Here at GirlDreamer, we love Spring and all that it stands for. A really exciting time for nature, Spring brings freshness, light, new blooms and an end to the icy chill of the cold and draining winter months. One of our favourite things about Spring is that it gives new light and a renewed sense of hope. Offering faith and excitement, Spring reinvigorates us and our desires. Whether we set new goals, continue to work on ones already set, or just settle in to enjoy the whimsical newness Spring brings, we can’t help but feel excited as we wait to see what awaits us. As a new season begins, whet ..read more

by Abimbola Adeagbo Catherine sat on the edge of her bed, her hands nervously tapping on her thighs. The weight of her responsibilities and the pressure of her failing relationship had been eating at her for weeks.  She didn’t know how to cope with the stress anymore.  “Hey, Catherine, are you okay?” Her roommate, Sarah, asked, peeking her head into the room.  Catherine looked up and forced a smile. “Yeah, I’m okay. Just dealing with some stuff,” she replied, her voice strained.  Sarah walked into the room and sat down next to Catherine. “You don’t look okay. You look like ..read more

by Priya Mohal Navigating the delicate balance between expressing oneself and maintaining respect can be a challenge for South Asian women.  Growing up, I often felt disheartened when urged to be more assertive and confident in myself. Much of this reluctance stemmed from cultural norms ingrained in many South Asian women, encouraging obedience and adherence to societal expectations.  Here are a few ways I’ve seen that culture impact confidence and what to do about it.  Firstly, South Asian culture has deep inequality, girls are treated differently from boys from the moment they ..read more

by Sandeep Saib Trigger Warning: Suicide, body image, eating disorder I am Sandeep Saib (she/her) and I am a Lived/Living Experience (‘Expert by Experience’) Mental Health Advocate, Philanthropist and Public Speaker. I really emphasise the ‘living’ in that title, because I am still going through my own mental health journey – even whilst you are reading this.  Professionally, I am currently working as a Senior Business Development Executive at CMS where I am also a Member of the CMS Health and Wellbeing Committee & Network and a Wellbeing Ambassador.  I am delighted to share my m ..read more

Isn’t there something so magical about a new year? The offering of a fresh start, a blank page. A whole year to seize. To us, it’s the most exciting time of the year. A time when we can sit down and really determine what we want and how to work towards it. Now, we know there is no real magical change that occurs as soon as a new year begins, but the symbolism of it all is the best part. The idea that with the beginning of a new year, our lives can change for the better. We can be more, do more, achieve more and most importantly, be happier. Don’t get us wrong, we do not subscribe to the idea t ..read more

by Mani Hayre When are you getting married? Who hasn’t been asked this question at some family function by a random, and often not-so-random family member?  Particularly if the woman in question is over 35 and perceived to be getting older, less viable and one who is seen to be living her best life and thriving, yet nothing will compare to being seen as fully complete without a marriage, husband and kids. I mean what does it matter when our accomplishments can range from a promotion, thriving in our field of work, buying our own place, publishing a book, solo travelling, or just living a ..read more

Chasing our dreams is a natural part of life. The thrill of carving out the life we want and then working to create it is magical. There is nothing greater than knowing what it is you want and going for it. Whether you have a general idea of the life you want or your goals are specific and pinned down, pursuing our dreams and working to create what we want from this life is an innate human experience. While the experience of pursuing our dreams can be joyous, thrilling and exciting, the uncertainty and humanness of it all can also make it a difficult and testing time. For many of us, our every ..read more

by Priyanka Roychoudhury Today, women, and especially young women of colour often find themselves in the midst of diverse roles and societal expectations perpetuated by a patriarchal society. Within these expectations, an invisible load is carried with grace and resilience. Much of the work we contribute, especially in caregiving roles, remains unpaid, and our sacrifices often go unnoticed. The unspoken expectation of continuous giving places us at risk of burnout and self-neglect. Do you often feel overwhelmed by the pressure to keep everything together? As if maintaining a facade of con ..read more

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