Out and About Magazine Issue 2 Vol. 3 by Out and About Mag

Issue 2 Volume 3

Apr - May 2021

HOW TO OVERCOME IMPOSTER SYNDROME

NFTs: The Boom of Digital Collectibles

EMIRATI MUSICIAN

ARQAM AL ABRI

MUST-VISIT QUIRKY UAE CAFÉS

PASSIVE VS ACTIVE INCOME: ADDRESSING THE MYTHS

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The people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do.

Steve Jobs

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Editorial

Editor in chief

Marsha Fry

marsha@outandaboutmag.com

Editor

Anika Richards

info@outandaboutmag.com

art

Art director

nakul thanekar

nakul.thanekar89@gmail.com

advertising

sales & marketing director

Andre Marshal

+971 50 127 8820 sales@outandaboutmag.com

general enquiries

On this month's cover

Issue 2 Volume 3

Apr - May 2021

Interview:

HOW TO OVERCOME IMPOSTER SYNDROME

NFTs: The Boom of Digital Collectibles

MUST-VISIT QUIRKY UAE CAFÉS

Emilia Dobreva

hello@outandaboutmag.com outandaboutmagofficial outandaboutmagofficial outandaboutmagofficial

www.outandaboutmag.com

Photographer: Enzotica Styling: Merita Merij

EMIRATI MUSICIAN

ARQAM AL ABRI

PASSIVE VS ACTIVE INCOME:

ADDRESSING THE MYTHS

Location: Kiza Restaurant and Lounge, DIFC

Published by Out and About FZE (Registered at Fujairah Creative City)

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Editor’s Welcome

“Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.” — Harriet Tubman

Our current reality, which is undoubtedly unprecedented, forces us to reflect and take stock of the things that matter—putting a lot into perspective. We are reminded of dreams we once pursued when we were fearless and full of hope. Today, we have unanswered questions because, at some point, we decided to focus on things considered more realistic. You were brave enough to dream once, so let’s fuel those remaining flickers. Though shrouded in some amount of uncertainty, our current reality also brings with it a sense of renewal. It is time to pay attention to that urgent need to reignite dreams by pushing our limits. 4

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The necessary strength, patience and passion are already in us; we only need to apply ourselves to make our dreams a reality. Together, let’s dream big! As always, we at Out and About Magazine aim to inspire and encourage; the mission is to change the world, so let’s do it! Features and Highlights Miss Friendship International 2019 and fashion designer Emilia Dobreva talks about taking inspiration from her mom modelling career to now, herself, becoming a model and the owner of her own clothing brand, Oh My Dear Emi. Find this in our Fashion Feature.

Find out How Film Influences Fashion as we explore connections in the film and fashion industry, highlighting signature looks that have set trends and still influence style and fashion sense today, also in the Fashion section. In our Beauty section, we look at Choosing the right beard oil and local brands to try out for him to keep that prized masculine feature well-groomed and on point. After all, a little assistance can be very beneficial for the longevity of one’s designer stubble. Tackling the question: “Do Hotel Room Beauty Amenities Promote Inclusivity?” we take a closer look at the sanitary necessities that fall short, especially when it comes to skin and hair types among people of colour. Taking Lessons from an author, motivational speaker and lifestyle coach, we learn from Cornell Thomas that having the right mindset is integral for entrepreneurship. The CEO of Cornell Thomas Consulting also reminds us to focus on solutions instead of problems—an approach he says helped him get back on his feet. Meet Emirati musician Arqam Al Abri in our Talent Pool. The Black Excellence Award nominee talks music, inspiration, and purpose as he unpacks the message he would tell his 20-year-old self if he could: “Address your fears.” It turns out, too, that he and Cornell Thomas live by a similar quote. Coincidence or fate? Check out their journeys, and decide. In our Lifestyle section, we tackle ways of Amplifying the Creativity of your Teams in Tough Situations, exploring, too, the various strategies to build a culture of innovation. In Passive vs. Active Income: Addressing the Myths, learn the difference between the two and get some pointers on becoming actively involved to start creating instead of waiting for something to happen by investing in your talents and skills. We know it is not the easiest thing to do, but Staying Positive During Difficult Conversations gives you a roadmap on how to do just that. So, no need to fear difficult conversations as a leader; we give you simple tools to tackle those moments while remaining open, vulnerable and ready for feedback.

Turning to Food, check out the 15 Must-visit Quirky UAE Cafés if you are looking for something beyond the menu among the plethora of eateries. If you feel like staying in and preparing your meal, we also bring you 5 Mushroom Recipes Meat Lovers will enjoy, giving you more options without sacrificing on taste. With these tasty recipes, you won’t even realise your meal is meatless! Let’s settle the Fitness debate once and for all in Multivitamin: A Hard Pill to Swallow. See what the research and the doctor say on whether multivitamins are good for us. Your overall health is your responsibility to stay informed to make the decision that is right for you. In our Travel section, we are Inspired by Nature as we look at the offerings of Saray Spa that has been launched at Al Wathba, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa, Abu Dhabi. An experience there promises rejuvenation for the journey ahead. Early Retirement may be Easier than you Think, find out the steps one woman took—including relocating—to make it a reality. Intentionally Reincarnated looks at the life cycle of the butterfly and how we, too, can follow the stages and eventually watch and enjoy our bloom. In NFTs: The Boom of Digital Collectibles, we explore digital collectables and the role non-fungible tokens play in making them valuable. Read these articles in For the Culture. Finally, we bring you a book feature on Ask and It is Given authored by Esther and Jerry Hicks, who write about manifesting your desires so that you can live the joyous life you deserve. Check it out in Shelf Life. Every dream begins with a dreamer All it takes is a small thought that is nurtured until it becomes a reality with implications to change the world. Out and About Magazine, with the team that made this Edition possible, is always here to remind you that you have the strength, patience and passion to reach for the stars and change the world. Let’s do it!

Since we are taking some time to reflect and take stock, learn the answer to the question: Is Imposter Syndrome Holding you Back?

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CONTENTS April - May 2021

SECTION 1

7 FASHION

• F ashion Feature: Emilia Dobreva, Miss Friendship International 2019 and Fashion Designer • How Film Influences Fashion

SECTION 2

26 BEAUTY

• For Him: Choosing The Right Beard Oil And Local Brands To Try Out • D o Hotel Room Beauty Amenities Promote Inclusivity?

SECTION 7

SECTION 3

112 FOR THE CULTURE

40 TAKING LESSONS

• E arly Retirement may be Easier than you Think

• Cornell Thomas, Ceo Of Cornell Thomas Consulting, Author Motivational Speaker, Mindset Coach

• I ntentionally Reincarnated • N FTs: The Boom of Digital Collectibles

SECTION 4

52 TALENT POOL

• Arqam Al Abri, Emirati Musician

SECTION 5

62 LIFESTYLE

• Amplifying The Creativity Of Your Teams In Tough Situations • Passive Vs. Active Income: Addressing The Myths • Staying Positive During Difficult Conversations • How To Overcome Imposter Syndrome

82 FOOD

SECTION 8

• 15 Must-visit Quirky UAE Cafés • 5 Mushroom Recipes Meat Lovers will Enjoy

123 SHELF LIFE

• B ook Feature: Ask and It is Given by

100 FITNESS

Esther and Jerry Hicks

• Multivitamin: A Hard Pill to Swallow

SECTION 6

103 TRAVEL

• Inspired by Nature: Al Wathba, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa, Abu Dhabi, launches Saray Spa Out and About Magazine tasks no responsibility for unsolicited photographs or material. The photographs in this publication are for illustration purposes, unless otherwise specified.

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FA S H I O N F E AT U R E

MISS FRIENDSHIP INTERNATIONAL AND FASHION DESIGNER

EMILIA

D O B R E VA Company:

Oh My Dear Emi miss_dobreva_official

emilia.dobreva.16

ohmydearemi my_dear_emi

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TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOURSELF.

I’m a fashion designer and model now based in Dubai, in the heart of the Middle East. I also run my own brand—Oh My Dear Emi. It is a fashion brand for ladies who are inspired by Dubai and by the Middle East lifestyle.

2. YOU HOLD SEVERAL TITLES. TELL US ABOUT THE MAIN ONES. I’m originally from Kosovo. So, for sure, my first title was Miss Kosovo, of which I am very proud because Kosovo is my motherland. Being Miss Kosovo gave me a chance to join Miss Universe and Miss World, and then I joined many more beauty pageants and beauty contestants because of my love for it. I love to communicate with people, and pageants have given me that opportunity on a global scale. The last title is Miss Friendship International 20192020; however, I’m still holding this title. The pageant was held in Chengdu, China, and I competed with 120 ladies from across the world.

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3. HOW DID YOU GET INVOLVED IN PAGEANTS? It started with my mom, who was a model. Sometimes she still does photoshoots and catwalks, and she also participated in pageants, but in Miss Turkey. My mom dreamt that her daughter would finally participate in something big like a Miss Universe and Miss World, and I can say that I did. So I am my mom’s dream come true.

4. WHAT’S BEEN YOUR BIGGEST TAKEAWAY FROM THE BIG PAGEANTS YOU’VE BEEN TO, LIKE MISS UNIVERSE OR MISS WORLD? I think the biggest takeaway is the friendships formed. The ladies are still my friends. It’s an amazing feeling when the ladies call me and tell me, ‘Oh, we’re in Dubai’. I love every lady; they are really my true friends from different countries. It is an amazing feeling to have friends around the world.

5. TELL US ABOUT YOUR FASHION BRAND OH MY DEAR EMI. Since I have always been in fashion—I work as a model, and I have done a lot of fashion weeks, including Milan Fashion Week, New York Fashion Week—and I know many designers who are my close friends, I always try to find some perfect dress for my style. My style is very Chanel, but it

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should be a little bit more casual. And because of this, I created this perfect dress for myself and made it a brand. It was and still is brand couture; it’s a brand for wedding dresses, for couture dressing. These dresses are for special events at which you wear the dress once, but they will be forever in the memories of people who saw them. However, COVID-19 came, and it has been a difficult time for us. There are now many rules about weddings, and they have impacted the brand. I still have my team, who I really love and respect. Due to the impact of COVID-19, we cannot now do our perfect dresses for weddings, but we can do dresses for our girls; so now, Oh My Dear Emi is also a ready-to-wear brand, reaching everywhere. I’m happy when I’m going to Dubai Mall, and I see ladies in my dresses, oh this feeling!

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A S H I O E A T U R 14

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WHO WEARS OH MY DEAR EMI?

It’s a very classy lady who lives in Dubai, who knows what is in style, who knows real passion. This lady knows what she wants. She knows who she is. We have a specific style; I cannot say that our dresses are for everyone, but our ladies are beautiful, and they’re very stylish.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR EARLIEST FASHION MEMORIES.

I think all my earliest fashion memories are from my mom because she was a model and she was always on catwalks and in important photoshoots and interviews. I remember myself sitting on a chair and just watching the shows. And sure, I saw it, from early childhood I was in this atmosphere. Even though I didn’t think that one day I would be saying that I should do something similar, I’m happy now I can share my opinion with my mom, and she can give me fashion advice, because she knows the style of her years and I can say the 90s, end of the 80s, is a perfect style for me. This is a very elegant era—an era of supermodels like Naomi Campbell.

HOW DO YOU GO ABOUT CREATING YOUR DRESSES?

It’s a little bit like this. I graduated from the Istituto Marangoni. My education is in fashion and, when I created my brand, I knew my brand from the beginning to the end. I can replace any person on my team, and because of this, I don’t need a special atmosphere or something. I can create everywhere. I can sit right here, and I will create, by myself, every dress. I am more about the technical parts, which I know very well. I am not a designer who only creates or paints; I know every step of my business. It’s real business.

9. WHAT IS THE EASIEST AND MOST CHALLENGING THING ABOUT BEING AN ENTREPRENEUR? I mean, it’s like in every business. Sure, it’s my passion, it’s my hobby, and I love it, but fashion is about business. Fashion it’s about selling and about how to sell. We have a lot of pluses and a lot of minuses, like in every business. But, I like when people see the beautiful part of my business. Think of it this way, when models are on a catwalk; you see beautiful ladies, beautiful dresses and beautiful fabrics; however, backstage is a different story.

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10. WHAT INSPIRES YOU?

This question is difficult because I’m inspired by everything. I am inspired by art; I love modern art. I love furniture, interior design. Models inspire me because I was a model and inspired by top models of the 90s. Naomi Campbell inspires me. For me, she’s a perfect lady. My dream is to create a dress for her and insha’Allah, one day I can design some amazing dresses for her.

11. WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE YOUR 20-YEAR-OLD SELF? I can understand that Allah decides everything in our lives, but my advice for myself would be: maybe, work harder. I’m a hard worker, but perhaps if I worked harder, my dreams would come true earlier. Don’t listen to anyone, and follow your dreams. 16

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12. IF YOUNG LADIES ARE LOOKING TO BECOME MODELS, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THEM?

Just do it. Start from something; don’t sit at home. Don’t sit at a place; just do it. If you want to be a model, okay, there’s no need for anything specific or special; just reach out to an agency. Just send them one of your photos; if they see a future for you, they will contact you. They will not ask for any money or anything; they will be interested in you, and they will do everything for you. Same for beauty pageants. Beauty pageants are not about your face and how stunning you are. It’s about your soul. Be honest about your soul, and you’ll have a chance. Everyone is beautiful, but it’s about your soul, about who you are, about what you can do for this world, how you can handle the title. This is the most important thing.

13. HOW DO YOU LOOK AFTER YOUR MENTAL HEALTH?

COVID-19 time has been the most difficult time because I’m a person who loves communicating with people. I need people, and I need movement, and because of this, it’s a really difficult time. But we’re now in Dubai, where we can say that Dubai, for now, is the best city for living and for keeping your mental health in check. I’m also doing a lot of yoga, which helps. I started yoga and golf before COVID-19. I’ve been paying close attention to my soul and caring about my mental health even before COVID-19.

