YOU CAN: Nadia Haitham

   

     

       Ever heard of a writer who is not actually into writing? A writer who started her career by coincidence? Well… let me tell you a very interesting and extraordinary story. Let's start by knowing more about the heroine of our story. Nadia Haitham is an 18-year-old writer. She is not only a writer. She is also a blogger, podcaster, and author. With a successful book published on Wattpad with the title of 'Love of a teenage girl' and an excellent podcast on Anghami, Nadia is now a role model for many teenagers. Despite her young age, she managed to be loved by a variety of people of different ages and cultures. 

    Nadia never thought that one day she'd become a writer. "It was a coincidence, it wasn't like a talent I had as a child." As we all go through the trouble to understand our feelings at certain times of our lives, the writing was Nadia's way to understand and express her feelings. Some people let out their feelings by doing stuff they like. For example drawing, painting, sports, cooking…. Etc. "I had really hard trouble with my feelings and I didn't expect that the way I'd let them out would be in writing." She wrote a Wattpad book to help her express all of her hidden emotions. "Ironically, many people started to read it. I got 50k reads." Nadia's Wattpad account was not created with her real name. She came up with a fake name for her account and started her writings anonymously. Her friends didn't even know that she writes. Her emotions shaped her career. "I don't know how to write anything if I am not inspired by a specific emotion. Like when you're angry, your writing will consist of some really hard feelings. When you are in love, your writing will be romantic and lovely. Your emotions are reflected in your writings."

   To be able to write a book, you'll need a perfect idea on your mind that deserves to be transformed into a book. And Nadia had a wonderful idea behind her book. "When you're young, it is not necessary that when you love someone, that person would love you back. All the fictions that we read and watch always shows us that a couple will always fall for each other and live in their happily ever after." And of course, that is not true. Love is mutual sometimes, but sometimes we go through one-sided love. "That is what I wanted to address in my book. That we must not feel insecure just because someone doesn't love us back." There is someone out there who will love us as we are, with all of our imperfections and flaws. "You should never change for someone. The most important thing is for you to love yourself." Nadia went through many things that she felt were emotionally abusing her. "You should never lose  your self-confidence and self-love for someone." We all go through different experiences in our lives. "There will always be something that will change your identity and how you think of things." No one is going to stay with you forever. 

    As stated above, Nadia is more than just a writer. But how does she keep up with her work schedule? "I try to write an article a day." 2 years ago, she worked for 'Whatsup Cairo' and she used to write 5 articles per day, which was a lot of pressure for her to handle. "I left it because of my studies. I had a lot of studying to do and subjects to learn. Due to that, my inspiration decreased and I wasn't able to write like before." Nadia is the kind of person whose daily life gets affected by her mental health. If her mental health is not at its best, then she won't have the ability to do anything or be productive.

Even though she is a writer, Nadia doesn't think that she'll ever write for a living. "I don't want to major in journalism. I want to major in Radio and television. I want to become a host. I'd also love to write movie scripts" Nadia writes whenever she feels the need to express a feeling or an opinion. "I don't like to be told to write a specific piece. I like to write about the topics I choose, at the time I want." Being forced to write about a specific topic exhausts her. But when she writes something she wants to write from her heart, it energizes her. 

Writing is indeed a spiritual practice for many people. And Nadia is one of them. 

"Writing always make my mental health better, It's very spiritual." 

     Nadia is a person who is inspired by many things. "Many movies and TV shows inspire me. I've written about topics that I've extracted their ideas from TV shows." She often gets inspired by different people, a quotation she had heard before, books, poems, and even some conversations. "I get inspired by many things that I am surrounded by." And in her point of view, she finds that the best way to write is to find a source of inspiration. "Look around you. Try to explore and experience a lot of things in your life." 

An amazing writer should be the perfect person to ask for book suggestions, right? Well…Nadia suggested two books for us to read and discover the idea and concept behind. "One of the great books that I'm currently reading is called 'The 40 rules of love'. There is also a book called 'Cinderella's secret' when I read it, I gained a lot of confidence."

