Who Was I Before I Emigrated? And Who Am I Now?
I used to think I knew exactly who I was.
I had a job title that gave me identity. I had routines that kept me feeling “normal.” I lived surrounded by people who knew me—or thought they did. I carried a story of myself, wrapped in traditions, family expectations, and the silent rules of society.
And then I moved.
Immigration isn’t just changing countries. It’s a collision between the person you used to be and the person you’re about to become. No one warns you that crossing borders means crossing into parts of yourself you’ve never met.
The Death of Who You Were
The day I boarded that plane, I didn’t just leave my country. I left my language, my habits, my comfort zone, my support system. I left the version of me that made sense in that place.
In my old world, I knew how to navigate. I knew who to greet first in a room. I knew what was considered “too much” and what was “not enough.” I knew when to speak and when to stay quiet.
But Canada didn’t know me. And I didn’t know who I was here.
I used to be the funny one. But suddenly, humor didn’t translate.I used to be respected professionally. Now, no one recognized my degree, and I felt invisible.I used to be brave. But the first winter stripped me of every bit of confidence I had.
And maybe worst of all—I realized I had no idea what I liked, what I believed in, or who I really was when nobody was watching.
The Silence That Sets You Free
There’s something brutally honest about walking into a world where nobody knows you. It’s scary. It’s liberating. It’s lonely.
But it’s in that silence—when you’re no longer performing who you used to be—that you begin to hear the real you.
Some of us discover that we were never straight. We just couldn’t say it out loud where we came from.
Some realize they hate the profession they studied for, but pursued it to please their parents.
Others find joy in things they were shamed for. Dancing. Crying. Being soft. Being fierce.
There’s no one watching anymore. No neighbor who will gossip. No uncle who will say “eso no es de hombres.” No mother who will beg you to “bajar la cabeza por la familia.”
You are alone with your truth. And that’s the most terrifying and beautiful thing that can happen to a human being.
Becoming Someone New—Or Maybe Just Becoming You
Canada didn't change me. It revealed me.
Here, I didn’t need to hide that I love women. Or that I don’t want children. Or that I’m spiritual but not religious. Or that I hate being polite when I’m angry. Or that I cry at night from homesickness but still don’t want to go back.
I met a version of me that my country would’ve never allowed to exist. And I’m still getting to know them.
But here’s what I’ve learned: Immigration isn’t about adapting to Canada. It’s about expanding into the space Canada gives you to breathe. To stop performing. To remember what makes you feel alive.
Yes, I miss the food. Yes, I miss the music. Yes, I miss my people. But I don’t miss the silence I used to live in—the one that came from fear, shame, and expectations.
Self-Representation Is More Than a Legal Process
When we talk about self-representation, most people think we’re only referring to legal immigration applications. But this blog is about something deeper.
Self-representation is about owning your story. Not just your paperwork.
It’s about deciding who you are, how you’ll live, and what version of yourself you’ll fight to protect.
It’s about not allowing a consultant, a family member, a government, or a broken system to define your journey.
And if you’ve just moved to Canada—or if you’ve been here for years but still feel like you left your real self at the airport—you’re not alone.
If you’re the kind of person who finally found themselves after moving…
If you’re tired of hiding…
If you’re ready to represent your process, your story, and your truth—not just in court but in your life…
We’re here to guide you.
📌 At K-IZEN, we help people like you take full ownership of their immigration journey. That includes reclaiming your voice, your identity, and your dignity.
This isn’t just paperwork. This is about you.
👉 Self-represent your case. Reclaim your life.