14. IF THERE’S SOMEONE THAT’S STRUGGLING AT THE MOMENT WITH THEIR MENTAL HEALTH, WHAT MESSAGE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THEM? I think the important part is to keep yourself strong. I would also advise people to try to do yoga; it helps. Start with 30 minutes, 20 minutes and go step by step, and you will see how your life becomes more beautiful.

15. WHAT’S THAT ONE QUOTE YOU LIVE BY?

“Just do it.” Don’t stay in place. Do it. You want something, go for it.

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HOW FILM INFLUENCES FASHION

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The media is a very powerful platform that influences our perspectives and, sometimes, the way we decide to do things. Film and cinema as entertainment media are considered an important part of our culture and as industries that showcase and display creative visual treats for our eyes. Do you still remember a favourite film of yours? Or a film that you’ve watched that made you say, ‘Ahhhmazing’, or ‘Oh my God, that is beautiful’, or ‘I will definitely have that in my closet’. These are just a few realistic reactions when we watch movies that display great collections of wardrobes and fashion styles that set trends. The film and fashion industries always jive together for great visual storytelling from the actors’ look from head to toe. Stylists and wardrobe directors devote a huge amount of time to studying perfect styles to fit the characters’ brief that eventually becomes the centre of attention on the big screen. The movie of Alicia Silverstone’s Clueless in 1995, highlights schoolgirls’ outfit with croplayered tops and skirts, matching high-knee socks and

doll shoes that complete the look, sounds familiar right? Even today, this type of fashion style never fades and just evolves into a more stylish mix and match of a funky, playful style of clothes for young women. For men’s fashion top trendsetter, who could forget Keanu Reeves’ Matrix sequels, with his sleek, very manly and stylish look of trench coats, leather pants, belts and chest rigs, and the signature sunglass that puts his character at the top while doing his action moves and fight scenes? This look inspires many designers and brands like Alexander McQueen, Balenciaga and John Galliano, to name a few, who incorporate it in their collections for modern men and women. These movies became successful fashion triggers and style creators that, until now, inspire us to dress up and present ourselves in the best way we can, not because we want to show off but to express our fashion sense and style. For us modern men and women, how do films that we watch and enjoy influence our fashion statements? Out & About Magazine

MOVIE STARS SERVE AS OUR IDEAL FASHION GURUS

The way they look, the way they stand and present themselves—not only on aspects of fashion—these actors and actresses create ideal fashion guru images that teach us how to present ourselves in specific life situations. More so, we know that these movie stars, especially those we idolise, can really fashion trends. Who can forget Reese Witherspoon in Legally Blonde, in her everyday pretty-in-pink look, set the trend of how pink is fashion perfect?

ERA FILMS THROWBACK THE FASHION SCENE OF THAT TIME

Fashion creates excitement as a movie progresses, and it showcases the lifestyle for a specific era. Era films like Leonardo Di Caprio’s The Great Gatsby flaunt the very classic fashion style of the ‘20s, which even now is a very popular fashion sense for those who love the heyday of jazz. Another perfect example is the colourful representation of fashion in the 60s in the movie Hairspray, starring John Travolta, Zach Efron and Michelle Pfeiffer, which showcased how the fashion sense of that era is best represented through all the walks of life, with the lead character Tracy Turnblad who transformed from being a simple 16-yearold to a popular girl in Baltimore.

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FILMS SERVE AS OUR FASHION MOOD BOARD FOR STYLE As we watch films, we are inspired by the fashion styles represented on screen. Many great movies perfectly serve their purpose of helping us create a fashion mood board in our imaginations. These movies made us think of what to wear or what to buy.

A perfect example is from Crazy Rich Asians, a 2018 movie from Kevin Kwan’s novel of the same name, which gave a twist on how Asians are represented on the big screen. Characters of the film showcase the glamorous side of their life, wearing designer and luxury brands—from watches to bags, jewellery, and dresses—you name it, they show it.

FILMS SUCCESSFULLY DELIVER THE POWER OF FASHION BRANDS

Cinema as an industry is a perfect example of convergence. Film has always been a perfect platform to showcase and advertise brands. We, as consumers, have this tendency to use films or even TV programmes to buy items or goods that we see. An on-point example of this is The Devil Wears Prada, starring Anne Hathaway and Meryl Streep. The title itself is a short, powerful and unforgettable one because of the representation of a fashion brand’s name. If you have watched the movie, you have seen the A-Z of fashion brands and designer’s names mentioned, and some were used as part of the film. Out & About Magazine

MOVIES HELP US DEFINE OUR FASHION TASTES Not all movies deliver a message of great fashion sense. Movies with these styles never fail to tell the story by using clothes, accessories and other fashion products as a medium of communicating the individual fashion taste of different people. For fashion and style lovers, movies with great fashion representation will surely be a hit. For others, movies help to ignite the hidden fashion sense within. It creates a great start to improve fashion taste by at least wearing clothes on proper occasions—a simple sign fashion sense is improving. Fashion never goes out of style. Through the help of the film industry, fashion will always be upfront. Film will always be a perfect medium to communicate creativity and artistry of selfexpression and influence others. Overall, film and fashion is yin and yang that seems opposite but complements and interconnects one another. 22

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About the author

BETHOVEN FILOMENO Creative Media Educator and Fashion Photographer caughtbybetongslens /in/bethoven-filomeno-ma-ed-3006b599/ Bethoven has been in academia for the past 17 years. His experience as an educator helped him to effectively build his connections in the media and fashion industry in the UAE. Currently, he works as a Media Studies Instructor at Amity University Dubai, teaching theoretical and practical courses in degree programmes like Journalism & Mass Communication, Film & TV Production, and Fashion Design. As a media industry practitioner, Bethoven has been doing fashion photography since the year 2011. His works have been published in various publications, ad campaigns and fashion magazines in the Philippines, the UAE, India, Mexico, and Italy. Bethoven believes that empowering the younger generation through investing time to teach them, honing their skills and exposing them to the creative media industry is his way to let them shine the best way they can in the future.

PEARL POWER Model: Friderika Toth Photo: Jozsef Balogh Retouch: Anna Petrova Hair and Makeup: Liv Rideg Location: Studio Madison, Budapest, Hungary Out & About Magazine

BUTTERFLY EFFECT Model: Edit Lukacs Photo : Jozsef Balogh Retouch: Anna Petrova Creative Director and Makeup: Liv Rideg Location: Studio Madison, Budapest, Hungary

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BEAUTY FOR HIM

CHOOSING

THE RIGHT BEARD OIL

AND LOCAL BRANDS TO TRY OUT. Beards are prized masculine features, and ensuring that they are well-groomed is essential. However, not all beards look or develop the same, which boils down to various factors, including genetics and age. While some men can grow full beards effortlessly, needing the assistance of an oil is valid and is beneficial for the longevity of one’s designer stubble. A beard grows out from various parts of the face, and the skin that it covers can succumb to neglect, resulting in it feeling dry. Beard oils can help keep the skin moisturised while taming the hairs. Whether one desires to soften, detangle, or add volume to their beard, a remedy is likely in the world of beard oils. The following are some locally produced oils to try out.

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DIGGN’IT ORDER NOW This beard oil brand began in a quaint home in the city of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The three founders started making their various elixirs in a kitchen and have steadily grown since their launch. They pride themselves on their incorporation of Arab traditions and the use of natural ingredients. Claiming to “soften, thicken and enrich a man’s beard”,

their line of traditionally Arabian scented oils features six scents, including smoke and pine, citrus, and amber. They also have a sampler set with four of their beard oils, which is a good bargain. All their oils have five-star ratings, and their level of customer satisfaction is impressive. Diggn’It oils are nourishing blends of sweet almond oil, argan oil, castor oil, and vitamin E oil, which are great for replenishing hair strands. More details about their oils are available on their website.

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OALEN BEARD OIL ORDER NOW OALEN beard products are native to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Its beard oils have been reviewed internationally, with commentary available on YouTube. While the brand sells its oils individually, its Beard Kit—featuring a comb, brush, beard balm, and oil—has become a customer favourite. A 50ml bottle of OALEN Beard Oil contains argan oil, jojoba oil, grapeseed oil, vitamin E oil, and ginger extract—a blend of light oils that won’t bear weight on the hair strands. OALEN Beard Oil is available on Amazon.

AICHUN BEAUTY BEARD OIL ORDER NOW Another beard oil native to the UAE is Aichun Beauty’s product, sold online by DubaiGallery. The product’s packaging displays a child with a thick beard and a surprised expression, probably alluding to how effective the oil is in nourishing facial hair. Along with the humorous packaging, the product claims to assist with hair growth and density. It also has antibacterial and antimicrobial properties for healthy hair.

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JACK BLACK BEARD OIL ORDER NOW Jack Black Beard Oil is made by the UAE-based cosmetics business BasharaCare. Interestingly, an actor with the same name as the beard oil is notorious for adorning his beard. BasharaCare was founded by licensed and trained dermatologists who strive to offer high-performing products; their emphasis on science is shown in the diversity of their ingredients. Although ratings aren’t available for

their 30ml oil, it appears to be a bestseller as it is frequently out of stock. The oil consists of Kalahari melon oil, carrot extract, brown algae, plum oil, and Vitamin E oil. Additionally, the Marula oil found in the mixture is rich in fatty acids, which aids in better absorption of the product, rather than it sitting on top of the strands of hair and causing a build-up of oil and subsequent dryness. This exotic mix of ingredients handles brittle facial hair well and gives them a fresh lustre.

USTRAA BEARD GROWTH OI ORDER NOW Ustraa is a cosmetic brand that creates products for men’s grooming. In their own words, they aim to “help our bros look and smell good”. Its best-selling oil is sulphate, petrolatum and parabenfree, and has not been tested on animals. The brand’s 35ml Beard Growth Oil is claimed to be able to repair damaged hairs and activate hair stem cells, soothe the skin, which boosts hair growth, and promises visible results after 90 days of use. To back its bold proclamations, the brand allowed an independent lab to conduct cell proliferation tests that revealed its oil produced 40 per cent more hair-growing cells. Ustraa credits its mix of Redensyl—an oil developed in a lab in Europe that is said to be the latest breakthrough in solving hair loss—as well as eight natural oils, including vitamin A, B, C, E and K oils.

Ustraa’s product seems like quite an oil and is available for purchase online. When choosing an oil, keep one’s skin type in mind. Many beard oils contain essential oils compatible with oily and acne-prone skin, like cinnamon and rosemary, while some are best suited for normal and dry skin, like lavender oil. Regardless of skin type, for the best results, ensure that the oil selected is additive-free, cold-pressed and organic. Out & About Magazine

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www.jacquieaiche.com

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COLOURFUL DREAMS 32

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Model: Renata Hamikus Headpiece: Virag Kerenyi Hair and Makeup: Liv Rideg Location: Budapest, Hungary

GOLD AND WHITE MAGIC Model: Tiana Jaksa Photo: Timea Jaksa Retouch: Krisztina Farkas Hair and Makeup: Liv Rideg Location: INDUSTRIAL Studios, Budapest, Hungary Out & About Magazine

DO HOTEL ROOM BEAUTY AMENITIES PROMOTE INCLUSIVITY?

Hotels tend to market their rooms as a home away from home or the embodiment of opulence—both emphasising a particular comfort. Seemingly doing well, the global hotel industry was worth US$570 billion in 2019. However, there is always room for improvement, and, with the world becoming more globalised, people from all around the world cross paths with hotels that fail to meet their needs— especially people of colour. Of the hotel amenities that fall short, sanitary necessities top the list. Hotels can no longer rely on generic soaps and lotions to properly serve their guests, as there are a variety of skin and hair types that all have different needs. This is not to say hotels must cater to every variant, but they must look into how these products are made to ensure that they do not impose avoidable harm or side effects to the user. Doing this will make the majority of guests feel included and comfortable when using hotel products.

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SHAMPOOS AND CONDITIONERS

These products have sparked plenty of controversy in the hotel industry, to the point that people have called the issue out on social media platforms. Since most public figures are accommodated by affluent hotels, seeing hotels of that calibre being found deficient in providing good shampoo and conditioner speaks volumes about the industry. The general view of hotel shampoo and conditioner is that they’re bad for most hair types; they dry out hair prone to dryness and foster grease on an oily scalp. Most curlier textures—the hair type of most people of colour—tend to possess these characteristics. Natural oils produced for the hair struggle to travel down curlier hair strands, so they tend to sit on the scalp, leaving the strands dry. The shampoo is meant to cleanse the build-up of oils, while the conditioner is to restore moisture to the strands. The products found in hotels are infamous for causing drier and more brittle hair. Dry and brittle hair is prone to irreversible breakage, which can cause split ends and stifle length retention. What hotels can do is find hair-cleansing products with more natural ingredients than preservative chemicals that can cleanse buildup and restore moisture.

2. HAIRDRYERS

Hotels providing hairdryers have been a great convenience; it means more space in the luggage and doing hair regimens without a hassle. However, they’ve recently been criticised for hygienic concerns because the hairdryers are apparently as mucky as public restrooms. The issues don’t end there, as these petite hairdryers cause heat damage, too. Since the heat cannot be adjusted, guests have no choice but to blanch their hair after using less than ideal shampoos and conditioners, which furthers breakage. Some hair types can deal with the onslaught of heat, but curlier textures found in people of colour require more attentiveness. That is why the ability to add attachments—like diffusers—to hotel hairdryers needs to be up for discussion. Providing diffusers is another topic, but providing hairdryers that can fit the average size attachment will go a long way. Out & About Magazine

3. LOTIONS

Coming out of a shower with dried skin to use hotel lotion seems to be a routine for disappointment. The lotions hardly moisturise the skin and are filled with fragrances that can cause irritation and potential breakouts. Most skin types don’t fare well with fragrances now that they are in the thin lotions provided in hotels. Their only benefit is that they smell good. Adding different kinds of butter to lotion formulas can resolve this issue, allowing lotions to carry a fragrance and effectively moisturise the skin. Shea butter and Cocoa butter are good kinds to consider.

