Meet Zoe Kuo

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

Zoe, we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?

The resilience came from constantly having to push back against the pressures and low expectations from my family. Growing up, I was often treated as the “troublemaker” and had to find ways to cope, forcing me to develop inner strength early on. I spent much time learning to rely on myself, finding strength in things I could control, like my art and studies. The experience of going abroad alone also taught me that if I didn’t stand up for myself, no one else would.

Ultimately, it’s the feeling of wanting to prove to myself, and maybe even my family, that I am capable and can overcome whatever obstacles come my way. I need to prove that I am still there, but it’s become more personal about my growth than seeking anyone else’s approval.

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?

I am enrolling in school as an art student, majoring in illustration and concentrating on concepts, games, and entertainment. I am pursuing a Master’s in Fine Arts in 2025 to continue my portfolio and evaluate my artistic journey to the next level. In addition to my studies, I am working as a freelance artist. I provide solutions to my clients with visual development illustrations, specifically character designs. I am working on promoting one of my characters through creating her own social media account. I am also crafting my online shop, and hopefully, I can launch an announcement before the new year comes.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

1. Self-discipline: Know your body and emotions well to control yourself but not let yourself flow.
2. Resilience: Try first, act first, fail, and again until we reach victory.
3. Foundational skills to everything: you do not have to be talented in everything you do, but you have to know the basics to start professionally.

Advice:
1. Stay resilient against judgments; haters are temporary, but those who genuinely care are here to stay.
2. Every mistake is an opportunity to learn.
3. It’s okay to let go—not all love is equal. Love yourself first to truly believe you are worthy of love.
4. Learning what to share and how to communicate can open doors to countless opportunities.

What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?

I cried—literally, I just let myself cry. I released the emotion and then returned to work. I’m unsure if this is something every young international student experiences, but my brother and I have both gone through it, and we still do. Since high school, I’ve struggled to control my emotions because of overwhelming pressure. Coming from a family with limited means, I knew I couldn’t afford to fail, so I doubled my efforts, working so hard that I forgot about my need for a release. The pressure built up one day, so my body gave in. Yet, even then, you must keep moving forward—you know you can’t stop.

Making Stress Your Friend — the mindset is critical: slow down, breathe deeply, and take it one task at a time. Find ways to ease the stress, then make time to do them. You need to understand what’s causing that overwhelming feeling and find a way to address it. It’s about looking for a balance between self-discipline and self-love.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

ZoeKuo

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