My story

My name is Victoria, and Dubai has been my home for many years.

I’ve always loved my life here. I worked hard, followed my dreams, and built a career that brought me real fulfilment and joy. Those years were full of energy, growth, and beautiful moments I still hold dear. I feel deeply grateful for every step of that journey.

But when I became pregnant with, something inside me began to soften and change. A quiet longing grew - I wanted to step gently into this new chapter. I dreamed of slow mornings, peaceful afternoons, and the freedom to savour every tiny moment with my baby and my husband. I wanted our home to feel like a warm embrace, a place where we could welcome this little life with calm hearts and open arms.

So I started preparing with tenderness and care. I moved through our home room by room, organizing with love, cooking and freezing meals for the postpartum days ahead, and creating small, gentle systems that I hoped would make those early weeks feel lighter and more joyful. I kept thinking how much I wanted to be truly present - not tired or scattered, but fully there for the soft cries, the sleepy cuddles, and the quiet wonder of it all.

During those quiet evenings of preparation, an old memory floated back to me. I had once read somewhere about a gentle way of caring for a home - doing one small zone each day and keeping up with a few simple daily tasks instead of letting everything build up into one exhausting cleaning marathon. That idea felt like a quiet gift. It promised that I could keep our home gently in order without giving up the things that mattered most: long walks with the baby in the stroller, slow evenings with my husband, and simply being together as a new little family.

That memory became a soft turning point for me.

I began weaving those gentle daily habits together with the serene beauty of Japandi design I was discovering at the same time - low wooden furniture that invited you to sit and stay awhile, natural materials that felt honest and comforting, generous empty spaces that let the light breathe, and small rituals that brought a sense of peace to ordinary days. Little by little, our home began to feel different. It grew softer, lighter, and more alive with calm. I felt more rested, more clear, and quietly ready - not just for motherhood, but for a more intentional way of living.

That personal journey, which began in the tender months of my pregnancy and continued through the early days of motherhood, is how Ikigai Home came to life.

I created this space because I wished I had had a gentle, warm place to turn when I was figuring it all out - somewhere filled with practical ideas, soft inspiration, and realistic Japandi guidance that could fit into real life in Dubai. My hope is that these pages might offer you the same quiet comfort and support they gave me.

Whether you are stepping into your own new chapter, longing for a little more calm in your days, or simply dreaming of a home that feels like a warm, peaceful breath, you are so very welcome here.

Thank you for reading my story. I’m truly glad our paths have crossed.

With warmth and care, Victoria Founder, Ikigai Home Dubai, UA