SHOWER CAPS

Hair comes in different shapes, sizes and lengths, and it grows in a variety of ways, so it’s safe to say that the average 20-25 cm shower cap won’t do. Hair types with less volume have got along well with the standard size, but with the emergence of a culture that embraces voluminous hair types like that of people of colour, it just won’t do. Curlier hair grows upwards, and when it is wet, it can shrink to a third of its original length, which introduces a whole host of problems such as tangles and knots. Wearing a sizable shower cap that hotels are encouraged to consider, rather than the assumed one-sizefits-all shower cap, can prevent shrinkage. A small range will go a long way.

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5. COMBS

The effort of providing hair tools is much appreciated, but they are unusable due to their narrow teeth. Such combs can only aid fine hairs, which the average person does not have. The thickness of hair strands and density of hair on the scalp differ from person to person and all over a person’s head. Using thin-toothed combs can cause unnecessary breakage and tangles. Curlier hair types get the short end of the stick because grazing coils and kinks with a thin-toothed comb is a recipe for disaster, especially on dry hair. Hotels should consider combs with wider teeth as they are the best types to use on wet hair for all hair types and are the star tool on curlier hair. Some products have various teeth widths combined on one comb, which is more convenient than providing many tools. Hotels are an embodiment of hospitality and should strive to evolve the way they serve guests by paying attention to their differences. The one-size-fits-all mentality is going out of style, and significant attention to details is being championed because it exudes hospitality and a gratuity for a guest’s stay.

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For more information and reservations, visit Jumeirah Zabeel Saray or call +971 4 453 0000.

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CORNELL THOMAS CEO of Cornell Thomas Consulting Author, Motivational Speaker, Mindset Coach

cornell-thomas-36689340

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TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOURSELF.

My father passed away when I was four years old, so I didn’t get a chance to connect with him. It was my mum who raised five of us by herself, with no money. So, who I am is because of who my mum was and still is. My mum focused on solutions and not problems. She worked so many jobs that we didn't see her much. When she came home, she fed us, loved us, and put us to sleep. It wasn't till I was about 16 years old that I found basketball. I wanted to become a professional player, so my mum wouldn’t have to struggle anymore; that was my purpose. And I got to that point of becoming a professional basketball player, but then I got injured. That was one of the hardest moments of my life because I felt like a failure. I didn’t realise then that if I didn't stop playing basketball, I wouldn't be here with you right now.

WHAT BRINGS YOU TO DUBAI?

Well, the first thing that brings me to Dubai is my friend Maria, who is from Dubai. She's my concierge when I am here. I'm also in Dubai to make an impact.

HOW DID YOU GET THROUGH THAT FEELING OF BEING A FAILURE?

Positivity is not the absence of human emotion, it's just not living in negative emotion. So when I was injured, I was upset; I was angry. But then I started thinking about my mum and how she handles problems. She always puts the solutions in front of the problems. So if you spend all your time on the problem, you never know what the solution is. So I said to myself, “Okay, I injured myself. So what are you going to do next?” I went to the gym and started shooting from a chair, and I just started getting that mentality back. It did nothing for my basketball game, but it did everything for my mental stability.

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WHAT WOULD THE WORLD LOOK LIKE IF YOU REALISED YOUR VISION? WHO WOULD BENEFIT, AND WHO WOULD SUFFER? Real people would benefit. Fake people would suffer.

There'd be no media; that would be the first thing that I would do. The media, as it is right now, would be deconstructed. I’d give you real stories of real people. I would change the entire educational system, especially in the United States, for creating worker bees and not leaders and entrepreneurs or freethinkers. And then I would go from there.

WHERE DOES YOUR PASSION COME FROM?

I've always been pretty driven, even as a young man. My work ethic comes from my mum. I remember once my mum told me everything happens for a reason. That started framing my mind, in terms of problems and solutions. When I got injured, I lost that. I was like, “Well, why would this possibly happen?” And the key to that sentence is that sometimes you won’t figure it out until later. Sometimes you might not figure it out. For example, Martin Luther King was assassinated. He didn't see everything that he did, but long after we saw that it was for us, not for him. Another thing that my mum told us was to always be grateful.

WHAT ARE YOU MOST AFRAID OF, GETTING YOUR WAY OR NOT GETTING YOUR WAY? WHY?

I would say not getting my way because my way is pretty pure. So what I want in life is pure. I want to connect people; I want to connect the planet. I want to bring positive change. I want to change systems. So if I didn't get my way, that wouldn't be cool.

WHAT DO YOU SPEND MOST OF YOUR TIME DOING?

I would say—outside of my family and playing with my kids—creating a lot of different things. So I'm working on a TV show, I have two podcasts, I have books, and I have a speaker’s programme. I just feel like the more you create, there is less stress. I love being in the creative process.

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WHAT AND WHO INSPIRES YOU WITH AWE AND WHY?

The third and most important thing is, you've got to fully believe and work towards that goal because faith without works is dead. So you have to work towards it.

In terms of speaking, the first person I've ever heard speak was Les Brown. I was on a radio show with Les, like when I first started speaking, and Les inspired me because he looked like me.

IS THE OLD STORY THAT WRITTEN GOALS ARE BETTER THAN NONWRITTEN GOALS TRUE?

There's a lot of people who inspire me. You inspire me, and I just met you.

He has this storytelling ability that is better than anyone that I ever saw to that point. I love the storytelling, I love his humour, and I love how he moves. He has swag!

WHAT ARE YOUR TOP 3 TIPS FOR SUCCESSFUL GOAL SETTING? I think motivation is intrinsic. I don't think I'm a motivational speaker; I use the title because people will know what that is.

I can inspire you to action. I can inspire you to motivate yourself, but I can't just motivate you if you don't want to do something. And when it comes to goal setting, you have to understand that there are people that don't have goals. So the first thing you have to ask if you care is why. Why are you happy just being in the rat race and doing the same thing every day, over and over and over again, and you don't set anything higher for yourself? And if that's the case, then that's cool; that's your life, you do what you got to do. When it comes to setting goals, the first thing you have to do is you have to make them tangible. How do you make it tangible? You write it down. After you write it down, you have to say, "Okay, well, how do I execute this goal?" And then write an action plan.

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I do not think it is a one-size-fits-all situation.

I do both. So I have an action board in my room. Not a vision board but an action board. I love to visualise all the time, but I have an actual board in sight with words on it like “create” and “develop”. It would be very nice if I had this. Then there are times where I have a todo list or to-do lists for my goals. So I am already doing this to-do list, and it sets my mind to working towards it. So I can do both…it just depends.

WHAT DOES THE END OF YOUR DAY LOOK LIKE?

Well, at 8:30 pm I play with my two kids, then put them to bed. I spend another half hour, 45 minutes creating, then I close my laptop. I also try to put my phone aside and give myself another hour to just chill, and then I go to bed. However, sometimes it doesn't work like that. Sometimes I get an email at 10 o'clock, and it is a big opportunity. Then I say, "Let me answer this real quick and then go". But, hopefully, by 11, I am already asleep. It was not always like that. I used to get 4 to 4 1/2 hours of sleep. But now I make sure I am asleep at 11 because I get up super early to workout, and then I go into the day.

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WHAT'S YOUR VIEW ON JOURNALING?

I think journaling works for some people. For me, I do not necessarily journal. When I wake up every day, I say, "Thank you, God". That ability to wake up and see another day is an opportunity for me to make an impact. When I go to sleep, I say, "Thank you". So I don't necessarily write out things. Gratitude is something that you practise. I don't have to write it down; I can show it. I can show you I'm grateful for this interview by following up and saying thank you so much, I had such a good time.

WHERE ARE YOU WITH AFFIRMATIONS?

Well, it depends because you can have affirmations like, "I am beautiful" and "I am strong", but opposite every single day. There's a disconnect. So you're beautiful, stop using 35 filters on your Snapchat. You don't look like a cat, stop it. If you really believe you are beautiful, own it. Look in the mirror for 60 seconds without flinching, without moving away. Look at you and see who you are. We have so many people on this planet who aren't good with themselves. If you’re going to get good with yourself, no affirmation is going to help you get good with yourself. You got to figure out why you are not good with yourself and

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then take the action steps to get there.

YOU HAVE YOUR DREAM AUDIENCE AND YOU HAVE TO SPEAK TO THEM TOMORROW, WHAT WOULD YOU TALK TO THEM ABOUT, AND WHY? I would probably be talking to that audience about purpose.

There are probably billions of human beings who think there is no reason to exist, and they don't think that they don't know why they exist. I always tell people, "Your life is not a linear thing. It is made with curves and roadblocks, but you are chosen". In my TED talk, I said that to win the lottery is a 1 in 175 million probability, while to be born is a 1 in 400 trillion probability. So you have to ask yourself, "Why am I here?" There's got to be a reason. I think once you know you have a purpose, life becomes a beautiful thing.

HOW DO YOU MANAGE STRESS? WHAT TECHNIQUES AND TOOLS COULD YOU OFFER PEOPLE?

My fifth book is called Game Of Death: A Survivor's Guide To Entrepreneurship. It's all about entrepreneurship and the mindset of an entrepreneur. When it comes to entrepreneurship, mindset is the most important thing. You have to have the mental fortitude to get through the hard times. You are going to get punched in the mouth

over and over, even when you are a millionaire, there is still going to be one thing that can cause your business to plummet. So you have to be able to get yourself up off the floor. Another thing, your baby steps are still steps. So, even if you feel like you're not making leaps and bounds towards your goals, just keep going forward. Just keep moving forward, even if it feels like you're not moving anywhere.

WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR FAVOURITE BOOK SO FAR, AND WHY? I do have a favourite, First One. This is because it's the first one. In that book is everybody who has impacted my life and who has set me on the path that I am on right now.

IF YOU HAD TO WRITE A STORY ABOUT YOURSELF, IT COULD BE A BOOK OR A

MOVIE, WHAT WOULD IT BE CALLED? WHY WOULD YOU GIVE IT THAT TITLE? I think I would call it ‘Bouncebackability’.

I've had so many times in my life where I've been knocked down, and I’ve never thought about just laying on the floor. Even if I take one knee or grab onto something, I start pulling myself up. I was raised by a lioness, so I'm taught to hit the floor and start working my way back up.

WHAT’S THAT QUOTE THAT YOU LIVE BY? I have a bunch from my mum, but I'll use one from Horace Mann. He said, “You should be ashamed to die until you score some victory for humanity”. I love that quote because I don't live a life without purpose. Realise that your purpose doesn't have to be saving the world, it could be taking care of your house, but don't live a life without purpose. That's what I live by.

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TA L E N T POOL

ARQ r.qam

arqam.abri

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AM AL ABRI

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A R Q

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A M

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1. TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOURSELF.

I’m Arqam, an Emirati soul musician. I sing some old school music, I suppose, with a touch of the modern. I like to think of my music as soulful, not necessarily soul music, but soulful in terms of the subject matter; I tackle things that I believe wholeheartedly in—love, life and purpose.

2. ARE YOU MORE DRIVEN TO A SPECIFIC GENRE?

I love listening to Motown, Boyz II Men, Neo Soul, that kind of thing. I would like to have more diversity. My musical sense is to have a bit more eclectic genres in my music: have a bit more Lenny Kravitz vibes, some Creed vibes, Radiohead, and that kind of thing. But right now, I think you could describe it as soul music.

3. HAVE YOU ALWAYS BEEN MAKING MUSIC? AND, ARE YOU DOING ANYTHING ELSE OUTSIDE OF MUSIC?

I’ve always been singing; I’ve just not been singing in public. I’ve been making music on my own, like I’ve had concerts in my shower, well, for 15 years, but I’ve taken it seriously for the last two, three years. I started playing the guitar and the keyboard as well, in the past two years. It’s a journey that I love because it allowed me to create. With the guitar, now, I can play different chords; I can play music with the piano, although I am not good with piano. I also do events, but since COVID-19, things have slowed down. So I haven’t been doing too much on the event scene, so it has allowed me to focus on music ... It kind of works.

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4. IF NOT MUSIC, WHAT WOULD YOU BE DOING?

I probably would be back in the corporate environment. Again, I’ve been doing events for quite a long time. I worked for different entities, events and sponsorship, and value from events, that kind of thing. So, I guess if I wasn’t making music, I would be back in that life. I wouldn’t have known that music was a new choice for me.

WHAT MOTIVATES YOU?

Purpose. I feel like we all have a purpose. I was thinking about this the other day, I’m not religious, but I’m spiritual. I believe in the Supreme Being, Allah. Other people might believe in Christianity, in Jesus, in different religions, whatever it is, but for me, it’s always been understanding why we are here. I think songs that question what we’re here for, is what I’m trying to do. I feel like purpose drives me to make music. I listen to people like Bob Marley, for example, his songs, they had a message—Redemption Song, No Woman No Cry—they have deep messages. He had a message, and the way he delivered his message is powerful. So for me, purpose is what drives me in trying to do something that I believe in.

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY IS YOUR PURPOSE?

I like to think that it is sharing what I’ve learned, trying to be a good person. It’s a journey; it’s not something that happens overnight. It is how you treat other people, how you treat other living beings. To take this on another tangent, the way to worship is not necessarily just praying five times a day, but also how you treat other people and treat life—that’s all a form of worship to me. My purpose is to live within those guidelines: • How you treat people. • How you treat animals. • How you treat living beings. • How you treat the environment. I’m a big sustainability freak. Though I’m still trying to get to a point where I’m self-sufficient and sustainable, that’s kind of a journey I’d like to get into.

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7. HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR CREATIVE PROCESS?

I don’t have any rituals, per se, but I do like to spend a lot of time at home, with my guitar, my music, and listening to the music. I have a little cat there that inspires me—my little muse. My process is creating a melody first and then lyrics to go with it. A lot of times, I won’t know that I’m writing. I would just be playing different chords, and the song comes. And then I’ll write it down. It evolves from there. So it goes hand in hand—the melody, the lyrics and then it evolves into a song.

8. WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO YOUR 20-YEAROLD SELF?

Address your fears. I’ve never really liked public speaking, and that held me back; there is a lot of performing, and music is about being in front of people, so it held me back because I was scared to do that. It made me very nervous. If I could speak to myself back in the day, I would address most of my fears, allow myself to grow naturally, I think.

9. SO WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO SOMEONE WHO WANTS TO STEP OUT AND DO SOMETHING BUT IS FEARFUL?

