Raphael Stevens

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  • 138 Shares

    in lifestyle and culture

    Gigi Hadid has shared a new photo of her newborn daughter

    There’s no doubt Gigi Hadid will currently be in a new parent bliss with her newborn daughter.
    The supermodel announced the birth of her daughter with boyfriend Zayn Malik on Wednesday, revealing they welcomed the newborn last weekend.

    And despite being less than a week old, baby Hadid-Malik is already being spoilt by Gigi’s very famous (and stylish) friends.
    Taking to Instagram on Friday, the 25-year-old shared a new photo of her daughter – whose name hasn’t been announced as of yet.

    In the picture, the new mum revealed the newborn’s outfit was gifted to her by designer Donatella Versace and singer Taylor Swift.

    Baby Hadid-Malik was wearing a Versace sweater from “auntie Donatella” and was also covered by a silk pink blanked from “auntie Taylor Swift”, which she made herself.
    New parents Gigi and Zayn announced the arrival of their baby daughter on Wednesday.
    “Our baby girl is here, healthy & beautiful,” Zayn said on Twitter sharing a photo holding his daughter’s hand. “To try put into words how I am feeling right now would be an impossible task.
    “The love I feel for this tiny human is beyond my understanding,” he added. “Grateful to know her, proud to call her mine, & thankful for the life we will have together x”

    Our baby girl is here, healthy & beautiful🙏🏽❤️to try put into words how i am feeling right now would be an impossible task. The love i feel for this tiny human is beyond my understanding.Grateful to know her, proud to call her mine, & thankful for the life we will have together x pic.twitter.com/nvhfOkk2fw
    — zayn (@zaynmalik) September 24, 2020

    Gigi’s pregnancy was first reported on back in April. The model first spoke of her pregnancy – news which was revealed in the press and not by Gigi or Zayn – during a video call appearance on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, admitting they would have liked to reveal the news on their “own terms”, but also thanked everyone for their congratulations.
    “Obviously, we wish we could’ve announced it on our own terms, but we’re very excited and happy and grateful for everyone’s well wishes and support,” she said.
    Zayn and Gigi, 25, originally started dating in 2016, and have been on-and-off ever since, with their latest split taking place in mid-2019. However, the pair reunited earlier this year, but have been keeping their romance away from the public glare.
    – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
    Feature Image: Gigi Hadid Instagram More

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    in lifestyle and culture

    Got the Sunday Scaries? Try These 9 Things

    Last weekend, I texted one of my friends to hang out. Her response: “It’s Sunday. You cannot pull me out of bed on Sundays.” I remember times when I related to this all too well. There’s a whole unspoken thing that Sundays are off-limits; they’re reserved for doing nothing and simultaneously stressing out about the fact that you’ve, in fact, done nothing all day. It’s that impending doom of a Sunday evening, thinking about everything you have to get done and accomplish that week. It’s more than just being sad the weekend’s over, and it can truly take away all the joy of a Sunday. I’m sure you’re wondering: Beth, how on Earth are you speaking in the past tense here? Are you immune to the Sunday Scaries? Nope, I’ve just conquered them. If I’m being honest, I actually enjoy Sundays now. 
    After years of anxious Sunday nights spent alone coveting my precious free time and cursing the man (because of course it was) who created the 40-hour workweek, I’ve grown to appreciate the ample planning-time I get on a Sunday afternoon. Wondering how I’ve done it? These are my secrets to a productive Sunday (and in turn, a much better week). 

    1. Chop your vegetables
    The first step is obviously getting ready for the week, and while a full night of meal prep definitely does the trick, a simple and easy way to get ready without giving up your evening is simply doing the bare minimum to prepare your meals for the week. For me, it’s chopping up all the vegetables I plan to eat throughout the week. For you, it might be preparing the salad you’ll eat for lunch every day. Maybe it’s cooking up a chicken breast in the crockpot. You don’t have to put a bunch of meals in little containers to get yourself for the week. Whatever you can do to make your daily meals easier on you is worthwhile. 

    2. Prep your coffee
    In the same vein as a little meal prep, prepare your beverages too, namely your morning coffee. Make sure you have all the necessities: creamer, K-cups, clean mugs, your milk frother, all the syrups you love. However you make your coffee, get it ready for the next day. More of a Starbucks or Dunkin girl? Set your keys and wallet out and prepare your mobile order. No matter what, you know you’ll have some good caffeine in the morning. Honestly, thinking about how good your coffee’s about to be might even make you excited for Monday morning. 

