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      The real story behind the Middle East’s first domestic violence crisis platform

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      Shamsaha is a groundbreaking platform in the Middle East – the first of its kind helping victims of domestic and sexual violence in the region.
      First launched in 2016 in Bahrain, the platform has now unveiled its 24/7 crisis support mobile app, making its crisis advocacy services available to women across the Middle East for the first time.
      From its inception, Shamsaha has aimed to focus on women’s empowerment and protection programs, offering support services in both English and Arabic. However, for the platform’s founder, Mary-Justine Todd, getting Shamsaha off the ground was no easy feat.
      “In the beginning, everyone said to me ‘it will never happen’, or ‘you’ll never get a permit’,” she tells Emirates Woman. “There were a lot of naysayers.”
      There was also a lot of red tape to jump through and Todd even admits she didn’t realise “how hard it would be”. However, when you’re breaking boundaries to become “the first”, naturally there will be hurdles to jump through.
      With perserverance the platform launched six years ago and since then the only way has been up. Not only has Shamsaha now launched its mobile app, the organisation has a long-term partnership with globally renowned beauty conglomerate L’Oreal.
      To learn more about the story behind the platform and its recent app launch, Emirates Woman sat down with Todd to discuss the ins and outs of Shamsaha.
      What inspired you to launch a 24/7 crisis support mobile application?
      When someone is going through what may be one of the worst times in their life, the only thing that can make it better is to know that they are not alone and I know how important that is. I wanted to do what I could, to ensure that women never had to face violence or abuse and suffer with it alone.
      Shamsaha is the first and only domestic violence crisis response programme in the Middle East, how was this a challenge and how did you overcome this?
      In the beginning, everyone said to me “it will never happen”, or “you’ll never get a permit”. There were a lot of naysayers. However, for me at the time, naivety was bliss. I didn’t realize how hard it would be, or how many hurdles we would have to surmount. But this was a good thing, because each time we face a problem, albeit about registration, or funding, or support, I just kept thinking that we would solve it. And so eventually we solved all the major problems and here we are.

      The application provides 24/7 assistance. Was this the motive from the outset?
      Violence and abuse do not keep to a schedule. Nor is it isolated to any one group or class of people. Violence against women cuts across all socioeconomic strata and affects women equally all over the world. Therefore, when a woman finds a window and is able to make the courageous choice to reach out for help, we must be reachable and that may be at 2 am or on Saturday morning. That is our duty so, we are there.
      What protocol do you follow for onboarding your volunteering advocates?
      Shamsaha’s Crisis Advocacy training is approved by the American National Advocacy Credentialling Programme (NACP) which is the women’s crisis regulatory support body in the USA. All of our volunteer advocates must complete a comprehensive NACP-approved 40-hour training programme before they get their crisis advocacy certification, after which they are eligible to serve as women’s crisis advocates. The training includes topics such as domestic and sexual violence in depth; subconscious bias, using trauma-informed practices, women in the media; and more. We ensure that every volunteer is highly trained and ready to support women during their time of need.

