Mariyam Mohamed

The side the world sees is the confident woman I have built over the years, but like every human being, I carry moments of doubt, fear, and imperfection. I am not the best at everything, yet I give my all to whatever I do. Mistakes happen, but each one shapes me and molds my future experiences. On days when giving up feels easier, I remind myself of a simple mantra:   No one is perfect. Life is not always roses and butterflies—it is often the thorns that wake us up, push us to change, and force us to grow. These are the very moments that build resilience. And even when fear knocks at the door, I remind myself that God is watching over me. That sense of trust gives me the courage to take the next step forward. Recently, as I sat among inspiring women at the  MOMS NGO Event: Women Leading the Future 2025 , I was reminded of the power of shared stories. Each woman on stage carried not just achievements but also struggles, scars, and lessons that shaped who they are today. Their w...

I remember the day I went for a walk with my cousins near the jetty, which is now the swimming track. As children, we often played by pushing each other, laughing without a second thought. On that day, I nudged my cousin near the edge, not realising the possible consequences. An adult quickly told me, “Never do that again.” I obeyed, but I didn’t understand why. No reason was given. It was only years later, as I reflected, that I realised how dangerous that moment was. It could have turned into a fatal accident. This reflection made me think about a common gap in how we guide children: we often tell them what not to do without explaining why . The Psychology Behind Giving Reasons Research in developmental psychology shows that children learn best through explanatory guidance . This approach, known as inductive discipline , helps them understand the cause-and-effect relationship between their actions and outcomes. When adults give commands without explanations—“Don’t do that” or “Sto...

Twenty years ago, around this very month, preparations were underway for a new chapter—one filled with hope, dreams, and the promise of forever. At the time, it felt like the beginning of something lasting, something sacred. Marriage became a second nature, woven into daily life and identity. Now, nearly two decades later, that chapter has come to a close. It is not just the end of a relationship, but the quiet transformation of everything familiar. As time unfolds, some lessons arrive later—offering clarity only after the pain has already been felt. Divorce, for many, is not merely a legal separation. It is an emotional storm that tests one's strength, reshapes identity, and often brings people to their knees before lifting them up again. The Psychological Impact: Reconstructing Identity From a psychological perspective, the end of a long-term relationship triggers a major shift in one’s sense of self. When someone has lived almost half their life within the framework of a marriag...

Last night, a simple act of kindness reminded me of the kind of world we once lived in—or perhaps, the kind of world we still hope for. I had parked my bike and returned to find that someone had carelessly placed a GN motorbike right on top of my handle. On the other side, an Airblade was so tightly parked that I could not  move either vehicle. I stood there, struggling. I was in pain due to a hand injury, unable to lift or shift the bikes. I looked around, hoping someone would notice. I even asked one person, but they ignored me. My daughter, standing beside me, said,  “Don’t ask strangers for help, let me try.”   I told her it was too heavy. We stood there, waiting. Countless people walked past. They saw me struggle, but no one stopped. No one even smiled. Then, just as I was about to give up, someone in a WAMCO uniform approached and helped without hesitation. He smiled, gently moved the bike, and went on his way. I did not catch his name, but his face—humble, kin...

They say a mother can take your pain away and make you feel like a child again.  It is true—not just in a poetic sense, but in a very real psychological way. After living with my in-laws for some time, I started to notice something strange whenever I visited my mother. The moment I entered her home, something inside me shifted. My voice softened. I felt lighter. I would leave responsibilities at the door and sit on the floor or curl up on the sofa like I used to. I was not acting strong or trying to be put together—I simply became… myself. A softer, more vulnerable, more peaceful version of who I am. I often found myself wondering,  “Is this really me? Or am I just slipping into some old pattern?” That question stayed with me until I started reading about the neuroscience and psychology behind it. What I learned made everything make sense. The Brain Remembers Safety Our brains are wired to remember emotions. When you are around your mother—especially if she represents love, sa...

