Why Visibility Can Be Complicated for Daughters of Immigrants
If you grew up learning to constantly read the room, consider other people’s feelings over your own, and stay humble as a courtesy…visibility and expansion can feel complicated.
I hear versions of this often:
“What if I share my true, unfiltered self, and they think I’m too much? Or what if they judge me and don't take me seriously?"
“What if I shine bright and take up more space, and people don't like me anymore?”
“What if I raise my prices and people think I’m selfish? What if they can’t afford it?”
Under the questions lives a deeper concern: belonging.
For daughters of immigrants, community isn’t just nice to have, but how we’ve always stayed safe.
So when your work starts attracting more clients, more income, more eyes, a protective part of you may wonder:
What if success and bigger numbers mean something bad's going to happen?
What if people judge me and think...who does she think she is?
That kind of tension can keep even the most passionate, talented creative entrepreneur and artist stuck at the edge of their next level—craving growth and sharing their magic in a bigger way, but quietly worrying what it might cost them.
As a 1.5 gen Korean American woman who spent the first seven years of her life in Seoul, I learned early that taking up space, or shining too brightly, could come with unwanted consequences.
In Korean culture, there’s this concept called Nunchi (눈치).
It’s the subtle, often invisible, ability to read a room...to sense what’s unspoken, to track others’ feelings, and to adjust your behavior to preserve harmony.
It’s not just a social skill. It’s an expectation. One that teaches you to stay small enough not to disrupt, humble enough not to offend.
In collectivist cultures where modesty, self-restraint, and blending in are prized, being too visible can be seen as inconsiderate, or even inappropriate.
Personally, as I grow into more visibility and challenge myself to speak more boldly, share more of my voice, and let myself be more fully seen, I’m actively building safety in my body to do what I was once taught not to.
And what I’ve learned working with visionary daughters of immigrants and women of color is this: The goal isn’t to shut down the fear, but to validate it. We work with your nervous system to help your body feel safe enough to step forward, instead of bulldozing your way through.
Inside my 6‑month 1:1 Somatic Life & Business Coaching, we:
Unpack how survival strategies of reading the room, people‑pleasing, hypervigilance, and "nunchi" show up in your pricing, visibility, thought leadership, social media, or creative expression
Do parts work to help the parts of you resisting, or feeling scared or worried, feel more seen and understood, helping all parts of you work more harmoniously to move forward with the action
Practice somatic tools tailored to you and your business, to help you feel more grounded before and after you hit “publish,” pitch, or raise rates
Craft strategy that helps you expand your income and reach, and show up as your integrated self, without abandoning the relationships and values that matter most
You can honor your roots and still create a nourishing, successful creative business on your own terms.
You deserve to shine and feel seen.
You deserve to feel safe to succeed. And you get to define what success looks like to you.
If you're in a season of calling in expansion into your business, life, and/or creative expression, without losing yourself, schedule your 1:1 Clarity Call.
During our call, I'll help you:
Gain clarity on your desires for your business, life, and/or creative journey,
Uncover what's keeping you stuck, and
Create an action plan for your next 6 months
We'll also explore whether we're the right fit to work together. Can't wait to connect with you!
Rooting for you,
Eunice
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Hi 👋🏼 I'm Eunice (she/her).
I’m a Somatic Business Coach for visionary daughters of immigrants, entrepreneurs, and creatives. I help you embody your brilliance, shine unapologetically, and create a thriving business and life you love, without burning out. ❤️🔥
Learn more about me & my 1:1 coaching.
Curious about what it could look like for you? ➡️ Book a Free 1:1 Clarity Call.
