I was the 1st one in my generation leaving an arranged marriage

There was a time when I truly believed that life with my husband would be one of freedom – a new beginning filled with independence and possibility. Little did I know that this idea would be tested in ways I could never have imagined.

This is the story of my first marriage – why I entered it, what happened, and how that experience became the foundation for the woman I am today.

married means happy and free

The path that was already chosen

I grew up knowing that marriage was simply the next step in life. It wasn’t a question of if I would marry – it was understood that I would. This wasn’t about being forced; it was simply what everyone around me did, what my family believed in, and what I accepted as the natural way of being.

By the time I started receiving proposals at 16, I already knew I had to live a certain way to attract the “right” kind of families. For example, when it came time to apply to university, it had to be in London. Leaving home to study elsewhere wasn’t up for debate. Staying at home signified respect for our culture, for my parents, and for the unspoken rule that good girls didn’t move out before marriage.

It was also tied to an idea of purity – that a woman who lived with her family until marriage was virtuous and respectable. This mindset shaped every part of my early life. I truly believed that freedom would begin once I left my family home and entered my married one.

The reality behind the promise of freedom

At 19, while studying business computing at university, I got married. My passion was always art, and one of the conditions of my marriage was that I would continue my education. This was important to both my parents and me.

However, I quickly realized that juggling full-time studies, being a new wife, and becoming a daughter-in-law was far more complex than I expected. My degree was very practical – full of coding, group projects, and evening assignments. Yet I was expected to be available at all times, to host guests, and to cater to family gatherings.

It became clear that I couldn’t please everyone. When I insisted on finishing my degree, I was told that a job didn’t require one – that others were already working in banks without completing their studies. But I’ve always been ambitious. I had dreams that went beyond what others thought was “acceptable” for me.

When I refused to give up my education, it caused conflict. My husband told me that I had to do what his mother said, because “my mum has chosen you so you have to do what she say”. That moment revealed how little freedom I actually had – and how my own voice wasn’t being heard.

Choosing myself – despite judgement

Eventually, the tension grew. I was asked to move into my in-laws’ home, but I knew that would only make things worse. My opinions and feelings weren’t considered, and I felt completely unseen. After many painful conversations, I decided to leave.

My parents were supportive – they believed deeply in fairness and respect, and they could see that the situation wasn’t right. Coming back home, however, was one of the darkest moments of my life. When I first left for marriage, I was full of hope and excitement. Returning felt like the opposite – like all those dreams had vanished.

I faced the fear of being “unmarriageable,” of never becoming a mother, and of carrying the label of a divorced woman at such a young age. Within our culture, there were so many unspoken rules, so many layers of conditioning, that I didn’t fully grasp how deeply they shaped every decision I made – until I broke away from them.

your way to transformation

A New Beginning

At the age of 21, I began to rebuild. I decided to focus entirely on my career, my independence, and my own growth. I convinced myself that my love life would forever lack intimacy or deep connection – that this was the price of freedom. But even through the sadness, I knew that something within me had changed.

That experience opened my eyes to how limiting women’s opportunities can be, not through explicit rules, but through silence – through what’s not said, yet still expected. It sparked a deep inner dialogue that ultimately led me to my life’s work: helping other women find their voices, question inherited beliefs, and redefine what freedom truly means.

Do you need help?

Imagine

Feeling lighter and more hopeful in life.

Join me on the path to self-discovery,
healing, and empowerment.
Seeing clearly and living more freely.

Join me on the path to self-discovery,
healing, and empowerment.
Feeling connected to family, loved ones and yourself.

Join me on the path to self-discovery,
healing, and empowerment.
Being unapologetically your truest most authentic self.

Join me on the path to self-discovery,
healing, and empowerment.

What is keeping you stuck?

“You cannot solve the
problem of your mind
with your own mind.”

You are in the right place

What I offer in my
space to you is a way
of looking at what is
holding you back.

Our Maturation Process guides you to a place
where you can give yourself permission to connect
with your heart, moving beyond the limitations of
the mind. We all experience an internal conflict—a
push and pull, a fear that breeds self-judgment, and
a tension held within the body. In this journey,
you’ll learn to listen to your soul, the voice that
resides in your body. This coaching approach
invites you to explore these deeper feelings and
wisdom, leading to profound personal
transformation. Embrace the journey toward
self-discovery and healing.

from my clients

Testimonials

I have had 3 sessions of maturation coaching with Shaima. After the initial session I felt like I had a huge release which left me feeling quite open and fragile for a few weeks as it brought awareness to what was hidden. Shaima really coached me through what was coming up over the week and I immediately felt better. Since my third session I have felt a huge shift in myself and the thinking patterns I had held on to and repeated subconsciously for years. These patterns would weigh me down. I feel a sense of lightness and confidence and the thoughts and patterns don’t seem to hold as much power now. I have had therapy, done coaching and tried other methods like TRE, NLP etc but the maturation coaching has been incredible. Shaima just has a naturally deep understanding of how to get to the root and assists you in getting there in a calm, caring manner which really makes you feel held in and after the sessions. I’m so grateful I started this journey and look forward to seeing more growth and benefits from the sessions.