    Source: @equilibriawomen

    3. Try CBD
    First of all, if you’re not taking CBD, now’s the time to start. I love Equilibria because of how easy it was to find the right dosing for me. I was able to talk with one of their dosing specialists to come up with my perfect routine to beat Sunday Scaries once and for all. I normally take a Daily Softgel in the morning and use their Daily Drops at night, but when I’m feeling extra anxious on Sunday, I add in half a dropper of the Daily Drops in the morning as well to keep my stress at bay. Perhaps you could add some CBD at night, or change how much you take in the morning. I also have enjoyed adding baths to my self-care routine, and the Mineral Soak makes it so relaxing. After I take one of those baths, truly nothing can phase me. Use code “theeverygirl” for 20 percent off your first purchase at Equilibria! 

    Equilibria
    Brilliance Box

    The Brilliance Box includes Daily Drops for fast-acting, targeted relief, Daily Softgels for a sustained-release, and topical Relief Cream for local discomfort.

    As per FDA guidelines, Equilibria CBD is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or ailment. As always, consult with your physician before starting any new program that may interact with your current health plan.

    Source: @rachparcell

    4. Create a Sunday self-care routine
    I live by “work hard, relax harder.” If you spent a whole week busting your ass on a project, you deserve to have a fun weekend, whether that’s getting together with friends for a wine night or lighting expensive candles and watching TV for hours on end. While you can certainly play it by ear, seeing what works best for you that day, I’ve found success creating a routine for my Sundays all about self-care. When the anxiety creeps in, I know I can do these few things to wind down and get excited for the week ahead. For me, this looks like doing my skincare routine early, wearing a face mask, putting new sheets on my bed, reading a book, and writing for fun. It gives me something to look forward to every Sunday evening, rather than focusing on how stressed I am about the week ahead. Plus, it sets me up for success the next day. I’m relaxed and rested! Play around with a routine that works for you based on your own ideas of self-care.

    5. Make enjoyable plans for the week
    Sit down on Sunday and schedule your week with more than just the work meetings and workouts. Add in the times you’ll hang out with friends, when you’ll call your mom, the couple hours you want to spend baking a new treat, and more. One of the biggest reasons for the Sunday scaries is fearing for everything you have to do that week, but if you turn it around and start looking at everything you’re looking forward to, that anxiety might start to balance out a little bit. 

    Source: @calpak

    6. Brain dump
    A lot of the time, we get so stressed on Sunday because we’re thinking about all those unwritten things that need to be done. It might not be in your work task-list, but you have to message your boss about that tax question, or you randomly realize you need clarification on a project before you can get started. These can really fill up your brain, and before you even realize, it’s all the little menial tasks that clog your excitement for a new week. Sit down and get these all out on paper (or on your phone or computer—I’m partial to a Slack message to myself because I’ll have to go back and read it Monday morning). Then, you’ll have a much easier time sleeping and relaxing knowing those points are written down somewhere for you to easily remember.
     
    7. Rework your to-do list
    If you’re feeling bogged down because you have a mile-long to-do list every single day, it might be time to rethink how you set up your goals for the week. While making your large tasks into a bunch of small ones works for some people, it might be the opposite for you, causing you stress about checking off a million things the next day. Instead, make a priorities list. Make one priority for the next day and tell yourself that the world will keep turning as long as you accomplish that one task. Then, everything else is just extra. A daily “top three” might work for you by convincing you that you only have to do those three things that day, while everything else is a bonus. Make your to-do list work for you; don’t let it kill you.
     
    8. Add your after-work goals to your to-do list
    While you’re looking at everything you have to do in the next week, make sure to add non-work-related tasks too. “Go for a bike ride with friends,” “Write a handwritten letter to someone,” “Try a seasonal recipe,” “Order that sweater I’ve been eyeing.” Being productive doesn’t have to mean that we scheduled a week’s worth of social content or called 10 potential clients. Especially if you’re working from home, it’s easy to get so lost into work that you forget about your after-work hours. Plan for those too!

