Monthly Columns

The year 2020 is about to start in less than three months now. And, what's the most popular new year resolution people make each year? You've guessed it right. To Lose Weight! Here's a fun fact: A whopping 71% of people in the US wished to diet or eat healthier in 2019 while 54% of them planned to lose weight. So we all know how eager people are to shed those extra pounds every year. But, the path to weight loss isn't that easy. You'll come across lots of bumps and myths that may…

We know all too well, the Herculean task of helping in maintaining a consistent oral hygiene practice among our tiny tots! Brushing twice daily (especially at night, as the salivary secretion is reduced during sleep and more chances of cavity formation is observed), washing the mouth after every meal/snack, using floss regularly, routine dental visits (every six months), eating a well-balanced and healthy (non cariogenic i.e not sticky and sweet) diet etc. becomes a chore. We mums know the struggle all too well! But hang in…

Would you believe me if I told you that everyone feels stuck at least one time in their lives? Some people have felt stuck many times. It’s part of the process of life. Being stuck doesn’t mean you did something wrong. On the contrary, it simply means you are a human having a human experience. Feeling stuck is not a pleasant feeling, it’s uncomfortable, painful and torturous. However, it is also an indication that something(s) in your life is not working in a way that serves your any good. As frustrating as it feels,…

I am grateful with everything Allah has granted me with. I have a wonderful husband, beautiful kids, and a family. My family is far from perfect. I scream, I yell, I am so disorganized. Our house is big and messy; it was never neat maybe only the ground floor when the cleaner came. I thank Allah every day climbing up and down the stairs to third floor. My house back home has 3 floors as well, even bigger than this rented ones. But still, I am thankful, beyond words. I praise Allah every day for giving me this life. A life…

Are you stuck with a less profitable business that sucks your time and funds? Or, do you hate your job? Maybe, it’s time to start a new business! Well, starting a new business or launching yourself into a new career may seem like an attractive thing to do. It's a great way to take control of your life while making money. However, when reality strikes, you realize how difficult can the task actually be. Setting up new goals for yourself can be challenging for you in both personal and professional ways. Dreaming of starting…

We are surrounded by chemicals and pollutants everywhere, from external sources like cleaning agents to more invasive factors like artificial flavorings, pesticide laden food products, even the air we breathe.

In my last article, ‘Stepping into an ad hoc volunteer leadership roles’,  I shared my thoughts on lessons learnt on leadership specific to volunteering. In this article, which is the last of the volunteering series of  4 articles, I will attempt to reflect and consolidate my learning within my volunteering experiences.  Some of these learning are most related to overcoming bias, automated initial responses, shedding assumptions that people need help; and, plenty more. Assuming that we are going in to ‘give’:  Invariably, we…

Staying positive during good times is generally easier, as one doesn’t have to make an effort to search happiness and positivity. It is a real challenge to stay positive, when life takes you through a rough patch. We tend to lose hope and self-worth when we are faced with failures and rejections over and over again. Such low feelings pave the way for depression and the person begin to sink deeper and deeper in sorrow and hopelessness. Sana developed the extreme depression after her divorce. She stopped going out with her…

I never thought motherhood would be so…stressful. There, I said it. I believe every mom who has ever lived never thought motherhood could be so demanding and exhausting that they ask themselves why they ever decided to say goodbye to being single. Our media has portrayed motherhood so well in prints and on screens, some examples: a mom happily lifting her giggling baby or a mom smoothly changing diaper and in all these the background of a well-lit, super neat house. Those things never happen every day in motherhood. Not all…

Everywhere I lived, I always love when family member came to visit us. Besides spending quality time together, we also asked them to bring over Malaysian food! Last month, my sister and aunty came and spent about 10 days with us. We had great time together. We brought them to some places which most of my friends in Jeddah never heard of! So, I am going to share those information here. Hope it helps. Jeddah has so many museums as if you google online and on TripAdvisor. Once I passed the Balad area, I saw one museum signage.…