Is culture something we are born with, or is it something we create?

We often use phrases like “Because I’m Japanese…” or “That’s just how they are.” This is Cultural Essentialism—the idea that culture is a fixed, unchanging set of values or traits. While this helps us honor traditions, it can also trap us in stereotypes.

Then there is Cultural Constructivism, which sees culture as a fluid, living thing. It suggests that culture isn’t just something we inherit, but something we actively build, negotiate, and reshape through our daily choices and interactions.

As a teacher and a creator, I’ve come to believe that culture is not a “curse” that defines our limits. It is a set of materials—like the ingredients in our meals or the threads in our craft—that we can use to design our own lives.

You don’t have to just “be” your culture. You can choose which parts to cherish and how to weave them into your own unique journey.

#LivingAuthentically #CrossCultural #LifeNarrative #SelfDiscovery #MyIkigai #ChooseYourPath #CulturalBridge #MindfulLiving #Storytelling