LIFE 2.0 – The most inspiring women we know tell us how they’re optimizing their lives for 2022

LIFE

2.0

SHEIKHA AL MHEIRI FOUNDER, MAD (MAKING A DIFFERENCE) HOSPITALITY GROUP

What will you be investing in for 2022 to optimise your life? Invest more in freeing my time and working with stronger talents. Research and spend more time reading books. This is The Confidence Issue – what makes you feel confident? Knowledge and experience are the intangible assets of personal success and confidence. How can we support others to feel confident? By openly sharing experiences and challenges to show them their journey is no different than others’.

ASMA HILAL LOOTAH FOUNDER, HUNDRED WELLNESS CENTRE

What will you be investing in for 2022 to optimize your life? My main goal for 2022 is to slow down. Dubai is a very fastpaced city and my continuous focus is to avoid the rush, to say no and to prioritise my wellbeing and that of my family, friends and loved ones. When we slow down, we are mindful, we have the ability to be more conscious when we are with people and we can give them the value of our time. I want to enjoy each moment without worrying about the next thing, and invest my time in the people and experiences that bring me joy. This is The Confidence Issue – what makes you feel confident? Over time, I have learned how to celebrate myself and my achievements. I believe it is important to take the time to look back at the things I have done, the moments that went well and enjoy the feeling of pride they give me. It does come with age, as we get older, we get a little wiser and gain more confidence in ourselves. How can we support others to feel confident? By having compassion and empathy for others. We all have our own stories and circumstances, if we remember that everyone is just doing their best, this perspective allows us to show everyone the kindness and understanding they need. Compliment people; find the positive aspects of their personality and remind them in a subtle yet honest way. Encourage people to do what is right for them, and support their unique goals and dreams.

Right: NUXX Nylon holdall Dhs4,150 Saint Laurent; 16-Inch Liquid Retina XDR Display MacBook Pro Dhs11,439 Apple; Black Beoplay H4 2nd Gen Headphones Dhs1,102 Bang & Olufsen OUMAYMA EL BOUMESHOULI FASHION CONTENT CREATOR

What will you be investing in for 2022 to optimize your life? A good pair of headphones for exercising; a brand new MacBook for a fresh new start; my dream Saint Laurent gym bag; Jil Sander yoga mat because - why not? Manifestation mindset workbook and planner. This is The Confidence Issue – what makes you feel confident? Feeling good in my skin gives me confidence. I try to exercise every morning at least for one hour as it gives me a boost for the day ahead and I always feel so good in my skin. The feeling after an intense workout is just what I need on a daily basis and is quite addictive. How can we support others to feel confident? I love to give compliments to random people on the street, you can really make someone’s day and that makes me happy. I wish that more people step out their comfort zone and compliment each other.

HAYA JARRAR FOUNDER, ROMANI

What will you be investing in for 2022 to optimize your life? With travelling back on the radar again, I shall be investing in a Rimowa suitcase. I’m keen to read Emily Ratajkwoski’s new book, My Body and can’t wait to get my hands on it. As I love jewellery, another investment I shall be making is an Oura ring. In regard to staying on top of it with my health, I shall be enrolling in more Pilates classes.

Right: My Body Dhs89 Emily Ratajkowski; Original Cabin aluminium suitcase Dhs4,290 Rimowa available on NET-A-PORTER This is The Confidence Issue – what makes you feel confident? For me, it’s important to invest in self-care and expand my knowledge on a daily basis. By adopting a positive mindset, I’m able to look at the brighter side of things and I always ensure I take a look at what I’ve achieved and how far I’ve come over the years, to build my confidence. How can we support others to feel confident? In this fastpaced world, it’s important to take a step back and appreciate the people around us. I try and be a support system for the loved ones in my life and compliment them on a daily basis.

ZOYA SAKR FOUNDER, THE FLOWER SOCIETY

What will you be investing in for 2022 to optimize your life? I would love to invest in a Dior x Technogym bench, its such an amazing tool to have at home. It gives a full body training, especially since starting I have been training with the help of the Zoom workout sessions. This piece of equipment is a special collaboration which I saw is launching in January 2022. I would also love to invest in a few Alo Yoga outfits, as wearing luxe activewear always pushes me to exercise more. In addition, I’d love to travel more and also invest in a yoga retreat trip, as that’s what I need to kickstart my year on a positive note. This is The Confidence Issue – what makes you feel confident? There are a host of things which play a part in boosting my confidence. Be it exercising five days a week or taking care of my skin. The people I surround myself with including my friends and family, also gives me confidence and being around them makes me feel great. How can we support others to feel confident? Surround yourself by friends that love you and push you more. Give time to your wellbeing as a priority, it definitely pays back.

