02/08/2026
As a third culture kid (having mutiple nationalities, having lived in different countries, having parents from different cultures), I grew up asking myself one unrelentless question: " what is home? Where is home?"
And each time my mind would wander and end up creating this island in my mind. A beautiful island gathering all the places I was most attached to, where I had my most meaningful memories, but also gathering all the people I have known and groin to love whether be it family members, friends, role models...
This island therefore became a patchwork of Lebanon, Tunisia and France, with both my parents' lineages and all of our loved ones. Then the USA found its way in when I traveled there during my BA & MA with some of the most life changing friendships I have had. And this island keeps on growing.
When I was younger, it was heartbreaking spending time wandering on this island because of course I knew it was not real, it could never be real. And I, for the longest time believed that that meant that I could never feel at home.
But now I know, that this island is a beautiful inner museum where all of my homes, and all of the people who make me feel at home accompany me in everything I do. It was my way to find my inner home. And it keeps on growing.
👇What about you? Have you ever dreamt up of such an island ? If yes, what countries, places, people does your island gather? Let me know in the comments.
💜 I am Dania, grief counselor & transgenerational analyst. My therapeutic approach is both decolonial and spiritual.