About Me

Distance is nothing, we share the same sky.

As I was taking my first steps to independence at the age of 18, a friend of mine shared a simple thought to ease my worries. Its truth is something I’ve held close to my heart every moment since then.

Becoming me

My name is Linda Steinbock, I am half Swedish and half Malay Singaporean. I am a Muslim and humanitarian aid worker. Coming from a mixed culture was complex and confusing at different phases of my life but mostly I appreciate how it has also created so many opportunities to connect with people from all walks of life. 

At 18 years old I went to Melbourne for University. A lot changed, I was no longer with my family and my friends were now spread all over the world but we made an effort to maintain strong relationships. As a Humanitarian aid worker, I deployed to crises for several months supporting children and families affected by Conflict, Typhoons, Earthquakes and Tsunamis. I love my job because when you see and hear traumatic stories it drives you to do whatever you can to support them but it also put everything in your life in perspective. Even this pandemic has also shown me that connection whether it near or distant changes lives for the better. 

Hopes and dreams

What I’m hoping to do here is create a space to share how we’ve all tried to overcome physical distance, enhance connections with those we love. We can talk about long distance multi-cultural friendships and relationships, connection with people through my love of food and most recently my COVID friendly wedding! 

I truly believe that human connection is especially important now that COVID-19 restrictions have created physical barriers for us to travel the world, hold our loved ones, celebrate momentous events in the way we once knew and also lift and support each other during these anxious times.

Working for child-focused NGO has always driven me to undersstand how a child is affected by a crisis. The global research we did showed us the incredible impact COVID has has on children’s lives. So while I was quarantined in Singapore 2 weeks I came up with an idea for children’s picture book! 

So stick around, I’ll be sharing my learning journey as I create my first self-published children’s picture book. I look forward to exploring different forms of connection with you and I hope to build a community full of people willing to connect through hope and love.

Please get in touch!

Touching Distance was started to create a community of people who desire growth through connection with diverse peoples around the world.

I would love to get your feedback and suggestions on topics to explore together so please  sign up for the newsletter.