    Source: @amybartlam

    9. Address any pain points in your job
    Likely some aspect of your job is what’s making you stressed, so do what you can throughout this week to actually make a change rather than putting a bandaid on the problem. If your boss’s constant demands stress you out, have a candid conversation about how they can change how they assign you tasks. Talk to your coworkers about creating a system of non-distracted working throughout certain parts of the day. Ask your supervisor if you can have more liberty with your deadlines. And if you are truly just miserable because you hate your company or dislike the work you’re doing, a self-care day won’t make work on Monday any easier. Invest the time into searching for your passion and finding a job that fits your life and goals better. All the face masks and to-do list tweaks in the world won’t reduce your stress if you truly just hate your job. More

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    in lifestyle and culture

    A nighttime curfew for Dubai’s entertainment industry has been implemented

    As coronavirus cases have been increasing in the UAE, a new curfew has been implemented in Dubai.

    A circular was issued by Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) over the weekend to hotels, stating that entertainment activities must end by 1am.
    Similarly, it was also stated in the circular, which was issued on September 24, that food and beverage services must conclude by 3am, with establishments also closing then. However, this does not affect delivery services nor room service in hotels.
    Over the last few weeks, COVID-19 cases have been steadily increasing in the UAE.
    On September 26, 1,008 new cases were announced bringing the total to 90,618. However, 79,676 of those cases have recovered meaning there are currently 10,942 active COVID-19 cases in the UAE.
    In the country, there has been a total of 411 deaths.
    – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
    Feature Image: Visit Dubai Instagram More

  • 75 Shares

    in health and weelbeing

    How to Turn Jealousy Into Productivity

    How many times has this happened to you: you’re sitting on the train on your way to work, mindlessly scrolling through Instagram. You speed past the engagements, the baby photos, and yet another brunch photo. Then it stops you in your tracks. A post with “some personal news.” An old friend from college has an announcement to make: she’s taken a new job in the city with a big-name agency and an impressive title. Her montage of photos includes a glimpse of her shiny new apartment and flowers from her adorable fiancé.You want to be happy for her, but the pangs of envy are running deep. Why not you?
    When we’re feeling jealous, there are two roads we can take: we can use it to feel bad about ourselves and validate complacency, or we can use it to kick ourselves into high drive and put a plan in place. We can channel our jealousy into productivity. Jealousy can be an amazing tool that gives you a glimpse into what exactly you want in life — and gives you the motivation to chase after it.

    First, Take a Moment to Practice Gratitude for What You Do Have.
    Pause for a second. For every person who you are jealous of, there’s probably someone out there looking at you and wondering how you’ve got it all together. Maybe you have a degree that you worked your ass off for. Perhaps you are the friend who always knows just how to celebrate those close to her. Or maybe you’re the one who everyone looks to for decor advice. 
    For anything you don’t have, there’s something you’ve got going on that’s awesome and worth being grateful for!

    Figure Out Where Exactly Your Jealousy is Rooted.
    Once you’ve taken stock of what you do have, take a step back and figure out where exactly your jealousy is coming from. Are you envious of a career? Relationships? Travel? Just an overall feeling of happiness? 
    If you can nail down why you’re feeling jealous, you have a tangible way to figure out what it is you’re striving for in your own life.
    The only way to change your current situation is to know what you want to change.

    Look at the Path That This Person Took to Reach Their Goals.
    So, this acquaintance (or maybe just the random blogger on Instagram!) that you’re feeling jealous of? Use them as inspiration to get moving. Turn your jealousy into admiration, and remember: if she can do it, so can you. 
    OK, she’s got your dream career — what jobs or internships did she use as stepping stones along the way? Her travel schedule is unreal — has she set up an agreement to work remotely? Did she find a job that involves monthly travel or cut back in other areas in order to splurge on flights? She has the most supportive partner — did she spend years culling through dating apps and figuring out her must-haves and deal-breakers? Or maybe you’re wishing your apartment looked as magazine-worthy as hers — hey, ask her how she found it and where she discovered those quirky vintage chairs.
    When you reframe your jealousy as motivation, it gives you the freedom to be happy for others and to reach out with respect and interest in how they created their life. Never be afraid to ask if you want to know more about how they’ve accomplished something you admire! People love to share their successes with others. 
    Not sure how to reach out? Just be genuine! “Hi! I’m so impressed with how you’ve done X. I’d love to learn more about how you got there!”

