There are many times when my mental state gets shaken while living as an immigrant.

No matter how positive a person is, when language, culture, relationships, and financial issues all come crashing down in an unfamiliar environment, it becomes hard to cope.

There are moments when I suddenly think, "Why did I come all the way here and endure this?" At such times, it's important to acknowledge that 'I can also be shaken.'

It's not for nothing that they say 'immigration is a mental battle.' Even if everyone seems to be doing well on the outside, we don't know what burdens they are carrying inside or what frustrations they are experiencing.

For me, the most frustrating thing is experiencing discrimination.

Just by looking at my speech or appearance, people can easily tell, "Ah, this person is a foreigner," and some tend to look down on me. If my pronunciation is slightly off, they pretend not to understand or subtly ignore me, which boils my insides.

The second most frustrating thing is paperwork issues. When I go to places like the DMV, tax office, or immigration office, it drains my energy. After waiting for a long time, when it's finally my turn and the staff says, "This document is missing, please come back," that's when my mental state collapses. They told me on the phone yesterday that it would be fine, but today they say it won't work, and everyone has different answers, driving me crazy.

The third is when I get backstabbed by a Korean person I trusted. This is truly the most painful. We communicate well and understand each other's struggles in immigrant life, so I relied on them, only to find out I was being used or that money issues caused a rift. It might not hurt as much in Korea, but here, that sense of betrayal hits twice as hard. It feels like the hand that was helping me ended up robbing my wallet... At such times, emptiness washes over me before anger.

The fourth is when car problems arise. In America, you can't do anything without a car. But when suddenly the engine won't start or there's an insurance issue, there's no solution. I have to call for a tow, get repairs done, and if I need a rental car, it can cost hundreds of dollars overnight. When I call the insurance company, they say, "This isn't covered," leaving me frustrated.

The fifth is when loneliness hits hard. It's especially true on holidays or birthdays. Everyone around is busy, there's no one to contact, and being alone at home feels quiet, but that quietness makes it even lonelier. Especially when I see photos of my Korean friends on social media, my heart sinks.

But what can I do? Immigration is ultimately a battle of endurance. Every time I go through these experiences, I feel, 'Ah, I am getting stronger.' Nowadays, there are many YouTube videos about "how to be okay alone." In the past, even eating alone felt awkward, but now, alone time is seen as 'my time.'

Most of the videos show ways to manage your mind and routines for self-comfort in daily life while living alone. For example, brewing coffee in the morning while listening to music, or ending the day by turning off the lights and lighting a scented candle. There are also many tips on how to travel alone and enjoy dining out without feeling uncomfortable.

When your mental state is shaken, take a day to just put everything down and go for a walk, or sit on a park bench with a cup of coffee to organize your thoughts.

It may seem trivial, but it greatly helps in calming the mind. And I hope you are not too hard on yourself. We feel pressured to always live diligently like in Korea, but immigrant life is a much longer marathon. Sometimes, it's okay to praise yourself by saying, 'Today was just a day I endured well.' Creating repetitive routines like exercise or cooking can stabilize your mind. Activities like walking, yoga, organizing, or journaling can become pillars that support your mental state.

Also, when negative thoughts keep flooding in, try writing down three things you are grateful for. "Today, the sunshine was nice," "A neighbor greeted me," "The music on my way home was good"—these small things can lift your spirits again.

Finally, try not to worry too much about the future and focus on each day. Immigrant life is a series of unpredictable events, but ultimately, time and experience will strengthen your mental state. It's okay to have shaky days. That just means you are adapting. The important thing is not to give up and not to lose yourself. As you build each day, you will eventually discover a much stronger version of yourself than before.