Turning the Table on Nazar, the “Evil Eye”
As a society, we often fixate on the potential harm others may wish upon us—what if we focused just as much on the good?
This year has been…well, it’s been a lot. I’m not sure if it’s because we’re getting older or if life itself has just been particularly rough lately. People around me seem more suspicious, less trusting, and some are even convinced there’s a force—a “nazar” or “evil eye,” as they say in Turkey—that brings you bad luck the moment you share something good. Personally, I’ve never really subscribed to that idea. I believe we earn what we have through hard work rather than through superstition. But I can’t deny it: my friends have grown a bit more superstitious, and I think it may be rubbing off on me.
At the same time, I feel really grateful because I also feel something else. Let’s call it the emergence of the “good eyes.” We spend so much time worrying about who might be rooting against us that sometimes we forget there are people genuinely cheering us on—people whose support can transform our journey. When I look back on this year, I see those people more clearly than I have before.
Shifting my Fixation
When I left the State Department, I was determined to pursue something meaningful, something that matched me. So it had to be hard, like a startup. A big part of that motivation was this nagging sense that certain individuals expected me to fail. And I am stubborn. I didn’t want them to feel like they’d won. So I pushed forward, laser-focused on proving them wrong. But somewhere along the line, my perspective shifted. And I’m glad it did.
I think it began when I decided to be as transparent as I could about my new business—sharing both the wins and the losses. I was inspired by the transparency other journalists had shown in this space, but also intimidated by it. I had spent the last 5 years at the State Department with the perfectionist face of a polished U.S. Diplomat, in a job that was far from the work of transparency, but about strategically projecting a message.
Practicing authenticity and transparency again was hard, but I knew it was where my heart wanted to be. I decided I needed to be brave, letting people in to see the process even if it meant I may fail publicly. I braced for those evil eyes to come out. And I’m sure in some ways they did—you know those suspicious follows that you get on social media from people, just watching. It makes me pause, but I let them follow. But what also happened was something pretty incredible. I discovered a surprising amount of support. Former colleagues, old bosses, friends, editors…they all showed up with messages of encouragement and/or practical help.
This outpouring made me realize how many people actually want me to succeed. (Words I need to bold so I don’t forget.) It’s been humbling and overwhelming in the best way. It’s taught me to remind myself of the good eyes, those rooting for me—even from afar.
Gratitude for the Network of Support
Since starting this journey, I’ve gotten private messages from State Department employees and former colleagues saying, “I see what you’re doing, and I’m rooting for you.” Some have even become founding members of my Substack, which may not be a huge monetary deal, but it’s a powerful show of faith. My old CEO offered to be an advisor for my company. Another boss gave me a contract for freelance work, tailoring the role so I could be a mom, a founder, and still have a contract. Old editors have sent letters of recommendation. They’ve opened doors for me in ways I never expected.
If I’m honest, it makes me emotional. Putting these words together almost chokes me up because I’m so grateful. To everyone who’s seen my journey, who’s stood in my corner, who’s extended a hand or a kind word—I see you, too. I am so used to powering through that I almost didn’t know how to respond when you offered help, but I am so grateful. You help me to continuously believe that this is possible.
The Challenge
This may seem a bit corny, but to end 2024, I thought it may be nice to challenge us all to be a good eye for someone else. Cheer them on. Root for them genuinely. Celebrate their wins. Offer something verbal, but also something practical.
And remember, there are people doing exactly that for you. Sometimes we get so caught up in who might be envious or not that we overlook the actual allies who are cheering in the background. In 2025, let’s turn the tables on this culture of envy and fear. Let’s obsess over the good eyes instead.
There’s going to be a lot on our plates next year—shifts in government, changes in social dynamics, technology like AI taking leaps forward, ongoing war, protests, and who knows what else. Life can be chaotic and painful for no damn reason, but it can also deliver amazing moments of growth and opportunity.
Buckle yourself in for the rollercoaster. Keep your eyes on the good ones. They’re the people who want to see you succeed—not because they get anything out of it, but because your success gives them hope, too. It’s proof that there are better ways to live, to work, to thrive.
A Note of Thanks for Following My Newsletter
Before I sign off for the year, I just want to say how thankful I am for everyone who’s been reading my newsletter. When I started it, I wasn’t entirely sure what shape it would take—only that I had so many thoughts and experiences I wanted to share on my own terms. I wanted to come back to what I love, writing openly and transparently. It’s evolved into a space that feels part reflective diary, part social commentary, and part entrepreneurial journey log. Moving into 2025, I plan to keep exploring the systems of our world, making sense of emerging patterns, and sharing those insights with you.
Whether it’s connecting the different industries I’ve worked in, juggling this start-up, or reflecting on the changing landscapes—political, social, technological—there’s just so much to talk about. I appreciate every single person who’s along for the ride, who’s curious about the ideas I’m working through, and who’s generously offered feedback or encouragement.
Thank you for giving me the chance to share my story and for offering your good eyes along the way. As we head into 2025, remember there’s a host of people rooting for you—and you never know how much power there is in that until you let yourself see it.
So here’s to the new year, the new challenges, the inevitable chaos—and the good eyes that will help us through. Let’s do this, and let’s do it with a sense of hope and possibility.
I’m rooting for you. Thank you for rooting for me.
Subscribe and Share
I hope you found this newsletter helpful and engaging. Please share with any friends or family you think would be interested and feel free to buy me a coffee by subscribing if you got some use out of it.
Follow me on Instagram too!
And here is my LinkedIn.