      With over 15 years of experience in the industry to accomplish women’s empowerment and equality, how have you incorporated this into the application?
      Everything that we do at Shamsaha, including all of our support programmes for women is done in the spirit of intersectional feminism. Though the definition of feminism is debated, in general, it means to believe that the subordination of women is undesirable and that changing that is desirable. To do so with an intersectional spirit means to continuously think of, ask, and incorporate the needs of all women into the programming, rather than assuming that any one woman’s experience (such as mine – coming from an upper-middle-class white American community) is not considered the essential experience, to ensure inclusivity of all voices. Not until all women are empowered be it rich or poor, can any woman be truly empowered.
      Could you elaborate on the main features that set this application apart?
      Shamsaha is the first and only full-scale women’s crisis response programME in the Middle East, making our app the only one of its kind as well. With the new Shamsaha, mobile phone application women from all over the Middle East and North African region will be able to reach out and receive 24/7 support in English or Arabic from a specially trained volunteer. Using a survivor-centred approach, we provide emotional and informational support for victims of domestic abuse, along with an easily accessible list of community resources.
      Did you notice a stark increase in the number of domestic violence cases during the COVID-19 lockdown?
      Globally, there was an average increase of 45 per cent in the incidence of violence against women. Looking at a three-month average before and after the onset of the initial lockdowns in Bahrain, in March 2020, Shamsaha had a 41 per cent increase in cases reporting abuse. So the levels we faced were similar to that of the rest of the world. But the fact remains that when there is a global crisis, such as an economic crisis, or natural or man-made disasters, women often suffer first and suffer the most.
      What’s your advice for women to help each other and reach their best selves?
      Don’t judge anyone. Don’t give advice to anyone. Just be kind and be there for each other. An affirmation that I use every day and try to live by is as follows: I am whole, perfect, strong, powerful, loving, harmonious and happy. Concentrate and think deeply about what each word means for you and in your life to access your most inspired self and live in a state of flow.
      The L’Oréal Fund for Women was born to empower women at risk and reach women worldwide. How does it feel to be supported by an entity that imbibes the same values?
      I am absolutely honoured to be partners with L’Oreal. They are an amazing corporation with an incredible team of women. Alexandra Palt the president of the L’Oreal Fund for Women is one of the smartest, most progressive, thoughtful and intelligent women I know.
      Are there any innovative features that you wish to incorporate in the future?
      The next phase of development for the app will be substantial. We intend to actually redevelop the entire app and break it into two separate apps. You can think of it like the Uber driver app which will be our volunteers and the Uber user app which will be the victims of abuse and the general public. This will allow us to incorporate an even more robust communication system that includes additional features for countries all over the world such as transportation and food delivery. We are currently fundraising for this next phase and hope to begin development in early 2023.
      To find out more information visit shamsaha.org
      – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
      Images: Supplied & Feature Image: Pexels @lizasummer More

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      I Moved Across the Country for a New Job—Here’s How

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      Since I was 14, I wanted to live in Boston. I spent a couple summers there at a young age and fell in love with everything about it. From then on, I dreamed of living in a brownstone on the cobblestone streets and drinking my Dunkin’ coffee on the T (if you know, you know).
      I grew up in the west. For the first 18 years of my life, Montana, and for the next eight years, Nevada. I remember working internship after internship saying to myself “Boston, Boston, Boston” over and over again to manifest this dream into reality. 
      After 12 years of wishing—I made the move.
      Making a change like this can be scary. Take it from me, not only did I uproot my life from Nevada to Massachusetts, I made a big career move too! Relocating for a job is terrifying because what if you fail? My question to you is, what if you don’t? If you’ve had a similar dream but are afraid of everything that comes with a big move, this article is for you. We’ll dive into how I got the job, prepped for the move, and finally took the leap.
      Here’s how I made my dream come true:

      I Wasn’t Afraid to Talk to People
      Prior to applying to jobs across the country, I reached out to anyone and everyone I knew in my current market that had moved to a new city for a job or had connections in Boston specifically. I reached out for coffee, drinks, and anything else I could do to chat with people that would be able to offer some guidance.
      I initially knew of a few people off the top of my head. To take it further, I reached out to past professors, classmates, and colleagues at different internships I had. I wasn’t afraid to tell people around me about my plans and dreams, and the more I talked about it, the more doors opened as people told me they knew someone that knew someone that lived in Boston or had followed a similar path.
      Tip: A great way to do this if you don’t know where to start is to get on LinkedIn and see if any of your connections work at companies you like or live in the market you are interested in!
      By doing this, I was able to fine-tune my resume, build relationships with people in my industry, and even talk to a few people who had worked in my dream market. The best part? Everyone was willing and excited to offer help, and while I didn’t land a job this way, the advice I received was invaluable to help get me there.
      Don’t be afraid to ask questions, ask for help, and make connections with people that may seem out of reach. Chances are, they’d love to assist someone with a similar dream.

