231: The Journey To Recovery With Reera Yoo

Reera Yoo is a writer and filmmaker based in Southern California. Her name means “conqueror of the world,” and like all Ravenclaws, she carries a book with her wherever she goes. Reera completed her Bachelor of Fine Arts at New York University in 2012, majoring in Dramatic Writing and minoring in Producing. As a writer and editor, she has contributed to publications including KoreAm Journal, Audrey Magazine, Kollaboration, and Hallyu Magazine. She has also assisted in the production of videos featured on ISAtv, Wong Fu Productions, and BuzzFeed.

Reera used to devalue her worth thinking she was never good enough in anything she did. It got so bad that she even had suicidal thoughts until her professor gave Reera some advice that made her stop the self loathing started her journey to recovery.

Bio

Reera Yoo is a writer, editor, and filmmaker. She is the former editor of KoreAm Journal and Kollaboration.

Cultural Background

Reera is for Korean American descent.

Favorite Self Confidence Quote

I am not what happened to me. I am what I choose to become.

Definition of Self Confidence

Self confidence is understanding that you have value regardless of achievements and mistakes. It is learning to be comfortable with your current self and trusting your own judgement.

Her Life Before the Discovery of Self Confidence

Reera devalued herself from a young age. She was bullied throughout grade school, and many of her teachers repeatedly told her that she would never amount to anything. Her family was also not supportive of her creative pursuits. Reera tried to cope with this negativity by means of perfectionism, which eventually led to crippling anxiety and suicidal thoughts.

The “AHA” Moment

One moment Reera vividly remembers is when she told her college professor that she wasn’t good enough to be in the writers’ program. She reasoned that she was untalented, lazy, and that her voice had no value. Perplexed, her professor responded, “You’re a good writer. You’re talented, hard-working, but more importantly, you’re compassionate. If you could just save some compassion for yourself, you would be a great writer.”

Reera realized that her self-loathing was the only obstacle to her happiness.

Her Life After the Discovery of Self Confidence

Reera still struggles to find her daily dose of self confidence. However, she is more aware of her negative thoughts. She takes the extra effort to reframe her self-criticism in a positive light.