    Create an Actionable Roadmap for Yourself to Achieve Your Version of Success.
    The best part about turning your jealousy into productivity is that it allows you to create an action plan to find the same success in your own life. 
    When your jealousy is no longer a vague feeling of not being enough, you can use it to say, “Sarah is doing exactly the work I hope to be doing in the next five years and I want to become a digital marketing director at a socially-conscious corporation too. In order to do that, I need to first refresh my resume and take this course in data and analytics. Then, I’ll land a role as a digital marketing manager to set me up for the director position. I’m going to attend networking events once a month and make connections at companies that are doing work that inspires me.”
    And, if your jealousy is more of the, “Why am I sitting in an office while Carrie is lounging on the beach in Bali?” variety, you can think about ways to create more work-life balance. You may feel like you can’t take your vacation days without professional repercussions, but perhaps with enough preparation, you can feel comfortable leaving the office for a week. You may not have the flexibility to take a two-week European adventure, but you could do five days in Charleston.
    Whatever form your jealousy takes — career, relationships, style, fitness, travel – look into ways to create an actionable roadmap to achieve your version of success in your own life. No one’s reality will look exactly the same, but you can channel those feelings of jealousy into productive moves towards your own happiness.

    Don’t Forget to Recognize and Celebrate Your Own Milestones!
    This goes back to expressing gratitude for what you do have, but don’t forget to hit pause and recognize when you’ve accomplished something worth celebrating! It doesn’t have to be big, but if you were feeling stuck in your career two months ago and now you have an updated resume and an interview on the horizon, pat yourself on the back! If you felt like you were living in a bubble between work and home and back again, but now you’ve planned a long weekend away, great job! 
    Your success may not look exactly like the Insta images that were stirring up jealousy, but if you’re making productive steps towards achieving your dreams, that’s something that’s always worth celebrating. More

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    in beauty and fashion

    24 Noteworthy Fall Pieces That Also Happen to Be on Sale

    Have you ordered your first hot drink of the season yet? I sure have, and I’m absolutely living and breathing for it. I’ll be honest: I like fall, it’s great and all, but I live for winter and the holidays. But this year, I’m doing everything I can find the bliss in the cooler temperatures, the spooky movies, and—you guessed it—the fall fashion. But we’re not quite living in a typical fall-fashion world right now, so how do I balance my aching need for cozy clothes with the practicality of saving my money for a rainy day (i.e. when I can travel again!)? I shop the sales. And boy have we found a good one! Our editors are new fans of Verishop, an online retailer carrying both brands we already love (like AGOLDE, Girlfriend Collective, and Vince) and new-to-us labels we’re dying to try. Ready to shop fall fashion as much as I am? These fall must-haves are all 25 percent off right now with the code VERIFRIENDS. Time to get shopping!

    use code VERIFRIENDS

    PLUS-SIZE FAVORITES More

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    in beauty and fashion

    The Fall Piece You Should Invest In Based on Your Zodiac Sign

    Of all the fall activities, breaking out the credit card and buying a few new pieces for the season might trump them all. There’s nothing like getting out of the house in the best trends of the year—and with the temperatures dropping, there’s no time like the present.But obviously, this year poses a different issue: how do you allocate your fall funds when you don’t know how much leaving the house the season will entail? Spending a ton of money on trends is probably taking a backseat to spending money on comfortable loungewear—but that doesn’t mean you can’t indulge in a trendy piece or two. 
    We’re taking out the guesswork for you and are giving you which trendy fall piece you should invest in based on your zodiac sign—even if you’re only wearing it to grocery shop, it’s worth celebrating the fashion that comes with the best season of the year.

    Aries: Fringe

    Source: style mba

    Aries are fearless and comfortable with who they are, which makes a statement piece the perfect item to invest in for fall. This season’s fringe trend is perfect for them, be it in the form of a chic jacket or versatile bag.

    Taurus: Something Preppy

    Source: @lillyandgrant

    Tauruses love to be dressed to the nines, and overdressing is a part of their nature. With rich colors and textures, fall 2020’s preppy trend is perfect for the self-care sign.

    Gemini: Faux Leather Pieces

    Source: @thekittyluxe

    Geminis are a little wild and even more indecisive—which makes a faux-leather piece the perfect, versatile addition to their wardrobe.

    Cancer: Jewel Tones

    Source: @fromheadtocurve

    These summer babies love to bring the bright, happy tones of their birth month to their wardrobes year-round. Opt for a jewel-toned piece instead of the dark, moody colors of the season.

    Leo: Animal Print

    Source: @trulyjamie

    Leos have a knack for taking an intimidating trend and making it wearable, and the out-of-the-box animal prints of the season will do just that. With zebra prints and even cow prints popping up this season, leave it to a Leo to pull them off.

