth
• self confidence
• self-identity
• writing