I feared that I would mess up, and people would laugh at me or judge me. I think, for a lot of people, it’s the same thing—they don’t want to be judged by others. What would you say about me? You don’t even need to worry about that because, either way, people will talk. Do something that you love.

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Do what you love; it will show. People don’t like it now; they will when you shine and do what you love. You behave differently. You act differently when you’re enlightened by what you love.

10. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE AT AN ADVANTAGE OR DISADVANTAGE BEING AN EMIRATI SINGING SOUL/POP MUSIC OUTSIDE OF YOUR MOTHER TONGUE?

I think there are advantages and disadvantages. An advantage, I suppose, people expect me to sing in Arabic and instead, they hear English. So it’s almost like a surprise. I would like to present my culture in Arabic as well, but I feel like my values and principles are also part of my culture. And that comes out in my music. So they kind of balance each other out, the advantage and disadvantage. It is 2021; it’s a small world, we’re influenced by so many different cultures from different music, from different worlds. For example, now we have people from across the world playing Afrobeats, listening to Afrobeat. So I feel like the world has changed extremely slowly; we’re becoming a global community as opposed to different cultures. So that’s the kind of evolution that we’re going through.

11. YOU SING IN ENGLISH, AND YOU SOUND AMAZING. DO YOU THINK IT WOULD SOUND AS GREAT SINGING IN ARABIC?

Singing in Arabic is slightly different. Because I listen to so much English music, I can improvise better in English than when singing in Arabic. Arabic is very specific in how you can improvise,

12. IN TERMS OF YOUR MUSIC, WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE SONG SO FAR? WHY?

They are all my babies, but the first song I released was Growth, which was my favourite because it was my first song. I think the lyrics were what I felt at that time. Listening to it now, I know I would have changed a little bit. But I love that I was trying to be as honest as I could at that point. I was trying to write the best I could, trying to sing the best I could, and it came in a way, I think, even now, it’s raw, and it’s true to me.

13. TELL US ABOUT THE TOGETHER LET GO PROJECT AND YOUR INVOLVEMENT.

That’s a collaboration with Sisters Grimm; they are a musical company that does theatre pieces and makes their own music. I worked with them and another musician, Gad. They wrote the song, and I just have to sing it. But, for me, it was very important that I was on a song that was positive. Together Let Go is about the global community we talked about earlier. I love the way it came out, and the message was powerful as well.

14. YOU’VE BEEN NOMINATED FOR A BLACK EXCELLENCE AWARD. WHAT WOULD WINNING MEAN TO YOU?

I’m super humbled. I’ve already ticked off a milestone. For me, to be nominated for a Black Excellence Award in that category, musician, is already a win. I can’t ask for anything more! I’m happy to be nominated. To be in the same category as MKO and other great musicians is surreal.

very different. I can sing in Arabic but sound like a foreigner singing an Arabic song because the ad-libs and runs I do are very English, not very Arabic. So I’m working on that. I want to be able to make Arabic music in my own way, as opposed to doing it the way it sounds now.

15. WHAT’S THE DREAM?

I’m trying to get as many people as possible to listen to the music. If it resonates with them, fantastic; if it doesn’t, that’s also fantastic. But the ideas allow me to resonate with people. When people listen to the music, the more likely people can understand my message, or where I come from.

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16. WHO INSPIRES YOU, AND WHY?

My mother inspires me because who I am today is because of her. My manners, my values or principles, I learned from my mother. The way she treats people, I learned from her. My sister, too, she’s a star; she inspires me. And other musicians like Marvin Gaye, he’s a legend; Bob Marley, most definitely Aretha Franklin, Etta James, Boyz II Men as well, inspire me. Musiq Soulchild, the way he used to write, for me, was incredible. His conversation, but it sounds so musical. Musiq Soulchild is a big influence for me because, for four years, all I sang was Musiq Soulchild. If it wasn’t a song by Musiq Soulchild, I wasn’t interested. He talks about women, but he also talks about relevant things; I like that mix of subject matter.

17. WHAT’S THAT ONE QUOTE YOU LIVE BY?

I can’t remember who said it, but here goes: “Be afraid to die unless you won a victory for humanity.” That quote hit me differently because I want to leave something positive behind when I go. That’s an idea that, again, links with purpose.

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LIFESTYLE

AMPLIFYING THE CREATIVITY OF YOUR TEAMS IN TOUGH SITUATIONS The modern business world requires us to maintain our creative edge. In the workplace, encouraging creativity and innovation is now the base of any organisation moving forward. For businesses to survive, they must adapt, transform, create, and innovate. To do that, they need to invest in the talent to allow space for creativity and experimentation. However, due to a lack of opportunities, this talent, often in the company’s internal resources, is not spotted. A culture of innovation can be the difference between success and failure in today’s competitive environment. As we previously discussed, the key to fostering a culture of innovation and creativity includes establishing trust, vulnerability, and empathy with and among your employees. These practices must be adapted in day-to-day work and engraved in the culture of an organisation. According to a recent Accenture study, over 90 per cent of executives think innovation is key to their business success. A challenge for any organisation is how to build a culture of innovation. There are many strategic ways to influence the flow of innovation and ideas at the organisational level. 62

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STRATEGIES TO BUILD A CULTURE OF INNOVATION 1. EMPOWER VULNERABILITY AND ENCOURAGE RISKTAKING With the ever-increasing demands for business performance, psychological safety remains a luxury for most regional companies—a costly one in relation to employee turnover and untapped opportunities. Psychological safety is the opposite of psychological danger, where people are less likely to share different views because they fear making mistakes. Prioritise making your workplace a safe space for opinions and you’ll be surprised by the number of ideas that have been hiding. The more you are in an environment of fear, the more the area of the brain called the amygdala produces signals that block knowledge retention or creativity.

2. REWARD RISK-TAKING: EQUALLY IN SUCCESS AND FAILURE Any good idea comes with a healthy amount of risk, especially an innovative one. And risk (within a controlled environment) will ultimately lead to reward, which is why 48 per cent of executives surveyed by IBM claim to fund new ideas resulting from creative brainstorming, regardless of results. But risky ideas must often pass through failure first.

3. HOW YOU DEAL WITH FAILURE WILL DETERMINE YOUR SUCCESS.

Global conglomerate Tata gives out a “Dare to Try” award to employees with the “most novel, daring, and seriously attempted ideas that did not achieve the desired results”. Google’s innovation lab, X, offers bonuses to each team member who worked on a project the company ultimately decided to kill as soon as evidence suggested it wouldn’t scale. This response is critical to creativity because it tangibly shows management’s buy-in. If you cultivate creativity topdown, repayment for it will be bottom-up. Punishing failure creates fear, and fear stops creativity.

BECOME USER-FIRST

If creativity is the seed for growth, people’s problems are the soil. Every business will tell you that its top guiding principle is customercentricity, but the reality is that the vast majority are business-centric. Paradoxically, the more you are business-first, the less your business grows long term. Put people first, and business will follow. Place your employees in the shoes of your clients, or vice versa. The more real user problems you have to solve, the more you’ll see creativity brandished in its face and the more you’ll profit. Creativity flourishes in the face of challenges and not in blue-sky thinking. Drown your employees in your users’ problems; they’ll learn how to swim. Creativity is not quantifiable in the number of hours invested; creative environments are unstructured and cannot be tackled with workshop reruns. People need time to digest the problem and find unconscious ways to associate patterns, which happens more often while our focus is not inside a process but when our mind is floating: walking, playing, or discussing non-business topics. Out & About Magazine

ENGAGING IN CREATIVE ACTIVITIES WILL IMPROVE THE OVERALL MIND AND, ULTIMATELY, BODY HEALTH. HOW CAN YOU GET YOUR TEAM TO BE MORE CREATIVE? HERE ARE SOME IDEAS AND THEIR BENEFITS: 



ACTION: Give your team members time to work on their passion projects. Many companies around the world, such as Google, Facebook and others, already have something similar in place, where they allow a certain day in a month (there are variations from company to company) for employees to use the office resources (within reason) and their work hours to work on projects that do not necessarily have anything to do with their direct job. BENEFITS: Happiness through flow. You might have heard of the concept of flow. It is that time when you get into a task and you are so engaged that you lose all track of time, focusing on your craft and ignoring everything around you. That’s flow. It reduces anxiety, boosts your mood, and even slows your heart rate. It’s not just being in flow that helps your happiness, repetitive creative

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motions like knitting, drawing, or writing help activate flow and are all tasks that create a result.  A CTION: Get your teams to participate in community work (whether in person or remotely), where they can do something with their hands or participate in a sporting event as a company.  BENEFITS: Improves mental health. The average person has about 60,000 thoughts in a day. A creative activity such as crafting can help focus the mind and has even been compared to meditation due to its calming effect on the brain and body. Even gardening or sewing releases dopamine, a natural antidepressant.  ACTION: Offer your team discounts for craft stores, music stores, gym, and other creativityinducing activities and products.  BENEFITS: Activities of any kind make you creative! Numerous studies show that getting active in the gym, playing an instrument, writing, reading, even just taking a walk can make you more creative. Encourage walking meetings. Encourage writing, doodling, or colouring.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

ELENA AGARAGIMOVA Managing Partner at Bessern and Talent Development Specialist

Elena is an entrepreneur, talent development specialist, and education advocate with a deep interest in neuro and behavioural sciences. She is known for her ability to drive change within individuals and organisations that are looking to reach their potential and maintain their competitive edge in the business world. She has started her career in higher education, having worked across various institutions, departments and regions. In her recent years, she dove into business and joined Bessern, as well as founded a learning and developing consultancy, as well as several other projects within the talent development arena. She is an engaging skilled trainer and talent development specialist, credited with combining operations, education, and international expertise to design and deliver programs for diverse audiences. Elena has a strong passion for L&D, promoting creative and engaging workplaces and all about optimising performance through the development of others. As a career coach, Elena has over ten years of experience working individuals across different generations, supporting them in achieving their professional and personal goals. Out & About Magazine

PASSIVE VS. ACTIVE INCOME: ADDRESSING THE MYTHS

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Late in the evening, while comfortably nestled in my armchair, I flip through TV channels. Hundreds of programmes, movies, and shows—some of which I’ve already seen, some I don’t want to waste my time on. Benjamin Franklin’s famous words, “Time is money”, ring in my head. One click on my remote control and the TV is off. Silence. Instead of passively spending my leisure time, I decided to actively invest it and focus on my studies and ideas to build and grow my income.

WHAT IS INCOME?

There are detailed definitions of income, typically in most countries, to understand the concept for tax purposes. More simply, we can define income as what we earn; the money that we, as individuals, receive in exchange for our work. We have disposable income—the money left in our pockets after paying our taxes—which is spent on our necessities such as food, rent or mortgage payments, utilities, car payments, and other transportation. Suppose we earn enough to have a surplus after paying all of our bills. In that case, we end up with a discretionary income that we can save or spend on our heart’s desires: restaurants, beauty salons, vacations, club memberships, shopping, and many other activities or products that interest us.

an income as possible, to guarantee ourselves as comfortable and as pleasurable a life as we can imagine. Who doesn’t dream of a nicer place to live, a more comfortable car to drive, or an exotic spot for our next vacation? Some of us focus only on active income, some on passive income, and yet, some successfully mix both sources of income.

WHAT IS ACTIVE INCOME?

It might be through our proverbial 9-to-5 job, producing and selling some goods or providing services, that we earn our income with salary or wages. When we receive a pay cheque from our employer for work done, we receive active income whether engaged in permanent or hourly terms. When we work based on our performance, we also receive active income with our remuneration being a commission. The same pertains to tips we receive from clients if we are employed in the service sector. Often, we are so focused on increasing our active income, working overtime or having two jobs, that in the end, we have no time for people and things we love and about which we are passionate. This is when we start to question our actively earned income and think of other possibilities, reviewing passive cash flow options.

With few exceptions, we all want to have as high

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WHAT IS PASSIVE INCOME?

Here, the more unknown and the mysterious begins. When we think of passive income, we imagine people having a lot of leisure time on their hands, spending time on yachts, beautiful beaches in jet-set destinations, having chilled piña coladas served on a silver platter, often pointing out how lucky they are. Unless one is born with a gold spoon in their mouth or has the right stars shining from above to win the lottery, one has to earn a living with no exception. Passive income might be the money we receive from dividends from our investment, rental property, or from work we have done and completed in the past, which keeps giving without our constant and continuous involvement. This means that to be a recipient of passive income, we have given an upfront investment of our time, money, and creativity to reap the fruits of our initial labour or capital down the road. We might have saved as much as possible on our discretionary income, and, instead of spending money on our daily pleasures, we kept investing in the stock market or a real estate portfolio, building it gradually while investing our spare time in learning

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about the industries, economic cycles, market performance, and product evaluation. Much like Warren Buffett and other great investors in the past, we turned our savings and our time on research to find a profitable investment and used our knowledge about the market and economy to establish a sizeable investment. There is also the option of monetising our hobbies, talents, and passions. No wonder social media and e-commerce platforms have seen exponential growth and interest in recent years. There has been an explosion of YouTube videos, self-published books, and the selling of creative digital ideas, which can generate a passive income with every click. Yet, it is usually not enough to create content and then expect a miraculous turnaround. It is about investing time in researching economic conditions, consumers’ needs, as well as wants and desires to fit into a certain niche industry, and learning about traditional and modern marketing tools to introduce creative products, maintain public interest, and eventually generate revenue. It is about delivering timeless content for users, readers, and viewers to enjoy and keep buying our products for us to receive a passive income.

BACK TO BASICS

It is not easy to define creative products, which might not always stand the test of time depending on the era and current trends and fashions. However, by going back to basics and giving some historical perspective, we can analyse the current generations’ interest despite the passage of time. Beautiful photos, prints, and engaging stories about human nature, life, and love are just a few examples of what interests the majority of us, no matter our age or generation. We still choose for our children the classic stories of Hans Christian Andersen, The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter, the Brothers Grimm Fairy Tales, or books by Dr Seuss, and, of course, J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter. We return to the great reads of Jane Austen, Agatha Christie, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, or Ian Fleming’s James Bond adventures, just to name a few. These are still as popular in print as in movie productions, for which the authors’ trusts, cast and crew generate a sizeable passive income with each of our views.

geographical publications garner a lot of attention, with millions of views from both a returning and new audience, giving the creators, subject matter experts, and other involved parties a repeating passive income for years to come.

