The long summer pause is over. Gone are the days of silent lobbies, empty offices, and roads where one could practically host a yoga class in the middle lane. Dubai is back at full volume (almost): children are shuffled to school at dawn, coffee queues resemble endurance events, and evenings are once again booked solid with dinners, launches, and cultural happenings.

The calendar is filling fast, and so are our social batteries (or draining, depending on one’s level of enthusiasm). It is exciting, yes, but the key word is balance — because there is no point running yourself ragged by Wednesday only to declare social bankruptcy by the weekend. The trick is to choose well, and that is precisely what we are here to help you with.

A new season is the perfect excuse for a little sartorial upgrade, and THAT Concept Store has timed its fresh edit perfectly. Whether you are updating your back-to-work wardrobe, searching for the ideal dinner outfit, or pretending that “workwear” now includes silk co-ords, the latest drops deliver a dose of style without tipping into try-hard territory.

In-store you will find carefully curated pieces that feel more runway than rack, while the online selection makes it impossible to claim you had no time. It is technically a back-to-office wardrobe refresh, but if you end up buying something more Amalfi Coast than DIFC boardroom, we absolutely won't judge.

Midweek calls for a little detour, and Abu Dhabi’s cultural heart has just the answer. teamLab Phenomena, the digital art collective’s mesmerising 17,000 square metres playground of interactive installations, now hosts an ‘Art Undistracted’ experience — essentially, an 18+ evening where adults are given the rare gift of wandering through glowing forests and cascading digital waterfalls without the soundtrack of small children sprinting past.

Every Wednesday and Thursday from 6 pm to 10 pm, visitors can immerse themselves in the ever-changing artworks — pieces that respond to touch, presence, and movement — in serene quiet. Think less playground, more meditative otherworld.

For those who prefer flexibility, the space is also now open daily from 10 am to 10 pm. Perfect for a creative morning, a spontaneous midweek adventure, or a dramatic evening date that makes Netflix feel deeply inadequate.

Time to put the padel racket down (yes, just for a day) and try something that will leave your muscles quivering in the best way possible. This week’s fitness discovery is Lagree, the high-intensity yet low-impact workout that celebrities whisper about in interviews when pressed for their “secret.”

Developed by Sebastien Lagree, the method combines elements of Pilates, bodybuilding, and strength training, all performed on a piece of equipment called the Megaformer. The machine looks intimidating, like something dreamed up for a futuristic action film, but the slow, controlled resistance movements are designed to work every muscle fibre while protecting your joints. Translation: you will sweat, you will shake, and you will almost definitely question your life choices by minute 12 — but you will walk out taller, stronger, and considerably smugger.

At BODYROCK Studio, founded by certified Lagree instructor Tara Wilks, the workout comes wrapped in expert coaching and a slick warehouse-chic vibe. It is equal parts brutal and addictive, and it might just convince you to switch your next doubles match for another round on the Megaformer.

Friday evenings deserve a bit of theatre, and ALBA in Downtown Dubai delivers with its new ‘Taste of ALBA’ late-night menu. For 300 AED, the journey begins with a signature sushi platter, rolls, and a parade of appetisers (yes, the Korean Fried Chicken is as good as it sounds).

Mains lean hearty yet refined: grilled salmon with ponzu and sweet avocado, wagyu noodles, or a glossy teriyaki don. Dessert comes in the form of a trio, with mochi, halva cookie, and a miso “Snicker” that deserves its own fan club.

If you aren't ready to end the night, Himitsu — the speakeasy hidden behind a secret door — awaits with its mechanical “cocktail tetris” system, offering 1,200 possible drinks.

Saturday is the time to exchange sneakers for stilettos. Dubai Opera hosts Lebanese soprano Hiba Tawaji, whose voice is as powerful as it is versatile, seamlessly moving between Arabic ballads and French chansons. She has a habit of leaving audiences breathless, and this performance promises no less.

Guiding the evening is Maestro Oussama Rahbani, whose compositions and direction bring an emotional weight that lingers long after the last note. Expect an evening of soaring artistry, elegance, and the occasional goosebump — all performed beneath the glittering ceiling of Dubai Opera.

Wellness may be the buzzword of the season, but Bvlgari Resort Dubai interprets it with appropriate glamour. Until September 30, the B.Healthy staycation promises two nights of slow mornings, yoga or fitness classes to justify indulgent lunches, and cold plunges that remind you why circulation is important. A 30-minute massage for two is included, just in case the previous six days of running around the city have taken their toll.

Dining at Il Caffè and aperitivo at Il Ristorante — Niko Romito complete the experience, making this more than a spa break. It is the kind of staycation where balance looks like champagne at brunch followed by a green juice at sunset.

Congratulations, you have survived. Mondays are for recalibrating, for catching up on life admin, and for pretending that your weekend was entirely wholesome. Take it easy, recharge, and prepare for another week of Dubai’s social marathon. We will, naturally, be back with the next round of recommendations.

Oh, and while you are perfecting the art of doing very little, may we suggest adding the right soundtrack? Download the STR app for exclusive mixes, curated playlists, and podcasts that you will almost certainly end up recommending to your friends as if you discovered them first.

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