Expat Life in Dubai: A Week in the Life of a 25-Year-Old British Expat | Mabel Goulden

YouTube Channel Update and Daily Routine

Introduction and Personal Reflections

• The speaker expresses excitement about their YouTube channel, feeling more confident as a creator. They appreciate the engagement from viewers who are now leaving comments and messages.

• Mention of baking sourdough bread for a friend's birthday, highlighting their passion for bread-making and recent challenges with their starter.

Juice Cleanse Experience

• Today marks the final day of an organic juice cleanse. The speaker chose a protein-focused option to maintain energy levels due to strength training.

• They report positive experiences during the cleanse, feeling energized and full without cravings, suggesting it may become a regular practice in their life.

Health Monitoring Insights

• The speaker discusses using a glucose monitor to observe blood sugar levels during the cleanse, noting differences between various juice flavors.

Ballet Class Anticipation

• After missing ballet classes due to weather conditions, they express eagerness to return today. They mention receiving credits back from ClassPass for missed classes.

Work Productivity and New Roommate

• Reflecting on productivity from working at home yesterday while editing a video about their time in Dubai. They encourage viewers to check out this upcoming content.

Dance Class Mishap and Productive Day

Morning Challenges

• The speaker experienced a stressful morning due to heavy traffic, causing them to arrive late for their dance class.

• Despite planning ahead, they were 4 minutes late and lost their spot in the class, leading to frustration.

• This incident prompted the speaker to consider switching from ClassPass to a local gym membership, although the nearby gym does not offer ballet classes.

Work and Productivity

• After the dance class setback, the speaker spent about three hours working at a location called "the Bureau," feeling focused and productive.

• They completed all client work for the day but still needed to edit a YouTube video and create content for TikTok.

Afternoon Plans

• The speaker planned to go back home early since it was not yet 2 PM, allowing time for an afternoon gym session before a client call at 5 PM.

• They also mentioned having a therapy session later in the evening, indicating a balanced approach to work and self-care.

Healthy Eating Choices

Grocery Haul Overview

• The speaker shared details about their grocery order from Gibsons, emphasizing that everything was organic despite being more expensive than usual.

• Key items included asparagus for breakfast, various vegetables for salads (parsley, spring onion), and organic blueberries as a treat.

Ingredients Breakdown

• Other notable ingredients included organic tomatoes, kale (for soup), pomegranate seeds (for salad), microgreens (a new item), broccolini, beetroot, baby spinach, kombucha from Saba brand, apple cider vinegar, chickpeas, cucumbers, carrots, bean sprouts, limes (for dressing), and lemons.

Evening Reflections

Breakfast and Healthy Choices

Morning Routine and Breakfast Choices

• The speaker plans to have a calm workday with only one call scheduled, considering getting some sun while doing research.

• They incorporate broccolini and asparagus into their breakfast shake, initially skeptical about broccoli for breakfast but finding it enjoyable.

• The shake includes whole nuts (Brazil nuts and almonds), juice, blueberries, beetroots, carrots, and orange; the speaker expresses hunger.

Dining Experience

• After breakfast at a café called "Amongst Few," the speaker enjoys the lovely weather outside.

• They take a walk at Kite Beach post-meal to aid digestion, highlighting the area’s running track and cafes.

Reflections on Work and Personal Life

Vlogging Insights

• The speaker shares that they didn't vlog yesterday due to focusing on creating a cooking video while also managing personal tasks like helping Danielle move in.

Career Transition

• They reflect on Yash's last working day at Social Flex, marking it as an end of an era filled with mutual respect among colleagues.

• Despite inquiries about hiring after Yash's departure, the speaker decides to continue as a solo entrepreneur for now due to stress associated with team management.

Health Monitoring and Learning

Breakfast Impact on Health

• The speaker describes their favorite vegan bacon and egg roll from Amongst Few but notes that it caused a significant spike in glucose levels post-consumption.

• They mention taking a walk afterward as recommended by health guidelines to manage glucose levels while expressing enjoyment in social eating experiences.

Daily Schedule Challenges

• Acknowledging a busy evening ahead with Italian tutoring followed by dance class; they express hope for fitting in meals amidst their schedule.

Personal Achievements

Celebrating Successes

A Day in the Life: Balancing Work and Passion

Embracing Joy in Work

• The speaker expresses immense gratitude for their work, highlighting the joy of earning income from something they love. They describe a feeling of pride and happiness while walking along Kite Beach.

Community Appreciation

• Acknowledges the support from their YouTube community, emphasizing how much they appreciate their followers.

Productive Work Session

• After a walk, the speaker has a productive work session where they complete numerous tasks on their to-do list, including recording voiceovers for both YouTube and TikTok.

Busy Schedule Management

• Despite a busy week, the speaker manages to prepare for an Italian lesson and edit a YouTube video. They mention feeling less hungry but plan to eat after their lesson.

Dance Class Experience

• The speaker shares that they had an exhausting yet enjoyable dance class experience. They note it was particularly intense but rewarding for fitness.

Reflections on Dance Class

Unique Class Dynamics

• The speaker reflects on attending a sensual dance class alone due to low attendance, suggesting that marketing could improve participation by clarifying what "sensual dance" entails.

Positive Feedback Received

• A receptionist filmed part of the class and complimented the speaker's skills, noting that they couldn't distinguish between instructor and student—a significant boost to confidence.

Value of Introductory Offers

• The speaker took advantage of an introductory offer for classes, paying 1,100 for 16 sessions. They express excitement about trying various classes available at the studio.

Friday Routine: Self-Care and Planning

Morning Pilates Class

• On Friday morning, the speaker attends a Pilates class as part of their self-care routine before heading out for errands.