      Source: Color Joy Stock

      I Got Real With My Budget
      In order to make this move, I had to get real about how much I would need to have in savings in order to get an apartment and get myself and my belongings over there. I also had to look at my finances and expenses to decide how much I would need to make once I got off the plane.
      I sat down with all of my monthly expenses and created a budget that included my estimations for the city. From there, I was able to go into job interviews knowing exactly what I needed to make in order to live in my dream city.
      Here are a few things I did to get ready:

      I took a look at rent prices for apartments and talked to anyone I knew that had lived in a similar market to gauge how much it would cost. This was important because different cities have different protocols for securing apartments. For example, broker fees and deposits can vary.
      I outlined my “needs” such as my estimated rent, utilities, phone bill, and groceries.
      I researched gyms in the area to get an idea of what they would cost per month.
      I reviewed the subscriptions I had and canceled anything unnecessary (this was a big one).
      I outlined my “wants”—nails, hair—the fun stuff.
      I realized that my lifestyle might have to change for a bit, but I accepted that that was okay because I knew the sacrifice would be worth it in the end.

      Once I got there, I pivoted as needed based on true prices, and I pivoted fast. I cut back on things I couldn’t fit into my budget and set goals for myself for future income in order to get where I wanted to be.

      Source: @Calpak

      I Didn’t Give Up
      Once I felt good about my resume, had talked to others that had taken the same path, and felt confident enough to put myself out there—I started applying. And let me tell you, this part wasn’t easy.
      For over a year and a half, I worked. I took interviews at 5 a.m. to talk to companies on the east coast before my day job. I worked during the day to continue to build my experience and portfolio, and at night, I applied to more jobs. At times, and after being ghosted by company after company, I thought it would never happen.
      And while I will always recommend having another job lined up before making a move, I did get to a point where it was time to take the leap without a set “plan.” Before I was anywhere close to ready, with no future job set-up—I gave my current company notice (a full six months so they could find a replacement and I could get all my ducks in a row).
      As soon as I made my decision and decided I knew this would happen for me, the universe answered. What can I say? Manifestation works. Within a few weeks of giving my company notice, I landed a job in Boston.
      While I had told my current company one timeline (six months), the universe had another timeline in store for me. And while it certainly wasn’t ideal to have to change the timing of my resignation from my employer, I had luckily worked hard to establish a solid relationship (and had AMAZING bosses), so when I had to make the shift, I was able to discuss my new plan and was met with their support.
      I ended up negotiating with my new employer in Boston to give me six weeks prior to starting. Between wanting to give my current role ample time to transition (pro tip: new employers actually like to see your loyalty!) and needing to pack up my entire life, they were more than willing to work with me. And so, I gave my current company a one-month notice and started wrapping things up and planning for my future.

      I Took It All In
      I lived for nearly five years in Boston. I made friends, moved up in my career, and created relationships with colleagues and people on the east coast that I will never take for granted. But after all those years of city life, I decided it was time to move back west to spend time with my family and take advantage of the new remote working world many of us now live in. It wasn’t an easy decision, and there’s a chance I’ll even be back on the east coast someday, but after working my way up at my company and proving to myself that I could do it, I was ultimately ready for a change… again.
      Looking back on my time in Boston, I have little regret. I did the best I could, and I grew in both my professional and personal life more than I could have ever imagined. The only thing I wish is that I had realized I was living my dream while I was in it. The biggest lesson I learned is that we never truly realize how lucky we are in each stage of life until the stage is gone. So once you accomplish your dream, don’t forget to soak it up—don’t forget to breathe it in. 

      How I Made the Leap From Full-Time to Freelancer Without Going Broke More

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      How Mysk Al Badayer’s luxe Sharjah retreat takes you back in time

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      Lifestyle

      by Sarah Joseph
      1 hour ago

      Situated amidst the heart of Sharjah, Mysk Al Badayer is a traditional resort that projects the Emirati lifestyle with a modern touch.
      From sunsets over the endless dunes to a plethora of handcrafted dining options, this resort is backed by an authentic cultural experience for guests to have a complete 360-degree experience.
      Whether you’re looking for a refined family escape or a romantic getaway, this property will ensure guests go back in time as each element of the retreat has an ancient story to tell.
      To understand more about this sophisticated property, Emirates Woman sat down with Shafik Alaaeddine, the Area General Manager of Mysk Hotels.
      The general design of the room is reminiscent of caravanserais. What inspired this concept?
      The entire retreat was built on the concept of a caravanserai – an oasis nestled in the dunes, a meeting point for travellers to discover heritage, culture and adventure. Our interiors are an expression of traditional architecture, not cliché, yet maintaining elements of the Arabian culture. You can choose between staying in a traditional tent with a private pool or in a heritage room, depending on the journey you would like to foster.

