Some people have no idea what it really means to live in the Middle East.
Let me give you a simple but powerful example: imagine the spoiled child of a rich man. When you try to explain your struggles to him, he tells you that the reason you’ve failed is because you don’t believe in yourself. He doesn’t get it. He can’t.

That’s exactly how it feels. I talk about my pain and what I’ve been through, and people assume I’ve failed just because I didn’t believe hard enough.

What they don’t understand is that the things I share in these blog posts are only a tiny fraction of my reality. This is a blog, after all — but I write here so you can see what I’m going through, what I’m aiming for, how hard I try, and how heavy my sadness really is.

I want to respect myself — and I do.
I’m proud of myself for surviving everything I’ve been through.
I’m proud of the effort I’ve put in. Even if I haven’t “succeeded,” I’m still proud I tried.

You have no idea how hard this really is.
I have no money. I don’t have a supportive family.
When they find out I’m a trans woman, they’ll most likely try to kill me.
I have no friends. I don’t have a job.
(I’ve applied so many times, but others were hired unfairly instead.)

And yet, I dreamed up “Adriana’s Wings.”
I created a website, started blogging, launched a YouTube channel, opened Instagram and TikTok accounts.
I deleted more than 300 videos — each one was a piece of hard work, but I had to start over.
And I’ve done that countless times throughout my life.

Still, I came back — more experienced, more knowledgeable, more prepared.
I manage everything now with more clarity and confidence.

If I fall into depression, it’s not because I’m weak. It’s because I’m furious.
Furious at the injustice. Furious at having to hide. Furious that I still can’t get a job.
Furious that I’m almost 23 and still stuck living in my family’s house.

I’m not the only one responsible for this.
You don’t know what I’ve been through.

And despite it all, I’m still here.
But no, I’m not strong. I’m just alive. I keep going.

Because this is my only chance.