Mariyam Mohamed

In many well-intentioned efforts, NGOs and support groups often bring together people who have gone through similar trauma — survivors of abuse, loss, or violence — to share, connect, and heal. While these spaces can offer comfort and validation, they sometimes unintentionally keep people within the boundaries of their pain. When we continuously surround ourselves only with individuals who have gone through the same experiences, we may begin to replay the same emotional stories, reinforcing a shared identity centered on suffering. Constantly revisiting trauma, even in supportive environments, can keep the body’s stress response active. It can provide temporary relief but may limit growth and healing in the long run. True healing, as psychology and neuroscience suggest, happens in the presence of safety and reciprocity — feeling heard, valued, and connected to others in genuine ways. This does not always have to come from people who share the same trauma. In fact, connecting with indivi...

My recent trip to HDh. Kulhudhuffushi for a training and group coaching turned out to be much more than a professional assignment—it became a journey of learning, connection, and cultural discovery. Having lived all my life in the capital city, Malé, I have always been familiar with its fast pace, modern lifestyle, and limited sense of community due to the city’s busy rhythm. Although I used to travel to islands as a child, years passed without such experiences. Now, traveling as a professional—conducting training and coaching sessions—has given a completely new meaning to island visits. Kulhudhuffushi, often called the “heart of the north,” is one of the largest and most vibrant islands in the northern Maldives. It serves as the main hub of Haa Dhaalu Atoll, connecting the surrounding islands through its port and domestic airport. The island is well-developed, with schools, healthcare facilities, shops, and cafés, yet it still carries the charm of island life—peaceful, community-drive...

There comes a time in life when pain becomes a teacher greater than any book or person. Pain teaches us to choose — to decide whether to let it destroy us or use it as fuel for growth. It determines how we rise after we have been broken. One of the most powerful lessons pain brings is independence — not in isolation, but in strength. It teaches us never to depend on anyone else to feed our worth or determine our direction. True freedom, as my mother once said, is not about rejecting help; it is about building the capacity to stand tall even when no one is there to hold you. In psychology, this reflects what is called self-efficacy - t he belief in our own ability to manage life’s challenges. When we cultivate this belief, our sense of self becomes rooted not in external validation but in inner stability. The Power of Self-Love and Forgiveness Forgiveness does not mean forgetting what hurt us. It means freeing our hearts from the burden of resentment so healing can take place. When we ...

  As I sit down almost every day listening to people share their stories — the moments that changed them, shaped them, and sometimes broke them — I am reminded of how deeply life can transform us. Some stories end with growth and resilience, while others reveal the lingering ache of wounds yet to heal. I remember my own first heartbreak vividly. It was the kind of pain that consumed everything. I became someone I was not — detached, defensive, and lost. All I wanted was for the pain to stop. But pain has a way of teaching us what peace truly means. We all cope with pain differently. Some scroll endlessly through social media, losing themselves in a digital world that masks reality. Others turn to drugs, casual sex, or binge-watching — anything that keeps them from sitting in silence with what hurts. Our mind, in its own protective mechanism, shields us from unbearable emotions by distracting us. Psychologists call this  avoidant coping  — the tendency to seek temporary co...

  For the past four and a half years, I have had the privilege of coaching individuals who carry stories shaped by pain, resilience, and transformation. Each person I have met reminds me how life events—sometimes in childhood, sometimes later in adulthood—can alter the very fabric of who we are. No human being wishes to live in a constant state of alert. Yet, many do. Behind every calm face often lies an untold story of endurance—of  childhood trauma ,  abuse , or  emotional neglect . These experiences reshape how the brain wires itself. Neuroscience explains that when a person experiences prolonged stress or trauma, the brain’s  amygdala  (the fear center) becomes hyperactive, while the  prefrontal cortex , responsible for rational thinking and emotional regulation, weakens. This imbalance keeps the body and mind in survival mode, even long after the threat has passed. Over time, this constant state of alert erodes  resilience . It becomes diffic...

When people think of rivalry, they often imagine competition between men and women. In reality, many women discourage other women, and many men discourage other men from succeeding. This dynamic goes deeper than jealousy. It is shaped by psychological patterns, biological instincts, social conditioning, and spiritual struggles related to ego and compassion. When I stepped into the corporate world after a nine-year break, I assumed that people would be mature enough to rise above inner ego and empower one another to succeed. I believed that time and experience would make individuals more understanding and supportive. Yet, the basic human instinct still lives within us—sometimes hidden, sometimes painfully visible. During my first interview after that long break, I faced questions that left me both surprised and reflective. I was asked whether I could use a computer, even though the interview itself was being held online. I was questioned about whether a mother could work flexibly, and ...