@alrence.nyc: 1. Being conscious of my accent. I used to think my thick accent made me less than my peers, and I put so much pressure on myself to sound like the locals. Over the years I realized it’s not a weakness. It’s something to embrace. As long as I communicate effectively, that’s what matters. My worth was never based on how I pronounce a word. 2. Downplaying where I came from. I used to skip the details, the small town, the small beginnings, worried it made me less. Now it’s the first thing I share because it shaped who I am. And I’m not afraid to show the distance between where I started and where I am now. I worked hard for it. 3. Hiding my food. I used to be shy bringing my baon to work, scared of the looks and the explaining. (Okay, I’m still considerate, nothing that smells up the whole room lol.) But now I proudly explain what it’s made of and even offer a taste. Surprisingly, they’re open. Some even love it. 4. Pretending I’ve got it all figured out. I used to think asking for help made me look weak. But I’m not from here. Different culture, different systems, and it’s okay to be confused. Now I ask, I learn, and I even help other newcomers. Life got easier the day I stopped pretending. 5. Shrinking in professional spaces. Staying quiet in meetings, not negotiating, saying “it’s okay” when it wasn’t. I was raised with hiya, taught not to make noise. But here, silence doesn’t read as respect. It reads as having nothing to say. So I learned to speak up, and most of the time? I got what I asked for. And what I deserved. To my fellow immigrants 🇵🇭 did I miss anything? What did YOU stop doing to fit in? Tell me below 👇 ➦ Share this to your friend who is still shrinking to fit in #filipinorelatable #filipinainnewyork #filipinainusa #filipinoabroad #immigrantlife

alrence | Filipina NYC

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Tuesday 14 July 2026 01:05:26 GMT