Read on to find out what our stars have revealed to our readers...
It’s that time again: A new year is right around the corner. Isn’t it amazing how another year has passed? Despite the arrival of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 in 2022, we started to resume normal life without face mask. The past year was an exceptional year in many ways: record weather events caused by climate change, unimaginable political and economic turmoil – and the death of the Queen, monarch of seven decades. For many, this has been a really tough year. No doubt, some beautiful and wondrous things have happened in your life. And, you’ve likely had your fair share of struggles and setbacks too. But, the year wasn’t all bad. From small acts of kindness to awe-inspiring events, 2022 still delivered joy, laughs and happy tears. And, people around the world are feeling surprisingly positive about the New Year, according to a global survey. As the New Year approaches and the retrospectives for 2022 roll out, we have asked few celebrities - how the past year treated them. Read on to find out what our stars have revealed to our readers...
1. What was an unexpected joy this past year?
2. What was your biggest challenge this past year?
3. What’s one thing you did last year (2022) that you’re proud of?
4. What was the best lesson you learned in 2022?
5. According to you, what was the most played song of 2022?
6. What were the best books you read this year?
7. What was your favourite movie or TV show of the year?
8. What is one change you would like to make to your lifestyle that would give you more peace in 2023?
1. I am a positive person. I find pleasure in smallest of things - a smile, a kind gesture, a beautiful evening with friends or even looking at the sunset gives me so much joy.
2. To deal with inflation and recession like the rest of the world.
3. Last year, I was more involved in philanthropic work. Being an established designer now it’s time for me to give back to the society.
4. Despite going through a lot in my personal life, I learnt that I must find my inner strength to fight back. People look up to us (celebs) for inspiration and I should not disappoint them.
5. My friend, Ali Sethi’s song, ‘Pasoori’.
6. ‘Coming Home’ by Afshan Sami.
7. I am obsessed with history so, ‘The Crown’, a Netflix series, is my first choice.
8. I should be more focused on my mental health in 2023.
1. I have started doing interiors from this year. Getting projects and people loving our designs and calling us to get their home interiors done is the biggest joy and success that I have got this year.
2. Challenges of remote working and teamwork management for creating success were the biggest challenges.
3. I have done huge charities even for the flood people as in today’s time it is important to help the country grow which I think is the most important thing to get yourself satisfied and give back to the society.
4. That you should never give up no matter how many hurdles come. Life is all about ups and downs and we need to be strong against all odds.
5. I think it’s ‘Pasoori’ from Coke Studio.
6. ‘The End of Fashion: The Mass Marketing of the Clothing Business Forever’ By Teri Agins and ‘The New Design Rules: How to Decorate and Renovate, from Start to Finish’ by Emily Henderson.
7. ‘Styling Hollywood’ and ‘Masaba Masaba’ (Season 2) on Netflix.
8. Both focused-meditation and increased mindfulness can indirectly help you to acknowledge, accept, and let go of the physical and emotional distress that might otherwise stir the waters of your mind. With a regular meditation practice, this acceptance can go a long way towards promoting lasting mental peace.
1. Co-curating ‘The Q Rickshaw’ project with Adam Fahy-Majeed. This project comprised nine performances that took place in my rickshaw as it drove from Empress Market to Jinnah’s mausoleum in my beloved city of Karachi.
2. Installing my solo show ‘The Spider Speakth in Tongues’ at the South Asian art institute in Chicago.
3. Hosting the largest performance event in Pakistan ‘Jagha Hai’ at my gallery space.
4. Everything has its own time and place.
5. ‘Pasoori’ by Ali Sethi and Shae Gill.
6. ‘Less’ by Andrew Sean Greer, ‘Black Boy’ by Richard Wright, ‘Narcissus and Goldmund’ by Herman Hesse.
7. ‘Joyland’.
8. Will start doing yoga for my own peace of mind.
1. Having the opportunity to spend Ramazan and Eid with my sisters and family in USA - something we have not done in years.
2. My husband’s illness - a challenge that continues and requires utmost faith and strength to fight.
3. Speaking up against the arrogance of those hungry for power. I know it inspired others to speak up against the injustices prevalent in our society.
4. Gratitude....for the littlest things we take for granted - to be able to eat, sleep, walk, play, travel, work and enjoy life as healthy individuals.
5. ‘Pasoori’ for sure.
6. The ultimate book of all... ‘The Holy Quran’.
7. ‘The Legend of Maula Jatt’ - simply made Pakistan proud.
8. To take out time to physically help the causes I believe in. It will give comfort to my heart and mind.
1. I was able to perform Umrah this year. Also, when my grandson was born, my joy knew no bounds.
2. Getting over Covid.
3. I am so proud of myself for taking some time out for myself (out of my hectic schedule).
4. Even the closest to you may sometimes not have your best interest at heart. People pretend to be your friend so, don’t fall for false appearances.
5. ‘Pasoori’.
6. ‘Life of Muhammad’ (PBUH).
7. ‘The Legend of Maula Jatt’.
8. To get more fresh air and to walk more. It gives your mind some mental peace.
1. I think the bounty of unexpected joy this year was certainly for PML (N).
2. To take all the trolling in my stride.
3. The philanthropic work that I did for our flood victims.
4. We learn something new every year.
5. ‘Pasoori’.
6. ‘Jannat Kay Patte’ by Nimra Ahmed.
7. Favourite movie - ‘The Legend of Maula Jatt’. I didn’t watch much television this year.
8. I will try to be more diplomatic rather than shooting from the lip because honesty is no longer the best policy.
1. Winning a Lux Award as the best live performance of the year, in the category of Viewers’ Choice.
2. To deal with the aftershock of Covid that affected my career.
3. The release of my second album ‘Khirad’- which is a tribute to Allama Iqbal.
4. Consistency can do wonders.
5. Without a doubt, ‘Pasoori’.
6. ‘Rich Dad Poor Dad’ a book by Robert Kiyosaki and Sharon Lechter.
7. ‘It’s Okay to Not be Okay’ (Korean drama).
8. I will try to control my urge - to not use my mobile 24/7. I should learn to take breaks from social media.
1. Being able to travel and meet people and my loved ones after three years of lockdowns and Covid.
2. Starting a business.
3. Launching my spiritual clothing brand ‘Arizai’.
4. To let go of what no longer serves my growth.
5. No idea.
6. I keep going back to the Sufi masters...
7. I watch too many to name one.
8. Focusing on self-care yoga meditation; Zikr and developing self-love and acceptance.
1. Support of my loved ones in so many surprising ways that it brought unexpected joy in my life.
2. To deal with my health issues has been a challenging aspect of my life this year.
3. I am proud to say that I have successfully survived 2022.
4. Tomorrow is another day. So, let’s not lose hope.
5. Coke Studio Season 14 was a runaway smash, especially ‘Pasoori’.
6. ‘Like a Rolling Stone’, a memoir, by Jann Wenner.
7. The movie that I really enjoyed in 2022 was ‘Tar’. And my favourite show was ‘The White Lotus’.
8. To eat healthy food and to exercise more. As they say, healthy bodies bear peaceful minds.