“Some people want it to happen. Some wish it to happen. Others make it happen.”

– Michael Jordan

YouTube represents a challenge to create something of lasting value as many videos fit into the “here and now” model. Despite a sudden spike of views providing temporary advertising income for one or two downloads, there has been a struggle to create continuous returns, unless there are “how-to” or general topics and subjects that viewers can keep watching years from now. Many historical and

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NO MORE WISHFUL THINKING

We need to start creating instead of remaining in a wishful state of wanting things to happen. Passive income comes as a by-product of our active involvement when we invest our time, creativity, research, and resources into projects with income-earning potential. It is about starting from understanding yourself and your passions, and then cultivating your hobbies while actively learning the nuts and bolts of presentation and marketing created products. It is about turning off your TV and starting to actively invest in your passively spent time. It is never too late. As an ancient Chinese proverb tells us: “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is today.” Invest in your talents and your skills. Have the courage to create. Allow yourself to build your passive income, and give yourself a chance for that piña colada served to you on a silver platter.

“Success is dependent on effort.”

– Sophocles

About the author

ANNA NIEMIRA Anna is a corporate consulting professional experienced in international capital markets, finance, and innovative technologies. Being an effective communicator, negotiator, and strategic management ambassador focused on growth and development, she served as a Director of Business Development at various organisations and has been called upon to serve as a judge and mentor at various financial and entrepreneurial competitions. She studied Blockchain technology at York University, Lassonde School of Engineering, Strategic Business Management and Negotiations at Harvard University, and received her accreditations from the Canadian Securities Institute. Fascinated with a holistic approach to life and business, and wanting to understand the human mind and human behaviour, Anna studied foundations of psychology at Yale University. She is a media personality known for her stage presence at various speaking engagements, popular talks, and interviews with progressive, innovative technology entrepreneurs, industry influencers, and idea trendsetters.

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STAYING

Positive

DURING DIFFICULT

Conversations

“Welcome to the art of positive confrontation. If there is an art to learn, it is the art of having difficult conversations and positively confronting others."

James Hayes

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ONE CONVERSATION CAN CHANGE EVERYTHING.

It is one of your busiest days at work. Customers are calling, clients are flowing in and out of the office, employees are running to catch up on all their duties for the week, just before the weekend. Suddenly you notice some friction between two of your team members: Mary, a junior team member, and Julie, a senior project manager. At first, you wait to see if they can work it out on their own. However, later Mary approaches you in private. She's upset about a specific issue with Julie and her attitude. She has refused to accept a project handover from Mary because she hasn't properly completed some of the documentation. Mary also feels that Julie’s approach is becoming a bit aggressive. She needs you to jump in asap and resolve the conflict. We have all faced similar scenarios during our career, and many times felt we lack the resources, time, and patience to resolve them. As a result, we were left feeling confused, perhaps irritated, doubtful, and unclear about the best possible resolution, which made us feel trapped and prevented us from taking action. During my career, I have led some tough conversations in tough environments. Most

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times, we are not having the necessary conversations because we are afraid they won’t work. But when this happens, frustration sets in, trust wanes, and there is no more collaboration. Many of us are working in teams that perform crucial operations, and we can’t risk not having these conversations. According to Harvard Business Review, 67 per cent of managers are scared to have difficult conversations, which sets them up for failure. The ability to not only have these conversations but lead and remain balanced and positive prepares you for success in your organisation and creates a positive and productive work environment. By leading these conversations, we shall find the courage to confront people in a constructive and empathetic way, without being mean, rough or hurtful, and get the best outcomes. Self-development and growth, which are needed for our happiness and fulfilment, are not possible without leading tough conversations. These situations will also position us as honest people with integrity, which will serve us well when faced with future challenges. The key to keeping up and winning the game is in mastering emotions through dissociating ourselves and focusing on the goals and objectives of the talk.

HERE ARE 4 SIMPLE TOOLS TO HELP US DEAL WITH TOUGH CONVERSATIONS According to neuro-linguistic programming (NLP), three major processes occur in the human mind when dealing with a dilemma: deletion, distortion and generalisation. We all have a story or movie that plays in our mind and makes how we react to certain situations very different from how our colleagues would. When we have a conflict, we may think that there is no possible positive outcome, and this is an example of deletion, or not accepting any alternative to our fixed mindset in the discussion. Distortion occurs when we twist the idea of the outcome, believing, for example, that our manager has a negative opinion of us and, therefore, will always have a bad review on our performance.

Generalisations happen when we make statements such as, “All the managers are behaving the same,” or “All the good jobs are taken”. Using the power of NLP and the knowledge on deletion, distortion and generalisation, we can help people in our organisations analyse and restructure the stories they play in their heads and win at difficult conversations.

HOW IT WORKS 1. COME OUT OF OUR OWN STORY AND KEEP A CLEAR HEAD When we broach a difficult conversation, it helps to start by acknowledging our responsibility of having the dialogue. This helps us to be grounded and present; we can engage the other party and quickly get to the matter at hand. We can’t control how others will react, but we can control the way we do and how we present the facts that follow in the discussion by showing that we care.

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Start a dialogue with the desired outcome and goal in mind, whether they are to improve relationships within the team, increase sales, or boost productivity, et cetera. Be specific and honest by clarifying why we're having the conversation. When we start our discussion with, “When I hear you/see you saying/doing ... I feel/think that…,” it does not cast judgement and blame but opens a safe space for expression and discussion.

UNDERSTAND THEIR STORY

It is very important when starting a difficult conversation to know that we don’t know anything. Remember that people always make the best choice available to them at a particular time. If the best decision is shouting at a certain moment, then we choose to shout. We must mostly listen and remain quiet. Remember, we don’t know anything.

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Psychologists talk about four houses from which emotions come: the House of Mad, the House of Glad, the House of Sad, and the House of Scared. Once you understand where they are coming from, get even more curious. Approach the conversation with curiosity rather than judgement. Try to understand what explicit or implicit expectations are present. Listen to the intentions beneath the emotions and words being expressed. Beware of misperceptions, especially when difficult conversations spin out of control. It is often a word or expression that a person hears that makes him or her annoyed, embarrassed, or shameful. They think the other person has a better view of himself/herself or wants to intimidate them. But, assuming might be a misperception. The other person might come across strong because he or she lacks selfconfidence, is afraid to fail or be failed because of other factors or people. Understanding the story helps us stay curious and make more informed agreements later.

3. VALIDATE PEOPLE’S THEIR NEEDS

OPINIONS

AND

In NLP, we often exercise tuning into the bandwidth of the person with whom we converse. Ask the question: How can we increase the person’s bandwidth so this helps him or her learn new choices concerning reaction, think analytically instead of reacting, to make the difficult situation more productive? Let them talk about their needs and what they go through—feeling the need for recognition, the need for respect, the need for punctuality, et cetera. Always state what is observed by remaining objective. Keep your tone of voice neutral and state the facts. It is important to avoid judgements, bias and third-party expressions, otherwise, we risk making accusations that could prove wrong. Use your “velvet hammer” by expressing words such as: “I noticed … I am wondering … Wow, that must be really tough .” In our case with Mary and Julie, we might say to Julie: “I understand that you refused to accept the project handover from Mary, and you told her that her work was

not good enough. Is that correct?” Then, allow Julie to share her arguments. Be sure to hear her out, but don't let the conversation go off-topic. We can always remind her of the main objective of the discussion. Try to understand the other person’s position. Her viewpoint might seem unrealistic, but it makes perfect sense to her. Ask Julie how she arrived at that conclusion and what she thinks will happen if her proposal isn’t accepted. This helps us gain the helicopter view, but can also invite the other person to re-think her idea.

4. RESTATE THE OUTCOME

Statements like: “My goal is/the objective of this call is to … help us to stay on track and keep steering the conversation toward the outcome you desire. By acknowledging the needs of the people—the quality of work, punctuality, respect, et cetera, and making them understand our needs or the needs of others involved in the situation, we allow Julie to feel empowered and help her to understand the negative effects of her actions. We could say: "Maria was so upset and the project handover was delayed by a day, which caused further Out & About Magazine

complications for people in other teams." Invite Julie to contribute in some way on how to improve the situation, and this is the time when you suggest some ways from your side, too. Focus on the practical steps that she will need to take to ensure successful change. We could then explain the resolution we have in mind to Julie, by saying, "I'd like you to work with Maria and tell her exactly what you expect for a successful handover. You have suggested a written handover checklist, so maybe you could work together to develop that." Before you have any of these tough meetings, sit up straight, think of something positive, and take a deep breath. We'll get through it, and this, too, shall pass. Keep the conversation focused objectively, and share both the positive ideas and the opportunities to improve. You may want to start by saying, "I am here to tell you something that might be tough/difficult/a challenge. Remember to use questions to support the purpose. Asking the right questions helps the

other person process what’s happened, and it allows us to clarify and debunk false stories in the people’s mind. Take accountability and validate. Only when we realise that we alone are responsible for our emotions and reactions will we come to the agreement table with the complex understanding that we need to find a solution that works for both sides. In the end, be mindful that avoiding difficult conversations can actually lead to dysfunction and lack of performance, which can ultimately lead to a negative impact on both the team and the business. Be the leader that tackles the tough conversation by remaining open, vulnerable and ready for feedback. This approach will enable the space to share real issues and allow deep-rooted reasons to come through, so you embrace and work them from a more authentic and genuine perspective that induces positive human-to-human interaction and leads to mutual success.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

VYARA TOSHEVA

Wellness, Spa and Retreats Business Consultant In over 19 years, Vyara Tosheva has gained professional experience in hospitality, leisure and wellbeing. Vyara graduated in Tourism Management and holds a Master’s Degree in Psychology and Sociology. She also holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Tourism, as well as internationally-accredited certification courses in Hospitality and Spa Management. She travels the world to enhance her expertise through further certifications in Ayurveda, Wellness and Fitness Consultancy, Coaching and Psychology. She is a certified NLP and EFT master coach and Reiki practitioner. She also led the opening of The Retreat Palm Dubai, the first wellness retreat resort in the UAE and GCC, as well as the Rayya Wellness and Poli-clinic Centre. She created and managed the first holistic retreats in a hotel environment where in-house and visiting master practitioners, energy

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workers and doctors combine their knowledge with fitness, spa and beauty professionals to deliver transformational retreats. As a consultant, she advises and consults hospitality and spa executives on the creation of wellness projects and their execution. Vyara’s mission is to empower busy executives to create or enhance their business models geared toward a wellness lifestyle on both professional and personal levels. Her vision, on the other hand, is to create worldwide wellness and health retreat centres that provide premium services for its employees, guests and visitors.

IS IMPOSTER SYNDROME HOLDING YOU BACK? HERE’S HOW TO OVERCOME IT Do you ever feel that you are not good enough, that you got to where you are by luck, and that one day someone will expose your shortcomings and everyone will realise that you are a “fraud”? You are not alone. Most of us feel this way. It is called imposter syndrome, and studies show that 70 per cent of us experience it at some point in our lives. The good news is that you can overcome it with a few simple techniques that I will be sharing in this article. The first step to any self-work is awareness; hence, it is essential to know how to recognise imposter syndrome.

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Photo by Teemu Paananen on Unsplash

WHAT IS IMPOSTER SYNDROME, AND WHY DOES IT MATTER? Perhaps you recently took a new job opportunity, are working on an important presentation, are due to deliver a speech in front of other professionals, or maybe you are considering pursuing something new? These are all situations when imposter syndrome might show up, making you doubt yourself and your abilities—feeling like a fraud and fearing that soon you will be exposed. When this happens, it can hold us back, leading us to become less ambitious and preventing us from achieving our goals. It can even have a long-term impact on our career, life and well-being, such as:



Self-doubt and reduced confidence;



Reduced job performance;



Job dissatisfaction and burnout;



Unable to recognise our achievements;



Attributing success to external factors;



Avoiding seeking promotions;



Perfectionism and overthinking;



Fear of failure and disappointing others; and



Mental health impact (anxiety & depression).

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STEP 1: ACKNOWLEDGING THE IMPOSTER SYNDROME

STEP 2: LISTEN TO YOUR NARRATIVE

Once you have identified that you are experiencing imposter syndrome, take a moment to observe it objectively and acknowledge the feeling: “Okay, right now, I am feeling like an imposter, and that's normal."

According to the research of Harvard Professor Gerald Zaltman, 95 per cent of our thoughts and behaviours are subconscious and are shaped by past experiences. The best way to deal with imposter syndrome and other limiting beliefs is to understand your narrative.

Labelling feelings, situations, and emotions reduces emotional reaction and can help us stay rational, which is very important for the next step.

What is the situation when the imposter creeps in? What are the stories that you are telling yourself? What type of imposter are you experiencing? Is it when preparing for a presentation, taking on new responsibilities or when asked to speak in front of a senior audience?

Photo by Green Chameleon on Unsplash

A great way to listen to your narrative is to start by keeping a journal or even collecting notes on your phone; you will soon begin to notice patterns and gain a better understanding of your feelings.

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STEP 3: REFRAME YOUR NARRATIVE Once we understand our thoughts and beliefs that trigger imposter syndrome, the natural next step is to rationalise these thoughts and reframe them. You might begin by asking yourself, “Are these thoughts justified?” “Is it rational to doubt myself in this situation?” “Have I ever done something similar or something that uses the same type of skills that I can apply now?” In most instances, you will realise that your thoughts are not justified and that you have the right skills and qualifications to complete the tasks at hand, and with that, you will be able to overcome the imposter syndrome.

