A Letter to My Community: Embracing a New Chapter
Dear all,
I hope this message finds you well. I wanted to take a moment to share something deeply personal with you, my valued community (since 2018), because I believe that honesty and openness are the cornerstones of our connection.
Over the past year, I embarked on a journey of self-discovery, and it led me to an important realisation about the state of my mental health. Some of you may recall that I ventured into the wild landscapes of Saudi Arabia for a commissioned writing project—an experience that rekindled my love for adventure and reminded me of the fearless journalist I once was. However, upon returning to the bustling embrace of Dubai's concrete jungle, I found myself grappling with an unexpected challenge. My sensitive soul struggled to reintegrate into the rhythm of urban life, and I redirected my energy toward a passion that has always brought me solace—holding meditation and mindfulness sessions.
Yet, after a few classes, I began to feel disoriented, distant, and strangely detached. It was as though I was present physically but distant emotionally, and mentally. There was also a traumatic association between the space I teach and the heart-wrenching news of a dear friend’s passing triggering a cascade of emotions within me. This sequence of events just sent me into a spiral of panic attacks and a relapse of my depression, leaving me feeling quite crippled and powerless to be honest. To continue holding classes will be dishonest and a disservice to not just you, my clients, but myself too. It was a stark reminder that sometimes we need to pause (I have to walk my talk!), not only to catch our breath but to regain our sense of self. In light of this profound revelation, I made the challenging decision to step away and take a much-needed hiatus from the work I hold dear.
During this hiatus, I took the time to prioritise my mental health and seek the professional support needed to heal. I guess having been diagnosed with anxiety disorder and depression almost 2 decades ago felt unfamiliar when it hit me again this year. But I guess that is what healing is, it is a non-linear journey and it is okay. I mean a doctor falls sick too, a party planner needs to be celebrated too, a clown needs to be cheered up too and so for me, a person who advocates mental health and mindfulness, I too am not exempted from declining mental health. But it took me a while to accept that as the imposter syndrome consumed me. And thankfully, I feel like the sun is shining again and I am back to feeling like myself again.
Now, as I stand at the threshold of a new chapter, I am eager to share my decision to pivot my career direction. All with the echoing words of Charles Eames to “Take your pleasure seriously.” This transformation has been born from a profound desire to align my professional life with my deepest passions, purpose, and pleasure of course.
This new direction is rooted in my passion for:
Pre-opening stages for creating concepts and brands within the realm of wellness and hospitality. I was consulting for a wellness center (set to open at the end of 2023) and that truly brought not only my skillset from branding brand development but to create something beyond the ‘this is what’s in trend now’ but instead a deeply researched and data-driven methods in creating an offering or business. If you are an architect, a developer, institution, business, or an individual seeking to infuse wellness into your ventures, please consider me a resource.
I can be reached at ferina@houseofpause.com.Currently, I am working on wellness and hospitality projects in Dubai, Singapore, and Bali.
What will happen to House of Pause?
You may be wondering about the future of House of Pause. I have decided to work only with a select few individuals on a one-on-one basis. If you feel drawn to work with me in this capacity, please reach out at ferina@houseofpause.com
Additionally, I will be moving the RootReleaseRise™ Program as an online course to reach a global community. So if you’d like to support me on some audio/video, I’m ready to record it all. With that, I know our program has been well-received and transformative here and I will conduct in-person sessions in Dubai on an appointment-only basis.
In addition to this, I am working to carefully develop mindfulness training and programs, including our signature - designed for organisations, businesses, and the private sector. If you believe that such services could benefit your organisation or network, I would be thrilled to connect and explore possibilities. With that, I am looking for an Arabic speaker who is also keen on partnering with me on these corporate initiatives. Do connect with us LinkedIn.
As I navigate this transition, I hold a deep sense of excitement, humility, and hope, knowing that I will continue to learn and grow alongside each of you. My commitment to our community remains unwavering, and I am eager to embark on this new adventure together. And hey, if at any time I do have a panic attack in your presence, I hope you hold that space for me with non-judgment, care, and loving energy as I have always done for you in our sessions.
Please feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn for ongoing updates and insights. And if you do read till this very end, I’d love to hear from you in the comment below or privately, what are some of your best memories at House of Pause.
With gratitude and warmest regards,
FERINA NATASYA AZIZ
ferina@houseofpause.com
“Almost when you least expect it, things fall into place. You realise that what was left was making space for what was about to arrive. The quiet lets you hear the guidance. The unhappiness forced you to make a move. The unsettledness made you keep seeking. The end ushered in a new beginning. The doors that closed turned you toward the ones that were opening. The lessons were always leading you.”
- Brianna Weist