Note From The Founder: Let Them - what's Your take?

I sit here, the echoes of laughter and shouts of “hi mama, look!” from our recent family ski trip still lingering in my ears, and it hits me just how much this trip will be one my kids will always remember. We have just come back from our first family ski holiday over the half-term break, and, let me tell you, I have newfound admiration for families with small kids who ski. Of course, I was never without my trusted Snack Box, which quite literally saved us from many meltdowns at the top of the slopes.

I was floored by the amount of stuff required for each child – on top of that add icy roads, lugging heavy equipment (yes, for each child), sunblock breaks, and unstable walking in ski boots. My kids looked like mini astronauts - and myself, a slightly nervous captain of ship. Quite to the contrary of what I was expecting, there was something deeply wholesome about seeing my kids take on something so out of their comfort zone with such resilience, tenacity and to my amazement, good spirit. I also realised that when children have no choice but to do things themselves, they rally. And I saw that first-hand. Shoutout to Infinite Ski – to my sheer amazement, hours of practice on a moving carpet, really did help them when it came to the real deal.

Over the course of the trip, I had lots of downtime, which got me thinking about several things. Something that’s been echoing in my mind lately is Mel Robbins’ infamous “Let Them Theory.” Navigating friendships is I think an area where many struggle with, especially as mothers. Here we are, trying to balance the weight of deep-rooted friendships with friends that are also evolving in different ways, alongside the push to forge new connections, often through the lens of our children.

I've found myself leaning on this idea: allowing friendships to breathe and evolve in their own messy way. We all have friends who are branching out, making new friends as their lives shift with career moves, new partners, or different parenting choices. This shift in dynamic can feel destabilising at times. It’s like watching a close-knit team go through new picks and trades and wondering if you’ll still be on the roster come next season. The truth is - some friends will fall away. Others will surprise you by how they show up. A new non-negotiable for me is two-way effort, if I am the one constantly messaging to make plans, to check-in or say hello – then it’s no longer for me and I take a step back.

For me, “Let them” means releasing the pressure to conform or maintain the same level of intimacy. It means embracing the reality that friendship can be fluid, as our lives are. The beauty lies in recognising that we’re all just trying to find our place amid the noise and chaos of it all, and that means people may fall away, but it also means new beautiful connections can also come.

I’ve also been thinking about planning vs spontaneity. With my full-time job, which goes far beyond a 9-5, I rarely have the energy to do anything social mid-week, which means I live for my weekend. In my current life era, my mantra is “work hard, rest well”, and I live it in every sense. The weekends for me are all about restoring. Lazy couch days, watching movies with my kids, cooking (ofcourse!), catching up with friends where I can, and travelling with my family. Because of how much my free-time means to me, I often plan things I want to do in advance – I’m big on intention. I don’t believe things just happen. If you want them to happen you plan it or put in the work to make it happen. Intention. But this week I found myself in a predicament I’ve been in a few times now. Having planned a camping trip in Hatta several weeks ago, I found myself in a position where my closest friend from college whom I love dearly, decided to throw a birthday celebration. Physical celebrations are few and far between in your 30s, as people navigate new norms and life stages, I’ve witnessed a sharp fall in how many people want to “party on a Friday night”. Not only did I feel extreme guilt having to decline my best friends special celebrations despite being in the country, but I also felt momentarily annoyed with myself for having pre-planned my weekend, which has at times, made us miss many celebrations. Of course, these situations are relative – few friendships can compete with the love you have for your kids and the plans you make as a family. However, it got me thinking about how being spontaneous is a luxury I’ve largely forgotten about in my mid-30s. Between all the busy schedules in our family of 5 (and believe me, the kids schedules are far busier than ours) not planning things in advance simply means they simple do - not - happen. I am so interested to hear your take on this? Are you a planner? And if yes, how do you deal with meaningful clashes in your life?

Back home in the heart of Dubai, the transition from the crisp mountain air to the city’s humidity is always a trip. I am amazed by how many new spots continue to open in the city. Bar des Pres,  Il Gappatardo and Harrumanis are all at the top of my list to try in the coming weeks, as is the café Lulu & The Beanstalk, although I am late to the party on that one.

Other things I am enjoying right now: the highly recommended glycolic cleanser from Skinceuticals, which is great for anyone suffering like me with congested nose pores. I also recently came across the Smart Heart Board game, created by clinic psychologist Dr. Saliha Afridi - it seems like a perfect blend of fun and connection, and something I can’t wait to try with my kids.

As the kids settle into school, I’m reminded of just how much I love routine. 12 days out, and I can’t wait to be back in my bed, back in my home, and back in my office. May this week bring you moments of clarity amidst the craziness, and may you find the strength to nurture the friendships that matter most, even if they change along the way. 

With love,

Roshni