January’s – ‘The Positivity Issue’ – Download Now
As we start a new year, we ask some of the most inspiring women we know how they will be embodying positivity in 2021.
Her Highness Sheikha Latifah Al Maktoum
Equestrian Athlete
@lati_mak
How do you implement positivity into your life?
Positivity or a positive mindset is something I work with on a daily basis. I think it’s something that you have to consciously work on.
What practices do you do to ensure you have a positive mindset?
I think being disciplined is a way of implementing positivity. Having a firm belief that hard work pays off.
How do you plan to stay positive in the year ahead?
Surrounding yourself good people is key to having a good mindset. I think the atmosphere of those you chose to be around has an effect on you. Surround yourself with like-minded people.
Ilke Shah
Founder of LimeLite Jewellery
@limelitejewellery
How do you implement positivity into your life?
I try to maintain a busy yet balanced day. A bit of exercise, designing my jewellery, taking time out to eat proper meals and having family time. Of course, there are exceptions from time to time but I try to ensure that mostly I reserve a place for each in my daily life. The best days are when I can also throw in a bit of girl-time with my friends – I think it’s really important for each of us to have our support network and this requires investing time and effort.
What practices do you do to ensure you have a positive mindset?
I kiss my husband and children every day. No matter what arguments we might have or other issues, this daily routine ensures that we never forget that underneath everything we all love each other. Every morning I drink a cup of tea and watch the sunrise. It’s like a form of meditation for me, that I reflect on the day ahead, how lucky we are to have our health. I regularly attend Barry’s Bootcamp – a hi-intensity workout gym. The communal energy and fitness focus is like getting a shot of positive energy directly into your bloodstream.
How do you plan to stay positive in the year ahead?
2020 taught us that our plans are directional at best. I think we have all learnt to become more flexible, recognise the simple things in life, and appreciate what we already have. I intend to focus on the tasks that I enjoy and that I can influence, and not to waste energy on the things that are not in my control. That means definitely less time reading social media, more time reading books. Less time with negative people, more time with nature. And enjoy being in the moment and not postponing happiness for some future gain.
Areej Al Hammadi
Emirati footballer
@areej.alhammadi13
How do you implement positivity into your life?
I try to avoid negative thoughts, encourage myself to look at the positives in my life, stay fit and healthy because I believe your mental and physical health are all connected to your happiness and positivity. And I remind myself that it’s ok when things don’t work out.
What practices do you do to ensure you have a positive mindset?
I try to do something positive and productive every day. Something I enjoy every day. I find that if you start your day with small achievements it helps set a positive mindset for the rest of the day.
How do you plan to stay positive in the year ahead?
Every day is a new page and every day there are small positive things you can achieve. To stay positive in the year ahead I plan to set smaller goals to achieve over shorter periods of time and do the things I enjoy the most.
Yara Aldrees
Corporate Environment and Sustainability Specialist, Red Sea Development
How do you implement positivity into your life?
We all have our bad days; however, it is extremely important to take an active approach to staying positive. Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) said, “Expect the best and you shall find it.” I try my best to live by that. You attract the good things and supercharge your life by being positive, and by creating healthy habits.
What practices do you do to ensure you have a positive mindset?
I love listening to podcasts/music, meditation, and reciting positive affirmations. I enjoy being in nature and surrounding myself with the people I love. This always gives me a huge positivity boost. Simple practices like that help to keep me grounded and optimistic.
How do you plan to stay positive in the year ahead?
I hope to improve my outlook for 2021 by first accepting the challenges in my life and then trying to identify ways to overcome them. This activity is, in itself, a force for positive change, as is hoping for the best and always believing that everything happens for a reason: when one door closes, another always opens. Another thing I plan on doing is surrendering to the universe and I will try not to control everything in my life. By doing that I believe it will help me attract positive results and outcomes. I will also continue practising my positive habits and add more to them like eating healthy and practising yoga.
Salama Khalfan
Founder of Salama Khalfan Fine Jewellery
@salamakhalfan & @salamakhalfanfinejewellery
How do you implement positivity into your life?
