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Category Archives: Mindful Living

The No Chill Zone

A two and a half hour walk to cover all things missed over the last month or so of secrets sharing, when J-Canary said “I have come to accept that…

The Reinforcements

“The rules for happiness: have something to do, someone to love, and something to hope for.” -Kant, who always could. I have always loved Kant; the only reason I refused…

The Hopefuls

We love this shirt, yeah? It’s my favourite new piece and it works as well with jeans or dressier straight-legged pants. But that’s not why we’re here… Shaytaan told God…

The Main Character

Preamble: This piece sets aside the trauma of abuse committed by narcissistic parents, and partners. Manipulation and harm wholly intended to in fact erode the abused individual’s worth so that…

The Ulcer-Giving

The first time I ever articulated it was in Uni. I remember it so clearly, because it remains a rule by which I live – “Give them your ulcer.” Even…

The Longer Road

“Do your little bit of good where you are; its those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.” -Desmond Tutu That’s Therese on the left, and her…

The Social Media Exodus

Taken during an evening walk full of belly-laughs, and nothing but peace and calm in a world that feels as though it has been turned on its head (for me…

The Legacy

So often it’s asked, What advice would you give your younger self? No doubt an important question, because it should indicate an evolution of self; but here’s a more interesting…

The Euphoria

2015, November 18 was when it had last happened, moments before I took this photo on a Ferris wheel in London’s Marylebone neighbourhood. And only once before, in 2009 while…

the incense(d) heart – a new poetry collection

My heart fell apart and stitched herself together over the years. the incense(d) heart is a reflection of loves lost, and those which continue to keep me. It may be…

The Last Lake Vignette

Wake-up came naturally, and without an alarm somewhere between 6 and 7. With coffee in hand, I was, by the time we left, snowshoeing 6 km before my workday began….

The Third Lake Vignette

From Montreal, he and his girlfriend were on The Lake for two weeks in this corner mint-coloured cabin. I called him George Katsopolis, though his name was in fact Jeremy….

The Second Lake Vignette

This scene on the lake, it has as much energy and socializing as I am willing or open to engaging. I promised a friend that I would write this second…

The New Poetry Collection (by yours truly)

I have been sat on this a while now, and so it is with great excitement that I share it. My publisher has asked for a second book of poetry, and it…

The First Lake Vignette

I snowshoe around this lake daily. Clearing my head, forcing me to move, fresh air, peace and quiet, the reasons are endless. One of the houses dropping back onto the…

The Sailor

In her right arm, she had wrapped an empty plastic bottle and was carrying it around like a baby. I had met and fallen in love with this little Maasai…

The Turn On

“& they lived happily ever after” is where most love stories end, but I will always hold true to my belief that this is precisely where meaningful love stories begin….

The Relationship Theater

Editorial caveat: What follows about me comes with zero judgement regarding the choices of others. I am for everyone’s love affair, no matter the flavour they need to remain in…

The Late 30s

This is a thing which I’ve discussed with my girlfriends, but hadn’t thought to put into writing until now. For the last few years of my 30s and first couple…

The Sandpaper Dunya

If she had missed the bus, she’d have been forced to wait a minimum of 30 more minutes. The sun had set, taking her warmth, making way for the cooler…

The Rebound

We may have had this conversation in the past – do you believe that there is such a thing as a rebound relationship? And do you avoid those just out…

Maha Monday: My new piece’s past

Dear Maha, (Name withheld) I have been dating for a few months now. I thought he was perfect until last week when he told me a few things about his…

The Playing In Traffic

When I was 13, I broke my femur running into traffic while a boy led. He was the son of our neighbors at the time, only a year older to…

The Decision Fatigue**

Choosing to wear Malcolm is the only choice I am left able to make, it seems. Let me caveat this post by (re)articulating how being single is a choice which…

The Deliberate Choices

The Fragility piece generated a lot of very shy DMs from women regarding the following – “The alternative is to engage men about whom I could not give a shit;…

The Fragility

“You need to date someone who already loves you,” was what she said. I had him once. He was my best friend, but I was not ready, and ultimately –…

The Wedding

Paris • 8 August, 2020 Jennifer and Guillaume. But really. This is Jennifer. During my sabbatical, Jennifer’s home was my first non-blood-family home to which I went. When I was…

The Ramadan Challenge

Ramadan is (likely set) to start on Thursday, inshAllah. These past few weeks have taught us that nothing is in our control but our intentions (not outcomes), and our actions…

Day 34 of Staying the Fuck Home

I actually really dig it. I hope that you’re all staying safe and sound, inshAllah, and gearing up for Ramadan ♥️ Comments closed.

The 21st Day of The Covid Chronicles

It’s day 21 of physical distancing for me. I have only been out to collect groceries, pharmaceuticals, and to tend to my mother’s home. Like on Tuesday, the electrician arrived…

The List-Maker

A friend sent me the most poignant quote (thank you, J): “…everything we do before a pandemic seems like an overreaction, and everything after seems like drastic under reaction.” What…

The Hand Washing

I’m trying to write a long-form piece a month, either at the beginning of or end of said month. I think that because I’m having enough fun with Instagram stories,…

The Hard Monogamist

The following short reflection came up because recently, someone (I absolutely adore) asked if they had a right to articulate a need to their lover of early days. I realized…

The New

I even wore my fun lashes for the photograph. New Year, Old Me; may I never know where to look when trying to take a photo. It’s been a minute…

“Mistakes are the entrance of discovery”

As equally as I believe that we all need to be responsible for our bad behaviour, I too believe that almost everyone is deserving of the space to make mistakes, and…

From terrible, to v good poetry

It has been a minute since I wrote you, and for this I am sorry. I have read every single message you sent, and I thank you for your overwhelming…

Let them eat cake

He and I met for coffee at Elgin Street’s Bridgehead. It was a really lovely afternoon of caffeine and conversation, and I had been over the moon to see him….

Memories of Ago: To shatter, or not to shatter?

Very recently, I received some information about someone with whom I had once dealt. From a person unknowing about the involvement, so unadulterated, unfiltered details. The kind of information which…

Relationship Economics

“Economics is the social science that studies production, distribution, exchange and consumption of goods and services, and the […] choices concerning the allocation of scarce means and resources.” “Don’t make…

Waving goodbye, exiting stage left

A part of tomorrow’s MahaMonday column touches lightly on the subject of when we should cut a platonic or romantic relationship out of our lives. With my own Shut-Off Valve…