“We are all refugees from our childhoods. And so we turn, among other things, to stories. To write a story, to read a story, is to be a refugee from the state of refugees. Writers and readers seek a solution to the problem that time passes, that those who have gone are gone and those who will go, which is to say every one of us, will go. For there was a moment when anything was possible. And there will be a moment when nothing is possible. But in between we can create.”
— Mohsin Hamid
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“We are all refugees from our childhoods... But in between we can create.” Mohsin Hamid reminds us that while time is fleeting, our stories give us a place to belong. What story are you writing with your life today? Let us know in the comments! 👇
About this quote
Life is a continuous journey of leaving things behind. Mohsin Hamid’s poignant words remind us that the longing we feel for the innocence of our youth is a universal human experience; we are all, in some way, searching for a way back to a time when the world felt limitless. This shared nostalgia can often feel like a void, but it is precisely within that space that we find the courage to build something new. The true magic of existence lies in the 'in-between'—the space between the endless possibility of childhood and the inevitable silence of the end. By turning to stories, whether we are writing our own or losing ourselves in the pages of another's, we create a sanctuary against the relentless march of time. We learn that while we cannot stop the clock, we can capture a moment, preserve a memory, and find meaning in the transience of life. Let this be your reminder to embrace your creativity as a form of healing. Whether you paint, write, garden, or simply love deeply, your act of creation is a defiance against loss. Don't let the fear of time passing paralyze you; instead, let it inspire you to craft a life and a story that feels like home.
Photo Credit:
Photo by Bill Muganda on Unsplash
