20 Comments
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Moll Moonlight's avatar

Did not expect to love this.

Loved it.

Subscribed.

Anyone wanting to know why should probably just read what I did...

Atiq Zabinski's avatar

Thank you so much!

Moll Moonlight's avatar

Absolute pleasure! I love Bali and you're making me see it a whole different way!

Atiq Zabinski's avatar

Ha, I’ve never been there! It was just presented to me as the choice I should have made instead of Mauritius. I wonder how I can make this place look to you? I veer between loving and hating it, myself.

Moll Moonlight's avatar

Honestly that sounds pretty enthralling! I’m being utterly killed by life shit right now so I can’t read as much of your stuff as I’d like to, but I’m hoping to get some time this week…

I’m really glad I’ve found you - your writing is completely different to everyone else I’ve discovered, a total fresh experience!

Atiq Zabinski's avatar

Thank you so much, that is high praise. I totally get not having time to read everything you want to here. I’m stressing pretty badly right now, or I would have read more of your story than I did this morning.

Moll Moonlight's avatar

Oh no! I’m so sorry! What’s got you strung out? I really hope it’s gone by the time you read this!

Ian DM Taniels's avatar

Great read! Thank you for sharing. See you over at the House Of Chapters!

Atiq Zabinski's avatar

Thank you! Honored to be featured there! https://houseofchapters.substack.com/

Kim Williams, M.Div.'s avatar

This sharing is an adventure in itself. Bravo you for your courage. While a geographic change never fixed me, they did give me a chance to see with fresh eyes and discover more about myself. That part about being a Chameleon- I felt that.

Atiq Zabinski's avatar

Thank you. I’m finding this journal is helpful for working through all the stress and uncertainty. I don’t know if you read the installment I’ve entitled “thirst“, in which I discuss my initial use of Facebook to share all of this, but the feedback I’ve gotten from readers, alternating with silence, has encouraged me to keep at it, and in turn made me question the time I put into it. At this point, though, I think I see its therapeutic value even when people don’t respond.

imi's avatar

You’re so brave, and I found your story deeply inspiring from the very beginning. There’s a beautiful sparkle in the way you write, filled with hope and self-discovery that draws the reader in. I’m genuinely excited to see what lies ahead for you and feel grateful to experience your journey from the reader’s seat.

Life isn’t about already knowing who we are; it’s about who we become while searching for that person we call identity. Your piece captured that beautifully. I truly enjoyed your writing, and I’m thankful you shared your story with such honesty and light.

Thirty Nine's avatar

I loved your writing so much! It’s like I can see you there, in the dim light of the airplane, talking softly with the flight attendant while people glance back hehehe.

I know that feeling of stepping into the unknown and how it changes you. Even though it’s challenging most of the time, I always recommend everyone do it. You discover so many new versions of yourself.

I hope you’re liking the version you’re becoming in Mauritius. 💚 I had never heard of it before, but I googled it and the images are a-ma-zing! What a beautiful place!

Definitely subscribing to follow your journey!

Hawtorn V. Rabot's avatar

Such an interesting way to get there.

Danielle Nadine Pierre's avatar

I loved this. May you find yourself!

Sacred AF - SOUL LIVING 💫's avatar

I was completely drawn into your world, and feel like I have to sub. Thank you for sharing yourself and this part of your journey. How is Mauritius?💜🙏🏽

Atiq Zabinski's avatar

That’s wonderful, thank you!

How is Mauritius? Challenging. Disappointing. Bewildering. Beautiful.

And right now, mind-numbingly hot. God, I miss my air conditioner.

I have not yet figured out how I’m going to be able to stay here. And I am really sick of the place I’ve been staying at. I’ve been a bit blocked to write about this, but I recently let that dike collapse in this mess: https://greenwanderer.substack.com/p/transcribed-update-from-the-madhouse

Sacred AF - SOUL LIVING 💫's avatar

An eclectic mind fuck then?🫠 May you find your place and peace beautiful soul. I have saved it for later, thank you.💜🫂

Justin Zimmer's avatar

I hate describing my job too. For nearly 30 years all I say is "computer stuff" because anything else just gets me nods and glazed eyes or causes me to spill into ramble mode as the onramp to things I know about and therefore rant about is steep but slippery.

PancakeSushi's avatar

Reserving comment