My “Tunisianness” is Killing Me3 min read

Dear readers,

I know it has been a while since I last wrote an article. I wish I can say that I have been accomplishing great achievements but that would be a lie.

I have been hiding from the bad news in Tunisia. This place I have always called home is starting to make me feel trapped. The amount of bad news coming from this government is exhausting.

We are talking about a country with no vaccine or even a date when a vaccine will be purchased. We are talking about a country where a young guy dies in prison because he wasn’t allowed to get his medicine. We are talking about a country where the political party in power invites the masses to go to one of the main avenues in Tunis the capital city and showcase their loyalty to the party.

All that in the middle of a freaking pandemic. I know I only listed few things that are a mere example of what’s wrong with Tunisia. But if I’m being honest I need to say that all of this is taking a toll on my mental health and well being .

If you have been a follower of Carthage magazine, you probably have seen some of my more cheerful articles. I know this one isn’t and I’m not even sorry for that because after years of fighting every to make this country a better place I feel like my “Tunisianess “ is becoming a burden and venting out here feels like one of the few things I can do to remain sane.

I can’t help concluding this article without calling all the readers who are Tunisian to keep trying. I know the past few years have been tough and things got even worse with COVID-19 but let’s just not give up the hope just yet.

There is still hope in Tunisia despite everything that is happening here now. I refuse to give up on Tunisia and I pray and hope you all do the same.

If you need a break please go ahead and take it. Allow yourself to recognize that those times are tough and you are entitled to your feelings. If you like to hide somewhere you like if you can and totally should. If you can’t physically leave your home or city, I encourage you to do something just for you.

Do something that you enjoy! Take half the day off or reconnect with a friend (needless to say be mindful of the social distancing and mask wearing regulations). But please don’t give up on Tunisia just yet!

Featured image credit: Anis Mili Reuters.

Articles written by Hind:

• The 10th Anniversary of the Tunisian Revolution
• 10 Things to Know If Invited for a Tunisian Iftar
• 10 Things I Wish I Know how to Explain to Tunisians
• 9 Things to Know about Ramadan in Tunisia
• 5 Types of Tunisian Men on Dating Apps (Covid Edition)
• 10 Tunisian Road-Trip Snacks
• Tunisian Shall Stop Doing These 5 Things
• Ten Things I learned from Living Alone in Tunis
• For the Love of Tuna?
• Brunching But NOT the Tunisian way?

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