- Safe to share
When I Met Other Korean Adoptees for the First Time
I remember the first time I met other Korean adoptees.
I felt excited—with a pinch of nervousness. I listened in,
I saw my own story reflected back through the eyes and words of others.
It took me a moment to share. I needed to feel safe first.
But what does it really mean to feel safe?
For me, safety looked like this:
My body felt more relaxed.
My feet grounded beneath me.
My breath was shallow, but I was present.
I could listen with attention.
I could take in information without dissociating.
I noticed an opening in my chest—my heartspace.
Sharing little pieces of my story
After some time, I shared.
Just pieces. More facts than feelings, because that felt doable.
That I was adopted from Korea.
That I was 3 ½ years old when it happened. That it was through Holt. That I grew up in southern Germany.
And also—that I don’t have any information about my birth parents.
That I was in an orphanage for six months before adoption.
That i don’t have any memory of my life before 3.5years and that it feels like I was born at age 3.5.
That part was hard to say.
But it was also releasing.
It felt like tingles washing over me.
I wondered—would they respond? Would they really listen?
They did.
Someone said:
“I also don’t have any information about my birth parents.”
In that moment, I felt seen.
Not because we had the same story, but because we shared something unspoken and intimate.
It made me soften, and relaxed.
I felt compassion—for them, and for myself.
I also felt sadness—but the kind that is releasing, not drowning.
I couln’t cry later at home,. Back then I didn#t have the courage to.
Today I’m grateful I can.
All of my emotions are valid and want to be seen.
No more neglect. Just release.
When have you felt brave in the presence of others?
Not just safe—but honest, soft, seen?
This is the kind of space I hold in my group journeys.
We begin with body-awareness and co-create a foundation of safety—
so we can move together into brave space, where deeper healing and connection become possible.
If you’re longing for a space like that, you’re invited to join us.
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Together, we can work on your capacity to hold space for ALL your emotions.
Warmly, Sun Mee.