Left: Balance Dome Dhs1,400 Technogym; Awaken & Center Essential Oil 15ml Dhs66 Alo Yoga; Above: Chakra Warrior Mat Dhs495 Alo Yoga

MIRIAM ABADI FOUNDER, TRU & BEYOND

What will you be investing in for 2022 to optimize your life? Currently, I am spending way too much time on the phone, scrolling through various social media accounts. I love catching up on the world through social media, but at a certain point is gets repetitive and a little bit toxic. What I want to invest in is a bit more self-discipline, less of the internet and more on inspiring convos, books, spending time with my boys, and simply focus more on the things that make me feel better. This is The Confidence Issue – what makes you feel confident? Discovering how to be self-confident is not an overnight process, it takes a lot of time and self-awareness – it’s an ongoing journey. I believe happiness is a critical element of confidence because in order to be confident in what you do, you have to be happy with who you are.

What helps me to feel confident are the following tips: Positive self-talk – no one is me, and being my authentic self is my superpower, perfection does not exist, and instead of comparing myself to others, I try (as much as I can) to be the best version of me. Also genuinely celebrating my successes with other like-minded people genuinely makes me more confident. How can we support others to feel confident? I genuinely believe that if your tribe grows, you grow with them, and by authentically supporting and celebrating other people’s, especially women’s successes, you help them feel confident, any victory big or small is a victory.

AMY WILKINSON-LOUGH FOUNDER, PROJECT BYOUTY

What will you be investing in for 2022 to optimize your life? Some structure! At almost 40 I’ve spent years and years trying to avoid it, the idea of not having what I’ve told myself was/is freedom used to send my blood pressure through the roof! I’ve now finally realized that in fact, the only way to have that freedom is to indeed set a structure and follow it – so my first investment will be a giant physical calendar that I can’t escape from. As basic as it sounds I’ve got a feeling it will be pretty game-changing.

This is The Confidence Issue – what makes you feel confident? Music, played very loud first thing in the morning – to which I sing at the top of my lungs. It’s good for the soul and leaves me feeling like I can take on the world; confidently. How can we support others to feel confident? I’d like to see people supporting and encouraging the idea of happiness more than I would confidence. We’re all trying to chase something. We’re being told we should have a side hustle, we should be married, starting a family, buying houses, travelling the world so on and so on and in turn we’ve created a society that has mental illness at an all-time high. If we can all just give each other permission to be happy, and acknowledge that that looks different for absolutely everyone then confidence will follow. Celebrate the wins, all of them irrespective of the size, remember no one’s cheer will ever be as loud as the one you give yourself.

SALAMA MOHAMED FOUNDER AND CREATIVE DIRECTOR, PEACEFULL

What will you be investing in for 2022 to optimize your life? This year I want to invest in a farm. It might seem a bit out of the blue, but I would love to have a space away from the hustle and bustle of the city, where I can disconnect from the world and appreciate the scenery in the countryside. A Herman Miller chair would also be great, as I spend most of my time at Peacefull’s HQ, so I need a comfortable chair whilst I work. For my fitness, I’d like to buy a jump rope, as one of my goals this year is to get better at skipping. As I’m a lover of anything vintage, the SMEG fridge seems like a great investment as it’s one of those items I’d love to have in my workspace. The book Talking To My Daughter About The Economy: Or How Capitalism Works – and How It Fails, seems like an insightful read especially when it comes to teaching my children the value of money. This is The Confidence Issue – what makes you feel confident? As cliché as this may sound, doing what I love most on a daily basis, makes me feel confident, as I know I’m good at what I do. But not just that, I know it’s a space where I can continue to evolve and when I make mistakes, grow from them. With that being said, my family is a huge part of why I’m so confident. I always know that no matter what the day brings, in the end, my family will always be there to pick me back up. How can we support others to feel confident? In my opinion, the first step to feeling confident and being at peace is all about perspective. Switching the outlook on yourself, be it with skin or otherwise, and accepting your unique qualities and ultimately making those your superpower. By doing this, you will automatically inspire others by being true to yourself and radiating authenticity, it’s a domino effect.

Left: Embody adjustable chair Dhs5,475 Herman Miller available on noon.com; Swoosh skipping rope Dhs96 Nike

HANEEN ODEH FOUNDER, SNOB SALON

What will you be investing in for 2022 to optimize your life? Definitely a productivity planner, I just ordered mine for 2022! You can also track your sleep, health and diet as well as organize your day. This is The Confidence Issue – what makes you feel confident? Anytime I’m feeling less than confident, a good blow-dry and a tailored black blazer make me feel amazing. How can we support others to feel confident? I think you should always keep your critical opinions about other people’s appearances to yourself. There’s nothing worse than unsolicited weight advice. However, if there’s something you admire about that person, definitely do share that as a small compliment can sometimes turn someone’s day around.