    Virgo: Shades of Nude

    Source: @crystalinmarie

    Shades of nude that encompass all skin tones are everywhere this fall, and they’re a perfect way for the classically-dressed Virgo to hop in on a trend without needing to get too out of their comfort zone.

    Libra: A Bold Print

    Source: @thekittyluxe

    Libras are known for staying away from the drama, but that doesn’t mean they don’t like to incorporate eye-catching elements to their outfits. Their breezy, life-of-the-party personalities make a piece in a bold print the perfect fall investment.

    Scorpio: Plaid

    Source: @simplytandya

    Scorpios are mysterious and intense, and true to their dark, emotional nature, fall 2020’s grungy plaid trend is a Scorpio’s dream.

    Sagittarius: Shearling

    Source: @jennytran

    Sagittarians are outgoing and happy and down to try pretty much anything, and although they draw attention with their personalities, they also like to draw it with what they wear. A trendy, shearling jacket that they can wear everywhere will keep them from feeling bored by their outerwear this season. 

    Capricorn: Tweed

    Source: Kathleen Barnes | Carrie Bradshaw Lied

    Capricorns are work and goal-oriented, which means anything that they can take from their job to their (virtual) happy hour is what they gravitate toward. Adding something tweed to their wardrobe is the perfect way for the sophisticated sign to reflect their personalities through their style.

    Aquarius: Dark Floral Prints

    Source: @styleidealist

    Aquarians are a little bit zany, and we love them for it. A funky, dark floral print will bring the water sign’s personality shine through all fall long.

    Pisces: Colorblocking

    Source: @carnationsandlace

    Of all the signs, Pisces would never shy away from color, and “neutral” isn’t a part of their vocabulary. They play with trends and make fashion an art, and no trend encompasses that more than colorblocking. Mix it in with your basics for an easy, go-to outfit. More

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    in health and weelbeing

    6 Simple Ways You Can Start Reducing Your Waste

    I have always been a lover of the Earth—in fact, Earth Day is one of my favorite holidays. One year, my elementary school gave out tree saplings for Earth Day and asked us to go home and plant them. I asked my dad for help choosing a space to plant the tree and we decided we should put it in a bare spot in our backyard. I am proud to say that the tree I planted over 20 years ago is still thriving in my parents’ yard and has turned into a giant pine tree. As I grew up and started managing my own household, I knew I wanted to continue to find ways to do more to protect the Earth, so I decided to start the journey of reducing my waste. As an Earth-conscious herbalist, I knew I wanted to live, shop, and work as sustainably as possible. I began to research and follow waste-free social media accounts to try and get as much information and inspiration as I could. 
    As I dug deeper, it seemed that going waste-free was pretty expensive. It was ironic that some of the information out there wanted you to buy all of the new stuff in order to go waste-free. To me, it just didn’t make sense. 
    I was discouraged, but I didn’t believe that it was necessary to throw away everything I was already using just so I could be waste-free. I was more determined than ever to figure out a way to reduce my waste—and I’ve figured out a few ways to make it happen.

    1. Take note of your daily habits
    When you are trying to reduce your waste, there might already be routines and habits you are doing that support your goals. I find it’s best to notice what’s working and where changes can be made. Maybe you’ve already got your recycling habits figured out, or maybe you’re throwing your food scraps into a compost bin. Celebrate what’s working and give yourself the option to develop new habits when you are ready. 

    2. Set boundaries
    If you dig deep enough into all of the information on reducing waste, there are tips from food storage to feminine hygiene and everything in between. Look at your budget (the list of items you “need” can get very long and very expensive), your time, and your comfort level when you are beginning to reduce your waste. Doing this will allow you to clearly see what you will actually be able to achieve. 
    Paying attention to my budget and setting a boundary on how much I was willing to spend when going waste-free was very important to me. It didn’t make sense for me to spend hundreds of dollars on new items just so I could be waste-free. The list of items recommended for a waste-free lifestyle can overwhelming look a little something like this:
    Masons Jars of all sizes
    Metal straws and straw cleaners
    Reusable utensals
    Toothpaste pellets
    Silicone lids
    Cloth napkins
    Unpaper towels
    Metal razor
    Reusable produce bags
    Reusable water bottles
    Silicone sponges
    Period cups
    Reusable grocery bags
    Reusable coffee mugs
    Bamboo toothbrushes
    Biodegradable floss
    The list above is just the beginning of some of the items suggested to start a waste-free lifestyle, and the further you go in the lifestyle, the longer the list becomes. 
    For me, I noticed that the biggest impact would come from my kitchen, but some of my easiest changes could come from my bathroom habits. Right now, I don’t have the courage to try reusable pantyliners, but I loved swapping out my tampons for a reusable menstrual cup! Setting boundaries like this allowed me to feel empowered and successful in my choices instead of feeling like I needed to do it all. Get honest with yourself and set some clear boundaries based on what best supports you and your household. As you get comfortable in this lifestyle, your boundaries may change. Keep an open mind and let the rest flow. 

