About
I have lived in three countries and have dual citizenship so my identity has always been a blend.
Over many moons I have clarified my identity and worked through the challenges that come with being a culturally blended person.
My passion is to support people to achieve culturally blended wellness, have companionship with others similar to them and broaden their cultural awareness by providing curated resources and community.
Hey!
I’m Ashley
I grew up amongst the golden dunes of Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. The swaying palm trees, sizzling heat and stunning sunsets of Dubai was what made me feel a sense of belonging and home as a kid. I was born a New Zealand-American and my identity evolved to be a blend of bonds between these three places. I moved to New Zealand for school when I was 9, living in several places here, yet still going home to Dubai on school holidays. In my early 20’s I did a 10 month spell living life on the slopes in Whistler, Canada which was a transformational experience in terms of my identity, personal growth and perception of the cultural blends in our world.
These four countries blended into my identity over time but I wasn’t always aware of it and didn’t know how to explain it. I didn’t understand how deeply each place connected differently to the entirety of me as a person and how I understood my place in the world.
This life experience is unique and requires people that can empathise and curated resources that can help you prosper.
Discovering and owning your identity is an important journey but it is sometimes easier said than done. Especially if you do it alone.
It is because of my own culturally blended identity journey that I personally understand what it feels like to:
Feel Rootless
Not know where you can be from
Be frustrated with people who disagree with your answer to the question ‘Where are you from?”
Be isolated in your experience
Feel that you don’t 100% belong like others around you
Go through identity grief
Not know how to abundantly re-define home
Not have resources to emotionally process your challenges and prosper in your unique cultural blend