Our birth order can shape our personality and, as an eldest child, I am often recognised for my responsibility, kindness and leadership within the family.
But there are days when I yearn to experience the independence of a middle child or the carefree nature of the youngest.
The sentence every eldest child dreads hearing has to be this: “Be a role model for your younger siblings.” The weight of expectations and responsibilities can be overwhelming, yet it has also fostered resilience within me.
From an early age, leadership was instilled in me, shaping my actions, not only in personal but also in professional aspects of life.
And if I do say so myself, the ability of first-borns to act swiftly, adapt intelligently, comprehend situations, and take charge can often set us apart from others.
So, here is some advice – from one eldest daughter to others.
Your confidence will fluctuate
There are studies that prove eldest daughters are known for being confident, but that is not always true, at least not for me.
As I journey through the latter half of my 20s, I've noticed a shift in my confidence compared with my early 20s. As responsibilities increase and life evolves, challenges that come with growing older and taking on more roles can sometimes lead to moments of self doubt. This can be influenced by the expectations we place on ourselves and external pressures.
It's essential to treat ourselves with kindness and acknowledge that it's OK to experience doubt. However, the real strength lies in our ability to bounce back and rise above these moments of uncertainty.
Take pride in your level of sensitivity
For much of my life, I believed that admitting to being sensitive was a weakness. But that couldn't be farther from the truth.
Being sensitive means your heart beats louder, it is a sign of dedication and passion. And when things don't go as planned, it reflects our level of care and shows how much we are invested in what we do.
In an eye-opening instance, I remember my manager once telling me: "It is OK to feel sad or disappointed when things don't go right; it shows the effort and hard work you've put into it."
Nonetheless, it is also important to be mindful and strike a balance between caring deeply and being able to handle setbacks to maintain a healthy perspective.
You are not everyone’s problem solver
It's fine to offer support and guidance, but it's equally important to allow others to learn and grow through their own experiences.
I know picking up the mental load of others is often our forte, but that only does harm to us. Recognising that not everything needs to be solved by you can relieve unnecessary stress and burden.
Sharing that load with others allows everyone to take responsibility for their own tasks and fosters a more balanced and supportive relationship, whether at work or at home.
It is significant to know that tasks will eventually get done, even if not by you.
You don’t have to be perfect
You don't have to be perfect or have all the answers all the time. Saying, "I don’t know," is sometimes very powerful.
Embracing your imperfections demonstrates a level of humility and a willingness to learn and grow. And it's OK to seek support or ask for help when needed.
Be true to yourself and enjoy the journey of life without the pressure of perfection.
There is power in being alone sometimes
The noise of the world can fog your thoughts and emotions. Don’t beat yourself up if you need to take time off and detox from your responsibilities.
Solitude allows you to process emotions, thoughts and experiences without distractions, contributing to improved overall wellbeing and self-awareness.
This is a valuable form of self-care that supports personal growth and a renewed sense of energy.
