February’s – ‘The Love Issue’ – Download Now
We asked some of the most inspiring women we know what love means to them.
Ghizlan Guenez
Entrepreneur
@ghizlan_guenez_
How do you show love?
When it comes to family and very close friends, I’m very expressive and affectionate verbally and physically. In general, I show love by being supportive, caring and loyal. I learned that each of us has a preference on how we like to receive love based on our preferred love language (there are five!), so I try to keep that in mind when it comes to people close to my heart.
In your life, how do you implement self-love?
It is important to understand that this is something that is ongoing. You don’t allocate one day a week to go to the spa and call it self-love. To me, loving myself takes different forms: the discipline to be healthy and workout, the ability to disengage with a toxic conversation or person, the strive to constantly grow and learn as a person. Self-love is about making the right choices for you even when they’re not the easiest.
This is ‘The Love Issue’ – what is love to you?
I’d like to think that love is the most incredible energy in the world. It goes far beyond the romantic notion and expands into all areas in life. It’s a driving force.
Yasmin Al Mulla
Creative Director of YNM Dubai
@yasminalmulla, @ynmdubai
How do you show love?
Caring and being there for my loved ones is the truest example of real love.
In your life, how do you implement self-love?
By believing that you deserve to be happy! I strongly believe in the power of the law of attraction, therefore, treating yourself, appreciating your thoughts and embracing your hobbies are nothing but simple ways of bringing joy and love to yourself.
This is ‘The Love Issue’ – what is love to you?
Love is LIFE.
Alexandra Hirschi
Presenter & Supercar enthusiast
@supercarblondie
How do you show love?
Being in the moment with the people I love is super important. Make sure they know they’re more important than anything else by giving them all your attention.
In your life, how do you implement self-love?
I’ve spent so many years giving my energy to everyone else to build my business. It took a mini break down for me to realise I need to put aside time for myself and what I love to do. That’s usually spending quality time with my dogs.
This is ‘The Love Issue’ – what is love to you?
Love is the thing that can carry you through any hardship. I’m so lucky to have lots of love in my life with my incredible husband, my family and friends.
Alia Al Neyadi
The first Emirati ballerina
@aliaalneyadii
How do you show love?
I have always been a big believer in ‘doing’ rather than ‘talking’ as one action can mean so much more than words. Don’t get me wrong, every conversation I have with my family ends with I love you and we know we mean it. However, actions can show us how much we mean to someone.
In your life, how do you implement self-love?
Acceptance. I know that I must be happy with myself and love myself for all that I am. No matter what I must love myself because we only have one life – this isn’t a dress rehearsal.
This is ‘The Love Issue’ – what is love to you?
Love is life, it is living and being in this mystery and adventure we call. Everything we do is for love and everything we feel is because of love. All my decisions have been based on my love for my art, love makes you brave and committed to the journey ahead, because without love, we are empty.
Haneen Odeh
Founder of Snob Salon
@haneenodeh
How do you show love?
I love doing things for people I love. I may not be very expressive verbally with love, but if I know someone I love wants something I’ll be the first to get it done. Whether it’s cooking their favourite meal, surprising them with gifts, or even running an errand for them, it’s how I feel the most comfortable expressing love. Actions speak louder than words.
In your life, how do you implement self-love?
Putting myself first. I realized the more you give away the less you have for your own self, and that’s not healthy. So now I prioritize my wellbeing. I cut out anything and anyone that makes me feel unhappy. I also invest in myself. Meditation, yoga, acupuncture, better eating habits, new experiences, exploring new hobbies. Just constantly taking myself on new adventures and trying new things.
This is ‘The Love Issue’ – what is love to you?
Love is acceptance and empowerment. When you love someone, you accept them. You don’t try to fundamentally change them. It’s unconditional.
Lyndsay Doran
Founder & CEO of L’Couture
@lyndsay_doran
How do you show love?
I show love through acts of service, at work and at home. I like to show people I appreciate them by treating them. My favourite thing to do is plan and host dinner parties for my closest friends and family. Seeing them enjoy themselves makes me happy.
In your life, how do you implement self-love?
I work out every day, whether it be yoga or weight training. I also love to switch off with a book at the beach and treat myself to a day at the salon.
This is ‘The Love Issue’ – what is love to you?
To me, love is unconditional support which is something that I found in my husband and my family. They supported me when I wanted to start my fitness journey five years ago which also led to me starting L’Couture.
Rumana Nazim
Founder of The Edit Dubai
@rnazim
How do you show love?
I’d like to believe I show love by making time for people, whether in person or just by lending a listening ear. That might sound like a small thing but we live in a chaotic world in which quality time is fast becoming a rare commodity. This is particularly so in Dubai where the pace of life can be quite frantic. Another way I show love is through food. If someone I care about is unwell or unhappy or otherwise needs reminding that I am here and that I love them, the first thing I do is head for the kitchen. I have a few ‘go-to’ recipes that tend to prove popular. Perhaps this habit stems from the fact I like receiving food from those who love me.
In your life, how do you implement self-love?
On an emotional level, I think the basics of being kind and listening to what your mental health and body need are imperative – it allows you to be fair, forgiving and compassionate to yourself and in turn, to others. Physically, I implement self-love through a carefully curated night-time beauty regime honed over many years of practice and exercising as often as my schedule allows me to. An evening run on days that I don’t feel great is the best gift I give myself.
This is ‘The Love Issue’ – what is love to you?
Love to me is quality time, empathy, gratitude and working together on the same page. I’m also a romantic at heart and something like a beautiful picnic in a remote place would not go amiss! In addition, love to me is also spending time with my five-year-old niece. Seeing the world through her eyes, even if only for an hour, is a great reminder of how simple and pure life can be.
Montaha Al Ajeel
Fashion designer – Founder of Montaha Couture
@montahacouture
How do you show love?
With my husband, we love each other deeply. There are many key things you need creating a successful relationship – sacrifice, forgiveness, compassion and more. For him, as he is a top cardiovascular surgeon, I encourage him and tell him I’m proud of him for his humanitarian work by saving lives. He does the same to me – that’s why we succeed in our careers. I like to show love in actions, not words.
In your life, how do you implement self-love?
Self-love is medicine for the soul. I believe that the foundation of love is self-love, so we must love ourselves before we can love others as we cannot give what we don’t have.
This is ‘The Love Issue’ – what is love to you?
Love is caring, trust, loyalty and sacrifice.