 

   Now let's get into Nadia's podcast, which holds a huge part of her career. Nadia has her podcast on Anghami which is called 'Ferkesh'. Let's get into the story behind this wonderful podcast. "I received the idea of the podcast in January 2019. Some made a Caricature of me and wrote the name of the podcast." Since she is a bit socially awkward, she didn't know where and how to start. "I was always stressed about how I am supposed to meet someone and interview him." She had to do it alone and it was hard for her. Then this year in quarantine, she started to focus on it and had the idea of her first interview. "The first interview I did was on the application 'zoom'. In the first episode of my podcast, I interviewed Sarah about khier in addition to the two co-founders of the game '2ool A meme', Yasmin Ammar, and Abdelrahman Khaled." The quality wasn't the best, but it is hard to have the perfect equipment at home. In her second episode, she interviewed Kareem Elsayed, who is the CEO of '3alsatr'. "I also tried to look for an editor in my audience and I've found a great one. He helped me a lot in putting this podcast together." 

   Nadia has an aim that she wants to fulfill and a message that she wants to deliver in her podcast episodes. "I want to put the spotlight on teenagers who started their journey and the ones who are starting to make a difference in our society." She is trying to encourage her listeners to start their career and have the courage to take risks and follow their dreams. "I want them to take a step to achieve their goals, even if it might seem difficult and scary." She also wants to interview some people who've already succeeded. Let's just say that, she's trying to mix between both worlds. 

   In her artistic process, she faced difficulties in finding motivation and inspiration. She also struggled with trying to create new and unique content that would express her identity in the right way. 

We all define success in different ways and through our visions. As for Nadia, she defined success in an inspiring way. 

"Success is to work hard for what you want to achieve, even if you fall a thousand times. Since that, you have a goal and you're not giving up on it, then that itself is a success." 

She believes that she is still starting the first few steps of reaching her goal. This is just the start, she wants to affect many people and society. She wants to make a difference. "I want to create a difference whether it is small or huge."  As for failure, she thinks that failure is when you have wonderful ideas and goals, but you never try to take any step to reach them. "You just dream."

   There are many common traps that several writers fall in. In her career, she fell into a couple of traps. "My English is not perfect. I find it hard to find words. I struggle with vocabulary." She doesn't have a problem with grammar punctuation. "You could find me searching for some synonyms because I don't want to repeat the words." She also always tries to search for expressions and idioms that would perfectly describe what she wants to express. "I also don't know how to write using different kinds of writing. I can't mix between descriptive, creative, scenarios…. Etc." she struggles with using different kinds of writing on one piece. She usually writes using only one form. "I can write letters and creative writings in a good way. But descriptive writings are hard for me because it requires a lot of vocabulary." She'd also love to learn how to write movie scripts. "I wish to be able to write a script and that one day it would become a movie." That is like, one of her main goals. 

"I'm the kind of person who wants to do a lot of different stuff. I love to try new things." It is okay to feel lost and hesitate to choose what you want to do in your career. But the most important thing is to work hard to reach what you want until you feel that you've accomplished your missions. Through her career, Nadia discovered some interesting discoveries about herself. "I realized that, if my mental health is not alright, I won't be too. And that my mental health controls my productivity. It is very challenging to always try to be in a good state, to be productive." She also didn't know that she was capable of expressing her feelings by writing. 

    To balance between your personal life and work is hard. As for Nadia, she didn't have any problem with balancing between them. She makes sure that she lives her teenage life to the fullest. "'I go out to play, party, and everything. Then in my free time, I start my work." She usually writes at night before she heads to bed. "That's the time when I feel peace." Most of her work is on her mobile so she finds it easy to do anytime, anywhere. "My work never affected my personal life." 