      The property is an ode to the Emirati lifestyle. How did you manage to incorporate this throughout the retreat?
      Close your eyes and imagine a caravanserai coming from a long way along the Silk Road. That would be the perfect example of what the Mysk Al Badayer Retreat presents. A picturesque desert stop set against the sweeping dunes of central Sharjah. Live in a traditional Arabian castle from the age of times decorated with the comfort of modernity. Rooms are all adorned with Arabian culture and ornaments, leaving you with 1001 memories to reminisce about. The outdoor pool resembles an oasis, where the dwellers of the desert can relax and enjoy the sun.
      Mysk Al Badayer offers a traditional culinary experience, can you tell us more about how this has been carefully curated?
      Mysk Al Badayer Retreat will offer a traditional culinary experience for in-house guests as well as non-residents. Al Madam Restaurant is characterised by a contemporary design and interpretation of a modern-day eatery with elements of local charm. Al Madam offers a buffet breakfast, either buffet or set menu for lunch and dinner, and an à la carte menu covering international and regional fare. We also have a separate area upstairs, perfect for group seating with tailored menus as per choice, mainly for leisure or MICE groups.
      What main aspects constantly draw customers back to the property?
      The personal touch. We are a boutique retreat, where every individual guest is personally taken care by our trained staff. Due to the small size of our inventory, we are able to focus on personalised services and guest experiences. Each tent is also equipped with a Morafik that takes care of the guest’s needs 24/7 and it adds up to the overall oasis experience. The professionalism of the staff, their care and attention to detail, and the diversified and handcrafted Mysk Guest experiences are what usually attract customers to come back over and over to the property.
      The property offers a host of adrenaline-fuelled activities. Could you tell us more?
      Mysk Al Badayer retreat is created as a melting point for heritage, culture and adventure. It offers a lot for adventurers. Spend the day lounging as you enjoy the sun on your skin or go on an adrenaline-fueled adventure exploring the desert’s gems with desert safaris, quad biking, sand boarding, dune bashing, stargazing and falconry displays. Take a stroll along the golden glistening sand as it mystically sets on your vibrant energy with every footprint engraved along its path or go for a hiking trail through the mystique fossil rocks of Al Faya. Mysk Al Badayer has all the possibilities to encounter a raw desert at its fullest forms.

      From stargazing to Archery, guests have more than enough to do on the property. What are some of the upcoming activities in the next few months?
      We are enhancing the movie under the stars experience while adding more exposure to the zorb ball activity in the retreat and expanding on more Arabian journeys to allow our guests to be fully immersed in the desert experience. We are focusing on more desert F&B experiences as well such as afternoon tea by the dunes, romantic dinner surrounded by the dunes, outdoor pool special menu crafted for a day of fun.
      How is Sharjah developing as a hub for tourism?
      Sharjah has a unique place in the tourism landscape of the UAE. Sharjah got a great story to talk about heritage, arts, culture and nature. With the recent tourism infrastructure development rolled out under the vision of HH Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Sharjah has attained many milestones in the tourism receipts to the emirates. Under the management of Shurooq and similar government-supported organization, many touristic destinations have been opened to the public, to experience the diversity of art, culture, heritage and nature that Sharjah has to offer. Sharjah Collection by Mysk, needless to say, has placed Sharjah on the luxury travel map with its unique experiential retreats and offerings
      How has the hospitality industry evolved since COVID-19?
      Hospitality has seen a significant change in its approach, both from the providers and the guests. Hotels have embraced new technologies in guest experiences like digital menus, touchless entries and customer engagement and have seen the power of Data and AI in terms of CRM, distribution systems and revenue management. From a consumer point of view, guests shifted their primary preferences to safety, privacy and exclusivity. The guests were ready to pay a premium for these factors and were cautious about the safety and hygiene features each hotel has to offer. Our retreats have performed exceptionally well during this time as our offering is matching the privacy, serenity, and far from the madding crowd attributes requested by the guests.
      You have guests from around the globe. How do you ensure a unique experience for each guest?
      The retreats are designed around guest experiences and a tailored customer journey. From the time a guest gets inspired and books our retreats, a well-defined customer journey has been curated for every single guest based on their choices and preferences. We use the power of technologies in gathering these data, and also through our trained Morafiks, who accompany the guests on this journey. We enrich their stay with memorable experiences and those little surprises which ensure their repeat visits. All these are handcrafted guest experiences, knitted through our customer knowledge, and get evolved from guest-to-guest engagements.
      To make a booking visit myskhotels.com
      – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
      Images: Supplied  More