    3. Save, save, save
    The next time you head to the grocery store, see how many items you can purchase that are in glass jars. Items like spaghetti sauce, salsa, olives, and mayo usually have a glass jar option. If it doesn’t up your grocery bill too much, see if you can grab some of those glass items. 
    Buying glass jars will allow you to get multiple uses out of them, because now you have reusable storage. No need to run out and buy tons of mason jars, just repurpose those saved jars to store leftovers and more. Mayo jars are great for your lunchtime salad in a jar, and yogurt jars on your nightstand are great to hold small items like rings and earrings. Glass jars come in all shapes and sizes and are great for so many uses. You are already heading to the grocery store—why not get your money’s worth and get multiple uses out of those jars?

    4. Buy it once, use it twice
    When I began to take stock of where I could make changes, I realized that I could make improvements in my food waste. I love cooking and noticed that when I was prepping my meals, I continued to throw out a lot of food scraps that I could’ve reused into stock instead. It’s so easy and takes minimal effort. Here’s what you do:
    Keep a container (any size) in your freezer
    Pull out your container whenever you are cooking.
    Add your veggie scraps (onion peels, garlic, carrot shavings, herbs, celery ends, etc.). Get as creative as you want.
    Continue to fill your container each time you cook.
    Once the container is full, add your scraps to a slow cooker. Cover with water. Add some salt. Cook eight hours on low, four hours on high. Set it and walk away. The slow cooker will do the work.
    Strain the scraps from the liquid and store in the fridge or freezer depending on how quickly you will use the stock. 
    Honestly, the stocks I’ve made from my food scraps have had way more flavor than the store-bought varieties. Last year, I was able to make my entire Friendsgiving from my food scrap stock! The “buy it once, use it twice” motto can be applied all over your house. Get creative, you’ll be surprised at how much you can reduce your waste by using items again and again. 

    5. Is there a swap here?
    As I began settling into a reduced-waste lifestyle, I began to look at items in my house a little differently. I wasn’t going to throw out perfectly good stuff just because it wasn’t the most eco-friendly item. However, when that item was completely used, I asked myself, “is there a swap here?” If I had to buy something new anyway, why not swap it out with a more eco-friendly option that would help me reduce my waste?
    Here are some easy swaps that you can make the next time you are shopping:
    At some point, we will have to buy new things and this is your opportunity to see if there is a swap that makes sense for you. It might not be the right time, and that’s OK. These tips are not to add stress to your life. Just asking “is there a swap for this?” and building awareness is moving in the right direction. Try and let these swaps happen naturally and enjoy the journey.

    6. Sell or donate what you can
    I love getting rid of stuff! There’s something about letting go of things I’m no longer using that feels therapeutic. Whether it’s a few items or a large overhaul, I try and donate or sell as much as I can. Just because I no longer wear high heels doesn’t mean someone else can enjoy them. Why throw away perfectly good shoes?
    Does throwing stuff out stress you out? I get it, my husband also struggles with this. If you have trouble getting rid of stuff ask yourself the same questions I ask my husband:
    Have you used it in the last year?
    Does this item have purpose in your life now?
    If you got rid of this item today, would you even notice?
    If you answered yes to any of these questions, then it might be time to either sell or donate some items in your house. It’s OK to get rid of things that you aren’t using. Trust me, there is someone out there who will absolutely take it off of your hands and put it to good use. 
    The next time you are doing a cleanout, keep one container for donation and another one with items you will sell. Not only do you get to keep the landfills empty of items that are difficult to break down, but you have also given your items the opportunity to have a second purpose. 
    Reducing your waste is a practice that happens gradually. Start with one change at a time. Once you feel settled in that new habit, then maybe add one more. Resist the urge to throw out everything that doesn’t fit your reducing waste mindset. Grant yourself permission to celebrate what you are already doing, while exploring ways to take the next step. Have fun and remember that even one action to reduce your waste is a step in the right direction.  More

