Sum On Sleeve Podcast

Two important life lessons I learned from spending an hour at the local Starbucks with my dad. A Chinese Canadian story that crosses 4 generations, spanning from Hong Kong to Canada. It’s Friday morning and I’m at my parents’ house working on my blog. My dad’s downstairs doing his thing. My dad’s a routine guy. Every Friday, he wakes up at the crack of dawn, has a small bite to eat (usually oatmea...

During my pregnancies, people said the weirdest things to me. I came up with a list. I get it! Pregnant women get attention. They’re signs of hope and the future, restoring faith in humanity. With that attention comes people who say the darndest things. You see her burgeoning belly, her waddle, her loose, comfortable clothing. She’s carrying a miracle inside her! She’s growing a human. She’s a glo...

My husband and I love food. We cook 90% of our meals at home. Cooking is such a cathartic experience for me.  From searching for deals in the flyers (ooh kabocha is on sale) to watching my daughter sing her yummy song while munching on her favourite pork side ribs with black bean sauce...the whole process makes me proud to be Chinese-Canadian.   What makes you proud? Did you find this he...

When a friend shares a vulnerable story with you, how do you react? ⁣ ⁣ When you share a vulnerable story with a friend, how would you want your friend to react?⁣ ⁣ This reaction is different for everyone. Some people want a sounding board. Some people want your presence.⁣ Some people want a hug.⁣ Some people want a fulsome discussion.⁣ ⁣ How do you want to be comforted? Did you find this helpful?...

Do you care about brands and accumulating stuff? Did you find this helpful? Let me know in the comments below :) www.sumonsleeve.com Sign up for free Self-improvement downloads: https://bit.ly/2FBcAlE Self-reflection exercise worksheets Dating advice checklist 23-page ebook on how to have a healthy romantic relationship 31-page ebook on how to improve your relationship with your parents  Free...

Learning the art of the apology can go a long way with someone, deepening the connection you have with them.⁣ ⁣ Some folks want just the words, "I'm sorry."⁣ ⁣ Some folks want the words and what you did, "I'm sorry for...."⁣ ⁣ And lastly, some folks want the words, what you did and what you're going to do about it, "I'm sorry for....next time I'm going to try..."⁣ ⁣ Ask the person closest to you w...

Overcoming perfectionism is an ongoing recovery. For those like myself who suffer from this tendency, it’s about constantly reminding yourself that doing things perfectly won’t make you valued. Did you find this helpful? Let me know in the comments below :) www.sumonsleeve.com Sign up for free Self-improvement downloads: https://bit.ly/2FBcAlE Self-reflection exercise worksheets Dating advice chec...

Why shouldn't our kids know how much things cost and how much money we make? ⁣ They're going to need to know these things eventually. Why not teach them now?⁣ Money shouldn’t be a taboo topic.  My parents came here with one purpose: to SURVIVE and raise their kids so they could have better opportunities than them As a family, we knew we couldn’t just spend money on frivolous things. My dad co...

Superhero parents aren’t good parents. I want to let you know that you shouldn’t aim to be a #supermom as the definition of a good parent.  Don’t try to do everything because you can’t. Your #mentalhealth will absolutely suffer.  If you show #compassion and #vulnerability while loving your kids wholeheartedly, you are an amazing parent. Full stop 🛑 . Did you find this helpful? Let me kn...

"Why can't you be more attentive?"⁣ More patient?⁣ More ambitious?⁣ Have more passion?⁣ More risk-averse?⁣ Better with money?⁣ Better listener?⁣ ⁣ Because I'm not you. ⁣ Because I'm not her.⁣ Because I'm not him.⁣ ⁣ Because I am me. If the expectations that we have for ourselves is the same as it is for others, we will live in perpetual disappointment. Each of us has our own strengths, weaknesses,...

Age is just a number. ⁣ ⁣ "This sh*t" can mean going back to school, starting a business, a new relationship, learning how to garden, attending a music festival, playing video games, trying yoga, backpacking through Europe, training for a triathlon...etc. ⁣ ⁣ I honestly believe these experiences aren't age dependent; we just tend to know ourselves more the longer we live and we use age as an excus...

Everyday we are exposed to constant streams of content and information, telling us the magical ways to live healthier, wealthier and happier. But what is the most important thing about self improvement? Did you find this helpful? Let me know in the comments below :) www.sumonsleeve.com Sign up for free Self-improvement downloads: https://bit.ly/2FBcAlE Self-reflection exercise worksheets Dating ad...

