If you haven’t yet watched the Arabic Netflix original, “Finding Ola”, then what are you waiting for? Grab your munchies and get ready for some binge-watching.
The First Arabic Netflix original takes us on a journey of self-discovery with THE Ola Abdel Sabour years after she got what she wanted… “tetgawez”. Ola “had everything under control”, a lovely house, a great husband, two wonderful kids, her organic homemade products, and of course, her mom (Soheir). Ola was your typical housewife.
Until suddenly… Ola’s life comes crashing down when her husband unexpectedly asks for a divorce. In an attempt to figure out the kids, her mom, the finances, where she went wrong, and what to do with her life as a 40-year-old divorced woman with two kids, Ola goes on an emotional roller-coaster ride from feeling panic, confusion, self-doubt, and vulnerability to feeling strength, independence, confidence, wholeness, and finding the balance.
It is happening… The divorce is real.
Is divorce the new key to happiness? Or is it discovering your true self and taking on a life of your own?
Comments have been circulating the internet in search of answers, but what do you think?
The Key: “الحياة تبدأ في الأربعين= Life begins at 40”
Ola’s divorce got her thinking about where she went wrong. What could she have done better? How can she change to convince Hisham, her husband, to stay? How is she going to tell her kids and face Soheir? This was quite the challenge for Ola at the time. After the divorce, Ola was not sure what life would throw at her, but (as cliché as it sounds) she would turn them into lemonades every time. She realizes that she needs to get up and start somewhere; that it is time to embark on a journey: the journey of self-discovery.
Embracing the unknown
Second Chance
She starts looking for who she really is, exploring her true essence and potential. Ola brings back her old self by calling her old best friend and —like we all do—getting a makeover! She realized she needed to work! And what can Ola Abdel Sabour, the ex-pharmacist, do best? Yes, you guessed it right! Her organic homemade products! It was time she started her business. Of course, she was full of doubt and fear.
Is it too late to start? Can I manage to own a business and take care of my kids? Will I succeed?
Luckily, she was surrounded by great company and had the chance to grow. Ola met Tarek Zohny (Khaled Elnabawy), who believed in her project and decided to coach and walk her through the steps of founding her small business. “Second Chance” was the name she picked for her brand, her friends were the partners, her mother was the face, and her children were the team. Ola created a new dynamic, a new experience, and took a second chance at life.
She steps out of her comfort zone and ticks off her bucket list, starting with learning how to ride a bicycle and going on a motorbike all the way to camping in the desert and finding her “Second Chance.”
✔ Camping in the desert
Ola is found
She was met with genuine friends, strategic advice, and supportive children, but also mixed feelings, frustration, and ageist mindsets. There’s no doubt that it took her a while to get a grip on her life again, but during this journey, she realizes the power of being a mom, a daughter, a friend, and a business owner. Ola witnessed the growth of her little business and celebrated her success with her beloved ones, and learned how to keep a healthy balance.
The show was definitely brilliant! We believe that it did not romanticize divorce in any way, but rather presented the fact that everyone CAN actually press the reboot button at any time; that life does not stop anywhere, not at 40, 50, or even 70! We do not expire, and we can always have our Second Chance!
Ola very much proved that it is NEVER too late to start over, that sometimes, what we deem disastrous might just be a blessing in disguise, that self-discovery is the most important accomplishment that you owe to yourself and that you are the most important character in your story. Live fearlessly, tick off your bucket list, start your business, and surround yourself with people who love you. Ola Abdel Sabour has indeed returned with some priceless life lessons!
Ola is found.