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      WhatsApp is rolling up some big updates – here’s everything you need to know

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      Lifestyle

      by Sarah Joseph
      3 hours ago

      WhatsApp is rolling out more features and some of them are pretty major.
      As one of the popular messaging platforms around the globe, security concerns remain of prime importance and the app is continuously enhancing its features to further work on this.
      When the announcement was shared by Mark Zuckerberg, Meta CEO, he said, “We’ll keep building new ways to protect your messages and keep them as private and secure as face-to-face conversations.”
      With over two billion users globally, it’s important to be aware of the latest features introduced.
      Experience a swift group chat exit
      With the numerous group chats increasing over the years, users might want to clear their app of any unused groups. Previously, a notification would be seen for all members of the group, if any user left the chat.
      To reduce this attention, the latest feature allows for only the group admin to be aware of this, while the other members remain unaware of this.
      Limit your online status to some users
      There have been countless occasions when users would have liked to avoid individuals from seeing their online status. With the latest features, the platform allows users to block people on their chat from seeing that they’re online.
      Avoid screenshots for ‘view-once’ messages
      After introducing this long-awaited Snapchat-like feature in 2021, users were able to enjoy disappearing messages, allowing the application to advance its privacy settings with ease.
      Once a photo or video is opened, it automatically disappears from both the phones after being seen. However, receivers could previously take a screenshot of this. To further enhance security, receivers will not be able to take screenshots of photos or videos sent using the view-once feature and this will be implemented in the near future.
      For further details regarding the latest features visit here.
      – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
      Images: Supplied & Feature Image: Instagram @styleograph More

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      Major changes to rules in Saudi Arabia for influencers

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      Lifestyle

      by Sarah Joseph
      3 hours ago

      With an increase in Saudi Arabia’s tourism, content creators in the country are bound to grow.
      As numerous profiles are finding ways to benefit through social media, a new licensing system has been put in place to oversee this industry.
      From October 2022, all Saudi and non-Saudi influencers generating any revenue through advertising on social media must apply for a formal permit from the General Authority for Audiovisual Media (GCAM) The cost of the license starts from SAR 15,000 (Dhs14,672) and is valid for a tenure of three years.
      Per the GCAM, all Saudi and non-Saudi content creators after obtaining the permit can work with as many private organisations as they like and promote their products and services on their platform as long as no laws or values of the Kingdom are violated, per Arab News,
      “The influencer license does not allow censorship or blocking,” said GCAM CEO Esra Assery. “It’s more of a permit to enable the maturity of the sector. We want to help individuals grow professionally so they can make a career out of it.”
      For any non-Saudi residents, permission will first be required from the Ministry of Investment to work in the country, before applying for the license. Additionally, specific advertising agencies must also represent these individuals before applying for the permit.
      For those who don’t follow protocols, fines of up to SAR 5 million (Dhs4.89 million) or a five-year prison sentence could be imposed on them as per the GCAM.
      For more information visit my.gov.sa
      – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
      Images: Supplied & Feature Image: Emirates Woman February cover shoot More

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      Kylie Jenner and Stormi Webster’s cutest mother-daughter moments

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      Lifestyle

      by Sarah Joseph
      3 hours ago

      VIEW GALLERY/ 9 IMAGES
      It’s safe to say Kylie Jenner and Stormi Webster are one of the coolest mother-daughter duos.
      From their matching outfits to lavish travels together, fans can’t get enough of their unbreakable bond.
      With that, Emirates Woman decided to dig into the archives to look back at some of the duo’s cutest mother-daughter moments.
      – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
      Images: Supplied & Feature image: Instagram @kyliejenner More

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      How this female DJ duo is making waves in the UAE