HERE ARE A FEW TIPS THAT YOU CAN USE AT THIS STAGE: 1. CREATE A SUCCESS DATABASE An excellent tip to support you in the rationalising process is to keep track of your successes and achievements. We often remember our mistakes and don’t take time to recognise our accomplishments and strengths. By acknowledging and recognising them, we reinforce our abilities and improve our confidence. A simple way to do this is to start building a list or a folder on your laptop, where you can note your achievements, screenshots, certificates, presentations—anything that will highlight your strengths and abilities. Doing this will help you have a deeper understanding of your strengths and the type of work you can deliver, so you won’t have to spend so much time worrying that you’re not qualified for specific tasks, projects, or roles. When you start to feel like an imposter, you can refer back to your list to remind yourself of what you have achieved in the past.

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2. USE DAILY AFFIRMATIONS Another tip is to incorporate your list of skills and achievements in your life in the form of daily affirmations, which you can write down in your journal or have them as Post-it Notes around your house, office, or as messages on your vision board. Think of how you can reframe and include your selfdoubt themes into your daily affirmations. A few examples could be: “I am successful at building and delivering impactful presentations.” “I am a great manager, supporting my team towards top performance.” “I am a successful business owner, and I can overcome any obstacle.” “I am confident in my skills and abilities.” Imposter syndrome is one of the main reasons we sometimes question our skills, ignore opportunities and “play small”, preventing us from reaching our true potential and pursuing our passions. However, it can also bring more than self-doubt. Feelings of anxiety and depression can arise and lead to burnout as we overwork ourselves trying to prevent being “discovered and exposed as a fraud”. Overcoming imposter syndrome is a continuous process, and you need to constantly create a mindset of trusting yourself and your abilities and recognising your skills and accomplishments. The goal is to recognise it, acknowledge it, and work to overcome it without allowing it to control your personal and professional growth. Remember, you are not alone; most of us have been there, so speak openly and share your imposter stories with others.

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If you enjoyed this article and want to learn more, you can visit my website laurabiclea.com or direct message me any questions via Instagram @laurabiclea

About the author

Laura Biclea Career & life strategist | Your path to a career you love Laura’s mission is to help others get clarity, confidence, and tools to find and pursue a career they love so they can be fulfilled. Passionate about personal development, she uses her philosophy that ‘each one of us has a unique super-power to drive those around towards their full potential without compromising their well-being. She also helps corporates equip their employees with the right skills to thrive at work, including building resilience, achieving their leadership potential and improving their productivity. Laura is a recognised corporate leader with more than fifteen years of experience, a “Results” coach, and an MBA graduate with distinction from Manchester Business School and a continuous learner.

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Al Huwelat Street, Villa No 15 - 4 Al Bateen , Al Falah St - Abu Dhabi, Tel: 02 666 0175

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FOOD

MUST-VISIT QUIRKY UAE CAFÉS With the burgeoning café culture in the United Arab Emirates, you can have your pick from among the many eateries. Whether your preference is dessert and coffee or a wider variety of meal options, it is easy to find a spot that can match your taste. However, if you are looking for something beyond the menu items, something with a twist that is unexpected but welcomed, check out these quirky cafés.

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ART HOUSE CAFÉ AL BATEEN, ABU DHABI

Walking into Art House Café in Al Bateen is sure to delight more than just your taste buds. From the burst of colours that greet you on entering to the choice of furniture and lights—all of which are made from recycled material—you are bound to be inspired. And, luckily, the team is more than willing to get your creative juices flowing beyond just choosing items from their extensive menu, as they encourage patrons to paint, too! So, if you’ve ever wanted to paint on a plate, Art House Café can make it happen. Its art-covered walls are a testament to that! So, enter for a meal and you may very well create a masterpiece and leave with ideas for a few DIY projects.

Location:

Al Bateen

Opening hours:

9:00 am - 11:00 pm

Café Latte:

AED 25

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NO. FIFTYSEVEN BOUTIQUE CAFÉ - ABU DHABI

Located in Al Marasy, No. FiftySeven Boutique Café ups the ante when it comes to breakfast options in an atmosphere of sheer sophistication. And if you are one of those who like having breakfast for dinner, this is one spot that will not hold it against you. After all, they serve breakfast until 6:00 pm. Be sure to check out their black pancakes, as customers have said that they are not only appealing to the eye but also “highly satisfying to the palate”. They have mini croissants for your cereal bowl, too. Location:

Al Marasy

Latte:

AED 20

Opening hours:

9:00 am-10:30 pm

SHABBY CHIC CAFÉ - ABU DHABI

Shabby Chic Café in Al Nahyan, remaining true to its name, provides a cosy atmosphere that makes one feel right at home. If you are looking for a spot with something unique at every turn for those Instagrammable moments, look no further. Like its atmosphere, it also boasts a menu that offers breakfast, lunch and dinner, with a focus on healthy home-cooked meals. Also, there is no need to figure out the calorie count for that dish you want to order, as Shabby Chic Cafe includes it on its menu.

Location: Al Nahyan Opening hours: 8:00 am-10:00 pm (Sunday-Thursday); 10:00 am-10:00 pm (Friday & Saturday) Café Latte: AED 18

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THE ESPRESSO LAB ABU DHABI

The Espresso Lab in Qasr Al Hosn is very clear—it does not serve sugar. The statement is also etched into its wooden menus, so believe us when we say they are serious about their coffee. If you are a coffee enthusiast looking to be taken on a journey, check out the espresso lab, as many say they provide the best specialty brew. With its plethora of brewing methods, its baristas (coffee chefs) do coffee differently.

Location:

Qasr Al Hosn

Opening hours: 7:30 am - 11:00 pm

FOREVER ROSE, DUBAI

Ever wondered what it would be like as a character in a fairy tale book? That dream could become a reality at Forever Rose Café, with its 3D black and white illustrations making customers feel like they are part of a drawing, and its colourful food and beverages. Visit for the coffee and desserts, but consider staying to tell your own story by capturing scores of picture-perfect moments. Location:

Al Wasl Rd

Opening hours: 9:00 am-12:00 am Café Latte:

AED 21

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ARABIAN TEA HOUSE DUBAI

If you have an interest in enjoying a cuppa in a setting that still has old-world charm, with its authentic style, check out Arabian Tea House in the Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood. You can literally take a journey into Dubai’s past by stepping through its door. Even the tea house’s menu provides a history lesson! While the eatery serves various teas, because, after all, it is a tea house, it also serves coffee, along with a wide variety of dishes. Location:

Al Fahidi St

Opening hours: 7:30 am-11:00 pm daily Café Latte:

AED 27

SAYA CAFFE - DUBAI

With its fun and funky flamingo-themed décor, no wonder one of the most talked-about features of Saya Caffe is how beautiful it is. With its equally appealing and colourful dishes, including custom desserts, the restaurant manages to engage all the senses of its patrons. Be sure to also look up at the ceiling because we hear that the hanging roses will wow you!

Locations: City Walk and Al Wasl Road Opening hours: 9:00 am - 1:00 am daily Nakheel Mall: 9:00 am - 12 am daily Café Latte: AED 29

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THE BHUKKAD CAFÉ DUBAI

Craving Indian street food, but without the roadside element of the experience? The Bhukkad Café in Al Karama is just up your alley. Housed in a tastefully decorated space, the restaurant’s illustrative and colourful menu showing various food items and drinks— including coffee—compliments the overall theme. You might even happen upon a live performance depending on when you visit. Location:

Al Karama

Opening hours:

11:00 am-1200 am (Saturday-Wednesday); 11:00 am-1:00 am (Thursday & Friday) Café Latte:

AED 16

COMPTOIR 102

Comptoir 102, located in old Jumeira, is a lifestyle concept store and café that has managed to merge healthy and delicious meals with fashion and home décor. Depending on what’s in season, Comptoir 102 says its sugar-free, dairy-free menu with raw, vegan and gluten-free options changes daily. Coffee, teas and smoothies are also on the menu. Location:

Jumeirah 1

Opening hours: 8:00 am-10:00 pm daily Café Latte:

AED 26.5

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FRIENDS’ AVENUE DUBAI

Not many restaurants would declare that they are not a fast food fuel stop like Friends’ Avenue Café has. After all, the more patrons the better it is, right? However, for Friends’ Avenue Café—with locations in Al Thanya, Jumeirah, and Motor City—it is more important to be a space that serves food people would want to share with their loved ones. We are guessing it is safe to say that the team wants to make you feel right at home and keep you coming back for more. Friends’ Avenue Café says it runs on love, good food, and really awesome coffee. Besides its coffee selection, it serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, including acai bowls. Location:

Al Thanya; JLT; Motor City

Café Latte:

AED 15.9

Opening hours: 7:00 am-11:00 pm

ABU DHABI: DRVN COFFEE

DRVN Coffee, located on Saif Ghobash St, now provides a whole new meaning when someone says they are heading to a coffee shop to refuel. Besides the in-house roasted coffee and authentic Neapolitan pizza that it serves, the restaurant also displays classic cars. So if you love your coffee with a view, why not feast your eyes on a few cars while refuelling with your cuppa?

Location: Saif Ghobash St Opening hours: 8:00 am - midnight daily

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HYGGE FUJAIRAH

Hygge is a specialty coffee shop located in Al Aqah. Along with specialty brew, it offers a selection of pastries and a breakfast menu. Location: Al Aqah Opening hours:

9:00 am-12:00 am (Sunday-Thursday); 8:00 am-12:00 am (Friday & Saturday)

HOOF CAFÉ - RAS AL KHAIMAH

Saddle up for an aesthetic experience that will take you on a ride through specialty coffee terrain when you visit Hoof Café. Located in Dafan Al Khor, the café’s design and rustic look are inspired by a horse stall. Offering sandwiches, salads and pastry, the café’s attention to detail goes beyond its design and layout to also include a variety of flavours for coffee lovers. If you love horses and coffee, this is the perfect place to indulge. Location:

Dafan Al Khor

Opening hours: 7:00 am-11:00 pm (Sunday-Wednesday); 7:00 am-12:00 pm (Thursday-Saturday) Spanish Latte: AED 26

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ROSELEAF CAFÉ, AL QUOZ, DUBAI

“Good brew and bake people” is how Roseleaf Café on Sheikh Zayed Road inside Dubai Garden Centre refers to itself. With its wide array of cake and other baked goodies, plus the fact that it serves single-origin specialty coffee in a space that can best be described as a glasshouse, it makes the experience even more worthwhile. Roseleaf Café is a hidden gem because it is inside the garden centre, but quite the showpiece since it is really inside a glass house.

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Location:

Inside Dubai Garden Centre on Sheikh Zayed Road Opening hours:

8:00 am-8:00 pm daily Latte: AED 17/19

BRUNCH & CAKE DUBAI

If the name alone does not paint a picture of the type of scenery to expect at Brunch & Cake on Al Wasl Road, the boho-chic interior that greets you on entering will do the trick. With dishes that have been described as food art, coupled with its stylish decorations and design, the eatery promises an unforgettable experience.

Location:

Al Wasl Rd Opening hours: 8:00 am-10:00 pm (Sunday-Wednesday); 8:00 am-10:30 pm (Thursday-Saturday) Café Latte: AED 29

Plus, with all the Instagrammable opportunities inside the café, you’ll be able to document it all.

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Boutique No.8, Aswaaq Center, Al Badaa, Al Wasl Road, Dubai. Boutique 13, Building 8, Golden Mile Galleria, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai. www.mokha1450.com

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MUSHROOM RECIPES MEAT LOVERS WILL ENJOY Mushrooms are in the spotlight, especially among healthconscious individuals who want to go meatless on days like #MeatlessMondays, and others who are simply vegetarians or vegans and do not eat meat. But either way, mushrooms make for excellent, meaty dishes of which anyone will approve. They have a mouthwatering flavour and umami that satisfy everyone’s palate. They can also perfectly substitute meat. Mushrooms have a tender texture once cooked. So, if you are looking for mushroom recipes that meat lovers will enjoy, check out the following.

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MUSHROOM BOLOGNESE

Hearty, healthy, and tasty, this vegetarian dish is a new take on the classic bolognese. It is made with lots of mushrooms for which many Italian recipes call. You have the option to use different mushrooms, depending on your taste. You can also add your chosen ingredients, such as celery, onions, tomato sauce, carrots, and spices. Mushrooms to include in this recipe can be porcini, shiitake, and cremini. Just combine, wash, and chop them up to prepare a delicious bolognese sauce. Be sure to serve hot, and sprinkle with some Parmesan if you’d like. To make your bolognaise taste even better, add a small amount of passata, use red peppers and black pepper. For some richness or sweetness, add balsamic vinegar or Worcestershire. You can also enhance the richness of the sauce with tomato paste. Use this recipe for inspiration!

VEGETARIAN PHO

In chilly weather, pho—a popular Vietnamese dish— makes for an excellent meal for the whole family. If you love noodles and meat, you’ve probably had it a lot of times. But if you’re looking for a different twist and, perhaps, something healthier, try this vegetarian-inspired pho. Get creative and have it the way you want to, but this time, let us focus on its veggie version. It has loads of mushrooms, noodles, and bold, tasty flavours. This recipe can compete with beef pho, thanks to the mushrooms and spices that make this dish extra exciting and healthy. Check out this recipe inspiration!

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MUSHROOM STROGANOFF

Who needs beef in this mushroom stroganoff? Well, as many meat lovers prove, a stroganoff can also be tasty with a vegetable instead of meat. For your recipe, you can use baby portobello mushrooms for a meatier dish. This recipe takes under an hour to cook. So, if you’re running out of lunch or dinner ideas, you can gather the easy-to-find ingredients and prepare a quick mushroom stroganoff for everyone. The classic comfort food stroganoff is usually made with meat, but not for this hearty recipe. It’s possible, and delicious, to replace the beef with mushrooms! Mushrooms aren’t just meaty, but they also have this unique flavour profile and umami that brings out the best in this dish. Plus, they’re more affordable than beef. This recipe is easy to make, but remember to use a generous amount of mushroom. Regarding the kind of mushroom, you have the freedom of choice!

You can use white button mushrooms, cremini mushrooms, or whatever’s available in your local supermarket. The experts recommend a mix of mushrooms for more flavours. For garnishing, you can use thyme, parsley, or grated Parmesan cheese. It’s up to you. Feel inspired by this recipe!

