Omama A. is the founder of Layali, a personal growth blog and brand for Muslim women. She also works as a Social Media Specialist for U.S. News & World Report. Previously, she was working in the personal development industry as a Social Media Specialist and Content Creator. She is an award-winning journalist and loves to produce and spread uplifting, motivational content.

Tell us about your blog and why you started it?

I first started Layali back when I was in undergrad in 2013. It was mainly an online magazine at the time and I started it because I felt like there weren't any mainstream magazines out there that represented someone who looked like me as a Muslim woman who wears hijab (headscarf).

While it did make an impact and I got to meet amazing women who have done incredible things, there came a point where I no longer had the same passion for it as I did when I started it. That's when I took a pause. I also felt like the mission had been accomplished in a way -- Muslim women started getting more positive representation in the media and in pop culture.

Last April, I decided to relaunch the blog and platform and turn it into something that would be beneficial to Muslim women today, and 2020 being what it was, it felt like the perfect time to move into the direction of personal growth and motivation.

I'm proud of the content I am putting out through Layali today and I really hope that people are able to benefit from it as a personal growth blog and platform.

What do you wish that all women knew about mental health/self-care?

As women we have so many responsibilities and we have so many things we are constantly working on and juggling. I wish that more women understood the value of filling their cup first. You can't fill from an empty cup. When you, yourself, feel alive and feel happy about the life you are living, that's when you are truly able to give others and other things your all. You are able to serve others better, your community and the world when you are taking care of yourself physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually, etc.

In your opinion, what is the best way to improve one’s mental well-being?

It really depends on what you need and the things that bring you joy. What I have found is that physical and mental well-being go hand-in-hand. When I am moving my body, filling myself with nutritious foods, hydrating consistently, I am in a better, healthier place mentally.

In the past year, I have really turned to meditation and it has brought calmness to my days. When things are hectic and uncertain like what we are experiencing in this Covid era, it's easy to feel stressed and overwhelmed and meditation is a reminder that within the chaos, you can always find a place of calm within you.

What has the pandemic taught us the most about mental health/self-care?

One of the things the pandemic has taught us is that there are always going to be things out of our control. Unexpected things will happen to us in our lives, and it's really up to us to see the positive in the situation and focus on what we CAN control because there are still so many things we have control over even when it doesn't feel that way. It has also taught us that we really need to start taking care of ourselves more. We live in a society that values work and making money above all else and taking a step back has really helped a lot of people see that there are other things in life that are important -- our families, our health, our freedom with our time, etc.

What stresses you out the most?

What stresses me out the most is feeling like there just isn't enough time to accomplish and get through everything I want.

How do you practice self-care?

I practice self-care by moving my body (I love cycling on my Peloton), meditation, eating foods that make my body feel good, praying, reading a book I enjoy and watching a good Netflix show.

How do you find inspiration?

I find inspiration from lots of things around me. I'm inspired by my family, my faith, my friends, other content creators, my community and those who are working to bring positive change to this world.

How would you describe a perfect day?

A perfect day for me would be filled doing the things I love. It would either be a day spent exploring a new place (I love to travel) or it would be a pretty chill day filled with a sweaty workout, eating good food, spending time with my loved ones and not thinking about my to-do's.

Who, among the people you know, brings out the best in you and why?

As cliche as it is, my mom. She not only supports me in who I am today, but she also pushes me to be better, to keep growing and help make the world a better place. My husband also brings out the best in me (most of the time haha). He's my best friend and is able to give me constructive criticism and keep me in check. He's aware of my goals and dreams and encourages me to keep going when I feel like giving up.

What 5 things do you love about yourself?

I love my tenacity to go for my dreams.
I love my strength.
I love my courage.
I love my ability to see the positive in tough situations.
I love my will to grow and become a better version of myself.

What keeps you up at night?

My ideas.

What do you do when you can’t sleep at night?

I keep trying to fall asleep. And if I really can't, I usually reach for my phone or my Kindle and read.

Name one thing you’re really afraid to do and explain why.

Skydiving. I'm really afraid of heights.

What has had the greatest impact on your life, good or bad, and why?

Discovering the personal growth/personal development industry. I always knew I wanted to go into journalism and I did exactly that -- I studied it and joined clubs in high school, I majored in it, even got my masters in it and internships. I went on to work as a journalist and won awards. But I got to the point where I felt burned out and questioned, "is this it?" "Is this the life I want to live?" I made the leap to quit my news job and joined a remote personal development company. At the time I wasn't into self-help books or anything like that, but I felt a calling to it and followed my heart. I worked there for a couple years and it opened my eyes to all the "life" I had to live. I started to feel like I had more control over it and it empowered me to make better decisions and really live into my best self. I no longer work in the industry (I'm back working at a national news organization), but the lessons I've learned have been life changing.

Do you have any bad habits you wish you could break? What are they?

Sure! I would love to not be on my phone so much. My job is in social media and I have to be on there for Layali as well, but I find myself mindlessly scrolling and I don't want to keep spending my time doing that.

What do you think is keeping you from complete happiness?

Nothing. I believe we can find happiness within ourselves and by leaning into more of what brings us joy.

What’s your happy place?

I have many -- either on a beach or a mountain. Or somewhere outdoors in nature. Or just kicking it back with my family.

Is there anything else you want to say on this topic?

Not really, thanks so much for this opportunity and thanks for the thought-provoking questions.

Publish date: March 1, 2021