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      After joining hands in 2020, Jenn Getz & Alfie became Dubai’s only female DJ duo to spread their unmatched energy through music.
      The British artists are resident DJs at Soho Garden Al Meydan and Soho Garden the Palm and have been the opening acts for renowned DJs such as Fisher, Claptone and more.
      Known for their tech house and house tracks, the pair have undoubtedly created a loyal fanbase in the region and beyond.
      As they continue to break stereotypes in the industry, Emirates Woman sat down with Jenn Getz & Alfie to delve into their career.
      What was your favourite subject at school?
      Jenn: My favorite subject was dance. I’m a person with a lot of energy and I find it hard to sit still so dancing was a way to channel that. I trained in ballet for 15 years, although you would never guess now because all I do is two-step. Dance was pivotal for me, it taught me discipline, and about my body and music.
      Alfie: Dance and sport were my favorites. I was always extremely shy at school, however, found I could really express myself through dance. It was actually the first career I chose to pursue. I thrived in anything to do with rhythm and music.
      What was your first job?
      Jenn: I have had some hilarious jobs in my time. I have been a milk woman in Australia, worked in a gold mining town in the middle of Austraila, and fire danced in Cambodia.
      Alfie: I got my first job at 14, helping out my family cleaning business. I was genuinely terrible at it, but I have always worked and jumped through so many jobs whilst carving my way to making my passion of being a DJ into my career. While I started out DJing wherever I could in some less than desirable venues, working in these places helped me to make essential connections that helped me to get where I am today.
      What eventually brought you to Dubai?
      Jenn: Whilst I was living in Bali I learned to DJ at a boat party on a little island, Gili Trawangan. I was so inspired, so I kept practicing and got to the point where I knew it was what I wanted to do. I knew Dubai would be a place of opportunity for me as a DJ, so I left the barefoot Bali life, bought a pair of shoes and moved to Dubai.
      Alfie: I had been DJing solidly in the United Kingdom for a few years when a friend from Dubai reached out to me to ask if I would like to make the move and play a residency here. While it was daunting at first to move so far away, I knew it was an opportunity I couldn’t miss.
      What inspired you to enter the music space?
      Jenn: Since I have danced for as long as I can remember, I always knew how to count music from a young age, that was the connection. Music is second nature for me. Another inspiration was my friend from Indonesia, DJ – RD, he taught me initially how to DJ, and I learned so much from him. Through watching him I realized the ability to control a crowd of people and knew I wanted to try my own hand at it.
      Alfie: Being a dancer I was always attracted to music. I could feel the beats if that makes sense. Making the transition to DJing felt natural to me and it just really clicked that it’s my calling in life. Music production has naturally been the next step. Finding a duo partner was an added bonus, our two minds together are greater than one and that inspires us both to continue growing in the music industry.
      Talk us through what it’s like being ‘the first female DJ duo’ in the region.
      Jenn: There are so many female DJs in Dubai and music can be a ruthless industry, there’s a hugely competitive nature to the community. It was a breath of fresh air to meet Alfie, we immediately clicked, and started to practice together when DJing wasn’t allowed in public venues due to COVID restrictions. We discovered that we play the same style, and we had a laugh chatting and mixing. We decided to team up, knowing that collaboration would make us stronger, and empower each other and other women together.
      Alfie: It’s extremely exciting and humbling that we can make a statement as a female duo. We’re so empowered to represent women in a very male-dominated industry. We want to inspire as many girls as possible to have the confidence to take the leap and be recognised for their talents.
      What are the key elements of your role?
      Jenn: The job of a DJ is to take the crowd on a journey. Being the person in control of that journey and watching the crowd move, its magic.
      Alfie: As a DJ you are essentially creating someone’s night and their memories. You can take someone on a journey through your sets and even through your own tracks. It’s a very powerful skill to have and especially to do it as a duo, reading each other and using our chemistry to move others.
      Talk us through your daily routine.
      Jenn: My routine really depends on what time we were working until the night before as our career demands lots of late nights. My general routine consists of a lot of self-care, meditation, gym, dog walking, beach walks (when it’s not 50 degrees), trips to the mall as we need a never-ending amount of clothes, a lot of music preparation and education, continuous learning and searching for new music.
      Alfie: As Jenn said, it varies from day to day depending on what we have scheduled —however, there is always a good cup of tea in my daily routine. I start the day at the gym. Later on, whether it be a studio session together, content creation of set recordings, mixes, radio or prepping for sets, our days revolve around honing our craft. We have to make sure our music is up to date and find new tracks to show the crowd.
      What advice do you have for anyone looking to follow in the same footsteps?
      Jenn: Hustle and keep hustling some more, nothing is impossible.
      Alfie: Go for it. Nothing is impossible – my friend sent me a quote once that has always stuck with me: ‘What if I fall?’ ‘Oh, but my darling what if you fly?’ It’s a perfect summary to always go for it.
      What is the best piece of advice you ever received?
      Jenn: That energy flows where attention flows, and if you don’t ask the answer is always no.
      Alfie: Everything happens for a reason. Be that good or bad but always take it in your stride.
      And what is the worst?
      Jenn: I’ve probably been given lots of terrible advice, but I haven’t given it a second thought so I can’t remember.
      Alfie: I was once told I would never be a good or successful DJ and that I should try something else. To be honest this kick-started the fire in my belly to work even harder and become the artist I am today.

