Does anyone remember how stressful life was as a teenager, where every mistake felt permanent and carried with it the pressure of potentially defining the rest of your life? In hindsight, those weren’t exactly the dream years, especially when considering the fact that nothing was figured out yet, but you were somehow supposed to have your entire life mapped out.
The future, which was both a source of excitement and anxiety, loomed large, like a story where the ending could change completely depending on a yes or a no, on whether you took that leap of faith or chose to play it safe. Fast forward a few years, and looking back, many of us realized we could have done things differently— or at least, with less worrying. That’s why we asked eight Arab creatives, from all over the creative spectrum, the piece of advice they would give their younger selves about career, success, and finding their own path.
Ayoub Maher, 19, Model
“Keep going and don’t listen to anyone!”
Rahim Rabia, 28, Photographer
“Do it with nia.”
Kareem Naguib, 24, Designer/Stylist
“Be yourself; authenticity attracts genuine connections.”
Faris Rashwan, 20, Designer
“Don’t fear so much, you’ll f—k up anyway.”
Zineb Koutten, 23, Photographer
“Continue to believe in yourself, you’re gonna get rewarded for every effort you do, small or big, so just keep on doing them as much as you can.”
Adham Elserafy, 25, Model/Stylist
“Searching for validation will kill you. You will do shit you don’t actually want for validation and it will eat you. You should know who you are and your worth. Learn how to let go and always search for peace and growth. You have to accept the fact that we all are learning we all make mistakes and f—k up. Be humble, but be self-aware. Don’t be blind and controlled by your ego. It’s okay to not always feel good, but always make sure you’re learning from your moments of doubt.”
Houssein Said, 24, Hairstylist
“Keep facing things head-on.”
Selim Mekkawy, 20, Painter, Photographer & Director
“You are not broken
Because you feel everything twice —
Once as the child who left,
Again as the echo trying to return.
Before the mirrors.
Before the myths.
Before they named you wrong.
I would look myself in the eye and say:
don’t flinch when the mirror speaks back,
it will sound like you,
but older,
truer,
arriving from everything you survived.
You are not here to be understood.
You are here to remember.
To carry the fire.
To burn so bright,
Your shadow bows.”
All pictures courtesy of Bechir GUELED