POLENTA WITH MUSHROOMS Ground cornmeal, polenta is one of the most famous Italian dishes. This polenta recipe is a favourite because it’s straightforward and easy to make. You can prepare this dish on a chilly night and add plenty of butter, Parmesan, and milk for a tasty and creamy polenta. While polenta is good by itself, it will be extra special with roasted mushrooms, adding more veggies into your dishes. The most challenging part of making this dish is whisking the polenta. However, a little arm workout won’t hurt with a comforting dish later. For the best results, spice the baby bella mushrooms

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BLACK BEAN AND MUSHROOM BURGERS

Whether you’re a burger lover or not, you’re likely to love this healthy burger recipe with the goodness of mushrooms and black beans! The mushrooms make the patties meaty and juicy. You’ll love everything about this vegetable burger. Aside from being healthy, this mushroom dish is rich in fibre, antioxidants, and proteins while being low in calories. If you’re trying to lose weight but don’t want to miss your favourite burger, try this veggie burger. Mushrooms are also rich sources of selenium, thiamin, phosphorus, and magnesium. Studies also showed that mushrooms might lower one’s chances of developing several health conditions, like diabetes, cancer, and heart disease. On the other hand, black beans are a potent antioxidant source, which may help protect the cells and reduce risks of cancer and diabetes. Just half a cup of black beans contains 8 grams of protein and 7 grams of fibre. The patties can be with bread crumbs, brown rice, celery, carrots, garlic, and onion for some ideas. And for some umami, add soy sauce to the mix. Check out this vegan mushroom and black beans burger recipe for inspiration!

(stems removed and then cut in halves) with olive oil, minced garlic, balsamic vinegar, parsley, salt, and pepper taste. Roast them well. Polenta is a rich source of fibre and protein, making people feel full for a longer time. It is also rich in vitamin A, carotenoids, low in fat, and high in complex carbohydrates. And if you cannot tolerate gluten, it is also glutenfree. Check out this creamy polenta with mushrooms recipe for an idea.

Want to try something healthy? Replace meat with mushrooms! Whether you’re a meat lover or not, you’ll surely love these mushroom recipes that can make for great family meals on any given day. Mushrooms add umami to dishes, making them very satisfying. It’s why they’re also favourites for pasta sauces. They are less expensive than meat. Mushrooms are also excellent sources of protein, vitamins B1, B2, B5, B6, and B12, and antioxidants, protein, fibre, and are the only vegetable with vitamin D. Make your dishes more delicious with less meat. Try these mushroom recipes that even meat lovers will enjoy today! 99 Out & About Magazine

FITNESS

MULTIVITAMIN: A HARD PILL TO SWALLOW If you’ve ever watched videos or read about health, weight loss or muscle building, you may have seen people taking multivitamins and either suggesting you take them, too, or telling you they’re needed. In some instances, people go as far as saying that multivitamins are harmful for you.

WHAT THE RESEARCH SAYS

Some people swear by it—a supplementation that’s necessary for optimal health. Meanwhile, others caution you, pointing to its synthetic nature. However, we use many unnatural things to keep ourselves healthy, so what is the truth? Are multivitamins good for you?

So, if your body doesn’t need the vitamins and you still consume them, all you’re doing is spending money you don’t need to.

Some people view it as something that burdens your body with too much, while others see it as insurance. 100

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When we delved into the research on the topic, we found that studies show most people who take supplementation don’t need it. These studies suggest that you should only be taking multivitamins if you are deficient.

There are a few circumstances in which multivitamins are to be used as supplements, including if you have a chronic health condition that affects your ability to absorb certain nutrients. Research recommends, too, that women who are pregnant or are planning

to become pregnant take supplementation. Also, you should consider supplementation if you’re following a restrictive diet, as certain nutrients are usually missing from these diets. In veganism, vitamin B12 is missing, while the carnivore diet has a few vitamins and minerals that are missing. But, let’s be real here. The odds are that the cases above don’t apply to you. So if you are one of those people who don’t mind spending money on multivitamins, you may be inclined to state, “What’s the harm in taking it? It’s just being extra safe, right?” Most multivitamins have little evidence to show the benefit to the average individual, which would mean it’s a placebo pill. And here, some argue that’s a bad thing because people may start to think that and skip out on foods, like vegetables and fruits, that are essential to healthy diets and cannot be supplemented healthily. Some claim that you are much better off spending your resources on making the rest of your life better. There’s also some risk of toxicity building up in your fat stores, something that can cause a bunch of issues. Another reason you probably shouldn’t take multivitamins is that, on many occasions, tests done on these products showed that the ingredients didn’t match the labels. Some studies show (although not definitively proven) that too much of a certain vitamin can lead to cancer. However, we also found results that claim that there are no side effects to taking multivitamins.

WHAT THE DOCTOR SAYS

We also talked to Dr Aseem P Haneef, MBBS, to get his opinion on the matter. He stated that multivitamins do have their uses. He

pointed out that as you grow older, your body’s ability to take in certain vitamins through natural methods decreases. In that situation, multivitamins will greatly help you! He also said that if you have a certain illness or injury, specific vitamins can help with the healing process by increasing your body’s energy. According to Dr Haneef, multivitamins will rarely cause any ill side effects. As long as people only take a single dose a day, overdosing would be highly unlikely. The doctor said, too, that the main problem with multivitamins is the cost of the product, as they are expensive. It’s important to note that each body is different. So before taking anything, we recommend consulting your doctor.

THE VERDICT

Vitamins are, unfortunately, not the end-all. I hate to say it, but there is no real shortcut to being healthy. You must eat good food (ideally from all food groups), exercise, and, generally, have a healthy lifestyle. We’d say try your absolute best to gain nutrition through natural means, which means eating a variety of foods, exercising, getting good sunlight, et cetera. But, of course, life isn’t always perfect, and neither are we. Multivitamins do have a place in the health field. However, whether people need them is highly situational. So, ensure that you discuss its use with your doctor. Otherwise, you’re in the clear. You don’t need to, nor should you waste your well-earned money on multivitamins.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Hani P Jamal currently studies Journalism at the Amity University Dubai, having travelled all the way from Oman where he was born and raised to pursue his dreams. He explored numerous creative outlets and realised that exploring the potential of his voice was his calling. He grew up with a family that had a very successful business, which made the path he took a ‘one less travelled’. On many occasions, he flew around the world, displaying the effort he is willing to put into achieving his goals. On one such occasion, he travelled to Kuwait for an open quiz competition, where he took the gold medal home. Hani sings at live events, acts in theatres, and participates in exciting quiz shows. Out & About Magazine

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SAADIYAT ROTANA RESORT & VILLAS SAADIYAT ISLAND, ABU DHABI UNITED ARAB EMIRATES T: +971 2 697 0000 | F: +971 2 697 0123 102

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T R AV E L

INSPIRED BY

Nature Wathba, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa, Abu Dhabi, launches Saray Spa

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Nestled amongst the golden, rolling sand dunes of the Arabian desert, Saray Spa at Al Wathba, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa, Abu Dhabi, offers an authentic luxurious retreat for global explorers. Designed to work in harmony with the natural landscape and set within buildings inspired by traditional Middle Eastern houses, this private boutique resort offers the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of modern city life. Saray Spa attracts visitors from far and wide, and the tranquil, elegant centre of wellness has opened its doors with an evocative list of offerings. This luxury desert retreat— keeping alive many Arabic healing rituals and traditions, combining them with the power of scientific products—focuses on the practical and emotional experience. With 11 treatment rooms, plus indoor and outdoor relaxation areas, saunas, steam rooms, plunge pools, salt rooms, a snow cave, an ice-cold bucket room, a traditional Turkish hammam, and a whirlpool, this luxurious escape extends over 2,200 sq. m. and promises rejuvenation for the journey ahead. Giving each guest the sensation that they have entered their private desert retreat, a visit to Saray Spa is a revitalising and relaxing experience from start to finish. The menu of nourishing treatments—designed to pamper both the body and soul—features massages to suit all needs: uplifting facials, traditional Hammam experiences, plus enhanced addons such as foot, scalp, back, and shoulder massages or exfoliation treatments. The spa houses the beautiful La Vallée range, inspired by the majestic wildlife of the Swiss Alps. Renowned for achieving clinically proven results, the products incorporate the clear glacier water of the mountains and Swiss Alpine plants. The innovative treatments at the spa are designed to make the most of the products while creating a glowing, revitalised complexion.

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Guests can further enhance their treatment by a snow cave experience—the only one in Abu Dhabi. This experience enables skin stimulation, assists blood circulation, strengthens the immune system, and tightens the skin and revitalises the whole body. With its opening, Saray Spa also introduces several signature experiences that are unique to the location. The Al Wathba Signature Massage enables guests to escape their worries for a while and emerge feeling refreshed. The specially crafted, full-body massage, which utilises ancient therapeutic techniques and deep flow movements to tremendous effect, is tailored to suit each individual’s needs, improving both their physical and mental well-being. The journey concludes with an immersive sound healing therapy session, ensuring that each guest walks out and into the rest of their stay with a sense of peace. The 75-minute Al Wathba Signature Massage is available for AED 690. Meanwhile, the Caviar Collagen Boost Facial Treatment by La Vallée is likely to become another of the resort’s most popular features. Boasting a high-tech formula that harnesses the benefits of rare ingredients such as Nutrisea Caviar Extract, this extra-special facial infuses the skin with vitamins and antioxidants to remove any signs of ageing and leave it plump, firm and silky smooth. This 60-minute immersive experience is available for AED 850. Finally, Saray Spa is proud to use products from the homegrown, female-led beauty brand Hammamii in its traditional Turkish hammam. Inspired by traditional Turkish bathhouses, this foam ritual begins with eucalyptus to open the senses and aromatic rosemary “Kirmizi Biber” to exfoliate the skin. Lastly, guests are treated to a refreshing healing white clay mask infused with fresh mint. The 75-minute hammam is available for AED 850. For more information about Saray Spa call +971 2 204 4553.

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FOR THE C U LT U R E

EARLY RETIREMENT MAY BE EASIER THAN YOU THINK

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RETHINKING RETIREMENT

Before you can fully appreciate the tenets of this article, you have to consciously get rid of everything you have been taught about retirement. You have to radically change your paradigm. Working until you are old and then retiring to sit at home and do nothing is a thing of the past. Not only is sitting down and doing nothing when you get older bad for you physically, but it is also a sure-fire way of losing your mental faculties. Think of retirement as a time when you choose what you do, how much you do, and when you do it. Think of it as the time in your life when you truly are in control of your time and finances. The great thing about this type of retirement is that it can happen at any age. It can be for a long or short period. You can go in and out of retirement several times in your lifetime. Now, is that appealing?

Last year, my friend Shida retired at the age of 39 and moved to Mexico City. After I got over the raw jealousy I felt, I became extremely curious. How did she manage to do it? After many conversations with her, I think I now have a good grasp of how she did it, and that is what I will be sharing in this article. So, if working until you are over 65 and then retiring just in time to die a few years later is not appealing to you, keep reading.

Back to my friend Shida, she retired at 39 but did not stop working. She decided to work part-time on a consultancy basis with the company that she used to work for and a few similar companies. The interesting thing was that Shida had no intention of retiring. Her retirement was accidental after being laid off last year during the coronavirus pandemic. But Shida did a few things right; she took control of her money a few years earlier and started investing, more of that later in the article. Shida was at a crossroads after being laid off; she could’ve started looking for another job or another way of life. She chose the latter, and below I will outline what she did.

PREPARE TO RETIRE AT ANY TIME

Before you can retire, you need to ensure that you do not have any debts. Debts can derail the most well-laid retirement plans. Once you have cleared all your debt, you are ready to go. The first thing Shida did was conduct an audit of all her assets to determine how much she really had. She checked every bank account, retirement account, investment account, et cetera. She owned a condo, so she also had it valued. She then did some calculations to determine the amount of money she needed to retire and live in relative comfort. To her surprise, she had that amount, but there was a twist. She had to leave the United States. The figure she had would afford her a great lifestyle in a cheaper part of the world. Luckily, she was ready for a change of scenery, and she really wanted a new way of life. Shida and I studied Spanish at university. Mexico City was a dream destination for her, so it was a no-brainer. Out & About Magazine

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HOW TO CALCULATE THAT ALLIMPORTANT NUMBER

Before I go any further, I just want to say that nothing written here should be taken as financial advice. Please consult a qualified financial advisor and do your due diligence before making any life-altering financial decisions. Okay, here goes. Shida said that you first need to determine what kind of lifestyle you want and its cost. Ever heard it said that you can afford anything, but you cannot afford everything? Well, this is a saying that holds true in this scenario. Shida became very

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clear about what she wanted and how much it would cost in her preferred country. She went on to a site called the earth awaits dot com and worked out her estimated cost of living per annum in Mexico City. She then multiplied it by 30, which gave her the amount of money she needed to have invested before she could retire and live off withdrawing 4 per cent of the interest annually. If you are familiar with the FIRE (financially independent retire early) movement, then you might have heard of this formula before.

HOW TO INVEST FOR EARLY RETIREMENT As far as I know, Shida is no financial guru, but she stuck to a formula that worked and kept on working. She told me that she did not want to invest in anything that would cause her any headache, so actively investing in property was not for her. Nor was she interested in being active everyday trading stocks. She placed her condo on rent with a management agent. Did I mention that her condo was fully paid off? More on that later. She then consolidated all her investment accounts into one. She invested the bulk of her money in low-cost index funds. Please research the bogleheads approach to investing and low-cost index fund investing. You can thank me later. This type of investment can be pretty passive and allows you to take full advantage of the stock market without being active and with a little less risk. Yes, there is still some risk involved. I was sold. I did copious amounts of research, and although I am not yet able to retire, I have adopted this way of investing.

The other thing that Shida did was increase her income. She started a side hustle about two years before she lost her job. She did translation on the side, she ghostwrote, and she started a YouTube channel. The best way to reach your financial goal is to earn more money and then save and invest it. There is only so much you can budget and cut back on before you start hating your life.