      What has been the biggest challenge you had to overcome?
      Jenn: Being females in this male-dominated industry is challenging, it should be about the music but sadly it isn’t always…
      Alfie: Having the recognition of talent and hard work. As females overcoming the image of us just being women and not talented is difficult. But also something we are happy to tackle.
      What are the future plans for your brand?
      Jenn: We have so many goals, we keep smashing them and setting bigger and better ones, we have come so far in this last year and we are so grateful and we can’t wait for the future! Releasing our first track, “Only 4 Things” on the renowned record label, Solotoko, in July was a massive goal of ours and the feedback has been amazing. We want to keep creating great music.
      Alfie: So much! We are releasing more music and ticking off future goals as we go. Taking the brand internationally with more gigs and tours is a dream.
      – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
      Images: Supplied  More

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      7 Ways To Actually Set Boundaries at Work

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      We hear the phrase “setting boundaries” often. There are podcasts on setting boundaries, books on steps to take, and even coaches on how to implement this in work, relationships, and life. There’s a reason this is so prevalent and people literally pay money to be taught how to do this—it’s hard. Not only is it hard, but with the integration of work and life, remote work, the influx of digital tools, and the ever-growing competitiveness that is the modern workplace—setting boundaries is a common problem.
      Think of setting boundaries as a fun exercise in removing excess from your work life, to make time and room for what you are good at, what needs to be done, and what you truly love to do. Just as you may spend time cleaning out your closet or your pantry—it’s time to do the same with your work habits and what you are letting into every minute (and sometimes every second, can you say instant message?!) of your daily life. 
      Let’s dive into seven simple steps to make this happen.

      1. Define Your Boundaries
      Before executing on setting boundaries, it is important to sit back and think about what those even are. We’ve heard the normal ways to set boundaries such as setting a consistent schedule, not checking emails after a certain time, or time blocking (though we’ll get to that again later on). While those are all great and important ways to set yourself up for success and hone your focus, it’s key to really take the time to think about how you truly want your day to look.
      Take 20 minutes one weekend morning. Grab your favorite cup of coffee or tea, and open up a blank page in a notebook or a new document on your screen. Write down how you’d want your day to look in a perfect world. Even though you may not be able to do everything on that list (we’re out here grinding, after all), there are always ways to build your life to more closely reflect your hopes and dreams. For example, want to go to a workout class in the morning or take a morning walk? Figure out what time you need to wake up to do so. Or, if a break at 10 a.m. would be a more realistic time to get your workout or walk in, see if there’s a way you can fit that in.
      Think about your life and your work. Do you think the best in the early morning? Do you work out best in the afternoon once you have had some fuel all day? What do you need to be completed prior to the work week to feel prepared? What do you need prior to a client call? Think about what you’d like to have in place so you can use your work day to your advantage.
      Figure out which of these wishes you can realistically integrate into your current routines and responsibilities. If you need to start one at a time, then great! That’s always better than nothing at all.

