Mariyam Mohamed

Many people say,   “You cannot be healed in the same environment that caused your pain.”   But that is something I do not believe. Healing is not always about walking away or changing places—it is an internal process. True healing begins when we choose to work within ourselves, even if the environment remains the same. Sometimes the situation cannot be changed immediately; it could be the very home we live in. Yet even there, healing is possible, because it depends more on how we manage our mind and body than on the walls around us. The stress we experience when we feel unsafe is not always about the event itself but about the way our body reacts to it. When we go through a painful situation, our body releases stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. These chemicals prepare us to fight, run, or freeze. If this cycle continues without being managed, our nervous system stays on high alert, leaving us anxious, drained, or even physically unwell. The event may pass, but the b...

Life has a way of testing and reshaping us. Some experiences push us to grow, while others keep us stuck or even move us backward. In the face of hardship, it is easy to become consumed by pain. Yet, one of the most powerful ways to rise above struggle is to serve. When we choose to focus on helping others, we discover that serving not only uplifts those around us—it also heals us from within. Over the past four years of guiding and coaching individuals to transform their lives, I have witnessed how service creates change both ways. Despite personal challenges, my professional work remains unaffected, and the reason is simple: a mindset rooted in service. This way of thinking allows pain to transform into purpose. By serving others, we find a way to reframe hardship, regain strength, and continue moving forward. The Psychology of Serving From a psychological perspective, service has profound effects on the brain. Studies show that helping others activates the brain’s reward system, ...

  Source:  https://www.verywellhealth.com/schizophrenia-brain-5193049 Early in the morning, it is not unusual to hear the sound of someone shouting on the road. Most of the time, it passes without much thought, but today, for the first time, I listened closely to an individual. He was speaking about how his own elderly father had beaten him. It was raw, loud, and unsettling. In that moment, it reminded me of how individuals who have gone through severe trauma sometimes express their pain. For some, this can take the form of what we often see in people struggling with schizophrenia or other mental health conditions, where their speech reflects past experiences that are deeply linked to trauma. Trauma affects both the mind and the body. For the person speaking, the memory of being harmed is not something distant—it feels very present, as if it is happening again. This is why their words may sound repetitive, fragmented, or rushed. Their nervous system is on high alert, keeping t...

Over the past four years of coaching couples, one thing has become very clear: strong communities start at home. And the foundation of any lasting relationship isn’t complicated—it’s built on simple, human skills that we often forget in our busy lives. Relationships thrive when we unlearn old habits, relearn essential skills, and practice them daily. Here are five skills that can transform your relationship, backed by psychology and practical ways to apply them. 1. Communication: Words Are Only the Beginning We all know communication is important, but it’s more than just talking. It’s about  tone, presence, and body language . Why it matters: When communication lacks clarity or is delivered harshly, our brains fill in the gaps—often assuming negative intent. Over time, these assumptions create resentment and guilt. Studies show that the way we speak—tone, gestures, and eye contact—affects how our partner perceives our message, even more than the words themselves. How to practice it...

Every story reflects who we are, but unless it is shared, no one would ever know the silent battles behind it. Maybe you have lived with a story that was never fully yours—the story that you don’t deserve success. Perhaps you were made to feel that no matter how much you achieved, it was never enough. Every effort had a flaw, every action was questioned, and somehow, perfection was always demanded. Behind the smile was once a woman who tried to be a perfectionist—pushing herself to meet expectations that were never truly hers. Maybe you recognize that same story in yourself. In trying to please others, it is easy to lose yourself. Your worth becomes tied to external approval, and your identity blurs under the weight of expectations. What you may not realize is that this is not just a habit—it is a learned and programmed behavior. The Psychology Behind Perfectionism Perfectionism often develops when recognition, love, or validation is made to feel conditional. You start to believe y...

photo credit to the photographer This morning, after dropping my child off at school, I was riding my cycle when the cool breeze brushed against my face. There was a faint smell of salt in the air, and instantly, I was transported back to my childhood visit to Ihavandhoo. Life there was simple. Children played openly on the streets — hopscotch, gandu filla , water games — the roads were their playground. Their laughter carried through the island, unfiltered and free. One memory remains especially vivid. A friend of mine was taking breakfast to her father at the boatyard, and I decided to join her, curious to see what it was like. When we arrived, I stood in awe. Her father was building a huge boat, crafted with his hands and the help of others. The vessel was stunning, each detail so precise, it felt alive. What struck me most was not the boat itself, but the way he worked. He wasn’t just shaping wood. He was breathing life into it. The passion in his eyes, the rhythm in his hands —...