    

Through our life, career, and achievements. Some people are always by our side and keep us going because of their support. Many people supported Nadia throughout her career. "My mom is very supportive. Also, one of my friends is very honest with me, like if I showed her any of my writings, she'd never compliment me. Her opinion always helps me."

     Social media holds a huge part of Nadia's life. "Instagram for example, made me have many new and amazing friends. Some of them are close to me." Also, social media helped people to get to know Nadia. "I'll never forget the feeling when I'm in public and someone recognizes me and asks me for a picture." Her audience is her second family. They're always by her side and notice when she disappears.

     Nadia has many unfinished books. There is a teen-fiction book that she started but then felt that its story wasn't unique enough to be completed. "I also started another book called 'A road to a positive mindset; A guide to keeping you going as a teenager'. It's about self-love, chasing your dreams, loving yourself, trusting yourself, and finding out who you are." She only wrote 4 chapters of this book. "I am going slow, but I have plans for this book, and I want to take my time with it." 

     Mixed feelings made Nadia start her career. During her career, she learned many things and experienced a lot of different situations. "If I could start all over again, I'll try to be more consistent." She had many tips for young writers which I find necessary for them to know. 

"Never stop writing because when you stop it is hard to get back to writing. You could always search for books that could help motivate you to write, even if you write a small piece daily. Keep going, consistency is the key. Be honest with yourself and know that people will always have different opinions on your work. But remember that there is a huge difference between attacking and criticism. Do whatever you feel like doing, people will always speak about you." 

    And most importantly, express your feelings." Nadia is the kind of person who never stops what she is doing, she always tries to make her voice be heard. 

    Nadia ended this interview with such a beautiful and inspiring message to the world right now. 

"It is okay to be mentally exhausted and it's totally fine to take a break from everything. But take your time, get up, and start thinking of creative ideas to color your life. We will all get through this. Start your own business at home, even if it is something really simple. Do something that you love. There are many opportunities. Step by step you'll get through this. We're in a pandemic, you're not supposed to be at your best and productive. Take some you-time. Try to stay away from the negativity of social media. Eat healthily, sleep well, and take care of your mental health. Focus on yourself." 

 Sitting down with her was such an honor. Getting to know such an amazing and talented person like her was such a blessing. It was such a pleasure for me to interview an easy-going, friendly, talented, and hard-working person like Nadia. I've learned a lot from this interview. It was an opportunity of a lifetime.

Interviewer: Haya Yasser

Editor : Youmna Medhat  

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YOU CAN: Rawan ElSisy

     Do Re Mi Fa So might be the only thing most of us know about the piano. However, sitting with Rawan El-sisy altered this point of view. She managed to change the way I see or even think about music, and more specifically, the piano.

   Rawan El-sisy is an 18-year-old pianist from Egypt graduating from school and soon going into university life. She defines herself as someone passionate about trying different fields to explore the new in life. Rawan is the kind of person who is willing to try new things that interest her just to check if she is good at them.

   When I asked her about why she chose the piano out of all the instruments, she mentioned that, as a child, her father owned one of those huge pianos that were placed in their house. She went on how her father was hoping that one of his kids would grow up and learn how to play the piano but sadly, he failed. Rawan took it upon herself to learn and started to go further with it. She started self-teaching herself around the age of 13. Later, it caught the attention of her father that she is actually into the piano. Her father didn't hesitate and immediately took her to a piano school to learn more. She stressed the fact that she always would rather teach herself than seek the help of others. Rawan does not only play alone, but she is also a member of artخana. Sometimes, she plays in some sort of a band alongside some of the other great musicians there, creating a vibe that she described as "something joyful and a very powerful tool". To her, band meetings are something extraordinary and very therapeutic.

Rawan said that she wouldn't consider being a pianist as a profession because, in her opinion, taking your hobby and turning it into a profession might make you bored and tired of doing it due to the stress and pressure. "Music is meant to be a hobby," said Rawan. She prefers to be free from the restrictions of being a pianist as a career and would rather keep it as an everlasting hobby. Being a pianist leaves a positive impact on her; it makes her feel as if she is daydreaming and living in a different world.

