Meet Tassanee Croell

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Tassanee Croell. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Tassanee, thank you so much for agreeing to open up about a sensitive and personal topic like being fired or laid-off. Unfortunately, there has been a rise in layoffs recently and so your insight and experience with overcoming being let go is relevant to so many in the community.

Overcoming a layoff or getting fired can be a challenging experience, but it can also be a blessing in disguise. I believe that everything happens for a reason. Sometimes good things fall apart so better things can fall together. Because there are better things waiting for us. I am always thankful for everyone that exists in my life. Especially my boss who laid me off; if they didn’t do that, I wouldn’t have come to America. I never thought I would move to another country, especially by myself. I was able to move to the United States and since that day, my life has changed forever. A layoff or getting fired, it’s just a bad day not an indicator of a bad life. So, say ‘Yes!’ to new adventures and let life surprise you because it’s good to embrace change.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

My name is Tassanee Croell and I’m originally from Thailand. I moved to America in 2017 and originally lived in New Jersey for a year and then moved to Colorado 6 years ago. I was working in Thailand after graduating and as fate would have it, I was laid off. Everything happens for a reason. If that didn’t happen, I wouldn’t know about the Au-Pair program which led me to the United States. “Au-Pair” is a term for a child care provider who lives and works with an American host family as part of an international cultural exchange program. With it, a foreigner of the United States is able to live and take care of the kids in a “host” family for up to two years. 

This is something that I really wanted to pursue, but I had lost my job, how could I afford the fees required? I had some money saved, but only enough to last me for a few months in Thailand. I had rent to pay because I lived in an apartment by myself. I didn’t want to ask anyone for help, something I now realize that I probably should have done. My mindset was “If I want to take care of someone else, I should be able to take care of myself first.” I did gig jobs and only ate eggs, rice, and cabbages which I cooked in a microwave for about 4 months until I was able to secure a new job to continue saving. Although these foods weren’t exactly the most exciting, I actually ended up liking them because they were cheap and healthy enough for me. I did everything I could to save money to apply for the program until I was eventually hired by an American family. I was able to move to the United States.

Learning the English language and different cultures has been another significant aspect of my journey. It’s been a journey filled with ups and downs, moments of frustration and breakthroughs. But through it all, I’ve come to appreciate the beauty of language as a tool for connection and understanding. Since I moved on from being an Au-Pair and transitioned into the role of an ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) Paraeducator. Helping kids with autism makes me feel like I am doing something very meaningful and impactful on the world. It makes me happy to be there for students who need additional support. Everyday is challenging but also extremely rewarding. 

I also believe that it’s important to have hobbies. One of my most important hobbies to me is my Youtube Channel. I like to share my daily life and new experiences that I never had before when I lived in Thailand. This not only connects me to the world, but also to my family and friends back in Thailand. I want them to see what I see and it’s a way for me to tell them that I am doing well. It brings me joy if any of my videos help others or make people happy. Small wins are the best motivation. I started my Youtube channel in 2022. I thought it was maybe too late to start a channel and who would watch my videos? I should have started it 3 years ago but you can always start something you really care about or are interested in. Be patient and just keep going. Trust in yourself that you can do it because you are so much more capable than you think you might be.

Now I have been doing my Youtube channel for over 2 years and I never once regretted it. Some advice I would give would be to never compare yourself to others because everyone has their unique journey and definition of success. Success for me is making people happy, even if it’s just one person. Even though I don’t have as many subscribers as many would deem as ‘successful’ , I am still very happy to have those that choose to watch my videos and experience the United States through the lens of a girl from Thailand. It’s important to celebrate the small wins and keep your own version of success. I am very happy with where I am at and look forward to sharing my future adventures with the world. 

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Looking back on my journey, there are some key qualities that have made a significant impact in my journey : adaptability, having patience, and continuous learning. Each of these has been important in guiding me through the challenges and successes of my life. Adaptability is an important quality and useful, especially for me as I moved to the USA on my own. When I first arrived, everything felt new and challenging- the language, the culture, and even the food were different from what I was used to. Instead of feeling overwhelmed, I embraced these changes. I explored my new city, I tried different foods and learned about American customs and culture. My patience and willingness to learn made a big difference. It’s important to remember that adapting takes time. My journey has shown me how adaptability can lead to becoming a better version of myself. By staying open to new experiences, I not only found my place in this new country but also discovered my own strength.

Having patience is just equally as important for overcoming challenges. We all know the saying “Good things come to those who wait.” Patience helps you keep going and make better choices, which can lead to more successes. Just like some foods take time to cook, some things in life need patience to turn out right. Just keep going and focus on progress, not perfection. Continuous learning is a good skill everyone should have. I always ask questions when I don’t understand something, and you should too! There’s no need to feel embarrassed- no one knows everything. If you think you know everything, you can’t learn anything. Always stay curious and open to learning new things. Even though I have been living in America for a while, there are still so many things for me to learn every day and I feel excited every time I learn something new! 

All the skills I learned helped me become a resident and then a full-fledged citizen of the United States. I thank my past self for being adaptable, patient, and making a commitment to never stop learning, which have all led me to where I am today.

Any advice for folks feeling overwhelmed?

This feeling can happen to everybody and it is okay. Feeling overwhelmed can sometimes be a positive. It can signal that you’re pushing your boundaries and taking on new challenges in whatever activity you are completing, whether that be for a hobby or for work. However, it’s also important to recognize when this feeling becomes too intense and signals that you need a break. 

When life starts to feel like too much, taking a step back is essential. You can set aside your worries for a moment and engage in activities that bring you joy. Whether it’s a walk in nature, reading a book, spending time with loved ones, taking a long shower, or even starting to smile at yourself in the mirror, these moments of respite can help you recharge and gain clarity. 

Allow yourself the time to relax and calm your mind. When you take care of yourself, you’ll be better prepared to handle your responsibilities and deal with challenges more easily. Remember, you only have one life to live. Taking care of yourself isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s an important part of maintaining balance.

I hope everyone that is reading this is having a really good day and overcoming any challenges they face!

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Tassanee.croell
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@JUSTFILMS.T

Image Credits

All photos are my own.