The jet-setter reveals the simple truths that keep her grounded, no matter where she lands.
– KEYS SOULCARE
Sophia Bentaher is a lot of things — traveler, third culture kid, and poet. The nomadic lightworker with French-Moroccan roots credits her innate ability to travel with fostering a deep sense of connection within herself. She spends her days creatively spreading meaningful messages anchored by her core values of authenticity, curiosity, and kindness. A true multitasker, she dedicates her energy to diverse endeavors that bring positivity to the world. Whether supporting fellow artists, contributing to global collective projects, or expressing her thoughts through her skillful writing, Sophia leaves an indelible mark wherever she goes. Here’s our chat.
HOW HAVE STORYTELLING AND WRITING MANIFESTED AS A CAREER?
A series of fortunate events led me to managing IN-Q. I was at the tail end of four years of eat-pray-loving it around the world after leaving a job that no longer served me. I tried so many things, but nothing was clicking.
Although I was in that struggle, I didn’t just want to give up and go back to corporate, so I decided if I was gonna be broke in LA I might as well hang out with creatives. Through that, I was randomly invited to a show where IN-Q was performing.
I ended up following him on social media and a few months later he was doing a workshop I couldn’t afford at the time. I emailed to see if there was any way I could contribute to join the event because it’s a two-way street. Things took off from there.
HOW HAS WRITING BECOME YOUR SOULCARE PRACTICE?
I’ve been writing since I’m a kid. My house is filled with journals. I write through crisis and I write through gratitude. Writing is a place where my mind slows down and I have to put stuff on paper.
In my current chapter, I’m learning how to share my own words because I’ve been more practiced in amplifying others. I’m always scared nobody’s gonna relate to somebody who moved across several countries and left her job multiple times.
Humans have a tendency of thinking we’re the only ones going through what we’re going through, but when you start sharing stuff — especially through writing — people feel it too.
AS A NOMAD, HOW DO YOU ACTIVATE HOME WITHIN YOURSELF?
Home is a practice. My mother’s French, my father’s Moroccan, they met in France, and they moved to St. Louis, Missouri for my father’s career. That’s where me and my siblings were born before we moved to France. Then I moved on again to England, Luxembourg, Canada and eventually came here to LA.
This nomadic aspect is crucial to who I am.I grapple a little bit, but I really do believe home is a feeling to me. It’s not a place. I’m a lone social butterfly and I’m very able to be picked up, put into any environment, and figure my way quite quickly. I carry home with me.
Home is a practice because I can feel challenged by my evolving environment so I have to remember to create a ritual I stick to just about anywhere. Meditating in the morning, whether I’m in a hotel bed, a friend’s house, or my own house. These practices ground me and give me a feeling of rootedness.
HOW DO YOU FOSTER COMMUNITY WHEN YOU’RE ALWAYS ON THE GO?
Community is really simple. I pretend I’m a two year old toddler. I say hi to everybody. I walk around and ask questions. Humans get really complicated and stuck on how we connect to somebody, but I just pretend I’m on a playground.
Talk to people’s inner children. “Ask what their favorite food is or what they’ve done that day or simply how they’re doing, *really*.” I’ve literally gone up to people and said I’m really curious about you, so tell me who you are.
I’m not afraid of rejection in that sense. If somebody thinks I’m a weirdo, it’s probably ’cause I am and that means we won’t get along — and that’s totally okay. I’m very okay with not fitting in and that allows me to find flexible communities because I’m not attached to one, ideal thing. Just be playful. Playfulness is such a hack. If you don’t know how to be kind, be playful!
WHAT HAS SHAPED YOUR SKIN STORY?
For a long time, I felt I had to choose sides. My father is darker skinned North African and my mother is as French as it gets. In some of the environments I grew up in, I never saw myself. I developed a lot of internalized racism growing up in France, specifically. I struggled with not having straight, blonde hair. Funny enough, I saw a video of Alicia playing her piano in her loft. She had her natural hair out and it was big and frizzy. It was the first time I felt so seen and validated.
I give myself more kindness now. I no longer fight my skin or hair. If I had a breakout or my hair isn’t doing what I want it to do, I just accept it and say you’ll be better tomorrow. I also have learned to embrace simple rituals and ingredients. I don’t need 27 different products. I love the Keys Soulcare Golden Cleanser and Radiant Eye Cream. I feel so hydrated and it’s uncomplicated.
WHAT’S YOUR VISION FOR YOUR HIGHEST SELF?
I envision more self-expression and taking a bit more space. It’s even scary to say that out loud to be completely honest. My higher self walks a bit louder in the world rather than playing small. I also want to learn how to receive. I always want to hold space for others, but also create a little pocket for myself.
What’s your home practice? Share your rituals to stay grounded in the comments!
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