Words of Wisdom

Words by Danielle Pender. Photography by Meryem Slimani.

We all have our favourites. The people whose stories we’ll drink up no matter what, whose posts are at the top of our feeds the minute they’re uploaded. Over the various lock down’s we’ve all been through, our relationships with the people we follow on social media have been more of a regular staple than some of our closest friends and family, their presence has brought comfort and joy when it has felt in short supply. It feels weird to write this but that is how I feel about Meryem Slimani and her mother Najate.

If you’ve ever glanced over Meryem’s Instagram you’ll be greeted with a joyous array of images of her mother, Najate dripping in spirit-lifting prints, sharp Sandro suits, the best sneakers, sports hijabs, satin headscarves and FILA CAPS. The images are a feast of happiness, but it’s not just the colours, patterns and textures of Najate’s outfits that bring the joy, the love and closeness between mother and daughter is so present in all of Meryem’s images that it’s radiates out at you.

They are having fun, they are playing dress-up, Meryem is documenting her mother and their relationship in a way that feels like the perfect antidote to all of the trauma that surrounds us. It’s what we all need right now.

The accidental collaboration started as a response to a more personal period of difficulty. Meryem was in a low place and Najate was going through chemotherapy treatment for cancer. Photographing her mother and styling her in various outfits gave them both a new lease of life, a way to connect and an escape from what was happening day-to-day. It was also a way to connect with their Moroccan roots as they explained in the past, “Apart from supporting my daughter, my other reason to do this with her is to give Moroccan and Muslim women a voice, especially the older generations that have been invisible in Dutch society since they came here in the ’70s and ’80s,” says Najate. “We deserve to be seen and heard too, our stories matter and we should not be ashamed or scared to share them.”

This was also very important for Meryem, “In my early 20s, I distanced myself from my roots, therapy and healing have brought me back to my Moroccan roots and you can see that very clearly in my work. I now realise that those two worlds can come together and live in harmony.”

Najate is the only influencer we’re interested in following not only for her impeccable style but for her inspiring approach to life. To help get us through the coming weeks Najate shared some wisdom, the beliefs and ideas she turns to when life is difficult and she needs a little something extra.

1. Love is everything and everything is love.

I feel the most joy when I’m with my loved ones but we haven't been able to see each other as much due to the pandemic. It's lonely at times but if you look closely love is all around us. It's in nature, a friendly smile from a stranger, a fresh cup of strong black coffee (no sugar) or whatever it is that warms your heart.

2. There is a silver lining in everything.

In Islam, we say Alhamdulillah (thank god) for everything; the good and the bad. Having that mindset makes you undefeated. Life is so much easier when you’re able to be thankful and see the good no matter what comes your way.

Learning to have faith in your fate is hard at first but I've been through a lot in my life and in the end, the only thing you can control is how you react. You don't have to be religious or pray in order to be thankful. Just being mindful is enough. It could be through meditation or writing down what you're grateful for.

Paying attention to the good things will teach you to see the good even when things get really bad. Once you learn how to gracefully roll with the punches life throws at you your life will be better. 

3. Know your worth.

Don’t let people walk over you or be disrespectful to you and always speak up for yourself and others. If you know who you are and what you stand for then no one will be able to take you for granted and you’ll be able to live your life to the fullest. Don't be afraid to be yourself and choose yourself. And don't let other people's judgement stand in your way.

4. Don’t grow up!

Act silly, play with your grandchildren, laugh out loud, wear bold colours. Don’t let society dictate for you how to behave “for your age” and never lose your inner child. As a teacher, I've always loved the spirit that young kids have, especially when they're 4 or 5 like my grandson's age now. At that age, your spirit is (hopefully) still free and full of imagination without expectations and real responsibilities a young soul can live freely but once we get older we lose touch with that part of us. I was the oldest in a family of 5 and never was really able to be a child so now with my grandson I can run around the house, make a mess, play games and reconnect with younger Najate. 

5. Get moving.

Walking is a daily routine I can't live without. I've always been afraid of bikes and even though I got a drivers license I also have a major fear of driving. So all my life I have walked. I'm a fast walker because as a single mom and teacher I was always in a hurry. Now that I'm retired and have nowhere to go I truly found joy in walking. Breathing the fresh air in deeply, feeling my body move and enjoying my surroundings makes my days complete. 

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