BaharehCosmetologist,UK

Where do I start? They always say sometimes hindsight makes you see that everything was supposed to happen, to lead you to something very good. And this is how I think of it with Shaima coming into my life. She was so much more than a breath of fresh air, and I can see that she has taken on this job because she genuinely wants to help. We grow up reading folklores and watching films on how there are humans disguised as angels – Shaima is most definitely one of them. I’ve had therapy years beforehand, but this was nothing like it where Shaima helped me to identify the root cause of so many patterns; recurring emotions from past incidents, that I didn’t even know affected me. I can already see a big difference from when I first started talking to her. There is a change with my thought patterns and how I approach situations. And this was not because Shaim put labels on me. It was a side by side job, where she helped me to identify all the blocks that was stopping me from leading my life. I physically feel so much lighter after each of my sessions with her. She will literally change your life. Change being the key word, because I started my sessions with her thinking that I knew so much better because it is my life..but the way she challenged me was so different to anything I’ve ever known. She made me feel like anything I want to do is not out of reach. Sessions with Shaima is to come home to yourself, undoing all negativity from the past from each angle, and going on a road to becoming who you want to be. She is an eye opener. It is a little like hiring a Personal Trainer for the mind & spirit. She’ll motivate you turn on your focus and turn off every excuse you’ve given yourself for whatever reason. I was initially heartbroken on my first session. But she made me see that it’s so much more than the heartbreak. And gave me so much tools and advice to work with, so that I don’t have another recycled experience of that heartbreak. Before, I could have seen myself putting the heartbreak experience down to what we would read in Cosmopolitan magazine. But all our actions are down to us for unique reasons. Shsima will help you to see the blind spots, and ultimately be there by your side while you free yourself from the invisible chains.
If you’ve stumbled across Shaima, it’s because you are meant to come into her space as part of healing. Please take that as a sign from the Universe, because every time I speak to Shaima, there is this crazy synchronicity with her voicing what I’ve already been thinking about.

S.RogersCustomer-services

I am so glad my cousin introduced me to Shaima. At first, I was skeptical because I didn’t know what to expect and I also never open myself up to anyone I don’t know, but Shama is such a nice person, friendly and warm person. She has helped me a lot to heal my inner child by just talking and going deep into myself. I have learned a lot, also for my future how to handle difficult situations and how to help myself is a big plus. I feel so much lighter and at peace with myself after only two sessions. It’s like my energy blockage has been removed and I finally understand what was hurting me for so long. My overall health got better and my relationship with myself. can recommend Shaima more than words can say.

RabiaGraphic-designer,Germany

Coaching with Shaima has helped me in such a positive way I can’t really
describe it. You need to experience it to truly understand it.
Since the first session I could see the benefits of it in my day-to-day life. Shaima
guides you to find freedom from your own suffering. This is quite instantaneous.
My favourite part of this process has been discovering the root causes of my
various sufferings and the release in body as well as she helps you identify
where in your body you are feeling the grips of all the hurt and annoyance you
are carrying. I always have this wow moments and my heart full of gratitude to
Shaima after each session as she helps you identify what’s going on within you
with such accuracy. Additionally, Shaima supports you in the two week gap
between each session as various thoughts and emotions surfaces but because
you are now aware and have the new perspective you can see you are living life
in a completely different way- better way!
I recommend this to everyone who has lost hope and lack patience to trust the
process in this journey of realising our highest self.

SamanaSecondery-school-teacher,UK

stay updated

Subscribe to the newsletter

Empowering Transformation

Discover What
Sets Me Apart

My approach emphasizes deep internal
exploration, guided healing, and a path to rediscover your authentic self.

Soul-Centric Healing

Inclusive Support

Spiritual Transformation

Contact

Get in touch

Email: Shaima@justshaimacoaching.com

Phone: 7775 936500

Socials: @shaimacoaching

Start your journey today

Join us on the path to self-discovery, healing, and empowerment. Your transformation begins now.

BOOK YOUR FREE CONSULTATION NOW