Mariam Alghanim, but known everywhere as Maramii, is a blogger, podcaster, life coach and a lifelong learner and lover of self-improvement. At university she studied Accounting but after a serious battle with cancer she found out that her talents and skills could be put to better use by helping other people deal with life.
“I decided to become a life coach after going through a bunch of things in life and getting better after cancer,” she explains. She believes that everyone is responsible for his or her life and gets to decide how to face it. And that anyone can improve their lifestyle, decisions and choices or the opposite, but most importantly it is important that people not dwell on yesterday because a new day is a fresh opportunity to set new goals and work towards them.
Our first introduction to Mariam was via her Instagram @maramiiq8, and it is a happy space filled with everything she enjoys from outfits of the day, to cake and affirmations to positive and personal quotes. “What you see on Instagram is 100% my life, I use it as a journal to document what I am up to,” she says. She thinks that people should be authentic and true to themselves on the platform. She chooses to spread positivity because she believes that if everyone did, happiness and joy would become more prevalent everywhere which is better for our physical and mental health.
Mariam approaches this topic from experience, she is a cancer survivor, but can be better described as a warrior. When she was diagnosed with the disease, she gave herself a couple of hours to mentally deal with it then decided that she would live life fully. She did not feel angry or bitter, but realized that she was chosen and that she could get better. Fully accepting her situation and viewing it as an opportunity instead of punishment fueled her attitude. She started spending quality time with her close family members, attending events and making sure that every experience counted. “Hope is a small word, but it is huge in meaning. Hope is what helped me overcome everything and I advise anyone in a similar situation to find hope,” Mariam elaborates.
She feels so strongly about it, that she wrote a book about it. Published in Arabic, the title translates to “And I returned to life”. It is an honest and heart rending portrayal about her journey accompanying someone on their illness and treatment journey abroad for four years, battling cancer and how she chose to deal with these difficulties and prevail. “The core message from my book is that life is good and that there is always light after darkness,” she explains. She tells us that more books are in the works and we’re excited to read her work again because she helps us see life in a completely different way.
Mariam reminds us that we need to avoid making mountains out of molehills. She says that prior to her diagnosis she would automatically make a big deal out of things, but now she has learned to let things go and to stay relaxed and focused on the things that really matter.
TRUTH OR DARE QUESTIONNAIRE
What is the most spontaneous thing you’ve ever done?
I help anyone who needs help, even though sometimes I get tired but I still like powering through
What is your theme song?
You are the reason
What word in the English or Arabic language do you wish you had invented?
Happiness, positive
Where would you like to live?
Of course in Kuwait, in my home which is my kingdom
What is the first famous quote that comes to your mind?
One for all, all for one
Which animal best describes your perfect partner, be it in business, or in life?
For sure dogs the best partner for me
Do you miss anything from your childhood and if so, what is it?
I loved my childhood, it was full of peace, happiness and warmth
If you could change your name, to what would you change it?
I don’t know why I love Farah name
How would you describe your handshake, in one word?
Welcoming
What is the toughest part of your character?
I can be moody, and sometime I can be gullible
Who is your favorite historical figure?
Steve Jobs and Oprah
What in the world do you least desire?
War and conflict
What do you think is lacking in the world, which [if there were more of it] would make the world a better place?
Peace
Why do you think most people who do, like you?
I think they find positivity, love, hope and happiness with me
Finish this sentence: “Happiness is nourishing to the soul”
Follow @maramiiq8 on Instagram for regular doses of positivity and inspiration.
