Mariyam Mohamed

Photo credit: Voice.mv In 2021, I learned something that changed the way I see myself and the world around me. I realized that although the mind is invisible, its presence is undeniably real. When we feel emotions, we instinctively touch our hearts and say, “That made me happy,” or “That hurt.” However, when we think, we point to our heads. This simple behavior helped me understand a deeper truth: the mind is neither the heart nor the brain—it is something entirely different. The human mind consists of two distinct parts: the conscious and the subconscious. The conscious mind is our reasoning mind . It has the power to choose, accept or reject ideas, and think independently. It is where our higher faculties reside— perception, will, imagination, memory, intuition, and reason —making it the seat of our intellect. In contrast, the subconscious mind is our emotional mind . It accepts all information it receives, without questioning whether it is true or false. It cannot distinguish betwee...

I still remember the day I found out I was pregnant with my first child. I was in the middle of pursuing my degree, focused on building my future. It was a surprise— one I wasn’t ready for. I didn’t know the first thing about motherhood. I only knew what I had seen in my own mother: a woman who gave everything she had to give us a better life. She worked tirelessly, often silently battling exhaustion and heartache, but she always wore a smile. That smile stayed with me. It wasn’t just about being strong— it was about choosing love, even when it was hard. Her quiet resilience gave me a spark: maybe motherhood, despite its demands, was a beautiful role. At the end of the day, you have someone to return to. You have your own blood by your side. When my daughter was born, I was afraid to hold her. I felt unsure, disconnected, even sad. I later came to understand that I was experiencing what many mothers do— baby blues , a period of emotional vulnerability after childbirth. E verything ch...

Some people seem to go through life unable—or unwilling—to say no. Whether it’s taking on too many responsibilities, agreeing to things they don’t want, or allowing their boundaries to be pushed, their constant "yes" is not just about being kind or generous. It is often rooted in early experiences, emotional needs, and internal patterns shaped over time. In many cases, this behavior begins in childhood. A child who grows up in an environment where love, approval, or attention is conditional—offered only when they comply or please others—learns an important, but damaging lesson: their value is tied to their ability to make others happy. If saying 'no' leads to punishment, guilt-tripping, or emotional withdrawal, that child begins to associate safety and acceptance with always saying 'yes'. These early experiences can hardwire a belief system that persists into adulthood: saying no means rejection; saying yes means love and validation. As these individuals grow,...

The internal voice shaped by years of emotional abuse does not vanish overnight. For those who have endured prolonged narcissistic relationships, self-doubt becomes deeply ingrained—often echoing long after the relationship has ended. Even when others express confidence in your abilities, there may still be a lingering question: Am I truly capable? This silent erosion of self-worth, carefully constructed over time through gaslighting, control, and emotional invalidation, is not easily undone. Yet, facing it is the beginning of freedom. It takes immense courage to confront the psychological residue of narcissistic abuse. The process requires more than the decision to leave—it calls for a confrontation with the beliefs implanted during the relationship: that you are not enough, that your voice does not matter, that your achievements are accidental. These are not just passing thoughts; they are narratives repeated so often that they can become internal truths. However, psychological res...

Mental health continues to be a taboo subject in many corporate settings despite increased global awareness and advocacy. In workplaces across the world, particularly in fast-paced and high-pressure environments, employees often hesitate to speak openly about their mental well-being due to fear of judgment, job insecurity, and the perception that seeking help is a sign of weakness. A culture of toxic productivity, where long hours and burnout are normalized, further discourages individuals from addressing their mental health needs. In many organizations, discussions around emotional well-being are still limited, and managers may lack the training or empathy required to support employees facing psychological challenges. This silence not only affects individual employees but also undermines workplace culture, productivity, and overall business performance. In response to these issues, the United Kingdom has taken notable steps toward normalizing mental health in the workplace. One of the...

Today is more than a birthday. It is a celebration of the woman I have become, and the woman I continue to grow into. This message is not only for me. It is for you — for the women and men who are silently carrying battles the world never sees. Some of us smile while carrying invisible weight. This is for those hearts, and also for those who speak without knowing what others are going through. Let this be a lesson to pause, to listen, and to choose kindness. I grew up without a father figure. That absence created a gap, but my mother filled it with her strength. She was both mother and father. Her resilience shaped me. She taught me that love and responsibility are not about roles, but about action. Watching her lead our lives gave me the foundation to walk tall, even when my knees felt weak. In 2012, I made a painful decision. I was just four months away from completing my degree when my baby became critically unwell. There was no one else to care for the child, so I stepped back from...

Speaking at the MPSA event. Photo credit:  Abdulla Abeedh Rejection is often seen as a setback, a sign of failure, or a harsh verdict on one’s worth. In a world that celebrates success, hearing ‘no’ can feel like a roadblock that halts progress. The power of ‘no’ lies in its ability to open doors to growth, self-discovery, and new opportunities. It serves as a reminder that the path to success is not always a straight line, but a journey filled with detours that lead to the most meaningful destinations. For over a year, I faced rejection after rejection, applying for job after job. Over fifteen times, to be exact, I found myself turned away. Each ‘no’ felt like a blow to my self-esteem, a challenge to my belief that I had something valuable to offer. As each rejection piled up, I started to see the story behind the ‘no’—and it was a story of personal transformation. At first, I felt frustrated and disheartened. I questioned my qualifications, my experience, and my abilities. In t...