Unveiling My Universe: Charting What Lies Ahead
- Metta Xiong
- Mar 5
- 5 min read
Updated: Mar 31
Hello!
In my first blog post, which served as a brief introduction to myself and the purpose of my blog, I discussed some of my hobbies and the subjects I plan to address here. I now want to delve deeper into my plans and explain the "why" behind these topics. If any of these subjects interest you, or if there's something you'd like me to cover that I haven't mentioned, please leave a comment and let me know! My aim is to create a community open to conversations that enable everyone on this platform to share their personal stories and be eager to learn from one another. Learning from others can be a catalyst for inspiring us to pursue our aspirations and foster self-discovery.
Sharing our own personal stories
Sharing our own personal stories can be incredibly powerful. It's common to feel that we are insignificant and that our lives aren't interesting. Yet, what we consider insignificant can have a significant impact on others. We might wonder, "Why?" Why is it important to share our stories? It's about being vulnerable. Opening up and letting others see that we are more alike than they might think is what attracts us to someone's story. We might have preconceived notions about someone, but when we learn about their true selves, we often realize, "Wow, they're not what I thought!" This can lead to finding connections through shared experiences. Let's try a quick exercise. Take two minutes to think about a colleague or someone you know from work or school. Now, imagine sitting down with them and hearing their life story. How do you think you'd feel after that conversation? Learning about someone's life, their challenges, successes, and experiences fosters immediate respect due to their vulnerability. Being vulnerable requires the courage to share. In a world where social media often dictates how we present ourselves, it can strip away the raw and real parts we might hide. Sharing similar experiences allows others to understand us more deeply and fosters respect for those who share, showcasing their strength and authenticity. This is why I'm motivated to learn about others' stories and urge them to share, regardless of how insignificant they might seem.
Stepping into the world of pageantry
If you know me, you know I'm a pageant enthusiast, and that's how many people know of me. I was introduced to the pageant scene at such a young age that I honestly can't recall my exact age (possibly 5?). In the 90s, pageants were the main attraction at the Hmong New Years. Every year, over 10 contestants participated in various cities that offered stages for young women starting at age 16! Now, in 2025, pageantry within the Hmong community has transformed. I've observed, participated, judged, and trained numerous young women in pageants. I've also been an enthusiastic spectator of other mainstream pageants and have connected with fellow participants who share my passion for pageantry (I might even call them a pageant encyclopedia). Anyway, I want to expand my reach and offer services to young women interested in pageantry. Despite existing strong stigmas, I want to advocate that pageantry can significantly boost self-confidence and self-exploration. One can truly find deeper meaning and purpose by venturing into pageantry. The opportunities it presents are incredibly rewarding and can serve as a gateway to achieving your full potential. There's much more I want to discuss on this topic, such as tips and tricks, and chime in on pageants happening currently, but I'll save that for a future post where I can explore different aspects of pageantry in detail. If this interests you, be sure to stay connected!
Relationships
Relationships have been fundamental in shaping my character. Navigating relationships with partners, interactions with my parents, and meaningful friendships has provided me with insight into what constitutes healthy and unhealthy relationships. As a school counselor, I've gained an understanding of youths' perspectives and how we, as parents, can foster stronger bonds with our children. My own relationships haven't been perfect, which is why I've learned so much from them. My parents' traditional backgrounds influenced their views on community and marital roles, ultimately affecting their relationship and leading to divorce. This experience helped me grasp the effects of divorce as an adult and the trauma it inflicts on everyone involved. I want to share stories from our elders and their look on life-including relationships. Observing the evolution of friendships and learning when to cherish or release them is part of growth and healing. As humans, we continually grow and heal over time. Discovering a lasting partner and understanding the foundations of your desired lifestyle and partner can bring peace of mind. I aim to share my experiences in all facets of relationships and encourage others to share theirs, fulfilling the blog's ultimate goal of exploring the human experience and finding inspiration through shared stories.
Miscellaneous
Like I've mentioned before, my ADHD brain never lets me sleep. It constantly requires for me to learn and teach others on a regular basis. There are a variety of topics that I also want to dive into that doesn't require as much of an in-depth conversation. Here are a few of the topics:
Business Ventures: I spent over 10 years work in business; mainly with marketing, management, operations, and HR. I have a huge passion in learning about business, what equates to their success and pointing out their downfalls. I earned my Bachelor's Degree in Business and was able to utilize that in my 20's working for various companies and overseeing others. I want to contribute everything I've learned back to others in hopes that your business will succeed. Some of these topics may include, but are not limited to, HR information, interviewing, building a successful business, how to turn a profit, and developing a business ownership mentality.
Motherhood: As a first time mother, I'm able to recall quite vividly my experience with pregnancy, giving birth (or in my case - cesarean), and witnessing those first milestones. I also want to learn from other mothers and fathers their experiences, successes, challenges, recommendations, and words of advice to be a better mother and partner. Some of these topics may include, but are not limited to, pregnancy experience, health challenges, how to be what your child needs, and diving into your child's mind.
Self Identity: This has always been a passion of mine. When I started to navigate self identity and exploration, I came across so many important questions I needed to ask myself to ground myself into who I truly am. I came across a recent interview with an Artist who is currently in his late 30's who reflected back on his earlier years and talked about how he is still currently trying to understand who he is due to the exposure of fame early on and not knowing how to handle it. This is a common challenge for most as we are all experiencing life for the first time without a manual. The greatest thing we can do for ourselves is to give ourselves grace and acknowledge who we were in order to grow and move past our mistakes. A guiding quote for me is: "It's a life lesson, not a life sentence," which essentially means we learn from our errors and shouldn't feel constantly trapped by them.
Other: Education, Hmong heritage, Counseling, Experiences, Shamanism, Cultural Identity, Food, Travel, Photography, Content Creation, Beauty, Makeup, Skincare, Hair, and so much more! My mind is a constant buzz of thoughts inspired by the everyday things I encounter. I hope to share all these inspirations with you, which is why my blog is titled - Everything Under The Stars!

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