Mariyam Mohamed

I have always believed that before people speak, they reveal themselves. In every training room I enter, before the introductions begin and before the first slide appears, I observe. Who sits forward? Who leans back with folded arms? Who scans the room? Who avoids eye contact? As a coach and trainer — and as someone aspiring to grow in organisational psychology — I find myself drawn not just to what is said, but to what is shown. The pauses. The posture. The micro-expressions. The energy shifts. I am not an expert in body language. I am still learning. But experience has taught me that communication lives far beyond words. The Work That Prepared Me There is something I have rarely shared. Earlier in my career, I had a role that required me to understand people through written accounts. These were not ordinary letters. They were detailed descriptions of actions taken, decisions made, and the circumstances that led individuals into difficult situations. Some expressed deep guilt. Som...

Over the years, especially while coaching teenagers, I have noticed a pattern. Many of them question the importance of studying. Some rebel against it openly. Others disengage quietly. Their question is simple:   Why does studying even matter?   They look around and see people in powerful positions who do not always appear educated, articulate, or technically competent. And so they wonder — if power is possible without knowledge, why should I struggle to learn? Whenever this question comes up, I ask them one thing:  Why does the first revelation in the Qur’an begin with “Read”? It does not begin with “Lead.” It does not begin with “Earn.” It does not begin with “Control.” It begins with  “Iqra”  — Read. That is not accidental. It is foundational. The Meaning of “Read” in a Noisy World When Allah commands “Read,” it is not merely about literacy. It is about awareness. It is about expanding the mind. It is about seeking understanding beyond instinct and impulse. T...

I left Maafushi School with something simple, yet deeply powerful — a commitment to just three minutes for the self. What made this experience remarkable was not the training content alone, but how the teachers applied it. They did not treat the “3-Minute to Self” rule as a motivational idea discussed in a room. They practised it. Some stepped outside for a breath of fresh air between responsibilities. Some went for short swims after school. Others intentionally disconnected from devices and gave undivided attention to family and friends. They were not escaping work. They were regulating the mind. That discipline transformed a small concept into a lived experience. Micro-Regulation in Action: A Psychological View Observing the teachers at Maafushi School helped me understand the psychology behind this practice. Teachers operate in constant stimulation — managing students, preparing lessons, responding emotionally and cognitively all at once. When the brain remains in continuous task ...

Have you ever said, “Where did the time go?” or felt like days, weeks, and even years are slipping through your fingers like sand? We all still have the same 24 hours — but many of us feel like those hours go by faster than they used to. This isn’t imagination. It’s a real psychological and cultural experience that’s getting more intense in our fast-paced, digitally driven world. The Psychology of Time Perception: Why It Feels Faster One of the clearest reasons time feels accelerated is how our brain processes experiences. When we were children, almost every moment was new — first days at school, first games, first holidays. Our brains encoded those moments richly because everything was novel. As adults, our routines repeat, our days blend, and fewer new memories are made . That leads to the feeling that time is “faster” even though clocks haven’t changed. In other words, our internal experience of time depends on how much new information our minds are processing. Familiar routi...

  In Grade 1, I remember being hushed. Silenced. Dismissed in a moment that felt small to others but stayed large in my memory. I was trying to speak. Ironically, it was the very thing I was naturally drawn to — expressing, explaining, engaging. That early rejection could have shaped a quieter version of me. Instead, it planted something deeper: a determination to be heard. Five years ago, I stood on a very different stage — in front of State Ministers and Heads of Government at a programme collaboratively organised by the President’s Office of the Maldives and the Civil Service. I had no formal experience. I was a fresh face. Yet, during President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s presidency, I was given an opportunity that many seasoned speakers wait years for. That moment marked my true beginning. I remain deeply grateful for that trust. Opportunity, Representation, and Reality The speaking industry is not always gentle. There are highly experienced speakers who continue to dominate platf...

