06/02/2026
“Hi, this is Gia Han~
This chapter of M's Storytelling Salon felt different from the very beginning. We knew we were speaking to Gen Z girls - especially those in the in-between stage of growing up - and we didn’t want the space to feel like a “mature lecture.” Instead, we hoped for something more relatable, conversational, and real. The goal was never instruction, but participation. A question guided us throughout the process: What would I actually be worried about right now? The answers came from lived experiences - my own, and reflections shared by teachers thinking back to their younger selves. From there, we chose to build content around real, current concerns and to design activities where everyone could take part, not just sit and listen.
Preparing for the workshop also meant preparing with the speaker. At first, my understanding of her came mostly from her background, but meeting in person allowed us to go deeper - into real experiences, personal boundaries, and what felt comfortable to share. My role was never to lecture, but to listen, guide, and ask thoughtful questions. I prepared anchor questions and a flexible storytelling flow rather than a fixed script, while the speaker reflected on stories and examples that aligned with those questions. This approach created space for honesty. The conversation felt organic, unpolished in the best way, and open to moments that couldn’t be planned.
Traveling to Ho Chi Minh City for this chapter was a first for me as a host of M's Storytelling Salon. It meant stepping into a new environment and meeting people who believed in the workshop's vision. I felt nervous, but also deeply excited. More than anything, I felt a strong sense of responsibility - carrying the spirit of M's Storytelling Salon into a new city, with new voices and new stories waiting to be heard.
During the workshop, what stood out most was how little it felt like a one-way exchange. The girls shared personal concerns, asked unfiltered questions, and spoke with honesty that filled the room. As the conversation unfolded, it became clear that many worries were shared across the space. With that realization came relief - the quiet comfort of knowing I’m not alone. For me, hosting didn’t feel like leading from the front. It felt like sitting together, listening together, and being part of the same circle.
The focus was never on fixing problems. It was about listening, relating, and creating emotional safety. The salon felt light, honest, and sister-like - not hierarchical, not performative. Just a space where being present was enough.
Looking back, this experience reminded me that storytelling works best when it is human, not polished. Community matters more than conclusions, and not every question needs an answer - some simply need space. Most of all, it reaffirmed why M's Storytelling Salon exists: to create rooms where girls feel seen, heard, and less alone.
What comes next is about extending that connection beyond one offline gathering. The next step is building an online community where girls can continue sharing reflections, talking about everyday worries, and supporting one another like sisters. The tone of that space will remain light, safe, and grounded in real life - without pressure. Updates and next steps will be shared on the M's Storytelling Salon fanpage as this journey continues.”
’sStoryTellingSalon