DAYANA TERTYSHANYA CEO & FOUNDER, DIALIGHT STUDIO

What will you be investing in for 2022 to optimize your life? I will be investing in my mental health. The last year of my life was all about the development of my businesses and now (thankfully) I have a bit more time to invest in practices that contribute positively to my overall mental health. While I’ve always been a firm believer in having a balanced work/personal life sometimes even the most disciplined of individuals need to firmly seek out/adopt methods and activities that contribute positively to our mental wellbeing.

This is The Confidence Issue – what makes you feel confident? Confidence is a state of mind and whenever I find myself questioning that, I list down all the things that I’ve achieved on my own; it provides an instant confidence boost and helps me stay aligned with my highest self. I would also stress that while there is still a stigma surrounding therapy in many cultures, the ability to discuss your work stresses/personal life and current/past occurrences with a highly-qualified professional provides one with the kind of mental clarity that is much needed. Not only when you’re operating from the level of a business owner but for anyone seeking to operate at their highest frequency and thereby their most confident selves. Business coaching and therapy both contribute to my optimized levels of confidence. How can we support others to feel confident? I’ve found that most people are quick to offer advice without truly hearing what the other person is saying be it an employee, friend or family member. Therefore, I find the way to truly support anyone is to listen to them without being judgmental, appreciate them and their contributions (be it to your business or your personal life) and do not project your outlook on someone else. It is important to remember that all most people really need is the space, time and right environment to thrive. Be the person that allows them to do that.

Right: Flex Essential Sneakers Dhs319 Nike; Kettlebell 6kg Dhs324 Casall; Hyaluronic Serum 10ml Dhs382 Dr. Barbara Sturm NADINE KANSO FOUNDER OF BIL ARABI

What will you be investing in for 2022 to optimize your life? Health is by far the most important aspect of our lives, being active and healthy is not a secondary factor but a primary one. At one point I have let this go and felt the consequences of not prioritizing this. Therefore, exercising on a regular basis has to always come first. As for food, I love to eat, but I’m conscious about my daily food intake and have realised that moderation is key to feeling optimal. This is The Confidence Issue – what makes you feel confident? My confidence comes after years of experiences and travelling so many roads. It’s always important to follow your heart and instinct, as by doing so you are being true to yourself and the other people on your path, so only you can give yourself this confidence. How can we support others to feel confident? Our support to others feeling confident is trying to guide them in the right way, the way that is theirs to travel, so always being honest without giving them false feedback is key.

DONNA BARTOLI SKINCARE CONTENT CREATOR @DONNA. BARTOLI

What will you be investing in for 2022 to optimize your life? This year, I’ll be investing in certain essentials to start the new year on a positive note. The items include a book entitled ‘Mental Fitness’ by Ant Middleton, the Holiface Yoga set, the MiHigh Sauna blanket, Adanola ultimate leggings and Wild Nutrition daily essentials. This is The Confidence Issue – what makes you feel confident? When I look my best, I feel my best. It’s such a cliché quote but for me, it’s a fact. When I’m eating well, working out and keeping work stress at work, I feel my most confident. How can we support others to feel confident? Life can be difficult, especially right now extending my good feelings and confidence is important. I like to champion others, especially women that need an extra boost. Giving someone a compliment or wishing them a good day can boost a person’s confidence. Sometimes it’s the smallest gestures that make the biggest difference.

Left: Daily Essentials for women Dhs384 Wild Nutrition; Right: HoliFace Yoga Set Dhs875 Holidermie

AMANDA RUSHFORTH SUSTAINABLE FASHION CONTENT CREATOR @AMANDARUSFORTH

What will you be investing in for 2022 to optimize your life? I will make sure I’m investing only in sustainable and long-lasting items such as the Girlfriend recycled-fabric activewear from Bloomingdales. For weekends spent on the water, I’ll be making sure my swimwear is one hundred per cent sustainably made too from Sal Sister. One thing that’s important is that I make sure I use a laundry aid such as a Cora ball, every time I wash my swim and sportswear, to help collect all the plastic micro-fibres that are released in the wash. The new Cora ball from Aqraq does the job. For the rest of the day, I’m living in Pangaia’ s unique Ocean Collection activewear for the utmost comfort. I believe that health starts from within too, so making sure more cold press juices are on my weekly shopping lists from Essentially. This is The Confidence Issue – what makes you feel confident? Above left: High-Rise Pocket Bike Shorts Dhs275 Girlfriend Collective available on bloomingdales.ae; Cocoa Cashew 250ml for Dhs13.50 Essentially;Tommy Bra Dhs225 Girlfriend Collective available on bloomingdales.ae I think confidence is just a state of mind, whether it’s completing a great workout, or wearing those heels that make you feel strong. Confidence isn’t about what others give to you. My confidence can come from making a great tasting smoothie in the morning to clearing my inbox the night before. How can we support others to feel confident? Support small businesses, even if it’s just a like, comment or share on their page for example. You never know who’s behind them and who needs your support.

