🇱🇧 Being Lebanese is a Job in Itself

Surpassing uncertainty has become second nature for us, navigating the endless challenges that life in Lebanon throws our way. Whether it’s the deafening roar of planes breaking the sound barrier, the Middle East’s constant instability, or the remnants of corruption our parents endured, we carry the weight of our nation’s past and present.

Our parents, who couldn’t say no to corruption, suffer from a collective PTSD, staying home and fighting for their happiness, almost begging for forgiveness for a fate they didn’t choose. Meanwhile, younger generations like myself had the chance to leave, seeking education and job opportunities abroad, all while dreaming of returning home one day to revitalize the Lebanese economy—our economy.

Every summer, we watch as new, flashy concepts pop up in little lala lands, with bars and restaurants trying to attract the few tourists and locals who still dare to visit. Party, eat, repeat to forget or live again.

But that’s what it means to be Lebanese—resilient, hopeful, and forever tied to our roots, no matter where life takes us.