  A reflection on regulation, fairness, and human behaviour Today I experienced something that stayed with me long after the issue was resolved. An officer from the Malé City Council approached us regarding a permit requirement. His communication was respectful, calm, and professional. It was evident he was simply carrying out his duty. The matter was handled efficiently, and the supervisor’s leadership was visible in the employee’s structured, composed, and solution-focused behaviour. We acknowledged that we were not fully aware of the rule, and we accepted that mistake. That part felt fair. Yet what lingered in my mind was a deeper question: if the rule applies in this situation, shouldn’t it apply consistently to everyone? Especially when similar actions were taking place without approval. In a world where everything is recorded through phones and cameras, inconsistency becomes more visible — and therefore more confusing. The question remained: what truly draws the line? The ...

The human brain is designed for efficiency, not constant reinvention. It relies on past experiences to predict future outcomes, a process known as predictive coding. When we operate within familiar routines, the brain conserves energy because it does not need to construct new neural pathways. The prefrontal cortex functions smoothly, stress responses remain regulated, and the body maintains internal balance. Familiarity feels safe because it reduces uncertainty. This is why individuals naturally gravitate toward established patterns, even when growth requires change. A Realisation at Voice Maldives This psychological pattern became evident during my recent experience at Voice Maldives. Being on set, observing the production, the presentation style, the energy, and the alignment with current trends, I realised how essential it is to remain updated. The impact created was not accidental; it was intentional and informed by awareness of what resonates with audiences today. That environment...

The story shared in this article is published with consent. Identifying details have been changed to protect privacy. A Childhood Marked by Loss and Comparison She lost her mother at a young age. Instead of being met with tenderness, she grew up in an environment where her vulnerability was repeatedly highlighted. Small achievements were mocked. Success was minimized. She was reminded—directly and indirectly—that without a mother, she stood on weaker ground. As an adult, when she began earning and building independence, resistance intensified. She was expected to remain confined to domestic roles, while others her age were encouraged to work and thrive. Her experience is not isolated. It reflects a deeper psychological and cultural pattern that deserves examination. The Psychology of Emotional Diminishment From a psychological perspective, early parental loss significantly impacts attachment and self-concept. Attachment theory (Bowlby, 1969) suggests that the loss of a primary caregive...

Have you ever noticed that strange inner conflict where your mind is fully aware of what needs to be done, yet your body feels heavy, uncooperative, almost frozen? The deadline is approaching. The task is clear. And still… nothing moves. I have experienced this too—especially when it comes to writing reports or completing university assignments. It is not always confusion or lack of skill that holds us back. Often, we know exactly what to do. And that is where procrastination becomes deeply misunderstood. For a long time, procrastination has been framed as laziness. But lived experience tells a different story. Sometimes it is tiredness. Sometimes it is emotional overload. Sometimes it is simply a habit the body has learned over time. And sometimes, it is the nervous system quietly asking for something we have not yet learned to listen to. Procrastination Is Not Always About Avoidance Many of us assume that procrastination means avoidance—avoidance of responsibility, effort, or dis...

From a young age, I have always been fascinated by human behaviour and the way people think. My first dream profession was to become a doctor, not just to understand the anatomy of the human body, but because I was deeply curious about the brain. I wanted to know why we think the way we do, why we behave the way we behave, and what lies beneath our actions. Due to financial constraints and limited opportunities at the time, that dream did not materialise. Yet, interestingly, the curiosity never left me. It simply found a different path. Today, even though I am not a doctor, my work is deeply rooted in conscious living. I help individuals tap into their behaviour, habitual thinking, emotional patterns, and healing from within. Alongside this, I work with corporate teams to improve productivity, communication, and awareness. In many ways, I realised that I am still studying the human mind—just through lived experiences, conversations, and reflection rather than textbooks and labs. Ju...

Photo: Moms Aid event-Future of Women Conference 2023 There are many tables we sit at in life—professional, social, familiar, and unfamiliar. Each table carries its own energy, its own rhythm of conversation, and its own unspoken rules. I have often found myself quietly observing before speaking. Not because I lack words, but because understanding the people, the ambience, and the emotional temperature of a space matters to me. While many perceive me as an extrovert due to the nature of my work, the truth is I live somewhere in the middle. I observe first. I listen. I speak with intention. Recently, I sat at a table where one individual consistently looked down on others. No one was spared. If there was nothing obvious to criticise, something would be found—appearance, financial status, character, or behaviour. The comments were often sarcastic, subtle, and sharp. What struck me most was how the negativity intensified when someone else experienced something good. Success, growth, or o...