@andeecys: For most people, chilli is just chilli. For me, it was punishment. Growing up, my mum and grandma would rub chilli in my mouth when I was naughty or when I told a lie. So from a young age, I learnt to associate spiciness with pain. Chilli meant something bad. For the longest time, I never understood why people actually enjoyed it. Whenever I came to Thailand, I’d ask for “ped nit noi” or “mai ped luay”. A little spicy, or no spice at all. But this trip feels different. Doing Bangkok solo at 36, I’ve been thinking about how easy it is to stay within what feels familiar, even when the things we fear no longer have the power they once did. So I decided to take a leap. This time, I’m ordering everything at its original spice level. I’m letting myself experience chilli for what it actually is, rather than what I learnt it meant as a kid. And somehow, that feels bigger than just learning to eat spicy food. It feels like rewriting an old story. Choosing to try something different. Being uncomfortable. Taking the leap before knowing exactly how it’ll feel. Maybe growing up is realising that the things we were taught to fear don’t always have to follow us into the future. 36 years later, I think I’m finally ready for the spice🌶️🔥 I guess that’s my free therapy session?! #spicyfood #chilli #growth #therapy

Andee C.
Andee C.
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Region: SG
Wednesday 19 August 2026 14:00:19 GMT
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bridget_etc
💛 :
I was about to open the comments to say “bitch how tf can you be triggered by spicy foods?” and then I learned I am privileged, I’m so so so so sorry honey 💛 that should have happened to you and it should never crossed my mind, you’re doing amazing to be facing your fear foods
2026-08-21 20:29:16
14855
shanikahaustin_dejong
shanikahaustin_dejong :
I never eat spicy food because of one night. I stayed at a friends house and we had a very spicy dinner. During the night the mother’s boyfriend woke me up and toke me to his room. After everything he gave me some more leftovers and watched me eat it all. When he fell asleep I ran home complete naked. I was 7.
2026-08-22 02:32:18
981
peazy_1510
{._V_.} :
Same here, i was rubbed with chili when i was a kid whenever i lied. Unlike you, i started taking more chilis to overcome the spiciness so it no longer fazed me.
2026-08-20 05:08:40
12482
pebbleicetea
Pebbleicetea :
My dad would grab a napkin and soak it into the pickled jalapeno jar, like the nacho ones. And chuck it at my face. I was always going to school with swollen eyes.
2026-08-20 23:10:21
5301
siti_shufiyah
Sarah Haruno :
A trauma is still a trauma. Its valid.
2026-08-19 21:58:01
5884
lala143_skz
Lala143SKZOKI :
I cook everyday for my family, there’s 3 serving utensils that I avoid cuz I’ve gotten beat by them so many times
2026-08-21 12:02:51
3072
littlemoonssssun
littlemoonssssun :
THIS. And as a social worker, it IRKS me to the core when some people say “I turned out okay” after experiencing punishments like this or one that is … just inappropriate. These kind of punishments are NOT okay.
2026-08-22 03:04:30
5949
maisonbruton
Alex :
adults find so many unique ways to hurt children. i just don't understand it 😭
2026-08-22 23:44:31
466
igrabjelly
Gee Ang :
🥺 Good for you! But don’t force yourself pls… sometimes knowing your limit is also being kind to yourself.
2026-08-20 01:46:24
1987
sbonejoness
Brenda :
Im so fcking sorry😭😭
2026-08-28 00:10:13
0
sunshine101618
Sunshine :
I hope you and every one here HEALS 💜
2026-08-28 02:07:58
0
indinotanna
indigirl :
People think it's "not that deep" but this is how my care team think I got ARFID from my parents using food as punishment. I'm deficient in most vitamins and minerals even with supplements and im almost 30 now. It actually IS that deep.
2026-08-22 08:28:20
175
walijah_tariq
walijah :
i was once given a heapful of crushed red chillies and no water when i was 2-3 cause i was eating mud, i am still a firm believer that's the reason my digestive track is messed up today
2026-08-21 05:57:47
265
youstupidbrvt
Lindsay Rose :
I’m so sorry my best friend’s mom used to do this to her. It’s extremely cruel.
2026-08-27 19:38:05
0
thewanderingway
Thewanderingway :
That is so vile, I cannot imagine doing that to someone 😔
2026-08-21 02:29:51
617
stripper.money
stripper.money :
food is so integral to a person’s culture and community. I’m so sorry they’ve taken away that part of your culture from you. I’m glad you’re trying to get it back bc you deserve to enjoy it! ❤️
2026-08-22 12:48:32
83
sonrisa3141
Sonrisa :
When I was ten I cut off all my hair so my mother could no longer drag me around or throw me by it. Growing it out as an adult felt weird at first.
2026-08-22 06:07:46
42
thehotmesshomestead
Savannah -Hot Mess Homestead- :
Ignore the people in the comments. "Trauma isn't the event that happens to you, it's your brains response to the event". Your feelings are valid 🫶🏻.
2026-08-23 04:26:51
7
ghostfacelovesme
ghostfacelovesme :
that spicy tingle in ur mouth is a gentle reminder that you’re alive and healthy. All that trauma will never define you and who you are today. grateful ur here :)
2026-08-23 00:30:26
33
jessbandmisosoup
jessbandmisosoup :
Gosh this world is exhausting
2026-08-22 17:29:11
52
_274stepsahead_
༺274༻ :
My grandparents did the same. But with soap. I pretended to like it, would get excited when they would threaten me with it. Then it went from soap to chilli. And i did the same thing.. and they gave up😭😂
2026-08-24 02:24:48
28
yttamyttamyttam
peaches :
I was rubbed in the mouth with chili whenever I did something stupid as a child. I never thought that could be a trauma response :( I love spicy food with all my heart, though… could that be a trauma response too? I’m trying to make sense of it because it feels so ironic.
2026-08-21 07:34:02
53
marginsmatters
light • margins & matters :
thanks for sharing this. ethnic foods from my nativity are so so spicy and i can’t eat them and my mother used it for punishment. people always joke around “you’re from xxx, why can’t you eat spicy food?” and i don’t mind the jokes, i got desensitized by it. but seeing your post reminds me of how shame doesn’t really work to reclaim our lives, courage does. ❤️
2026-08-22 05:38:55
7
aurora.a07
aurora :
the guys at my firehouse have always made fun of me for not being able to handle spice but it wasn’t that i couldn’t, it’s that i can very well because i grew up with it being used the same way, not even just my mouth, it’s rubbed in open cuts and wounds too. only recently was able to open up to them and watching them get so emotional truly broke my heart. we’re family here, they’re my brothers, we joke around and mess with eachother nonstop, there’s no way they could know if i didn’t tell them! they’re now helping me little by little, i now can enjoy meals with them more and share our different cultures and i’m so glad at 24, i decided to finally do something about this trauma, that seems so small and silly, but has held me back more than i even thought! you’re not alone friend🫶🏻🩷
2026-08-22 20:01:55
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