2Rima and a New Beginning

Rima, a talented designer, moved to a new city after marrying Karim. The move was hard; she felt like a stranger and missed her hometown and family. Her husband Karim, a fitness coach, noticed she was changing, and wanted to help.

One evening, sitting on the shore of the lake, Karim told her about four small habits that had helped him through his hardest days:

“The unfamiliar city became a place to begin again.”

Looking after her health. He advised her to have regular check-ups. Rima went to the clinic and discovered her blood pressure was high, so she began treatment early.

Healthy food. The couple began cooking new healthy recipes together every weekend, and cooking became a time that brought them closer.

Good sleep. Sleep was hard in the new place, so Karim suggested she put her phone away an hour before bed, breathe slowly, and listen to calming sounds.

Movement. Rima joined the exercise classes Karim taught at the nearby club.

After some months, Rima began to feel at ease and that she belonged, and saw the city as a place to begin again. With her husband’s love and support, and a few small habits, she overcame her sense of being a stranger.