Salaam Alaykum Warahmatullah,
Last week, I wrote about feeling tired of the hustle. When I opened my laptop to write last week, I had no idea I would be pouring my heart out to you. Some people could relate to that edition as evident in the number of sign-ups I got last week. Shout-out to everyone who takes out time to share with their network, y’all are the MVPs! This week, I honestly didn’t have any plan to write. But a good friend of mine reached out to say she was looking forward to this edition and I promised not to let her down, so here we are.
How are you? Those three words stopped me in my track last week. Left to me, I would have just replied with the normal “I am fine” and keep it going. However, this person wanted the truth and she was specific. Two days later, I went back to share how I feel exactly and until then, I didn’t realise how tense I was about ending this chapter of my life, how tense I was about the uncertainties and the deadlines. Over the week, I had a discussion about anxiety with a couple of friends and acquaintances. They talked about the running stomach, instantly losing all confidence in oneself, increase in breathing rate, chest pain and fever and the fact that coffee is bad for anxiety.
I don’t know much about anxiety so hearing and reading about all these symptoms gave me a better perspective. However, tension is something I do feel from time to time but I’ve learnt to hide it so well that people around me won’t have a clue about what is going on. I am not saying this is a solution, because it isn’t. But it helps me stay focused and keeps everyone else on track so I’m gonna add that trait to my list of superpowers, lol. I am also a strong believer of doing things afraid. Writing down my feelings helps make me feel less tense. Also, talking to Allah about the causes of the tension also make me feel a lot better.
As you go into the new week, I wish you the strength to keep things together. I wish you peace and tranquillity. I wish you ease and joy. For those writing papers this week, I pray that your efforts are crowned with success. I hope you stop to check in with yourself from time to time. I wish you the strength to start over if that’s what it takes. I wish you the strength to do the things that bring you joy amidst the chaos. I wish you the strength to keep the engine running. I wish you love from people around you. I pray that you have people in your corner, who are listening and who see through the mask. I hope you will be attentive to the people around you.
PS: I will like to hear from you too. How do you handle tension and anxiety?
With love,
Umaynah
Thanks a lot Humaynah, more power to your elbow...
Talking about tension and anxiety, I do feel tensed a lot of time but do you know what? I have resolved to always face it whenever it comes my way and that's because whenever I feel tensed, I tend to run away from responsibilities and that's a part of myself that I want to do away with. I've decided to always face the odds, do my best and leave the rest for the All knowing and trust me, he has not failed me for once. He has always been there for me😊
I love you sissy and thank you for this write-up. Exactly what I needed into the new weeks and the exam period. May Allah bless you too