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Sel's avatar

this line will hold a special place in my heart: "I come from a place you can’t leave, no matter how far you try to go" because i too, am from that place. you're the first other azerbaijani i've found on here, and i love this piece. can't wait for more!

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Akif Aliyev's avatar

How beautiful to know this piece resonated with you on such a personal level! I find it so interesting how we all see things through the lens of our experiences. Thank you for sparing a few minutes of your day to read this. <3

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carmen's avatar

Your writing is amazing, I'm glad I have found your substack. I feel like I'm already learning a lot 🫂

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Akif Aliyev's avatar

Carmen, thank you so much. It is so heartwarming to hear this. I’m honored to contribute to your life positively. Don’t be a stranger!

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jeri lee | جيري's avatar

this was a powerful read, may i ask if your homeland is Azerbajain?

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Akif Aliyev's avatar

In some ways it is, in some ways it isn’t. Whilst the belonging is sewn into my very fabrics, I was born and raised in the US amongst many other places. When I was younger, I feel like I sought a sense of belonging everywhere, most notably shaped by a Eurocentric belief system that I somehow had to aspire to be like the West. Today, I realize I am not, nor will I ever be. I am what I am. :)

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jeri lee | جيري's avatar

even without being born, you belong, it’s stitched in to your dna. i can imagine being born in a place like the US there is a lot of pressure to fit in and be accepted. i am from London so its a bit different here but i am glad to hear you have found a better place in accepting who you are without the pressure ✨

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