Nail Care Appointment

Getting Around Dubai: Metro Experience

Journey to Meet Friends

• The speaker discusses taking the metro in Dubai after two years, highlighting its continued existence and utility. They mention friends Brandon and Hanan picking them up from a station, saving on taxi costs.

• The purpose of the trip is to celebrate a friend's birthday with lunch. The speaker notes that traveling without a car can be challenging, making the metro a practical choice.

Preparation for the Day

• The speaker has packed extensively for the day, including snacks, a laptop, headphones, and clothes. They express uncertainty about the day's activities but are prepared for various scenarios.

• Mentioning their outfit details, they highlight new sunglasses and matching nails as part of their preparation for an outing at a beach restaurant.

Nostalgia and Reflections

• As they walk towards the metro, nostalgia hits when passing by their first apartment building in Dubai from six years ago. This moment evokes feelings of loneliness amidst memories.

Food Adventures and Cultural Insights

Culinary Experiences

• The speaker describes tasting an Armenian aged sausage dish while enjoying time with friends. They comment on its unique flavor profile compared to other foods they've tried.

• A discussion ensues about Lebanon's wonders as they explore local cuisine together. Hanan shares insights about Lebanese culture during their meal.

Breakfast Thoughts

• While preparing breakfast at home later on, the speaker reflects on recent dietary changes focused on health topics like hormone balance and gut health.

• They consider creating an Instagram group chat to share updates and learnings about health with interested followers.

Yoga Routine and Self-Care

Yoga Class Experience

• After attending a vigorous yoga class that challenges participants physically, the speaker expresses satisfaction with this Saturday morning ritual.

Beauty Treat Ahead of Celebration

Getting Ready for Brunch

Planning and Preparation

• The speaker discusses planning upcoming holidays with a friend, Jen, while preparing for brunch.

• Expresses frustration about the slow service at a salon despite its beauty and great service; emphasizes the need to be quick due to time constraints before brunch.

• Plans to get her eyebrows threaded at the salon and shares a life hack about using numbing cream to ease the pain of threading.

Beauty Routine Insights

• Describes how numbing cream significantly reduces discomfort during eyebrow threading, which she discovered after purchasing it for laser hair removal.

• Mentions wearing pajama bottoms but feels confident that it's acceptable attire for her outing; highlights her casual yet stylish approach.

Coffee Preferences

• Talks about making a "dirty coffee" and expresses a desire for a decaf version of her favorite brand, which has health benefits.

Outfit Selection

• Shares excitement over an outfit laid out for brunch, including a dress from & Other Stories and matching accessories like heels from Zara.

• Notes that the salon visit was quick this time, allowing more time to prepare; plans to do minimal makeup since most products are familiar favorites.

Final Touches Before Leaving

• Informs that she's ready and in a taxi heading to pick up Jen; mentions taking her time as Jen is running late.

• Discusses feeling proud of her makeup look primarily using Charlotte Tilbury products; showcases sunglasses from Guess that complement her outfit.

Driving Experience in Dubai

• Engages in conversation about driving experiences in Dubai, noting initial challenges but growing confidence after refresher lessons.

Navigating Transportation in Dubai

Experiences with Local Transport

• The speaker discusses their reliance on taxis and public transport, having not driven in Dubai for five years. They mention using the metro and buses as alternatives.

• Emphasizes the freedom a car provides for traveling to places like Abu Dhabi, enhancing mobility beyond public transport options.

Parking Insights

• The speaker shares positive experiences regarding parking availability, noting that many locations offer free parking or easy payment through the RTA app.

• Mentions that their workplace has a large free parking area, highlighting the general trend of accessible parking in Dubai.

Traffic Conditions and Car Necessity

• Discusses increased traffic congestion in Dubai, which prompted them to consider getting a car due to long wait times for taxis and buses.

• Recommends using the Waze app for navigation, indicating its effectiveness even when directing taxi drivers.

Positive Perspectives on Traffic

• Reflecting on a sound healing meditation session, the speaker mentions an instructor's advice to appreciate busy traffic as a sign of economic health in Dubai.

• Notes that recent population growth (between 500k to 750k people moving to Dubai last year) contributes to increased busyness and construction activity throughout the city.

Exploring New Places

Arrival at West Palm Beach

• The group arrives at West Palm Beach, describing it as very busy and opting for a buggy ride instead of walking due to footwear discomfort.

Observations on New Developments

• While exploring, they discuss spotting new restaurants like "maon de la PL," noting heightened security around these areas.

Personal Reflections and Health Journey

Morning Routine and Self-Care

• The speaker shares their Sunday morning routine involving a walk in the local park while reflecting on personal energy levels influenced by their health journey.

Focus on Rest and Recovery

• Plans for the week include prioritizing rest over strength training but maintaining enjoyment through activities like dance classes.

Weather Appreciation

Group Activities and Personal Reflections

Social Plans and Opportunities

• The speaker shares updates from a group chat, mentioning that Cy is at a barbecue and has invited them, while Jen and Babs are exploring dessert cafes.

• The speaker expresses enthusiasm for these activities, noting the newfound ability of friends with cars to engage in outings, which they appreciate as a pedestrian.

Preparing for Dance Class

• The speaker discusses their current activity of walking before attending a dance class, feeling energized after breakfast.

• They anticipate using this energy during the dance class, indicating excitement about the upcoming physical activity.

Imagining Life on Palm Jumeirah

• A light-hearted moment occurs where the speaker imagines living on Palm Jumeirah, expressing how they would enjoy local walks and leisure activities like having a beer.

Enjoying Scenic Views