Dubai can feel like many things at once: sleek and bustling, bright and polished, energising and overwhelming. In this Dubai diary, Rahma Ali shares a softer side of the city—one built around routines, gentle self-care, and the kind of calm that comes from knowing what you need that day.
From humid morning moments and gym time to supermarket runs, furniture browsing, and a café chosen specifically for “peace and quiet”, this video is a reminder that travel (even within the city you’re already in) is about making space for yourself.
A chill Dubai start: routines, groceries and bookish essentials
Rahma begins the day with something simple and grounding: breakfast followed by a quick gym session. She’s honest about feeling a little “out of routine” while helping a family member move—because real life doesn’t always pause for your travel plans.
Afterwards, she heads to the supermarket. One of the standout details she shares is how the stores in Dubai are neatly laid out, making healthy eating feel more aesthetic and considered. Her grocery basket includes items like yogurt, diced carrots, cucumber, onion, salad ingredients, lemon, pepper, fruit, and avocado—simple choices that fit a calm, home-cooked rhythm.
Travel light, but make it meaningful
Rahma also reflects on luggage and what truly matters while moving between places. This time, she travels with carry-on only—not because she loves it, but because her bag was already heavy. Inside? Her laptop and books. She laughs about the airport moment when security saw what was in her bag and joked, “Okay, just essentials then?” For Rahma, that’s exactly it: books are her essentials.
Homebody vibes: cooking, journaling and accepting your pace
Back home, she leans into the comforts of staying in. She shares that she actually prefers home-cooked meals and feels better when she doesn’t eat out too often. It’s a small but relatable travel note: sometimes the most “inspiring” plan is simply taking care of your body and energy.
She also begins a new journal in Dubai, calling it a “new chapter” feeling. Even if the day doesn’t go as planned—she later gets sleepy and ends up binge-watching rather than doing everything she hoped—she frames it as part of balance. There are days for books, painting and plans, and days for rest. Both are okay.
Furniture shopping and the joy of a reading nook idea
Dubai’s shopping energy shows up next. After some essentials shopping (including socks and errands), Rahma finds herself overstimulated and decides she needs quiet. Yet she still manages to enjoy browsing—especially furniture.
Her favourite find? A perfectly cushioning reading chair. She sits down and immediately knows it’s the kind of chair that would be ideal for a cosy reading nook. She doesn’t need furniture for her own space—but inspiration is a meaningful souvenir. The chair becomes a future vision: warm, bookish, and comfortable.
Mall moments vs café calm
Rahma explains that malls can feel busy even when they aren’t, particularly because of the echo and atmosphere. After feeling overwhelmed, she chooses a café specifically for peace and quiet. The change is immediate: she feels more calm, and that “Sunday vibes” feeling begins to return.
While she typically prefers shopping online, she makes an exception for what truly feeds her—books and stationery. It’s a lovely snapshot of how she reconnects with herself: pick up something to read, something to write in, and give your brain room to breathe.
Where to place your “calm” in a busy city
- Take breaks intentionally—especially after errands and busy indoor spaces.
- Choose cafés for quiet as a reset, not as an afterthought.
- Let inspiration guide you (like a furniture find that sparks a reading nook idea).
- Pair shopping with grounding routines: journal time, book time, rest.
Your bookish Dubai day, curated in a calmer key
This video isn’t about rushing through Dubai—it’s about enjoying the in-between: the gym morning, the neat supermarket aisle, the idea of a cosy chair, and the quiet café that helps your mind settle. If you’re planning your own trip, take note of the takeaway Rahma leaves you with: not every Dubai day needs to be glamorous or packed. Sometimes the best itinerary is one that supports your rhythm.
And if you want to refresh your style for your next outing, Rahma also shares an abaya recommendation from NASFIA, with matching hijabs.
Inspired to plan your own Dubai chapter?
Let Sakina Tours help you build a Dubai itinerary that matches your pace—whether you’re after calm cafés, thoughtful shopping, or bookish, cosy moments between sightseeing.
