March Days in A-Culturated
February highlights, and what’s to come
“It is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society.” — Jiddu Krishnamurti
Hello everyone, and apologies for the delayed newsletter. I hope you are well.
Some cracks form slowly, almost imperceptibly. Others appear overnight, sudden and undeniable. But in either case, by the time we notice them, the foundation has already started to shift.
March arrives with questions we can no longer ignore. The structures we’ve relied on — whether cultural, political, or personal — are being tested. Some will hold. Some will crumble. Some were never as sturdy as we believed in the first place.
At times like these, it’s worth asking: what happens when the systems built to protect and serve us start working against us instead? And in the collapse of old certainties, is there an opportunity to build something better?
News, Reviews, & Updates
February carried its own rhythm, and with it came stories that challenged, questioned, and expanded our perspectives. The messiness of change often gives way to some of the most important reflections.
- Our February Writing Prompt was all about rebelling against the cultures we were born into. Writers explored what it means to question, redefine, and reclaim their cultures. Check out all the entries here.
- Our March Writing Prompt is now live, and it’s a big one. We’re diving into Observations of a Dystopia in the Making — examining the cracks forming in our cultural narratives, the illusions that are breaking, and what happens when the structures we trusted begin to fail us.
- Our Ongoing Series. Our ongoing series called “Cultural or Comfortable” where we unpack the uncomfortable truths behind our most accepted cultural behaviors, is still well and active, so check it out if it resonates with you.
Quick Stats from February
- 6 boosted stories
- 9K views
- 4.3K reads
- 150 new followers
- 2347 total followers
- 144 current writers
Monthly Mentions & Editors Picks
We don’t want to overwhelm you with a lengthy reading list, so we’ll keep things short and sweet!
Editors 3 Top Picks
- Lucinda Munro Cook’s Give Your Third Culture Kid a Lifeline: a Sibling stood out to me because it highlights something often overlooked: the crucial role siblings play in shaping a TCK’s sense of self. We usually focus on the challenges of adapting to new cultures, but Lucinda nails how having a sibling can be the anchor that makes it all feel less like floating in a void. It’s a fresh perspective on TCK life.
- LaDonna Witmer’s To Be or To Be caught me off guard. As a Portuguese native, I had never considered the subtle distinction in my language between “ser” and “estar” (to be and to be). LaDonna’s reflection on the permanence of “ser” versus the transience of “estar” made me rethink the things we label as fixed or temporary in our lives. It’s a nuanced exploration of how we define ourselves, how we experience change, and how language can shape our understanding of both.
- Ayne’s Seven Truths of an Immigrant Mother will resonate deeply with anyone who has experienced raising children abroad. Her story speaks to the quiet struggles of distance, guilt, identity, and creating a sense of family away from family. It’s a raw, honest look at the emotional complexities we all grapple with when we’re far from where we came from.
Our Most-Read Story in Febraury
New A-Culturated writer Thasya 🛸’s The Time I Almost Got Married to a Ghost currently has 902 views and 442 reads.
Boosted Stories
If you want to read more amazing stories, be sure to check our Boost Gallery and look through what was boosted in February. Don’t forget, we nominate stories for a boost, but this doesn’t guarantee they get accepted for a boost. For more information on the boost program, click here.
We hope the month of March brings you hope and clarity into all that you have learned from your intercultural experiences thus far.
Thank you so much for unpacking cultures with us!
See you next month!
Love,
Maria & Lucinda
