With Assad’s Fall, a Syrian Blogger Finds New Freedom to Bond with Her Family

 

Syrian blogger Mayada Tishori illustrates the challenges Arab women face regarding their personal and political rights in a compelling essay, “My Country Was Liberated… and Now It’s My Turn,” written in Arabic for the online Lebanese newspaper Al Modon. Sharing her experiences in a country that has recently transitioned from an authoritarian regime, Tishori examines personal and political freedoms, comparing her internal realization of liberty to her country’s newfound liberation.

 

Tishori firmly believes in liberating the mind from ignorance and fear. Her narrative highlights women's constraints in Syrian society, particularly within family and marriage, emphasizing their struggle for autonomy. She embarks on a journey of self-discovery, transitioning from feeling trapped by societal and familial expectations to actively pursuing her dreams and identity. Her story illustrates her alienation from the political indoctrination of the old regime, as she expresses, "We learned to love the homeland but did not feel it belonged to us. We, Syrians, were raised with the idea of the homeland as a warm embrace and a source of security, yet we confronted a different reality.”

 

“Just as I felt restricted in my parents' home, where everything was forbidden, I later sensed that my homeland was constraining,” writes Tishori. “In my parents' home, the rules were clear and strict. I thought I would experience more freedom when I married, but new constraints held me back.” Although Tishori does not seem to come from a traditional, conservative family, her environment does not empower her as a professional woman to break free from conventional structures, particularly the cultural, religious, and historical beliefs emphasizing gender roles and norms.

 

Personal struggles shaped Tishori’s life. She censored her thoughts and hid them from her parents out of fear of judgment. Over time, she overcame this suppression and gradually found her voice. Professional and economic growth became part of her goals, as she realized that financial independence would make it harder for her parents and husband to interfere in her choices, such as what to study in college.

 

Similarly, balancing motherhood and familial obligations became a bittersweet constraint in Tishori’s life. While spending time with her daughter, she became so focused on helping her achieve top grades while juggling household chores that she missed out on enjoying those fleeting childhood moments. She reflects, “I used to lie next to them before bed, tell them a story, or sing them a song, but fatigue would overcome me, so I sometimes fell asleep before them.” She also missed playing with her children, a mother’s dream, viewing it as a “gift” and part of her journey “towards maturity and self-discovery.”

 

Although Tishori does not elaborate on the connection between Syria’s liberation from 54 years of authoritarianism and the beginning of her freedom, she writes, “I, too, seek to be liberated. But this time, not from external constraints, but from the limitations I placed on myself.” These restrictions were not imposed by others but were internalized through her choices and fears. Her journey mirrors that of her homeland — Syria’s fight for autonomy, struggle to rebuild after years of constraint, and endeavor for a fresh start run parallel with her struggles against the limitations within her family, marriage, and society’s expectations. Just as her country considers its roadmap to the future, Tishori creates her resolutions for achieving personal liberation: “How will I be liberated? By working, broadening my horizons, writing my story, and stopping the search for others’ approval for every step I take. I will be liberated by finally choosing myself and living my deferred life… Waiting is no longer an option. Now, I am searching for myself and striving to give myself the freedom I have been deprived of for years.”

 

As she steps into her liberation, Tishori begins to appreciate the value of the present moment. She regrets the time lost fulfilling duties and expectations instead of cherishing the joy of being with her children. Just as Syria reconstructs itself with newfound freedom, she wishes to rebuild her relationship with her children — not as a mother burdened by responsibilities, but as an active participant in their joy and growth. Aside from the recent events in Syria’s coastal region, the country’s transformation inspires her own. As she embraces her independence, she realizes that true freedom includes prioritizing what genuinely matters — spending time with her children without feeling constrained by societal pressures.