KHULOOD AL NAKHI FOUNDER OF BEYOND

What will you be investing in for 2022 to optimise your life? Balancing my business life with quality family time which is extremely important for me. Travelling to the places with meaning and learning new things. This is The Confidence Issue – what makes you feel confident? The university of life which we call experience, surrounded by the right people, and a peaceful mind. How can we support others to feel confident? I believe sharing is caring, supporting others with our knowledge and experience and giving them the chance to explore new opportunities. The latest collection of my brand BEYOND Capsule 50 highlights wellbeing as a part of luxury expressions, which also represent a new and important narrative of confidence for all women.

NORA AL RAMADHAN FOUNDER & CEO, APOTHECA BEAUTY

What will you be investing in for 2022 to optimize your life? In 2022 I will be investing in aspects of life that contribute to my overall mental and physical wellbeing, such as exercise and travel. I plan to travel to visit family frequently, along with discovering new places and experiences in the world.

This is The Confidence Issue – what makes you feel confident? I feel most confident when I am at peace with my environment and my personal fitness. Exercising regularly, eating and sleeping well allow me to feel my best and reduce my overall stress levels, which in turn reflects in the condition of my skin. I have started taking Magnesium every night to assist in muscle recovery and to help me sleep soundly through the night. How can we support others to feel confident? I believe we can support others to feel confident by encouraging them to take time for themselves; to engage in activities and behaviours which contribute to their wellbeing and personal development.

Above: Chelated Magnesium tablets Dhs99 Solgar

NISA TIWANA DIGITAL CONTENT CREATOR, @NISA_ TIWANA

What will you be investing in for 2022 to optimize your life? This year, I’ll definitely be investing in an Apple Watch as I’m looking to limit my screen time and that would also help me get away from my phone. As I want to focus more on fitness, I shall be investing in a personal trainer as I need the motivation and the dedication in order to stay consistent. I’m also looking into investing in a Chanel bag, it’s one of those pieces that are timeless. This is The Confidence Issue – what makes you feel confident? I feel like confidence is something within you and comes from what you carry in your mind. Growing up I struggled with insecurities, as I became older, I started to become more comfortable in my own skin and this has given me confidence. How can we support others to feel confident? We should compliment each other more when we appreciate something. I used to shy away and avoid doing that in the past but now I make sure I stop and compliment even if I don’t know the person. I feel like spreading positive energy this way would support and make others feel more confident. ing with the relaxing massages. It’s so important to take time out from work to look after yourself. It makes me feel and look better so I can work whilst feel polished. What makes you feel confident? A combination of at least eight hours of sleep, clean eating, surrounding myself with motivating and inspiring people and cycling makes me feel much more confident. It’s amazing how good you can feel if you look after your mind, body and soul. How can we support others to feel confident? It’s such a simple act but being nicer human beings makes all the difference. Being critical and picking out peoples’ flaws doesn’t help anyone other than making the person it’s directed at feel insecure. It’s amazing what a few inspiring words or compliments can do for a person. Try complimenting the next person you speak to by saying a minimum of two things nice about them and as well as giving them confidence, it will make you feel good too.

Below: Gold Aluminium Case watch Dhs1,149 Apple NINA UBHI MAKEUP ARTIST

What will you be investing in for 2022 to optimize your life? With the hectic lifestyle and schedule I have, I’ve realised I need to focus more on my health and mind so some of the things I’ll be investing in are a cycle as I’ve been pursuing this for the last six months. An hour every morning gets me started for the day ahead. With reading on my to-do list this year, I would like to educate myself with books that keep me motivated. Cleaner eating has become a priority for me and this new restaurant SLD is where I shall be mostly eating from. Ultimately, I’ll be allocating monthly sessions at Snob to keep my nails in check but also my mind by de-stress-