GET READY, CHOOSE WISELY Remember I told you earlier that Shida had paid off her condo. Well, this is how she did it. Shida was living in an expensive house with a big mortgage. She sold that house a year and a half earlier, after realising that she was house poor. This means that she had a nice house, but after all the mortgage and bills were paid, she had very little left to save and invest. So she sold the house, and with the equity, she bought a small condo in cash. She also gave up the things she did not think were important and only purchased what she needed. She drastically cut her spending. No more keeping up with the Joneses for Shida.

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It is the same for you and me. If we want to retire early, we have to stop trying to impress people and choose only to do and buy the things that bring us joy. Remember the saying I used earlier? You can have anything, but you cannot have everything.

PLAN, PLAN, PLAN, AND PLAN AGAIN You might not be at the place where you can retire early, but you can certainly plan for it. Take time to plan meticulously. How will you spend your time when you are retired? Will you travel? Will you pursue hobbies? Will you start a business? Remember that retirement can be anything you decide it to be. You will finally have the freedom to do whatever you want

to, but first, you must plan for it. What’s even better is that it does not have to be permanent. You can decide to have a mini-retirement for a year or two and then return to the workforce, or you can start a business—the choice is all yours. Be prepared to move. If your home country or state is too expensive, do what Shida did, and move, if possible. Unlike Shida, I have a family, so my planning has to take their needs into account. If like me you have a family, make sure to get them involved in the planning. I am well on my way to retiring early, and when I do, I will make a lot of noise about it. Watch this space!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR LEISA GRACE WILSON is an

educator, entrepreneur and blogger. She currently lives in Abu Dhabi with her seven-year-old twin boys and husband. Leisa is passionate about personal development, entrepreneurship, finances and the world of education. You can connect with Leisa by visiting her blog www.leisagrace.com or connect with her on Linkedin https:// www.linkedin.com/in/leisagrace/

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INTENTIONALLY REINCARNATED I have always marvelled at the life cycle of butterflies. They are magical creatures who have figured out a successful way of life, which they intentionally follow to purpose their ultimate goal—to keep their species alive. I marvel at their regeneration, them sticking to the formula, applying themselves to the basics, and staying resolute in the face of the many adversities in their lifetime. It does not take an analytic eye to realise that, by nature, every stage of metamorphosis is wellintentioned; every step focuses on satisfying the hunger of purpose and quenching the thirst of nature in its most natural form. Another major spectacle that astonishes me is that butterflies are not selfish; they do not judge their situation or make it their duty to change what works. A butterfly does

not try to jump stages or disrupt the course it is meant to run or, in this case, fly. They are fully cognizant that there is a beginning, there is an end, and there is reincarnation from an internal point of view. Dr Joe Dispenza, author of the book Evolve Your Brain: Science of Changing the Mind (2007), stated that intention is “getting clear on what you want”. It is a simple definition for a complex chain of thought. Of course, as human beings, we focus on our paths to succeed at whatever we do or need to achieve. However, when we consider that life is a set of dynamic circumstances that demands attention to detail, we can get unintentionally cocooned in a stressful series of inaction and purposeless thought changes. We may get entangled in the web of doubt, constantly judging ourselves and even others. We then build

walls based on conditions, clearly losing sight of what the storm in our mind’s needs: calm. We cannot control what happens around us all the time, but we can control how we respond to the crisis; we determine our choices. But why do we struggle emotionally or mentally, and so often? Why do we constantly feel pressured to succeed? What is our intention? How do we intentionally reincarnate like the example of the butterfly? To truly appreciate and shed ourselves of the burden of stress and pressure, we could intentionally reincarnate ourselves to match the ease at which butterflies lead amazing lives, achieving results that are born out of self-centredness. Let us take a journey, linking our individuality with the life cycle of the butterfly, to achieve the ultimate goal of actualisation. Out & About Magazine

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EGG (I WISH)

Like every cycle we can think of or learned about, there is a beginning. Our first stage of reincarnation is to know what we want. At the stage of the egg—our first stage—we must know what we wish or intend to achieve over some time. It is important to note that our intentions are not our goals; instead, they are what we desire to achieve. Everything in our existence starts with a wish. It involves a purposeful thought process carved by a clear understanding of what you already have working for you, what you need to shed, and the pillars you need to add to the dynamics of your life. It is my firm belief that change is more about responding to stimuli rather than stimuli changing. For example, ten people writing about the same topic on an exam will have ten different ways of articulating their responses; however, their ideas on the topic may be similar. Additionally, your intentions must be personal and directed at improving an aspect of your being that is below your internal standards. You have to be courageous and honest with yourself. You are the centre of your wishes; it is vital to note that whatever you wish for will affect you more than it affects anything or anybody else. Be intentional in the thought that you might not get what you want right, but you will know how to gauge when the cycle returns to the “I wish” stage. Be brave enough to avoid being overly judgmental and hard on yourself. Do not think of a result at this stage of your inner reincarnation; trust your process because there are no limits to your being if you intend to be free from selfdoubt and lethargy. In our wildest intentions, we must also be brave enough to offend ourselves without beating upon ourselves. We need to be cultured to learn from our decisions that worked well, so should we learn to come to terms with our mistakes in a positive, non-judgmental way. Life is designed as a constant concoction of stimuli and response; the individual who wins at life is centred on intentions with a purpose, no

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“buck ups”, no series of accidental events will make you and keep you successful.

CATERPILLAR (I DECIDE)

Now that we have transformed into a caterpillar, we must accept that we are the same “being” but do not look the same. You are the same person, but your inner incarnation now focuses on bringing light to your wish. We have designed our intention purposefully; we are ultimately in the zone of action. The sole purpose of the caterpillar hatching from the egg is to eat as much as it can in preparation for the next stage. Similarly, now is the time “to go hard in the paint” since our decisions hatch from our wish or intention. In this stage of your metamorphosis, there will be obstacles, hurdles, and situations that provide a reality check on your egg stage (I wish). There will be doubters, oppressors, suppressors, and characters who will insist that you quit and move to the side to lunch self-pity and dine with defeat. Be courageous to decide to carry on. Athletes know when they are tired that that extra push up, sit-up or mile will facilitate growth. Choose to be dumb to detractors, stand firm against the disparagers, and resist or withstand the pain from life’s fires. The caterpillar knows that it has a vital role to play in the process of regeneration and survival. It is acutely aware of birds and other predators that would have a date with its destiny, but it will continue to decide to eat; it will not go on fasting to please the naysayers and backbiters. The caterpillar knows that “people do not throw stones at trees with green mangoes.” Hence, bring your intentions (wishes) to light by deciding to take action despite the hecklers and cynics.

PUPA (I EVALUATE)

After making the decisions that gave light to our wish, it is crucial to note that we walk into the calm after the storm. According to the metamorphosis of the butterfly, we are now at the stage of the chrysalis. This evaluation stage is a time to systematically shed, heal and conceal

in preparation for enjoying the beauty of our intentions coming to life. The caterpillar is a pupa and has hidden, analysing and calibrating in the pursuit of exploding into the beautiful process of life. There are messages in every intention. These messages are amplified by how brave you were to decide. In your cocoon, now is the time to answer the questions that will inform your effectiveness of the previous stage tied into how beautiful and strong your wings will be as the finished article (adult butterfly). Were you bombarded and beat down by the critics? Were you violent in your reactions to the hurdles? Were you resolute in your quest to the “I am”? You will know what worked well and what can be done better to move to your final stage of this cycle. For the sake of the greater good, you have the unique opportunity to tie up loose ends and design your way forward from the pupa to the full maturation of your wish. It is incumbent on us to consolidate and begin accepting that we have moved our purposeful intention into its mature and beautiful form. At the cusp of success is where many have fallen because they were not brave enough to offend themselves in the process of evaluation. While stress is not at its highest at this stage, we should remember that “life is still happening” outside our cocoon—our quiet place. We might even find that doubt is creeping in through the seams, but stay focused on your journey. Do not

seek to jump the proverbial gun; enjoy the process; actively and systematically study, practise, and even make interventions to arrive at the final stage of our incarnation.

ADULT BUTTERFLY (I AM)

Your bravery has been the catalyst throughout the process of reaching your “I am”. You have overcome your greatest enemy, and you couldn’t have guessed who or what it was. The greatest enemy on your quest was—yourself! Yes, your biggest motivator was also your greatest doubter. You are now the “I am” because you decided not to listen to the noisy voice but paid attention to the soft-spoken, humble voice of reason. That voice was never telling you that you are an underachiever, that you cannot, that you will not, but it was telling you that you are the “I am” from the moment you dared to intend (wish) to achieve. You alone can limit what you can do. Similarly, you can design the mindset that life is full of endless possibilities. Now that you have realised that the “I am” was already achieved from your very wish, you have now internally reincarnated into a better you. Now all you have to do is keep this formula of the life cycle of the butterfly and continuously and consistently apply it to your own life for continued success. Remember, the butterfly purposely intended to be its mature form from it was an egg. Watch and enjoy your bloom, but never relent from internally reincarnating yourself to achieve, maintain, and express a better you.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jerome Douglas is a new dad, trained teacher, poet and writer from the beautiful island of Jamaica. His personal philosophy is “If it is for me to be, then it is up to me.” He attended the Catholic College of Mandeville in Jamaica. Additionally, he is a community builder and humanitarian who volunteers his time to help with the academic and social well-being of people in his Central Jamaica community and surrounding areas.

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NFTs:

THE BOOM OF DIGITAL COLLECTIBLES From digital arts to athlete trading cards and even a single tweet, people are willing to spend thousands, even millions of dollars for these digital collectibles. Would you believe that the first-ever tweet of Jack Dorsey, the CEO of Twitter, is up to sell for $2.5 million? Meanwhile, digital artworks of graphic designer Mike Winkelmann sold for over $69.3 million. It is bizarre to think that these digital goods could

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sell at such high prices. When you think about it, you can find these digital works on the web, and you can screenshot and duplicate them as you please. Then, why is a single tweet so pricey? This reality is all made possible by the boom of non-fungible tokens (NFTs). NFTs act like virtual signatures unique to each digital imagery, making it valuable compared to a copy. Now, you might ask, what exactly is an NFT, and how does it work?

WHAT IS AN NFT?

Non-fungible tokens connect to blockchain technology like bitcoin. But while bitcoins are all the same such that if you trade a bitcoin for another, you end up having the same thing, NFTs are non-fungible precisely because they are unique and not mutually interchangeable. Think of it as a mark of authenticity, a proof of ownership to protect the original digital work. The NFTs of Dorsey’s first-ever tweet are unique to that single good. Even if that tweet can be easily found and duplicated, it would not have the same value as the “original”, owing to its identifiable NFT. Essentially, each unique NFT makes digital goods rare and a collector’s item.

WHY ARE NFTs SO POPULAR?

The boom of NFTs is highly due to the coronavirus pandemic. With the health protocols, the pandemic has pushed people to do most of their transactions and spend most of their time online. According to a study for NonFungible.com and BNP Paribas-affiliated research firm L’Aterlier, the NFT transactions in 2020 alone quadrupled and rose to $250 million. NFTs' popularity surge in these times, where most of the population spends a lot of time on the Internet and uses digital coins in their commercial dealings. With the

continued advancement of technology and the modern world, NFTs might be the thing of the future.

WHAT’S POPULAR IN THE NFT MARKET?

You can use NFTs for any digital goods, such as a GIF, a video highlight, or music royalties. However, NFTs are most popular in collecting digital artworks. Collectors had been acquiring paintings and sculptures for the longest time, but only now, with the rise of NFTs, can they secure digital arts. Using tokens is much easier and more accessible. But then you might ask, what is the point of owning digital arts when one can easily duplicate it and have the same as your collection? While this might be true, imagine the flex of owning the original one—a collector’s pride.

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WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF NFTs?

The advantages of NFTs depend on different viewpoints.

THE ARTIST

If you are an artist who can create unique digital pieces, NFTs offer a way to sell your works directly to the collector. It is more straightforward and offers you a wider market at a higher price. Most platforms are easily accessible and allow artists to upload their digital works and automatically mark them with NFTs. An artist will only have to wait for offers to come. NFTs also allow you to maintain the royalties of your works. Every time the NFT is sold and traded to another, you, the artist, will get benefits from it. So, if your art sells well and the value goes higher, you can have a share of that popularity still.

THE COLLECTOR

Just the joy of having the original digital work out of all the possible copies people can make of it makes NFTs thrilling. NFTs work just like any asset. If you buy it today, its value may increase in the future, so you can sell it at a higher price than what you originally paid.

SCEPTICISM

While the hype for NFTs as digital collectables is currently high—with many investors, popular artists and public figures joining the market—the NFT industry cannot do away with scepticism. Some critics even regard it as another technological fad that will drift to irrelevance in a matter of time.

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Much of this scepticism is owing to the volatility of cryptocurrencies. Most NFTs are priced in ether—a digital asset that had seen a record price of more than $2,000 but went down to $600 in just a few days. Sceptics assert that the hype for digital collections might die down, and NFTs might not exist in the future. The doubt is true to some extent. The boom of NFTs owes a lot to the restrictions associated with the pandemic. With art galleries and museums closed, people turned their attention to the digital world as alternative media. The hype might change once everything goes back to normal. However, this shift and transition might be just the start of something big for digital media.

THE FUTURE OF DIGITAL COLLECTIONS

The use of NFTs today has expanded the digital art world beyond imagination. Digital auctions and exhibits might be the next big thing for art enthusiasts and collectors. It is an excellent complement to traditional physical art while people are staying in their homes. But, aside from artworks, NFTs might also get a hold of the gaming, sports, music, and other industries. The digital world will only continue to grow, and NFTs might be there to stay. NFTs present more opportunities for artists and collectors alike. It opens a whole new world for collectors to acquire digital arts the same way they collect traditional arts. Artists get a bigger platform and market for their artworks to sell at a higher price. The opportunities and possibilities are just endless.

SHELF LIFE Ask and It is Given presents the teachings of Abraham, a non-physical entity. The Hicks duo will help you learn how to manifest your desires so that you can live the joyous and fulfilling life you deserve.

Ask and It is Given by Esther and Jerry Hicks

The book helps you understand how your relationships, health issues, finances, career concerns, and more are influenced by the law of attraction (universal law) that governs your time-space reality. It also presents powerful processes that will help you go with the positive flow of life.

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