u/mental_infusion

question to Emiratis: do you go to therapy? Like a regular weekly sit-downs with a psychologist? And what about being on antidepressants?

Is this topic still secretive, or/and shameful?

Can I openly say I have a therapist and I’m on antidepressants without fearing that I will be marked with a permanent Scarlet Letter "C" on your head for crazy?

Expats; please don't take offense. I'm asking Emiratis because I want to get a sense of how normalized this actually is within our culture.

question to Emiratis: do you go to therapy? Like a regular weekly sit-downs with a psychologist? And what about being on antidepressants?

Is this topic still secretive, or/and shameful?

Can I openly say I have a therapist and I’m on antidepressants without fearing that I will be marked with a permanent Scarlet Letter "C" on your head for crazy?

Expats; please don't take offense. I'm asking Emiratis because I want to get a sense of how normalized this actually is within our culture.

question to Emiratis: do you go to therapy? Like a regular weekly sit-downs with a psychologist? And what about being on antidepressants?

Is this topic still secretive, or/and shameful?

Can I openly say I have a therapist and I’m on antidepressants without fearing that I will be marked with a permanent Scarlet Letter "C" on your head for crazy?

How likely are you to marry someone who deals with depression?

Expats; please don't take offense. I'm asking Emiratis because I want to get a sense of how normalized this actually is within our culture.

question to Emiratis: do you go to therapy? Like a regular weekly sit-downs with a psychologist? And what about being on antidepressants?

Is this topic still secretive, or/and shameful?

Can I openly say I have a therapist and I’m on antidepressants without fearing that I will be marked with a permanent Scarlet Letter "C" on your head for crazy?

Expats; please don't take offense. I'm asking Emiratis because I want to get a sense of how normalized this actually is within our culture.

question to Emiratis: do you go to therapy? Like a regular weekly sit-downs with a psychologist? And what about being on antidepressants?

Is this topic still secretive, or/and shameful?

Can I openly say I have a therapist and I’m on antidepressants without fearing that I will be marked with a permanent Scarlet Letter "C" on your head for crazy?

Expats; please don't take offense. I'm asking Emiratis because I want to get a sense of how normalized this actually is within our culture.

Question to Emiratis: do you go to therapy? Like a regular weekly sit-downs with a psychologist? And what about being on antidepressants?

Is this topic still secretive, or/and shameful?

Can I openly say I have a therapist and I’m on antidepressants without fearing that I will be marked with a permanent Scarlet Letter "C" on your head for crazy?

Expats; please don't take offense. I'm asking Emiratis because I want to get a sense of how normalized this actually is within our culture.

“While I was tended to, I was never mothered. Many people suffered far more, even people raised at the knees of their actual mamas. Still, the hole in my spirit made me into the girl I was and then the woman that I am. One day, I will grow a person within myself and love that little person so hard that it would bind her to me like rich dirt in the corner of a canvas satchel.”
Tayari Jones

So I guess this book will be triggering

Hey, hope you see this! We used to exchange letters on Slowly back in 2023.
If you’re still around, send me a DM. Would love to catch up!

I changed my lock screen to a picture of myself from when I was a child.
Looking at her makes me emotional. It is not about vanity or loving myself too much; it feels like a strange mix of anger and pain.

Here is mine: “You are a highly ambitious, emotionally intense, and very self‑aware person with a big engine and fragile fuel lines.

You love big goals and strong starts, but ADHD plus perfectionism and overcommitment mean you swing between “all in” and “shut down,” then blame yourself instead of the system around you.

At your core, you’re principled, analytical, caring, and brave enough to hold people (and yourself) to high standards, even when it makes things uncomfortable.

You are not naturally “balanced” or moderate; you’re intense, creative, and experimental, and you are slowly learning how to turn that from a burnout cycle into a sustainable, disciplined version of yourself.”

Share yours..

[39/F] I’m looking to connect with a fellow UAE national, 39 or older, educated and mature to share perspectives on life, career, and everything in between.

Drop me a DM if you'd be interested in being penpals!

\[39/F\] I’m looking to connect with a fellow UAE national, 39 or older, educated and mature to share perspectives on life, career, and everything in between.

Drop me a DM if you'd be interested in being penpals!

[39/F] I’m looking to connect with a fellow UAE national, 39 or older, educated and mature to share perspectives on life, career, and everything in between.

Drop me a DM if you'd be interested in being penpals!

As I’m nearing 40 and going through my pre-midlife crisis, I find myself replaying missed opportunities and missed turns in my life.

How old are you guys?
Are you where you expected or wanted to be at this age? Did you overachieve, underachieve, or completely shift?
Any regrets?
Lessons learned?

As I’m nearing 40 and going through my pre-midlife crisis, I find myself replaying missed opportunities and missed turns in my life.

How old are you guys?
Are you where you expected or wanted to be at this age? Did you overachieve, underachieve, or completely shift?
Any regrets?
Lessons learned?

I was raised to believe that admitting you want a husband makes you look desperate.

For me, it’s not about sex or romance.
I want a partner.
A man who will be my friend, my husband, and a source of comfort.
I want someone to grow old with because.

I want to get married and feel like there is a steady wall behind my back.
I want to know someone won't let go of my hand.

But I have this deep fear that everyone my age is either married or gay. Why would a successful educated UAE National, someone who prays, fasts, and doesn't drink or smoke, want me?

I am 40. I only recently got my shit together, lost 18kg, and learned to set boundaries.

I was raised to believe that admitting you want a husband makes you look desperate.

For me, it’s not about sex or romance.
I want a partner.
A man who will be my friend, my husband, and a source of comfort.
I want someone to grow old with because.

I want to get married and feel like there is a steady wall behind my back.
I want to know someone won't let go of my hand.

But I have this deep fear that everyone my age is either married or gay. Why would a successful educated UAE National, someone who prays, fasts, and doesn't drink or smoke, want me?

I am 40. I only recently got my shit together, lost 18kg, and learned to set boundaries.