By doing meditation and yoga, having an attitude of gratitude, and consciously making the effort to put my mindset on a positive track. Starting the morning and ending the day with meditation helps me a lot. I also try to have a good balance between my work focus and my personal growth focus. I focus on my personal growth by doing things that give me invisible power and this charges my battery – whether it’s horse riding, spending time with the people I love, reading a book, painting, being outdoors or just being with my own thoughts.
What practices do you do to ensure you have a positive mindset?
Aside from what I’ve mentioned earlier, I actually really invest in surrounding myself with people who can take me to the next level. I work with 4-5 professionals that specialise in a specific type of coaching. It’s trying to surround yourself with people who have become experts in their field and you try to draw from their expertise and incorporate it within your life to help you achieve your goals.
How do you plan to stay positive in the year ahead?
My approach will be to focus on small wins. Generally, I’m a big picture type of person. I look at a goal in the long term but I think for this year, I’d like to break that goal into smaller milestones that are easier to achieve and give me those small wins to celebrate every time.
Fatma Al Otaiba
Founder of ODEEM
@odeem_official
How do you implement positivity into your life?
The year 2020 taught me the importance of appreciating the little things in life & just how valuable our time is. I spend a lot of time with my family and siblings and that is always the best way to keep me feeling positive.
What practices do you do to ensure you have a positive mindset?
My favourite time of the day is right before sunrise, and lately, I have been maintaining a routine of waking up early and exercising on a daily basis. I would say this helps a lot, as I set a positive intention for my day ahead.
How do you plan to stay positive in the year ahead?
To live day by day and in the moment. I’m really looking forward to seeing what 2021 will bring for my business, and all the exciting new collections, and product launches we will have at ODEEM.
Rania Fawaz
Fashion Influencer
@raniafawazz
How do you implement positivity into your life?
It’s something I’ve been doing for years now and it’s really simple things but play a big role. Firstly I try to live a healthy lifestyle, I surround myself with positive people and I catch myself when negative thoughts roll in.
What practices do you do to ensure you have a positive mindset?
I start my day listening to positive affirmations and it sets the vibe of my day. I also keep a gratitude journal writing down things I’m grateful for that improves my optimism.
How do you plan to stay positive in the year ahead?
To keep doing my rituals. Focus on the positive always.
Sayyida Hakima Al Said
Founder of HAK The Label
@hakthelabel
How do you implement positivity into your life?
This year I have learned to step back and analyze the situation before getting involved emotionally. Anything that brings my mood down I stay away from. I also try to see the good in any situation and am learning to just relax and not take anything personally. Practising gratitude and showing more appreciation is also really important for staying positive.
What practices do you do to ensure you have a positive mindset?
I try to think positively and have realized it’s all about perception. So in any situation, I try to be aware of my thoughts and if I feel things are going a little negative I stop and make some small changes to my mindset. I also practise self-care and I have started using meditation apps like calm and headspace, which are really helpful in keeping a positive outlook.
How do you plan to stay positive in the year ahead?
Reduce negative influences, continue self-care, exercise, meditate and just see the positive in every situation. We survived 2020 so bring it on 2021!
Khulood Thani
Creative Director of Bint Thani Studio
@khuloodthani
How do you implement positivity into your life?
It’s through having an organised mind, we know that we can not be positive all the time, but it’s important to be conscious of our thoughts and emotions which does influence our actions.
What practices do you do to ensure you have a positive mindset?
I practice meditations and affirmations every morning and yoga would be during the day. Yet being in London during the lockdown was a great opportunity to explore something new to be added in my schedule, I started jogging in the parks and I would say it does raise my positive vibration with the world around me.
How do you plan to stay positive in the year ahead?
Staying focused is the most important thing that we can do in such uncertain times.
Haya Jarrar
Founder of ROMANI
@hayajarrar & @romani.official
How do you implement positivity into your life?
Sometimes the smallest things bring you a lot of positivity, such as music and dancing. I ensure that’s how I always start my day. It took my husband a while to get used to my singing and dancing around the house but trust me it works.
What practices do you do to ensure you have a positive mindset?
My biggest therapy is riding my horse, and I recently got into meditation. I also workout and try to surround myself with nature.
How do you plan to stay positive in the year ahead?
I will continue to work hard on ROMANI and grow it further. Nothing brings me more joy or positivity like watching my brand grow and seeing what I imagine become a reality. And I will continue to surround myself with positive and inspiring people.