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    in lifestyle and culture

    Exclusive: The groundbreaking female-led move Careem is making

    The year 2020 has forced industries around the world into new ways of working – and into new ways of thinking. It’s safe to say the pandemic has well and truly turned the globe on its head.
    Global companies and businesses, including in the Middle East, have had no choice but to embrace the change and find new ways of working with employees going remote, many aspects of work going online, Zoom meetings being at the forefront and flexible working hours being implemented.

    Over the last few months in the UAE, people have slowly begun to return to offices upon the announcement workplaces were able to begin to welcome employees back to the workplace.
    However, despite things going back to normal, business giant Careem, who has their headquarters based in Dubai, is making a groundbreaking female-led move by going remote-first – and its the first company in the Middle East to do so.

    Emirates Woman can exclusively reveal the innovative move is being spearheaded by the company’s Director of Talent, Learning and Performance and acting VP People at Careem, Ella Fordham.
    So, what exactly does going remote-first mean? Effective immediately as of today, Careem’s 1,300 employees will be able to work from any location within the business’ employment market which spreads across 36 offices in 13 different markets. As part of the move, employees will be able to work from any worldwide location for up to a month.

    (Above: Director of Talent, Learning and Performance and is currently acting VP People at Careem, Ella Fordham)
    Meanwhile, their offices will be redesigned into collaborative working spaces.
    Speaking on the new move, Fordham tells Emirates Woman, that her team has been using data they have collected and they have seen a significant shift in the way the company works.
    “We have defined remote-first at Careem to mean that working remotely is now our default way of working for all new and existing colleagues,” she tells EW exclusively. “All colleague processes and experiences will be designed for remote presence and, most importantly, all of our colleagues will have the same work experience regardless of where they choose to work from.
    “With this new strategy, we believe we are simplifying the lives of our colleagues, whilst also being able to benefit from the increased productivity and engagement that we have seen whilst working remotely to date.”
    In our exclusive interview with Fordham we spoke to her about what made her want to spearhead the decision, what a milestone it is for such a groundbreaking move it is to be female-led and how Careem continues to empower female employees.
    What made you want to spearhead this decision?
    I feel very passionately that the world of work has changed, including the expectations of our colleagues about their working environment. We need to embrace this new reality as an organisation and accelerate the adoption of digital behaviours.
    In terms of attracting new talent, and to be able to realise our Superapp ambitions, I believe this will give us the ability to overcome geographic limits that have traditionally hindered our recruitment of awesome people who are excited by our purpose.
    From a personal perspective, I have always looked for companies that promote flexibility. I have a young child and both myself and my husband work. Having the ability to structure my working day to be able to build in time for nursery drop-offs and bath-time is very important to me. Careem has always operated with a degree of flexibility but remote-first will allow us all to manage personal and professional life more easily and strike the right balance.
    It’s especially notable this groundbreaking move is female-led which is definitely a win for this region and beyond. How do you feel about this?
    This initiative is down to a team effort. The People Team at Careem is exceptionally strong and they champion many initiatives that benefit the business and our colleagues. For all People Teams across the globe, this pandemic has meant leading the business through uncharted waters.
    The first step we took was to use data to help us make an informed decision. We measure the engagement levels of our colleagues on a monthly basis and ask a range of questions on a variety of topics. On average, 88% of our colleagues participate. We also ran weekly focus groups on working remotely. Bringing this data together, along with business performance metrics, allowed us to develop insights into what our colleagues were telling us and the business impact.
    I stepped up into this role to cover my manager’s (VP) maternity leave in May 2020, and having the opportunity to drive this topic and create a profound change to the way we operate was an exceptional opportunity for which I am very grateful for.
    Building relationships whilst being remote did, at first, feel odd. However, I honestly do not feel that I have been hindered by it. Time in meetings becomes more focused and one-to-one catch-ups have fewer distractions. I have super strong relationships with people I have never met face to face, which is not something I thought I would have said this time last year!
    Leading a team in a remote setting requires a slightly different leadership style and what we have learnt as a company is that it is very important to set a team charter or an agreed way of working. A team charter is a set of principles/rules of the game that the team live by. It should be produced by the team, owned by the team, and be visible to all those who work with them.

