How I Got Here

I guess I’ve always had a knack for spotting patterns. It’s a skill that even earned me some fame—like the time I identified bugs in over 55 Lebanese websites in a single day or uncovered hidden mature content on Instagram using Arabic hashtags. Looking back, I realize I played a part in polarizing people. At the time, though, I didn’t think my voice mattered much. When I posted those articles, I figured maybe a few people would care. I had no idea how much power my blog held.

I didn’t feel famous—not yet. But before I knew it, I was negotiating TV interviews. I picked one, started shooting a second, and quickly got bored with telling the same story. I didn’t want to repeat myself just for a different network. Around that time, a post of mine went viral on Instagram thanks to a YouTube video—my first cringe-worthy attempt at video content—showing people how to find mature content on Instagram. That video, with over half a million views, will probably follow me to my grave.

Then I moved to Europe and endured a rough breakup during the pandemic. They say the very unlucky are often very lucky, and that year, my Instagram unexpectedly went viral. For the first time, I had abs—and apparently, the internet couldn’t calm down. Suddenly, I was Instagram famous. But honestly, I felt overwhelmed. I didn’t know what to do with this platform. It wasn’t my first brush with fame, but this time, I—not my writing—was at the center of attention. It was a lot more than I was ready for. I felt uninspired, and naturally, the blog faded away.

What To Expect

Eventually, I took a step back to focus on work and process my neurodivergent diagnosis. That’s when I started writing again. At first, I wasn’t sure where I was heading. I wrote a lot for myself, and gradually, the idea for Unmasked began to take shape. It evolved from a simple autobiography to something bigger—an exploration of patterns, through my lens.