Some of you don’t know me… So allow me to introduce myself. Hi, my name is Tamara, and for as long as I can remember, I’ve had a pen and paper in my hand.From daily diary entries musing about my 15-year-old MSN relationship, to short story awards won in high school, to blogging and eventually writing my own novel. If there ever was one constant in my life: it was writing. 

Born and bread as a Lebanese, societal pressure made it so I overachieved academically; a Bachelor’s, a Master’s and a PhD in hand, I was ready to take on the world. In between diplomas, I managed to work as a freelancer on countless writing projects: copywriting websites, creative writing of brochures, editing of friend’s books… But my biggest accomplishment was the day I sat down and wrote my novel; Chasing Serendipity. 

My book taught me a lot: logistically how to write, self-publish and go through every important (and legal) detail at a young age. Spiritually, it anchored my belief that writing is my calling. 

But then life happened. A country’s complete economical crash, a worldwide pandemic that paused everyone’s lives. So I did what being Lebanese taught me to do: I was resilient and layed out Plan B to Plan Z. 

To be fair, with a PhD in hand, it wasn’t that hard. I ended up with part-time lecturing gigs at various universities, and consultancy-based training and development online projects. I also expanded my field of studies and went into therapy-based certifications, which allowed me to coach clients online and help them feel better and uphaul their whole identity. It felt good to do good. 

3 years ago I moved to Belgium. I do ask myself why everyday, but I do think it was mentally necessary. I changed, as a person. I rewired my whole identity, I broke old belief systems, and I moved from anxious to securely attached. And for that I will forever be grateful for my move.

But 3 years ago, my professional life came to a standby. Sure, I had projects here and there, part-time university gigs, sales, even modeling engagements. But there’s been a void that I didn’t know how to fill. 

Until I watched Younger on Netflix. (Spoiler alert) It’s a series about a woman in her 40s faking her age to get back into publishing, which had always been her passion. And it felt like the most beautiful slap in my face. 

For 3 years, I had been fighting against a current that I did not even understand. I had been slamming on half-opened doors, trying to squeeze myself into them. When one beautiful glass window was staring me in the face all along: writing. editing. storytelling. 

The opportunity hasn’t knocked yet. But I decided to open this bright glass window wide. I am not starting from scratch. I am doing a homecoming ; “retour aux sources”, like my OG writing mentor told me over the phone. 

Now I am not saying it will be easy, nor am I saying the window will open right away. But for the first time in 3 years, I feel extremely aligned with an actual purpose. 

And I can’t wait to take you on this journey of words and scribbles with me.