    (Above: Careem’s founders Magnus Olsson, Mudassir Sheikha and Abdulla Elyas)
    It’s also an incredible move to make especially since you only joined the company in February – just before a pandemic! – what’s that been like?
    I had not been in the region long before I started at Careem and then Covid-19 hit. I quickly had to adapt to a new country and a new role whilst also being under lockdown.
    It was not easy but what helped me settle into life at Careem was a solid onboarding plan. Ensuring our onboarding plan is right in a remote setting will be a big focus of ours going forward.
    2020 has been an interesting and challenging year for all of us but I feel very fortunate to have joined Careem, whose mission is to simplify and improve the lives of people across our region. That really resonates with me.
    What is the plan for office spaces?
    Our offices will remain open as we still believe that face to face interactions are very important. We will look to reconfigure the offices to facilitate collaboration and team building. They will be compelling spaces that will allow our colleagues to innovate from.
    How has the work culture in Careem changed throughout the pandemic? It’s been a major shift for a lot of companies…
    Our purpose, values and our shared vision is core to our culture, and that has not changed in a remote setting. From our monthly surveys, we have actually seen an increase in overall engagement of our colleagues and this in part is down to us recommending to adopt common ways of working. Remote working requires being intentional about adopting remote-first practices, even if some interactions occur in a shared physical space. It also required us to be more thoughtful about social interactions. We have already seen this come to life through virtual coffee breaks, games nights, and remote lunches.
    During Covid-19, we have opened offices when we could to provide space for people to collaborate and socialize. Going forwards, and in a post-COVID-19 world, teams are recommended to come to the office at least one day a week to have face-to-face interactions for these reasons. We have set key performance metrics related to our organisational health and culture and we will continuously monitor them and make improvements as we go.
    In the new working model, is there a certain number of days that must be worked from office/home, etc?
    Remote-first at Careem means that working remotely is now our default for all colleagues (both new and existing). All colleague processes and experiences will be designed for remote presence. Everyone will have the same work experience regardless of where they are and choose to work from.
    We have agreed on a set of 5 working principles which we will all abide by:
    Own Zoom: Dial-in through an individual Zoom tile whether at home or in the office. Cameras on for most of the time
    Meetings zone: No meetings scheduled before 8am and after 8pm (local time) to allow time to disconnect
    Meetings excellence: Set clear objectives, send pre-read materials 24 hours in advance, check-in with everyone before starting, and document meeting outcomes
    Virtual social: Make time for remote lunches, game nights and coffee breaks to have fun together regardless of location
    Office days: Spend some time, one day in the week, in the office to meet your team and socialize with other colleagues
    How do you think this will change the working environment for Careem?
    Our offices will remain open to provide comfortable spaces for our colleagues to be able to collaborate and socialise. They are also there for people who prefer working from the office.
    How do you hope to continue to empower female employees in Careem?
    There are some unique challenges women face, such as returning to work after maternity leave. By working in a remote-first way, two of my team members have been able to return to work on their terms in a way that fits the commitments they have after becoming mothers. I believe that operating in this way has empowered these individuals to make a choice rather than a sacrifice and, in return, it has helped us retain talent that we might not have been able to in other circumstances.
    What we have seen and what our colleagues have been telling us is that by sharing the same virtual space we have levelled the playing field for our colleagues. All of our processes, including promotions, are now geared towards being delivered remotely because of the wide geography we operate in.
    Right now we are doing more internal communications events, such as Ask Me Anything, and are actively championing senior women to share about their reality at Careem and beyond. I think by lifting each other up we can continue to build on developing the next level of senior women for the region.
    What has the feedback from employees been about the new initiative?
    Over the last six months, we have learnt a lot about ourselves. Colleague feedback has shown us that 90 per cent feel they are able to be more productive and effective at home and almost all of our colleagues have expressed a desire for more flexibility, with around 60 per cent telling us they would prefer a 2-3 day split between home and the office. Colleagues want to use office time for collaboration and socialising.
    Our internal metrics show that overall engagement has gone up during this time and key topics in our survey, such as autonomy accomplishment, manager support, and peer relationships have actually increased whilst being remote.
    For our colleagues, remote-first delivers real savings on daily commute times and gives people significant flexibility in how they manage their life. Careem’s culture is one of ownership and trust and this is also reflected in our unlimited vacation policy, which was announced in October 2018.
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