The other day, I was listening to Brene Brown’s podcast on Spotify. She talked with Neuroscientist David Eagleman on the malleability of the human brain who explained why it is always important to keep your brain active by challenging your habits. Apparently, every time you learn something new or get engaged in an unfamiliar activity the neuroplasticity of your brain changes by forming new pathways, and that enhances your memory and delays dementia.
They recommended activities such as brushing your teeth with your non-dominant hand; choosing a different route to go home; making grocery shopping from a supermarket that you are not familiar with; rearranging the furniture; etc.so your brain is constantly surprised and has to adapt.
I found every second of that podcast fascinating and amazing! However, when I thought about my personal experience and all other people who move to another country, I realized something awkward.
As an immigrant, I crave for routine and sameness.
When we first moved to Australia from Turkey, it took me 6 months to feel comfortable making phone calls. When our phone rang, Kemal and I were playing hot potato by tossing the phone at each other; none of us wanted to be the one answering the phone.
A visit to the supermarket would take at least half a day because we had no idea what we were buying. Try finding a fabric softener in a different country and you will understand what I mean.
It was relatively easy with fruits and vegetables but I cannot forget how my tongue went numb when I took a big bite from an unripe plantain mistaking it with a banana!
After 6 years when we finally started to get into the routine, we moved to the States. I remember going to Walgreens trying to buy a cake. Similarly, one day I went to a tire shop thinking that it was a restaurant. I am not even counting the nuances of daily interactions such as small talk; excusing yourself from a meeting; asking for a quick favor from someone. All those layers of human interaction require a big deal of thinking. Writing this post, for example, took me 30 mins!
At the end of the day, you just want to shut it off. Constant brain activity, continually checking in, learning, storing new information make our brain overloaded. As my brain gets more wrinkles, the lines on my face catch up with them. Still, thank you Brene! At least I am happy to learn that all these experiences make my brain grow:) Big Brain! - As my daughter calls it!
I am sending all my love to the ones who left the comfort and warmth of their family and home to start a new life in a foreign city: you are loved, you are missed and you are admired for your courage and grace!
-Vesile
0 Comments