  Not every smile means the same. Some smiles carry genuine goodness. Some conceal pain. Others may hide sarcasm or even mockery. It’s strange, isn’t it? One simple gesture—just the curve of the lips—can carry so many layers of emotion. Every smile has a story, but not every story is spoken out loud. People smile for different reasons. Some smile out of habit, some to mask discomfort, and some because they genuinely feel a burst of joy from within. The most beautiful kind of smile, the one that lingers in your memory and warms your heart long after, is the smile that rises from the soul—when you see someone else happy, and their joy becomes your own. It’s the kind of smile that says:  I wish for you what I wish for myself. From a neuroscience perspective, smiling—especially a heartfelt, genuine smile—activates the brain’s reward system. Dopamine, serotonin, and endorphins get released, lighting up our mood and calming our stress. It’s a small act with a big impact, not just on...

“Mummy, it hurts.” “Mummy, I don’t want to see them anymore.” “Mummy, I don’t have a choice… I have to speak.” “Mummy, why is he like that?” “Mummy, why do other kids have two parents at school… but not me?” These are not just words from a child; they are echoes of pain, confusion, and abandonment. In the Maldives, a country known to the world as a tropical paradise, there exists another reality that is rarely spoken of: the invisible struggles of single mothers and the children they raise, often alone. The Maldives holds one of the highest divorce rates globally. While separation may offer safety or relief, the aftermath leaves many women battling life on all fronts. Overnight, a mother becomes everything: the sole provider, emotional support system, driver, tutor, nurse, protector. The roles that allow no rest, no pause, no time even to cry. She keeps going, often unnoticed, often unsupported. The emotional weight is heavy. Many mothers struggle with anxiety, isolation, and depressio...

  My best cousin and I As I walked towards my training destination yesterday morning, something unexpected happened. A sudden wave of memories swept over me, pulling me into a time long gone but still vivid in my heart. I realized I was on a road I had walked for over twenty years — my familiar road. The same path that once led me to school, to neighbors, to endless games, laughter, and childhood dreams. I passed by our old house. It looked almost the same — frozen in time — yet something felt different. The entrance had changed. The tiny walkway where we once played for hours, chasing each other and drawing with chalk, was no longer ours. It had been claimed by the government and renamed as a public lane. But in my heart, it will always be a part of our home — a sacred piece of my childhood. I could almost hear the echoes of our laughter — innocent, wild, and free. It rang in my ears as if calling me back. I paused for a moment and asked myself, Where has all that laughter gone?...

  I live in Malé City, one of the most densely populated cities in the world, nestled on a small islet in the Maldives. As the capital, it attracts people from across the islands who come here in search of better opportunities. I work as a corporate trainer, and one of my techniques to build rapport with participants is to engage in conversations about their personal lives. These conversations are more than icebreakers—they offer a window into the hopes, struggles, and silent sacrifices people make each day. Over the years, I have met many brilliant individuals—talented minds with entrepreneurial energy and potential far beyond the confines of a 9-to-5 job. Yet, many of them hold down full-time employment despite running their own businesses. When asked why, the answers are often similar: “We need a stable income.” Business can be unpredictable, especially in a fragile economy, and the cost of living in Malé is relentlessly high. A stable salary provides a sense of security—a way...

Over the past four years, I have had the opportunity to conduct training sessions for a diverse range of professionals, from entry-level employees to business owners managing teams of over 100. One thing I have noticed consistently is the preference for indoor, classroom-style training. It is structured, familiar, and feels like the “proper” way to learn. Outdoor training? That is a different story. Very few have requested Outdoor Management Development (OMD), and I have not yet had the chance to design or deliver one myself. However, I have spoken to participants who have attended such programmes, and their feedback has been a mix of curiosity, confusion, and caution. Some said they could not truly understand the purpose of the session. It felt more like a day of games than a learning experience. Others mentioned that personal boundaries were not always respected, especially during physical or high-pressure tasks. While a few admitted they did learn something, like how they respond un...