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ABU DHABI CARD
5pm: UAE Martyrs Cup (TB) Conditions; Dh90,000; 2,200m
5.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup (PA) Handicap; Dh70,000; 1,400m
6pm: UAE Matyrs Trophy (PA) Maiden; Dh80,000; 1,600m
6.30pm: Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak (IFAHR) Apprentice Championship (PA) Prestige; Dh100,000; 1,600m
7pm: Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak (IFAHR) Ladies World Championship (PA) Prestige; Dh125,000; 1,600m
8pm: Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Jewel Crown (PA) Group 1; Dh5,000,000; 1,600m
UAE jiu-jitsu squad
Men: Hamad Nawad and Khalid Al Balushi (56kg), Omar Al Fadhli and Saeed Al Mazroui (62kg), Taleb Al Kirbi and Humaid Al Kaabi (69kg), Mohammed Al Qubaisi and Saud Al Hammadi (70kg), Khalfan Belhol and Mohammad Haitham Radhi (85kg), Faisal Al Ketbi and Zayed Al Kaabi (94kg)
Women: Wadima Al Yafei and Mahra Al Hanaei (49kg), Bashayer Al Matrooshi and Hessa Al Shamsi (62kg)
Where to buy
Limited-edition art prints of The Sofa Series: Sultani can be acquired from Reem El Mutwalli at www.reemelmutwalli.com
Banthology: Stories from Unwanted Nations
Edited by Sarah Cleave, Comma Press
BUNDESLIGA FIXTURES
Friday (all kick-offs UAE time)
Hertha Berlin v Union Berlin (10.30pm)
Saturday
Freiburg v Werder Bremen (5.30pm)
Paderborn v Hoffenheim (5.30pm)
Wolfsburg v Borussia Dortmund (5.30pm)
Borussia Monchengladbach v Bayer Leverkusen (5.30pm)
Bayern Munich v Eintracht Frankfurt (5.30pm)
Sunday
Schalke v Augsburg (3.30pm)
Mainz v RB Leipzig (5.30pm)
Cologne v Fortuna Dusseldorf (8pm)
Scores:
Day 4
England 290 & 346
Sri Lanka 336 & 226-7 (target 301)
Sri Lanka require another 75 runs with three wickets remaining
What is the FNC?
The Federal National Council is one of five federal authorities established by the UAE constitution. It held its first session on December 2, 1972, a year to the day after Federation.
It has 40 members, eight of whom are women. The members represent the UAE population through each of the emirates. Abu Dhabi and Dubai have eight members each, Sharjah and Ras al Khaimah six, and Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain have four.
They bring Emirati issues to the council for debate and put those concerns to ministers summoned for questioning.
The FNC’s main functions include passing, amending or rejecting federal draft laws, discussing international treaties and agreements, and offering recommendations on general subjects raised during sessions.
Federal draft laws must first pass through the FNC for recommendations when members can amend the laws to suit the needs of citizens. The draft laws are then forwarded to the Cabinet for consideration and approval.
Since 2006, half of the members have been elected by UAE citizens to serve four-year terms and the other half are appointed by the Ruler’s Courts of the seven emirates.
In the 2015 elections, 78 of the 252 candidates were women. Women also represented 48 per cent of all voters and 67 per cent of the voters were under the age of 40.
Brief scores:
Manchester City 2
Gundogan 27', De Bruyne 85'
Crystal Palace 3
Schlupp 33', Townsend 35', Milivojevic 51' (pen)
Man of the Match: Andros Townsend (Crystal Palace)
Teams
India (playing XI): Virat Kohli (c), Ajinkya Rahane, Rohit Sharma, Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara, Hanuma Vihari, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami
South Africa (squad): Faf du Plessis (c), Temba Bavuma, Theunis de Bruyn, Quinton de Kock, Dean Elgar, Zubayr Hamza, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Senuran Muthusamy, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Vernon Philander, Dane Piedt, Kagiso Rabada, Rudi Second
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Western Region Asia Cup T20 Qualifier
Sun Feb 23 – Thu Feb 27, Al Amerat, Oman
The two finalists advance to the Asia qualifier in Malaysia in August
Group A
Bahrain, Maldives, Oman, Qatar
Group B
UAE, Iran, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia
Gifts exchanged
- King Charles - replica of President Eisenhower Sword
- Queen Camilla - Tiffany & Co vintage 18-carat gold, diamond and ruby flower brooch
- Donald Trump - hand-bound leather book with Declaration of Independence
- Melania Trump - personalised Anya Hindmarch handbag
RESULT
Manchester United 2 Tottenham Hotspur 1
Man United: Sanchez (24' ), Herrera (62')
Spurs: Alli (11')
Liverpool's all-time goalscorers
Ian Rush 346
Roger Hunt 285
Mohamed Salah 250
Gordon Hodgson 241
Billy Liddell 228
