Interview with Everything I Carried author Simone Younis
A story of survival, loss, resilience and the courage to choose yourself.
1. What inspired you to write your book?
Writing Everything I Carried was inspired by my own life journey and the experiences that have shaped the woman I am today. From growing up in Lebanon during the war and building a new life in Australia, to surviving domestic violence, facing homelessness and battling cancer, I have carried more than most people could ever imagine. Through every hardship, I discovered a strength I never knew I had. I wanted to share my story not only to release some of what I had carried for so long, but also to reach women who may be silently struggling and remind them that their circumstances do not define them. My hope is that my story inspires others to believe in themselves, find their strength and understand that no matter how difficult life becomes, there is always hope for a new beginning.
2. What surprised you about your writing process?
What surprised me most about the writing process was how emotional it would be to revisit parts of my life that I had carried with me for so many years. I thought I was simply telling my story, but I soon realised I was reconnecting with memories, feelings and experiences that had shaped me in ways I hadn’t fully understood. I was also surprised by how much strength I could see in my younger self when I looked back on everything I had overcome. Writing this book helped me recognise that even in my most difficult moments, I had continued to move forward. Most of all, I discovered that sharing my story could be about more than my own journey; it could give other women the courage to feel seen, understood and less alone.
3. Do you have any strange writing habits?
I think one of my unusual writing habits is that I need to feel emotionally connected to what I’m writing. For me, it’s never just about putting words on a page; I need to feel the meaning behind them. I often revisit my words, changing them until they truly reflect what I want to say and how I want the reader to feel. I also tend to reflect deeply on my experiences, sometimes discovering new meaning in them as I write. I want my words to sound genuine and come from the heart, because I believe that honesty is what allows a reader to connect with a story.
4. What is your favourite quote of all time?
Your past shaped you. Your strength defines you. Your future belongs to you.
5. Is this your only book or are you working on more?
This is my first book but I’m thinking of my second one
6. What surprised you most on the writing journey?
What surprised me most about my writing journey was discovering how much my story could mean to
other people. When I first began writing Everything I Carried, I wanted to share my experiences and make sense of everything I had been through. I never imagined how emotional the process would be or how empowering it would feel to finally put my story into words. I also surprised myself by having the courage to be so open and vulnerable. What started as a personal journey became something much bigger: an opportunity to connect with other women, inspire hope and remind people that even after life’s hardest moments, we can still find the strength to move forward.
7. What got left out of the final draft?
One thing I deliberately left out of the final draft was the finer details of my children’s lives and where they are today. As much as my journey is intertwined with theirs, I wanted to respect their privacy and allow them to have their own stories to tell, should they ever choose to. Everything I Carried is my story, told through my experiences, my struggles and my growth. I wanted to be honest about my journey while being mindful that not every part of our lives needs to be shared with the world.
8. If you could tell your younger self anything what would it be?
If I could tell my younger self something, I would tell her that she doesn’t have to be strong all the time. I would tell her to be kinder to herself, to trust that she is worthy of love and respect, and to never lose herself trying to hold everything together for everyone else. I would remind her that the hardships she faces will not define her, but the way she rises from them will shape the woman she becomes. Most importantly, I would tell her to look after herself as much as she looks after others, because she deserves the same love, care and compassion she so freely gives to everyone around her.
9. Which part of the book was closest to your heart, and what made it so meaningful to write?
I think my daughter’s phone call was one of the parts closest to my heart because it captured one of the most emotional and vulnerable moments of my life. At a time when I was already facing so much, that call brought a different kind of pain and reminded me that, as a mother, you can be going through your own struggles while still worrying deeply about your children. It was meaningful because it showed the depth of a mother’s love and the helplessness you can feel when someone you love is struggling. That moment has stayed with me because it reminded me that, no matter how strong we appear to the world, there are moments when our hearts carry more than words can express.
10. Share a line from your book that means something special to you. What is the story behind it?
One of the most meaningful parts of my story is the part that reflects me as a mother. My children are an important part of my life, and even though I have chosen to keep their personal stories private, the love I have for them is woven throughout my journey. Some of the deepest feelings a mother carries are difficult to put into words, but they are often the ones that shape her the most.
11.What are your social media links?
https://www.facebook.com/simone.younis?mibextid=wwXIfr&mibextid=wwXIfr https://www.instagram.com/simone_50?cplk=MWJoYmx0eWRlOGZhag%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
About the Author
Simone Younis is a Lebanese-Australian author, survivor, and mother of four. Born in Lebanon and shaped by the warmth of a large family, she immigrated to Australia as a young woman carrying little more than hope and determination. Over the decades that followed, she survived twenty years of domestic violence, rebuilt her life from nothing, returned to study, and built a career in executive leadership. She then faced a breast cancer diagnosis requiring a sixteen-hour surgery, and navigated her daughter’s mental health crisis from a hospital bed days after that operation.
Everything I Carried is her debut memoir. Written with unflinching honesty and quiet grace, it is the story of a woman who lost herself and found the courage to choose herself again. Simone believes that survival is only the beginning, and that every woman deserves to know her own strength. She lives in Sydney, Australia.
Watch our live interview here:
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