About me
I used to believe there was somewhere I needed to get to, but I’ve given up that belief for a while now. I have dreams and goals that look into the future and that evolve and transform over time. But I do my best to remind myself to be here, now, in this experience, with these people, with these emotions and sensations. Because, as Alan Watts says, without complete awareness of the present, there is no future.
Here is a small part of my journey so far.
I grew up riding my bike through my grandparents’ village, climbing trees, sneaking off to swim in the river, and eating fruit straight from the branch. I was lucky enough to enjoy many summers filled with adventure, curiosity, and the belief that anything was possible. I carry with me a lot of teaching from the simple yet profound approach to life that people in rural areas often have.
I started writing poetry in my middle school years and continued with short stories during my high school years. I dissected the world around me through my writing, which has amplified my observation skills (and my tendency to overanalyze, but therapy is paying off with this one).
Moving to a different city for college, with nothing or no one familiar, has taught me a lot about adapting, belonging, exchanging codependence for independence, and it helped me discover words and meanings in a new way, through translations.
The age of freestyling. Easing into the translation field, discovering a part of myself apart from roles and titles, learning about the importance of friendship and a tribe.
The leap of growth. The first six months of therapy were unbearable, as if I were stranded in the middle of the ocean with no shore in sight. And then it gradually became better. I started questioning everything about my constructed identity. For the first time, authenticity was feeling more alluring than belonging.
The age of professional growth. Love of learning is one of my top character strengths, so it’s no surprise that I went into a learning spree for two years, until I finally set a boundary with myself and decided to take it slow. And enjoy the process more.
The big year of changes, divorce, demolition, and construction. The switch from independence to interdependence, from fierce belonging to remorseless authenticity, from self-loathing to self-love.
I used to think that I wasn’t good with people. That I’m anti-social. And then it was so natural for the people that I worked with to tell me that they feel safe and seen when they talk to me.
The year I gifted that 12-year-old girl inside of me the dream that she’d been holding onto, patiently. My first published book.
Finally gave in and enrolled in Psychology studies and trained to work with anxiety.
Working with Afghan women—both immigrants and locals—has given me a new awareness. Working with mindsets and emotions has changed the way I relate to the world.
My Certifications
Imperfect conversations in bed
The most vulnerable and relaxed conversations happen in bed. At night, before you go to sleep, or in the morning, before you start the day. Sometimes you know the exact topic you want to explore, while other times you let your mind wander and find out where it takes you. Come to bed for an imperfectly authentic conversation!
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