Nabela Noor, a Bangladeshi American plus-size influencer, author of the body-positive children's book Beautifully Me, and speaker at the 2024 Democratic National Convention, has captivated audiences with her authentic approach to life. Her journey, marked by self-care practices and navigating the complexities of the influencer world, offers valuable insights into body positivity and personal growth.
The Evolution of "Quarantine Routine"
Nabela's video series, originally titled "Quarantine Routine" and born during the pandemic, has become a cornerstone of her self-care regimen. The series, now renamed, has evolved alongside Nabela's life, incorporating her experiences as a mother to her 8-month-old daughter, Amalia. These clips celebrate the "little moments of goodness" in life, from a warm cup of coffee to a lovingly prepared meal. Nabela emphasizes the importance of romanticizing these everyday moments, finding gratitude in the simple things.
The Power of Gratitude
Nabela's gratitude practice extends beyond social media. She maintains physical and Google Docs journals to record her thankfulness. These journals serve as valuable touchstones, allowing her to reflect on her journey and anticipate the future. By revisiting past entries each year, Nabela gains a comprehensive understanding of her experiences and fuels her excitement for what lies ahead. The journals serve as touchstones for where the former aspiring lawyer turned digital creator has been-and where she’s going. “Every year, I look back and read them. It’s all-encompassing of what I experienced and makes me excited about the future.”
Lessons in Maintaining Inner Peace
Nabela has learned several key lessons about maintaining inner peace:
- Respect Your Margins: Nabela's therapist suggests viewing life as a piece of lined paper, emphasizing the importance of leaving margins for breathing room, growth, and flourishing. "My therapist says to look at life like it’s a piece of lined paper: You don’t start writing from the very top. You leave margins to allow space to breathe-to flourish and grow.”
- Model Mindfulness: Nabela believes that demonstrating self-care is the most effective way to teach her daughter, Amalia, about its importance. She trusts that Amalia will naturally pick up on these cues. “The best way for me to teach Amalia about the importance of self-care is by demonstrating it in my own life. She will naturally, I believe, pick those cues up.”
- Embrace Grace in Journaling: For those new to journaling, Nabela advises self-compassion. It's perfectly acceptable to skip days or even weeks between entries. Gratitude Newbie?If you’re just beginning a journaling practice, Nabela has a tip: “Give yourself lots of grace. It’s okay if you start one day and don’t pick it up again for another week.”
Navigating the Influencer Landscape
Nabela's presence in the home and lifestyle influencer space is notable, as she defies the typical mold of a "tiny blonde white lady." While her home decor features all-white furniture and her reels showcase luxury cars and high-end appliances, Nabela remains unique. She is plus-size, Bangladeshi American, and challenges dieting and body shaming through her work.
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Nabela's recent content reflects a shift towards prioritizing her own well-being. She encourages her followers to "choose you" and attributes her physical changes to "putting my own oxygen mask on first." While preparing her husband's favorite meal, she incorporates green juice into her own diet.
Authenticity and Representation
Nabela's journey highlights the challenges of maintaining authenticity in an industry often dominated by whiteness and thinness. Her decision to prioritize her well-being and embrace self-care resonates with many who seek genuine representation in the influencer world. She looks happy in each shot, but they are decidedly candid. She’s wearing little makeup, there is no aesthetic consistency in the backgrounds, and Nabela looks like the plus size beauty influencer she became famous as.
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