💭 What’s Going On In Your Mind… Isn’t Always What’s Going On In Reality

There’s a photo I almost didn’t share...

In it, I’m wearing a stunning locally made dress by WRTH.Fashion — soft ivory with rich folkloric arabesque motif— standing in front of a weathered mirror at the House of Kheops, one of my favorite event spaces in Cairo, where I've been running my Summer Social Series of Yin Yoga & Meditation. The scene is dreamy: the layered textures of old walls, antique wood, muted turquoise, and a glimmer of Egyptian sunlight. It looks like the perfect moment — and to many, it was.

The photo I almost didn't share

But here’s what you don’t see in that photo: I was looking in the mirror not because I felt radiant, but because I was deeply insecure. That day, I had a chemical burn under my eyes from an allergic reaction to a product I used and it reacted to the intense Egyptian sun.

The skin around my eyes was red, raw, and visibly inflamed. I had done everything to soothe it — creams, shade, even covering it with visible patches — and still, I felt like I looked… off. Part of my personal brand and ethos is being glam-natural and makeup free, and I didn't want to use coverups or makeups on my sensitive injured under-eye skin.

And yet — I had a sold-out event to host.My Summer Series at House of Kheops had been gaining momentum, and people were coming to relax & unwind with me facilitating. The show had to go on.

💔 I even considered postponing or cancelling the event. I told myself, “People will notice. They’ll think something’s wrong with me. I’ll look unprofessional.” I wanted to hide and heal.

It was a beautiful afternoon of socializing and community building.

But here’s what actually happened…

I showed up.

And not only did the event flow with ease and beauty — but a woman who attended (who turned out to be a dermatologist) gently looked at me and said:

“Oh love, I think you’ve got a sun-induced chemical reaction. I’m dealing with the exact same thing. I actually have a cream for that — do you want some?”

✨ The universe provides.

She gave me some cream for my burn on the spot plus a referral to get my own. I ordered the cream. And within hours, the healing had begun.

🌿 A Reminder We All Need Sometimes

The truth is — so many of us, especially women, spiral in our minds about our appearance. We’re flooded with the idea that we must be polished, perfect, "glowing" at all times — especially if we’re the ones leading, teaching, hosting.

But I want to say this clearly:That pressure to look fine when you're not feeling fine is not only unnecessary — it’s harmful.

I almost let a moment of insecurity rob me of a beautiful, connection-filled day — a day where people came together, shared breath, movement, joy, and transformation.I almost let my mind write the ending to a story that hadn’t even begun.

What I learned that day — and what I want to share with you — is this:

💡 People are far more loving and accepting than the voice inside your head.

💡 You are allowed to show up imperfect and still be magical.

💡 Beauty is a frequency — not a filter.

Because I was facilitating the event, I didn’t take many photos myself — and as any space holder knows, we often rely on media to capture the essence of what we do. One of the few photos taken that day was the one above, snapped by my sister while I was checking the progress of my healing in the mirror, in between helping her line up a mini shoot of her own. Later, I decided to post the image to Instagram — and to my surprise, the response was overwhelming.

“You’re stunning.”“So beautiful.”“This whole look is magic.”

Messages poured in — from women I admire, women I find utterly fabulous and radiant — all offering words of affirmation I couldn’t give myself that day. It was a mirror of another kind… and it reminded me how distorted our inner lens can be when we’re not feeling our best.

👁️‍🗨️ This Mirror Moment Taught Me:

• What you see as a flaw, others may not even notice.

• Insecurities can pass through like clouds — don’t build a temple to them.

• Mercy — for yourself and others — is the real skincare routine.

• Sometimes the exact person you need walks into your space with the remedy in their bag.

🎨 The Dress, The Space, The Community

That dress? It’s from a local Egyptian line I love — elegant, earthy, and feminine. My ritual-ready wear, as I like to call it. Because when I get dressed for an event, it’s not about fashion — it’s about frequency.

When I wear something that feels like me, I align with the energy I want to carry. Even if I’m not feeling 100%, I dress like I’m meeting the Divine.

📍 The photo was taken at the House of Kheops, where I’ve been hosting my Summer Series — an intimate gathering of movement, meditation, connection, and celebration of the sacred feminine. It’s a venue where old Egypt meets new expression. Ancient textures, soft light, poetic details.

The Beautiful Group from our Sold Out July 11th Yin Yoga & Meditation

🔮 My Next Event — This Saturday

If you’re in Cairo and want to be part of the next gathering — I have one this Saturday. Space is limited, as always. We do yoga, we eat well, we connect, we dress in our favorite flowy things and take photos by vintage walls and the majestic Khufu Pyramid.

✨ DM me to reserve your spot.✨

Thanks for reading.Thanks for holding space for the truth behind the pretty pictures.And may you treat yourself a little more softly today — inside and out. 💗

#HouseOfKheops #InnerWorlds #SelfCompassion #PresenceOverPerfection #RitualReady #LocalFashion #CairoEvents #ChemicalBurnsHappen #EmpathyIsHot