Collaborations
Mandala Mandala is a peer to peer community for people of color who want to enrich their emotional wellbeing. We bring together small groups (between 5 and 8 people) and work through a 4-week curriculum designed to build mindful awareness and self-compassion — all through a community. After the program, you are invited to join our community where they host events throughout the year.
Moxie Living is the embodiment of healthy living and the art of self care. We believe that self care is not selfish. When women engage in self care, they make life better for everyone around them. In today’s day and age, most women struggle to find time for themselves in the midst of all their other responsibilities and they end up losing their self identity. Moxie Living is dedicated to empower women with self-actualization and self fulfillment through mindfulness and healthy lifestyle.
We are an emerging collective with a clear mission: to destigmatize mental health challenges by creating forums of education, advocacy, and acceptance while being a leading voice for health and wellness in the Muslim community.
Bisma Anwar, LMHC says the reason why receiving gifts can strengthen social connection is because it shows that someone was thinking of you. “It’s the application of intention, the visual of affection beyond words,” she says. Communicating to your loved ones that it’s the intention more than the actual gift that you appreciate most will put their mind at ease; otherwise they may feel they have to spend a lot of money in order to make you happy—definitely something to be mindful of now more than ever. “At the end of the day, it’s really the thought that counts,” Anwar says, saying just sending a card can be a sweet way to show this love language.
“When we are able to reflect on our past experiences we can better understand how we survived the difficult moments.” — Bisma Anwar, LMHC
“‘How are you doing’ doesn’t quite send the message that you truly want to know how someone is feeling, coping, or experiencing at any given moment,” Bisma Anwar, LMHC, a therapist with therapy platform Talkspace, tells Bustle. “There are clearer ways to inquire how someone is actually doing that send the message you are present and ready to hear.”
“If someone asks you how you are doing, you can practice being honest without providing all of the details,” suggests Bisma Anwar, LMHC, a therapist with therapy platform Talkspace. Instead, try “I’m only okay today, I have some personal things going on” or “I’m fabulous, I just got some amazing news!” This is a good way to answer truthfully without oversharing. It can also strengthen bonds with acquaintances without any added uncomfortable vulnerability.