   Rawan mentioned that playing the piano requires a lot of concentration  which makes the mind more focused and active.  Not only does she use it as a hobby, but she also plays it before studying so she can focus. She said that "it plays well for your mind"; it creates a rhythm that makes her feel brilliant and more concentrated. 

Now, balancing between her hobbies and lifestyle isn't an issue. Even though she has multiple hobbies, she still considers them as a part of her daily life activities and thus, gives each hobby its time to be perfect. She focuses on each hobby and gives it the time it deserves so it can be both enjoyable and well-done. She also always works on creating a new atmosphere of learning for herself. She mixes between learning new tunes and creating some too!!

   Apart from the piano, she is interested in yoga. She loves the piano as much as she loves being a yoga enthusiast. She posts episodes of her yoga routine on her page and shares her soothing methods with the audience to help them out. I tried to make it hard for her and asked whether she would prefer the piano or yoga. She explained how yoga is the mix between the mind and body. It leaves a connection within us and a good way to relax and stay healthy.

   For those who wondered whether she might be giving out classes, Rawan mentioned how she is a yoga trainee and goes through a 200-hour practice to earn a certificate and make it official and more professional. She has plans with an online yoga studio after she earns her certificate.

   To add to her list of interests and hobbies, Rawan is also into graphic design and painting along with a mild interest in fashion. She likes to portray a message through her outfits; Rawan wants to tell all the girls that you can wear whatever you want and be confident about yourself. Regarding graphic design, she is considering it a major or a sub-major to her original major. Moreover, she is currently working with a travel agency (stamps.egy) along with her sister's art account. When we talk favorites, to Rawan, Omar Khayrat and Hans Devoir are people who she prefers and looks up to. 

  

   However, her inspiration is herself. She believes that inspiration comes within the self.

Finally, Rawan's advice to all the up comers is that 

"Consistency is key. Do not let any failures bring you down. One always must motivate themselves to go on.'

Interviewer : Salma Aladly 

Editor: Youmna Medhat  

 

 

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YOU CAN: Passant Faheem

     "Work Hard, Play Hard" a well-known quote but it is more than that for Passant Faheem, it is a life motto. Passant is not the usual 20-year-old, at such a young age she achieved what a lot of older people find hard to achieve. Not only did she manage to open her traveling agency "Stamps" at the age of nineteen, but she is also an IGCSE Sociology Teacher and a college student. It was not easy for her, and nothing was given to her on a silver plate; she had to work hard to achieve little and work harder to achieve a lot. 

    For as long she remembers Passant had a passion for traveling, 

"I wanted to work in something that makes me feel independent and give me skills, and traveling is the best thing at that"

Passant's traveling journey started when she was around the age of 17. She applied for a job in a travel agency and faced the first barrier when they weren't convinced she can succeed due to her young age. She managed to convince them and told them she would work for free until she learns the skills.

"It's much more than traveling, I am experiencing the cultures with my own eyes"

    At first, Passant thought this was a cool vacation she was going to, but her experience in the agency, besides being ultimately entertaining, held an educational aspect. The experience she gained in this agency wasn't only limited to traveling. She gained a lot of other skills through courses like first aid and developed communication and social skills with different people from different cultures, as she was one of the organizers in the trips made by this agency. 

"I was a different person with a different view on traveling before this experience, I discovered also a lot about myself and saw what is outside of my thinking bubble"

   

  Her gates for starting the agency opened when she first started traveling and backpacking abroad. Her stay would take time and, therefore, a lot of money. She started searching online on how to make money quickly and save it. "saving up didn't allow for doing luxurious activities, however, I can still manage to travel and do things even cooler. I made the most out of it."

