How can a sleep mask become such an emotional object in someone’s life, and what does it have to do with stability? Dalia from Jordan will tell you.
If I had to describe my connection to Hungary through a single object, it would be my sleep mask. It may sound simple, but this small piece of fabric became my constant companion.
It was there during the first nights I spent in a new country, when I felt homesick, anxious, and overwhelmed by my thoughts. I used it when my eyes were sore after long nights of studying, when I was crying, when I was deep in thought, and when I was resting after busy days.
My sleep mask was always with me. I wore it on buses and trains, and while sleeping on benches at train stations as I waited for early departures. I used it on flights and in airports while travelling to neighbouring countries, bringing me a sense of comfort and familiarity. It became my personal bubble in unfamiliar places—a space where I could pause, breathe, and feel safe.
Over time, it became much more than a sleeping aid. It became a symbol of stability in a life of constant movement
Putting it on every night felt like closing one chapter and preparing to begin the next. It carries memories of late-night study sessions, voice notes to my family back home, moments of loneliness, shared laughter with friends, and quiet gratitude.
My sleep mask is a record of my Hungarian adventure—a testament to my growth, courage, resilience, and transformation as I prepare to leave.
And whenever I question how far I have come, all I need to do is close my eyes and remember where it all began.