Choosing Presence Over Missing Out

Fear of missing out is a quiet force that grows louder in the spaces between where you are and where you wish you could be. It is not just about missing events or places. It is about missing a version of yourself that feels more alive, more connected, more at home. For me, that place has always been Israel.

My last visit was in February 2023. I spent eight days in Herzeliya, and like every time before, something shifted the moment I landed. It is difficult to explain to someone who has never felt it, but for me Israel is not just a destination. It is a feeling of recognition. A sense that I am exactly where I am supposed to be. A sense of home that does not depend on logic or explanation.

Life, however, does not always follow the path we imagine. That same year, I had plans to travel again. Bali was on the calendar, and Israel was meant to follow in October. But on September 12, 2023, my father passed away. Everything changed. Grief has a way of rearranging priorities and draining energy from even the strongest intentions. And then October came, bringing events that shook........

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