Identity & Belonging
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Collecting a New Nationality
As of Monday, I am a Belgian citizen. How did this exciting news become a reality? Was it through a fancy national ceremony? Perhaps a special letter from the King? No. In very Belgian style, I learnt this via a Monday Morning email essentially saying…
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Being caught between different worlds
I travelled back to the UK this week for the launch of my father’s biography. That, in of itself is a rather momentous moment. But the whiplash of shifting a recent trip to Spain, back to Belgium, to the UK then a Bangladeshi community event…
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The international search for a sense of legibility
I’ve returned to the UK for the weekend. Partly to see my parents. Partly because I couldn’t change my train ticket. It is quite novel being back. This is the land of my birth after all. But I’ve been away for long enough now that…
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The multiplier effect of marginalisation
I don’t think people understand the layered nature of marginalisation. Some people have a broader understanding of intolerance, but it’s often assumed to be at the level of outright racism or obvious discrimination. But behind the everyday interactions, there’s a whole layer of systems created…
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Understanding neurodivergence through Ayurveda
(Yes, I felt compelled to write about neurodivergence. And yes, I’m publishing this at 2am) Most people have heard about yoga, but fewer know about ayurveda. If yoga is the physical and spiritual practice, ayurveda is the science of health, based upon practices refined over…
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On Family and Duty
The subject of duty has been deeply imprinted in my mind this week. It relates to the idea of expectations and roles, passed down by family and society. I went back to see my parents in London, where I also reconnected with the works of…
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The fool’s search for a sense of belonging
We all want to belong. Even the most reclusive, Grinch-like people we know deep down desire it. The modern day message is that when we do not belong, we should simply move on. The magical land of belonging is just beyond the hill, over the…
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Understanding the realities of living abroad
I’m back in London for the final time this year. My family doesn’t celebrate Christmas, so I much prefer to come back a little before – it’s both more economical and far less stressful that way. There’s something about spending a few days at home…
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Navigating the challenges of being different
I’ve known for a long time that I’m different. Growing up in the UK from a Bangladeshi background, I was one of the few non-white faces within school. But it was only until I got to my first office job that I first realised that…
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Re-evaluating the games we play in our lives
I’m not very good at being ‘normal’. I tried it. In fact, I tried very hard. But the more I tried, the more I ended up seeming like a paid-actor hired into a sample group. I didn’t really fit in, so I learnt what I…
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An incredibly rapid autism diagnosis (a mere 7 months!)
Based upon everything we’ve discussed, I believe you clearly fit within the threshold of autism’. I couldn’t help but smile. I feel like getting my autism diagnosis is a cause for celebration. I can now actually describe myself as Autistic. I don’t need to caveat…
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Learning about Neurodiversity and Autism as an Adult
This week is Neurodiversity Celebration week. When I reflect on it, it was the heightened amount of messaging on social media that made me start researching around my own neurodivergency. This has culminated in me believing I’m Autistic. So if you wanted an example of…
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Learning to let the mask slip
I’ve regularly had conversations where I’ve noticed I was different. It’s been hard to put words to this, and whenever I’ve talked about being different to other people they have always tried to reassure me – we are all different in some way, right? I…
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Searching for where we belong in the world
This weekend, I went to a small group discussion with marginalised people from racialised backgrounds. It’s really interesting being in these open spaces, delving on complex and emotive topics. I was fascinated by how someone was trying to explain the challenge of finding a group…
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Being an outsider in a room full of insiders
This week was a European tour for me. I started in Brussels, then went up to Amsterdam to speak at the Sustainable Packaging Summit. on Wednesday I came straight to London (with a small box of chocolates for my dad’s birthday) to speak with a…
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The journey of integrating our different selves into one
If you’ve been following my writing for a while, you might not be surprised to learn that I’m currently on the Eurostar. I shift across from London and Brussels regularly, in fact this is the second time I’m in the UK this month. I’m attending…
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Seeing sensitivity as a strength
Attitudes have progressed a lot in the last few years. We see more open discussions around burnout and mental wellbeing. Nevertheless, emotional sensitivity, particularly in ‘professional’ settings, is still seen as an unwanted, or bad trait. But sensitivity is what makes us human, and in…
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Self-expression sets us free
Yesterday was Pride in Brussels. This is the third time I’ve been to Pride here, and I love how Brussels converts itself to a colourful, party atmosphere. What I also love about pride is that it gives the space for greater self-expression, particularly around how…
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Birthing the creation of a book – Make Diversity Matter To You
The events of the killing of George Floyd shocked the world, and triggered a renewed and profound focus around the Black Lives Matter movement. Although the events took place in the USA, it was clear that this was the tip of the iceberg on a…
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Bringing Diversity and Inclusion into Coaching Practices
Coaches want to help others. So it’s no wonder that there is growing interest in diversity and inclusion. If you’re a coach, you may be feeling overwhelmed with the subject. After all, how can a mere individual do much in the face of large systemic…