      2. Communicate Those Boundaries
      Once you’ve defined what you would like to implement into your work life, it’s time to execute. The first step? Communicate your needs (ugh, not always fun, I know!).
      Check-in with your colleagues, those you manage, and your bosses on what you’d like to adjust. Need to take a 20-minute break in the mornings? Add it to your calendar, let your boss or those you manage know that you may step out for less than a half hour each morning, and communicate when you’ll be back online after. 
      If you’d like to set a boundary a bit larger, like using your lunch break to workout without distraction, ensure this works for your boss and organization prior. Always consider others’ schedules and what they may need from you as well when thinking about what will work best for you and for them (especially now that many of us are in different time zones!).

      3. Set Up Guardrails
      Now that you’ve communicated and confirmed all are onboard with the boundaries you have set, it’s time to set up additional guardrails so that you yourself follow them. Sometimes, following and sticking to your own boundaries can be the hardest part. 
      Set up your calendar with your new schedule, whether that’s a solid start time of 8:30 a.m. (no, I won’t answer your Slack at 6:45 a.m.!) or adding an hour to your day at 1 p.m. for you to get your sweat on. Additionally, add time blocks for getting big projects done or going through your emails (batching email is still something I’m working on but is a great tool as well, guilty as charged). 
      Take it a step further and look into different features in any communication tools your organization may use. For example, Slack has a feature to connect your Google Calendar, making it seamless to show your colleagues when you’re in a meeting or unavailable. You can also set custom statuses to show you’re working on a specific report or project.

      Source: Color Joy Stock

      4. Discuss Your Work Styles and Schedule
      Another way I like to ensure myself and my teams are working in a way that is the most efficient and beneficial for us is to communicate to each other what works best.
      I make it a habit to ask colleagues to check my calendar prior to messaging me a question, in the case that I’m in a meeting. I try to lead by example here as well, checking their calendars prior to bombarding them (though I’m not perfect at this).
      Other small ways to set boundaries and improve your work day are to talk to your colleagues about the way you prefer to receive items, communicate internally, and perform tasks. For example, if someone messages you documents and you’d rather have them via email so they don’t get lost, just ask! 
      It’s true what they say—ask and you shall receive. If someone doesn’t know you prefer things a certain way, how will they know to change it?

      5. Review Deadlines, Tasks, and Projects in Advance
      Something that often helps teams to stay focused during the week and mitigates back and forth questions during the work day, therefore improving everyone’s boundaries, is to have weekly check-ins at the start or end of the week. 
      Use these quick check-ins to review what is on the radar for the week and who is doing what. Talk through specific deadlines. If you need a deadline, ask your manager or director when they will need something. This will decrease messages in your inbox and allow you the space to breathe knowing you’re on track during your work week. 
      Don’t forget, teamwork makes the dream work.

      6. Take Your Time Off (The Right Way)
      While it’s easy to get in the mindset of needing to always be “on” in order to be successful—it is not a sustainable way to continue through your career. We are in it for the long haul after all. So take your time off, that’s what it is there for. 
      The problem with time off is that we all know it can sometimes be stressful. I’ve learned that there is a way to take this time in order to enjoy the days you have and come back more ready to go than ever. 
      It’s simple: prepare. Review calls you have, tasks you normally do, and any other items needed. Talk to colleagues about coverage and prepare them in advance. When setting your weekly or monthly plan, consider when you’ll be out so that you don’t have as much on your plate during those times.
      Work a bit extra as needed prior to getting out of town or out of the office—it’s worth the relaxation on the other side!

      7. Understand When Boundaries Need to Be Broken
      All of these different ways to set boundaries are great in theory, right?
      There are times however when these need to be taken down or ignored completely. For example, if there is an urgent matter at work (that is actually urgent), I can take my morning walk perhaps in the afternoon. If I receive an email that needs to be addressed right away, I can take a break from the project I’m working on. 
      The key to a successful career is knowing when things are urgent, when they’re a priority, when they don’t matter at all, and how to juggle all the in-betweens in order to move the needle while being as efficient as possible.
      And I know, not all of these habits, tricks, or wishes for our boundaries are always possible depending on your workplace, so the most important thing is to pick one or two that may work well for you and go from there. A small step is still a step. And a small step will slowly allow you a work day that not only works for you, but works for your employer, your clients, your colleagues, and your life.

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