29/03/2026
Reflecting on The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse — I love this quote: “Sometimes, I want to say, ‘I love you all,’ but I find it difficult. So I say, ‘I’m glad we’re all here.” Recently in improv class, I struggled to express affection, revealing how cultural and personal patterns influence us. Drama therapy helps me recognize these layers and choose how to respond. Grateful for these insights and for everyone reading. “I’m glad we’re all here.”
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Recently, in my improv class, we were divided into pairs, acting as long-term partners. The exercise was to compliment each other with kind words. I tried to engage, but I froze. My playful response (with a touch of sass) to the teacher was, “You know I’m Cantonese, right?”
Asians, especially Chinese, are often not expressive with love directly. Saying “I love you” in Cantonese can feel awkward. I thought I was more comfortable with it because I do say “I love you” to friends in English. But when spontaneity hits, I struggle to express affection. I was also uncomfortable hearing and receiving praise and love—something I was quite shocked to realize.
This improvisation exercise sparked a moment of reflection. My body responded instinctively—muscles tense, my mind went blank. These are layers of learned responses to unfamiliarity and affection.
I want to clarify: there’s no right or wrong way to express love. Being able to improvise a love scene isn’t a measure of health. What I want to highlight is how theatre and drama helped me recognize my patterns. With the right tools and awareness, I can choose how to approach these feelings. That’s the therapeutic power of drama therapy.
