Surviving This Crisis: A Personal Journey Through Travel, Struggles, and Hope

As I reflect on the countless trips I’ve taken over this year one thing has become clear: no matter where I go, people are struggling. Whether it’s the economic instability, the pressure of an uncertain future, or personal hardships, the challenges are universal. But there’s something else I’ve noticed—there’s a sense of pudeur, a quiet dignity, in how many face these difficulties. It’s almost as if showing vulnerability is a last resort, hidden behind smiles and perseverance.

Those smiles, however, speak volumes. In every country I visit, despite the hardships, people greet me with warmth and hope. There are moments when I can feel the weight of the hope they place on me—the belief that because I keep pushing, they can too. It’s a tremendous responsibility, knowing that people see my journey and think, “If she can do it, maybe I can too.” That belief fuels me, but it also adds pressure. I find myself asking, Am I doing enough? Can I keep empowering others if I feel tired myself?

The truth is, I do get tired. There are days when I feel overwhelmed, and moments when the exhaustion is almost too much to bear. But every morning, I wake up and remind myself, today is another day. It’s a simple phrase, but it keeps me going. No matter what happened yesterday, today is a new chance to keep moving forward, to keep making an impact, and to keep empowering those around me.

And if I need a little extra motivation, I fall back on my motto: YOLO. You Only Live Once. It may sound lighthearted, but it’s a reminder to live fully and boldly, no matter the challenges.

Despite the struggles, I keep moving. I travel, I speak, I meet people across industries and countries. And through it all, there’s a part of me that clings to hope. Hope for myself, for the animation industry that I love so much, and for the future—especially for my children and the next generation.

I’ve seen the resilience in people everywhere I go. In Brazil, despite economic hardships, there’s a warmth and strength that radiates from everyone I meet. In Africa, from Lagos to Benin, In Middle East from Egypt to E.A.U I’ve witnessed a deep desire to push forward, to create and innovate despite the odds. Everywhere, I see people working hard to make something out of what little they have, all while carrying a burden they rarely let the world see.

It’s this resilience that fuels my own hope. Yes, these times are tough, and yes, there are moments when I feel utterly exhausted. But there’s a reason I keep going, why I continue to show up and contribute to this industry. I believe in the power of storytelling, in the impact that animation, in particular, can have on our collective future. Through stories, we can inspire change, teach valuable lessons, and provide moments of escape and joy—things we all desperately need right now.

I choose to remain hopeful because I believe in the future we can build, together. For my kids, for your kids, for the world. Hope is what keeps me grounded when I feel like giving up, and it’s what gives me the strength to keep pushing forward, even when the road ahead seems uncertain.

I know we’re all carrying something. But I also know we have the power to carry each other through this. And that, in itself, is enough reason to keep believing in brighter days.

xoxo

Mounia ARAM