   Passant found herself already at an agency of her own. She always helped her friends and other people who want to travel through social media with tips and hacks she learned from traveling and from her searches. Passant and her co-founder Ahmed then started thinking about doing customized trips online on a small scale, not a literal traveling agency. The positive response she received led her and Ahmed to start working on opening their travel agency, "stamps". They launched it after just more than a year of hard work and paperwork.

  "With my experience with people and traveling and with Ahmed's experience with technicalities, we were able to do it"

Passant didn't expect a huge response to Stamps, especially when other travel agencies were much more popular. But she succeeded and, with the help of her co-founder, built a name and earned a place between other travel agencies.

  "There is so much to grow but I didn't expect that I would make deals with other travel agencies and would have a big name this fast"

   The first trip she organized at stamps was one of Italy. At the time 4 people applied and paid and seeing that made her feel like her dream is getting real. She had organized a lot of trips and traveled with a lot of people, but still, having her own business and holding more responsibilities felt different to her.

"at that moment I felt the hard work for stamps paid off"

   Besides all the excitement Passant still feels whenever she organizes trips, Passant carries a lot of responsibilities on her shoulders. She is a teacher, a business owner, and a student. She is still a human and sometimes faces low points in her life especially with how mentally draining the quarantine is for her.

"Honestly, I face a lot of low points in my life because of how stressful it is but I finish all my work and push myself a little bit harder before a certain break I set and my friends and family know that they shouldn't talk with me in this break"

   One of the unique traits in Passant is hopefulness. She wanted to study for her bachelor's degree abroad but for certain circumstances, she couldn't. The major she wanted was only found in the AUC but it was too expensive, so she applied to another major in the GUC. 

   However, something unexpected happened on her first day.

"I was going to pay in the GUC and the AUC contacted me and told me that I was granted a scholarship there in the major I wanted, this showed me that rewards can be received at the last minute.

Besides all the positive vibes and the hardships, her experience held a lot of fun.

   "One time I was in Bali and we only moved by scooters. I had a fever and I was sick but I didn't want to ruin the day. I and Ahmed, my co-founder, were in the countryside and there was construction on the road and we fell off the scooters. We went to the hospital and got some stitches. We rented another scooter but Ahmed couldn't drive so I offered to drive for us both even though I  didn't know how to drive it. About 10 minutes away from the hospital we fell again and Ahmed's stitches reopened. It was getting darker, the hospital and the house were too far, the scooter was ruined, no one could speak English, and our phones were broken. After about an hour a man who speaks English stopped in his car and helped us get on a van that transported chicken! But at least we got home"

    I couldn't stop laughing at the story of a lifetime especially since her phone's touchscreen was broken and her dad was calling a lot while she couldn't answer. Also since she was alone on the other side of the world.

   "I was with the chicken thinking of everything, what would I tell my dad? is the driver kidnapping us? when I got home I laid in bed and never thought this could happen to me in one day"

Finally, I asked Passant what tips does she has for people who want to travel alone.

   "I recommend solo traveling or a couple of traveling. The person you are traveling with should not be too dependent or against the idea of socializing especially since your host house friends are your new best friends, and shouldn't be against doing new things but not peer pressure you to do things you don't want to do. You have to have this flexibility to gain the best experience. One time, we changed the whole route of the trip because there were better and cheaper activities"

    For everyone who wants to start a startup Passant had a few tips

"Plan everything literally, email big companies and entities for collaborations. You would think they won't reply, but they do! Write everything down on paper: what you are doing, will do, and how you will do it because in your head it might sound perfect but it might not be practical on paper."

   To conclude, Passant didn't achieve little and still wants to achieve more. She didn't wake up one day with everything at her palms, she worked hard and harder and succeeded. It was a lot of fun interviewing Passant as she is one of the nicest people I've talked with. Also, make sure to check her Instagram page @passantfaheem and follow @stamps.egy for a lot of offers on their trips.

Interviewer: Habiba Essam 

Editor : Youmna Medhat 

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