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 ...

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...