I grew up surrounded by stuff, from shoes, dresses, bags and perfumes to all kinds of toys. Back in elementary school, I even had different sets of handkerchiefs, accessories and lunchboxes in different colours because I didn’t want to repeat the same thing the next day. I felt like I always needed at least five sets just to go with my uniform.
Looking back, I realise I was used to having well more than I needed. Sometimes, I ended up with so many things that I didn't even use at all.
When I moved to Dubai two decades ago, the temptation to buy more things became stronger. I can honestly say I was a victim of consumerism and also an impulsive shopper. I remember needing extra cupboards to fit my clothes and more cabinets for my kitchen stuff.
Then 2020 came and Covid-19 hit. Everything felt uncertain and several factors made me almost decide to go back home to the Philippines for good – I missed my family immensely, especially my parents, and I was also burnt out at my previous place of work. I saw the pandemic as a way to give myself a break, a chance that the universe was giving me to spend more time with my family. I even packed and shipped many of my things. By doing so, I thought I could give myself the courage and reason to actually leave. I sent about 60 per cent of my belongings at that time.
In the end, I stayed in the UAE. I stayed because I realised I wasn’t totally ready to leave my life here. Having spent 15 years in the country at that time, it was hard to simply give up all I had built.
What that experience taught me, though, was priceless, I realised I didn’t need so much stuff. That’s when I slowly embarked on the path of a minimalist life. Now, I just want to keep what I truly need, both for myself and for my home.
It’s been about five years since I shifted to minimalism, and it has brought so many benefits. The first is financial freedom. I don't buy unnecessary things, so I save more and spend less. That also means better budgeting and more savings for me.
I also feel less stress and anxiety because I don’t have so much to organise. With fewer things, it’s easier to stay tidy, find what I need and keep everything in order. It also gives me mental clarity. When my surroundings are simple and uncluttered, my mind feels the same way.
Another big change is time. Since I own less, I clean less, shop less and spend fewer hours managing my things. That gives me more time to focus on what really matters, from hobbies and personal growth to just living life.
Minimalism also made me more mindful and sustainable. I don’t buy things just for the sake of having them and that helps reduce waste. Plus, living with less gives me freedom and flexibility. If I ever decide to finally go back home, it will be so much easier because I’m not tied down by too many possessions.
Most importantly, I’ve learnt to appreciate what I already have. Instead of always looking for the next thing to buy, I’ve learnt to value the little things already in my possession.
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
Afro%20salons
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Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
Pieces of Her
Stars: Toni Collette, Bella Heathcote, David Wenham, Omari Hardwick
Director: Minkie Spiro
Rating:2/5
The Case For Trump
By Victor Davis Hanson
North Pole stats
Distance covered: 160km
Temperature: -40°C
Weight of equipment: 45kg
Altitude (metres above sea level): 0
Terrain: Ice rock
South Pole stats
Distance covered: 130km
Temperature: -50°C
Weight of equipment: 50kg
Altitude (metres above sea level): 3,300
Terrain: Flat ice
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
No more lice
Defining head lice
Pediculus humanus capitis are tiny wingless insects that feed on blood from the human scalp. The adult head louse is up to 3mm long, has six legs, and is tan to greyish-white in colour. The female lives up to four weeks and, once mature, can lay up to 10 eggs per day. These tiny nits firmly attach to the base of the hair shaft, get incubated by body heat and hatch in eight days or so.
Identifying lice
Lice can be identified by itching or a tickling sensation of something moving within the hair. One can confirm that a person has lice by looking closely through the hair and scalp for nits, nymphs or lice. Head lice are most frequently located behind the ears and near the neckline.
Treating lice at home
Head lice must be treated as soon as they are spotted. Start by checking everyone in the family for them, then follow these steps. Remove and wash all clothing and bedding with hot water. Apply medicine according to the label instructions. If some live lice are still found eight to 12 hours after treatment, but are moving more slowly than before, do not re-treat. Comb dead and remaining live lice out of the hair using a fine-toothed comb.
After the initial treatment, check for, comb and remove nits and lice from hair every two to three days. Soak combs and brushes in hot water for 10 minutes.Vacuum the floor and furniture, particularly where the infested person sat or lay.
Courtesy Dr Vishal Rajmal Mehta, specialist paediatrics, RAK Hospital
Low turnout
Two months before the first round on April 10, the appetite of voters for the election is low.
Mathieu Gallard, account manager with Ipsos, which conducted the most recent poll, said current forecasts suggested only two-thirds were "very likely" to vote in the first round, compared with a 78 per cent turnout in the 2017 presidential elections.
"It depends on how interesting the campaign is on their main concerns," he told The National. "Just now, it's hard to say who, between Macron and the candidates of the right, would be most affected by a low turnout."
The%20specs
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UK’s AI plan
- AI ambassadors such as MIT economist Simon Johnson, Monzo cofounder Tom Blomfield and Google DeepMind’s Raia Hadsell
- £10bn AI growth zone in South Wales to create 5,000 jobs
- £100m of government support for startups building AI hardware products
- £250m to train new AI models
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo
Power: 240hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 390Nm at 3,000rpm
Transmission: eight-speed auto
Price: from Dh122,745
On sale: now
INDIA SQUAD
Rohit Sharma (captain), Shikhar Dhawan (vice-captain), KL Rahul, Suresh Raina, Manish Pandey, Dinesh Karthik (wicketkeeper), Deepak Hooda, Washington Sundar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Axar Patel, Vijay Shankar, Shardul Thakur, Jaydev Unadkat, Mohammad Siraj and Rishabh Pant (wicketkeeper)
Famous left-handers
- Marie Curie
- Jimi Hendrix
- Leonardo Di Vinci
- David Bowie
- Paul McCartney
- Albert Einstein
- Jack the Ripper
- Barack Obama
- Helen Keller
- Joan of Arc
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Mamo Year it started: 2019 Founders: Imad Gharazeddine, Asim Janjua Based: Dubai, UAE Number of employees: 28 Sector: Financial services Investment: $9.5m Funding stage: Pre-Series A Investors: Global Ventures, GFC, 4DX Ventures, AlRajhi Partners, Olive Tree Capital, and prominent Silicon Valley investors. LAST-16 EUROPA LEAGUE FIXTURES
Wednesday (Kick-offs UAE)
FC Copenhagen (0) v Istanbul Basaksehir (1) 8.55pm
Shakhtar Donetsk (2) v Wolfsburg (1) 8.55pm
Inter Milan v Getafe (one leg only) 11pm
Manchester United (5) v LASK (0) 11pm
Thursday
Bayer Leverkusen (3) v Rangers (1) 8.55pm
Sevilla v Roma (one leg only) 8.55pm
FC Basel (3) v Eintracht Frankfurt (0) 11pm
Wolves (1) Olympiakos (1) 11pm
