Menu

Doaa

About Doaa

http://doaakurdi.com

Posts by Doaa Kurdi:

jogging

How 15 Minutes of Jogging a Day Boosts Creativity

A quick jog each morning can help kick-start a day of clear, focused thinking.

Beyond the physical boost, I discovered that a short jog also fuels my creativity in ways I never expected. Here’s how I turned a 15-minute habit into a powerful tool for mental clarity. 

Stick around to get my cheat code for staying consistent!

Over the past few years, working from home has brought a lot of benefits, but it’s also shifted me toward a more sedentary lifestyle. While I wouldn’t trade remote work for anything, I found that without a commute or office space to move around in, my activity level dropped. I could feel the impact on my health and energy, and it became clear that I needed to make a change before things got worse.

If you’re anything like me, finding time to exercise can be a challenge, but making even a small effort can do wonders. I started with just a simple walk around the block. That first day, it took me 30 minutes, and by the time I got home, I was out of breath! 😅 Still, I stuck with it, scheduling it in before my work day to make sure I wouldn’t put it off. And after a few weeks, I felt stronger and ready to try something more challenging.

How Jogging Has Supercharged My Creativity

As I built consistency, I felt a major shift mentally, too. That brief time outside gave me a sense of mental clarity I hadn’t expected. Ideas began to flow, and my motivation to dive into creative projects grew. Now, I finish my loop around the block in 15–20 minutes. It’s just the right amount of movement to start my day fresh and with a positive mindset.

Here’s my simple 15-minute routine:

  1. First Jog (5 mins): I start jogging as soon as I leave the house, a quick burst to wake up my body and clear my mind.
  2. Walking Break (3 mins): I slow down to a walk to catch my breath and take in my surroundings. I don’t let myself get too comfortable — just enough to recharge.
  3. Second Jog (5 mins): I pick up the pace again, jogging until I feel that familiar rush of energy.
  4. Cool-Down Walk (2 mins): I finish with a gentle walk back home, feeling refreshed and ready to dive into creative work.

In total, I cover about 2.2 km, or roughly 2,300 steps. It’s not an intense workout, but that bit of movement is enough to reset my mind and prepare me for the day ahead. Make sure to to stretch before and after though!

What Happens Mentally During My Morning Jog

I’ve noticed that jogging gives me more than just physical energy. During those 15 minutes, I:

  • Zone out of daily pressures and just focus on the rhythm of my body. It’s a great way to disconnect from stress.
  • Notice the little things around me, from a leaf falling to the ground to the cool morning breeze. Those small moments help ground me and spark inspiration.
  • Feel a sense of freedom, as if there’s nothing holding me back. It’s a time when I can really push myself, both physically and mentally.
sun

The Secret to Staying Consistent

If you’ve read this far, here’s the real hack to making this habit stick: 

Lay out your clothes the night before. When you wake up, just get up, brush your teeth, put on your workout gear, and GO— no overthinking, no time to make excuses. I know it’s tempting to wait until after coffee, but trust me, when you get back, that coffee (or matcha, or tea) will taste even better, and the sense of accomplishment will carry you through the day.
Untitled (3)

Growing Up Across Cultures vs. Visiting Them as Adults

How a nomadic childhood shapes us differently than adult travel and cultural exploration.

Roots or wings? 

For me, the phrase “roots and wings” represents the balance between having a deep sense of connection to where we come from (our roots) while also embracing the freedom to explore and grow (our wings). For some of us, the home and culture we were exposed to as children shaped our roots, while the experiences we pursue as adults form our wings. But what happens when those roots are planted in more than one spot?

Growing up in different cultures isn’t just an experience; it’s something that becomes a part of you. We’re called Third Culture Kids (TCK). The traditions, the languages—they don’t just fade away when you leave. They’re engraved, shaping how you see the world and how you carry yourself. Visiting a new culture as an adult, on the other hand, is fleeting. It’s enriching and enjoyable, yes, but it’s often just a moment—a chapter, not the whole book.

As a child, moving between countries means figuring out who you are while the world around you keeps shifting. Your sense of identity doesn’t have a fixed starting point; instead, it blends and evolves with each new place. You might find pieces of yourself in every culture you’ve lived in, making your identity something fluid and layered.

By adulthood, though, identity is more stable. Most adults already have a strong sense of self, and cultural experiences tend to build on that identity rather than change it. For instance, when adults immerse themselves in a new culture, they often have a clear feeling of “home” to anchor them. Even if they’re exploring far-off places, they can usually point to one location that feels like where they belong.

How Growing Up TCK Shapes You Differently

For those of us who grew up in different cultural contexts, adaptability becomes second nature. Being the “new kid” time and time again forces you to pick up on social cues, adjust to different customs, and adapt to new languages—quickly and intuitively. It’s not something you think about; it just happens.

Adults who explore new cultures might be curious and eager to immerse themselves, but they’re often visitors. They bring their own concept of home with them and interpret their new surroundings from that perspective. As a third-culture kid, there’s no single “home base” guiding you. You learn to make home wherever you are, turning it into a concept rather than a place.

A picture of a suitcase next to a map, or someone looking out the window of an airplane, reflecting the idea of traveling or being far from home.

What This Means for Both Journeys

Both experiences offer a unique perspective, regardless of whether you were raised exploring many cultures or you decided to do so later in life. Those with a third-culture upbringing often have an appreciation for diversity ingrained into who they are. They see things from multiple perspectives and have a natural curiosity about other lifestyles.

For travelling adults, stepping into a new culture can feel like stepping into a new pair of shoes—an adjustment, but one you choose. It might not reshape your sense of self, but it can strengthen it and offer new views you carry back with you.

Finding the Balance Between Roots and Wings

For some, growing up in a multicultural environment feels like being handed wings without knowing where to land. For others, travelling later in life feels like a way to stretch those wings. Neither is better or worse—they’re just different paths to understanding ourselves and the world around us.

Maybe that’s the beauty of it. Whether we’re born into it or seek it out, connecting with other cultures is a reminder of how much there is to learn—and how much we carry with us wherever we go.