Author Turns Illness and Grief into Travel Metaphors

Facing a personal "annus horribilis" in 2023, which included a shock breast cancer diagnosis and the sudden death of her mother, the author discovered a unique coping mechanism. She found that recasting these difficult life experiences—illness and grief—as plot points within a larger journey allowed her to approach them with openness and curiosity, much like exploring new countries.

This perspective shift is further explored through her reflections on 'passportism,' a system that creates a hierarchy of travel privileges based on nationality. Having lived in eight countries since the late 1990s, she contrasts the ease of travel for those with passports from privileged nations against the limitations faced by others.

She advocates for a more transparent approach to writing and life, challenging the traditional notion of objective reporting. By integrating her subjectivity as a woman and a mother, she aims to break down the spurious division between personal and professional identities. This approach also led her to reconsider her parenting style, moving away from a "tiger mom" phase to embrace a more balanced and context-dependent approach.