In a powerful display of vulnerability and strength, women at the What Women Want Summit 3.0 shattered myths about mental wellness, offering unfiltered insights into navigating life’s most challenging moments.
During a panel moderated by Josephine Kharay, creative Patricia Kihoro, Gatwiri Muthoka, a transformation therapist, emotional intelligence trainer and hypnotherapist as well as Nazreen Abdulmalik, a Life coach, shared their strategies for maintaining mental balance in an increasingly demanding world.
Patricia Kihoro opened up about her most vulnerable moment, recounting her experience after her father’s death.
“When my father passed away, there was nothing else to feel. The only thing that kept me going was my family, my mom and my brothers,” she said.
Gatwiri Muthoka challenged traditional notions of strength. “Strength is not how much you endure but rather you listening to yourself,” she told attendees.
Life coach Nazreen Abdulmalik offered a message of hope, stating, “I don’t think I’ve been completely out of balance. It’s okay. It will work out. Have faith.”
The panelists discussed practical strategies for maintaining mental wellness. Kihoro shared her experience of taking a break from social media, despite it being her primary income source. “Taking a break is okay,” she emphasized.
Gatwiri Muthoka described balance as “allowing myself to be fully human,” while Nazreen introduced the concept of “practicing the pause” which is taking time to reflect during challenging moments.
Key strategies discussed included self-awareness, journaling, setting boundaries and reframing negative thoughts. Nazreen noted the importance of journaling, saying, “With journaling you put your emotions on paper.”
Muthoka offered a powerful mental reframing technique, encouraging women to transform the question “What if I fail?” to “What if I succeed beyond my wildest expectations?”
The panel, part of the Johnnie Walker sponsored #SheWalks platform, highlighted the importance of mental wellness for modern women navigating complex personal and professional landscapes.
As discussions concluded, the message was clear, resilience is not about enduring, but about listening to oneself and embracing vulnerability.
