Atelophobia

Atelophobia is a personal dive into my deepest fears feeling stuck, not living up to what my family and society expect, and losing the freedom to be myself. Growing up in Somaliland, I’ve always felt torn between following my dreams and the weight of traditions and social norms that seem to hold me back. Self-censorship is something I live with daily, and with an uncertain future and elections coming up, I often wonder if I’ll ever feel free to share who I really am.

I’m also scared of failing not just in my work but in the eyes of the people who matter to me. Sometimes I feel too unsure of myself to take bold steps forward, and imposter syndrome makes me doubt whether my voice or my experiences are good enough. But even with all this fear, there’s a part of me that still wants to break out of these expectations and figure out who I really am.

The visuals in Atelophobia use black and white to show the push and pull of these feelings. The stark contrast reflects the struggle between wanting to be brave and the fear of what might happen if I take a leap into the unknown. It’s about the tension of trying to make choices when everything feels uncertain. The drawings capture the messiness of figuring things out, the weight of doubt, and the hope that comes from embracing my journey, even if it’s unfinished and imperfect.