Wearing your lucky red underwear? Avoiding all the cracks of the sidewalks?⁣ ⁣ You should spend your time thinking about how you’re going to reach your goals instead.⁣ ere are no arbitrary rules to follow when it comes to getting what you want. You need to set a goal, create a plan and the most important part is working your ass off to get there.⁣ ⁣ Everything I have achieved in life thus far is b...

Today you are enough and here is why. I remember there were days when my day was ruined because I didn't know the answer to a question that someone was asking me.⁣ ⁣ There have been days when I didn't complete my full workout and I thought I was a failure.⁣ ⁣ Or days when I check out and don't want to be my positive self around my daughter.⁣ ⁣ Or I channel my frustration onto my husband and nitpic...

THE IMPORTANCE OF THE PARENT-CHILD RELATIONSHIP (AS PARENTS AND AS THE CHILD) When I get frustrated with my parents, I really try to understand their perspective.  They grew up differently than me.  Different generations, cultures, social landscape. Their parents did the best they could with them and they did the best they could with me.⁣ ⁣ I want to make sure I do the best I can for my...

Cherish these moments...more like enjoy the good moments and just survive the bad ones when you’re a parent Have you ever sat down beside a toddler and pretended to be them for 15 minutes?⁣ ⁣ It's fascinating how many times you can fill a bucket with sand and then empty it into the box. You become one with the sand. Your hand really appreciates how the little grains feel underneath your fingernail...

Your values are sacred. It sets the direction in which your life will go.  When someone asks you to go against them, don't give in or your relationship with them will suffer. Did you find this helpful? Let me know in the comments below :) www.sumonsleeve.com Sign up for free Self-improvement downloads: https://bit.ly/2FBcAlE Self-reflection exercise worksheets Dating advice checklist 23-page...

A good marriage is not based on the number of anniversaries Did you find this helpful? Let me know in the comments below :) www.sumonsleeve.com Sign up for free Self-improvement downloads: https://bit.ly/2FBcAlE Self-reflection exercise worksheets Dating advice checklist 23-page ebook on how to have a healthy romantic relationship 31-page ebook on how to improve your relationship with your parents...

It’s being at work and feeling guilty about not being at home. Then it’s being at home and feeling guilty about not being at work. The goal of a ‘working mom’ is to balance both the working part and the mom part. ⁣ ⁣ When did that become the goal? Why is it about balance? It’s as though when an effort is put into one role, the other role suffers, like a lose-lose situation. ⁣ ⁣ Why can’t it be abo...

“It’s called freedom of speech and I’m entitled to my opinion.” What it means when people say they're "entitled to their opinion Did you find this helpful? Let me know in the comments below :) www.sumonsleeve.com Sign up for free Self-improvement downloads: https://bit.ly/2FBcAlE Self-reflection exercise worksheets Dating advice checklist 23-page ebook on how to have a healthy romantic relationshi...

"I know so and so for over 20 years."⁣ "I'm their mom/dad and I raised them so I know them."⁣ "I'm their child and they raised me so I know them." ⁣ I'm like, "so what?"⁣ ⁣ Small talk about the weather or sports makes an acquaintance even when it comes to family. ⁣ ⁣ Do you have deep conversations about real stuff? Do you know their hopes, dreams, desires, fears and regrets? Do you know what pinch...

How can we understand the difference between empathy and sympathy? This goes beyond walking a mile in someone’s shoes. Did you find this helpful? Let me know in the comments below :) www.sumonsleeve.com Sign up for free Self-improvement downloads: https://bit.ly/2FBcAlE Self-reflection exercise worksheets Dating advice checklist 23-page ebook on how to have a healthy romantic relationship 31-page...

While getting ideas from friends, family and other blogs for this post, I heard tons of things that felt important to talk about. This could blog post could have easily been called “40 Things Couples Should Absolutely Talk About Before Getting Married“ Some ideas that I read and heard were pretty obvious stuff that gets talked about while two people are dating before marriage comes into the pictur...

We all want what’s best for our husbands. But when do we become over-responsible for their well-being? The other day, I came across the term ‘over-functioning’ while browsing through some self-help articles. It’s a type of behaviour where someone manages their anxiety by functioning for others who are completely capable of taking care of themselves. Some classic examples are backseat driving, givi...

Growing up as an Asian Canadian, I often felt I needed to prove my English skills worthy to the white folks. “Your English is pretty good for a Chinese person.” “ Are you sure you don’t want to participate in the school’s ESL (English as a Second Language) program?” “Do you need a translator ?” My pride in not needing ESL I remember all throughout elementary school, I would watch each of my colour...