GHIZLAN GUENEZ FOUNDER, THE MODIST

What will you be investing in for 2022 to optimize your life? One of the things that I don’t compromise on is my sleep and working out, they’re both crucial for anyone leading a busy life and dealing with pressure. So, I’m all about the gadgets that help you track those important activities and this year I’ll be investing in the new Ora ring to track my sleep and fitness as optimising my physical and mental health all starts from there. This year I’d love to also go to Merano Palace hotel in Italy, to embrace their holistic approach to health and detox that truly appeals to me as they combine Chinese practices and conventional medicine and its a great place to be surrounded by nature and greenery. Sleep is the most important time for me to regain my energy, hence, this year I shall be investing in blue light blockers which help make a difference in giving me a full night of rest. This is The Confidence Issue – what makes you feel confident? Confidence is such a broad spectrum and ranges depending on what area one is talking about, be it career, personal relations, physical looks and so on. I think it’s a journey and we make progress in different areas of our lives at different times. Ultimately my confidence stems from continuing to explore and understand who I am, by knowing my values and living them, I end up focusing less on my insecurities and more on the gratifying aspect of giving.

Above: Ring Generation 3 Dhs1,098 Oura; Blue Light Blocking Glasses Dhs533 Nate Sleep How can we support others to feel confident? People often think that to support you need to do a big deed. Sometimes something as simple as paying a sincere compliment to a stranger is sufficient to change their day and their perspective. I also believe that being authentic especially with social media is relevant. Yes people want to see beautiful images and stylish looks, but the element of authenticity is crucial not only to reduce the amount of social media-educed insecurities, but also to make people more relatable.

MAYA CHANTOUT CREATIVE DIRECTOR & IMAGE CONSULTANT

What will you be investing in for 2022 to optimize your life? This year I would like to focus more on my health, a wellness ritual set created through the joined forces of Polite Worldwide and Colekt, a trip to Cuixmala in Mexico, Matchta suited Uji tea powder, the book ‘Many Lives, Many Masters’ by Dr Brian Weiss and the Music Hall MMF 11.3 Noyer.

This is The Confidence Issue – what makes you feel confident? I’m most confident when I’m at peace with myself, especially when I’m healthy and feeling good from the inside. When I eat and sleep well, my productivity increases, and I feel confident. While growing up, we’re all taught to work on our weaknesses and for me nothing makes me feel more confident when I’ve accomplished something in my career. How can we support others to feel confident? I try my best to encourage people around me to respect their uniqueness and be true to themselves. I think you’re most confident when you love yourself and who you truly are. Don’t try to copy or be like anyone else. The most you, you can be is the best version of yourself.

Left: Wellness Ritual Kit Dhs1,065 Polite Worldwide x Colekt collaboration; Above: MMF 11.3 Noyer Dhs19,926 Music Hall

FATMA ALMHEIRI FOUNDER & CREATIVE DIRECTOR OF VENUS THE LABEL, COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER AT MUSEUM OF THE FUTURE

What will you be investing in for 2022 to optimize your life? If anything, I actually want to invest in time for myself. Time is priceless yet extremely valuable since time wasted is something that we can never get back. I want to dedicate my time to reading the books I bought over the past two years, to learning new skills as well as practising and perhaps teaching yoga. Something I’ve learnt growing up is that time really is precious. Personally, investing in time also means that I’ll get to enjoy the little things in life like the unrolling of my yoga mat and the smell of freshlypicked blueberries. It’s these simple things that add value to one’s life. Additionally, I want to respect time by turning off unnecessary distractions, taking breaks to clear my mind and most importantly, I want to take the time to care for my body and listen to it. By acknowledging time, I can pause, take a minute to myself and then I can properly continue to grow and thrive. Aside from time, I want to invest in my own life. I want to be able to set my own path and to live by design rather than the default, to not react to whatever comes my way and instead try to take charge of my life and its direction. This is The Confidence Issue – what makes you feel confident? My achievements throughout the years, looking back and realizing all that I have already accomplished excites me to move on and go even further. Confidence for me also comes in the shape of acceptance. Not seeking validation from others and surrounding myself with people who have ambitions and goals is key. You are easily affected by your surroundings and it’s important to have the right group of people around you. This is something I have struggled with in the past year and at times, I did feel a major setback in my confidence, but now I know that I’m starting the year with the right people by my side. At the end of the day, I am my own cheerleader. I’m beyond proud of myself for reaching

“Confidence for me also comes in the shape of acceptance.”

where I am now and I’m ready to take on 2022 with all that it might have in store for me! How can we support others to feel confident? Breaking barriers, encouraging people to speak up and to ask questions. I always tell my peers that no question is a silly question, it only means that you want to learn. Another way that I find crucial is by celebrating all wins whether big or small, taking the time to listen and help in identifying each other’s goals as well as showing support throughout a process.