Happy birthday to me.
Happy birthday to me.
Happppyyyy birthday to me!
Did you figure out what day it is yet??
Thats right. Its my birthday, and I absolutely adore my birthday. This year, I thought I would do something difference, and do a little reflection on some valuable life lessons I have learned. If any of the lessons offend you in some way, please see lesson #1.
- Your purpose in life is NOT to make others happy. Focus on YOURSELF and your own happiness.
- Family is everything. this includes both your biological family, but also the ones you have created through friendship.
- Give without expecting anything return – this has been a hard one for me to learn over the years.
- Be nice and be kind – it is your only sure ticket to success.
- Give second chances – but don’t be too lenient with your chances. Maintain self-integrity, and know when to walk away.
- Some friendships, even 17-year-long childhood friendships, WILL die. That is life, and you WILL make new and better friends who value YOU for who YOU are today, and not who you were when you were 6.
- Take chances that seem too out there i.e. move across the country if you really want to.
- Read MORE.
- Money doesn’t mean success or happiness. Instead, focus on doing work that makes your soul sing.
- Anxiety is real, and it makes you do weird things like avoid people, procrastinate on studying, prioritize tasks that are mundane. Tackle your anxiety if you can – some days its okay to let it run its course.
- Failing an exam is not failing in life. It is simply that: failing ONE exam.
- Ignorance is NOT bliss but rather sheer stupidity. Learning never ends, even when school does. Whether it is for your profession, or your hobby – learning and education is a lifelong journey. Edify yourself, and open up your mind to the world.
- Travel is the best teacher. The life lessons, moral and character strength, knowledge about different cultures and nuances you learn while travelling can be taught by nothing else.
- Exercise will make you feel better about yourself MENTALLY. Yes, you may end up looking kickass – but your mental health will shift and your head space will become a safer and more positive space when you exercise. Take care of your body to take care of your mental health.
- It is absolutely okay to not diet and eat what you want when you want – in moderation. We are human, and human beings have cravings and deprivation only makes the cravings worse.
- Set BIG goals for yourself and believe you can do them. Visualize yourself achieving those goals and what that will look like. Before I even started my PhD, I knew what I wanted to wear on my convocation day, what that day would look like, feel like etc. And when I got to that day, of course I wore something different than I had imagined, but it felt like I had known what it was going to be like all along!
- Letting go is hard- but it needs to be done for not only your sanity, but everyone else’s sanity.
- Asking for help does NOT make you weak. In fact, it means you have insight and awareness and makes you a stronger person.
- Alone time (away from your spouse, kids, friends) is GOOD – it doesn’t mean you are socially awkward or a recluse. Rather, it is an opportunity to recharge and recuperate, so you can be your best self in those social situations.
- Our internal self talk or voice can be harsh AF and it is a constant struggle to tone the harshness down. Be kind to yourself.
I mean, I can probably go on and on because I love talking.. but I wanted to stop with my absolutely “woke” life lessons, and tell YOU that I want to thank you. I started this page and instagram community in truly what was a dark time for me. Right around my 25th birthday, I lost 4 extremely close friendships. My ex-friends are all alive, and I hope well, but our friendships did not die. They ended because of me to a large extent. It has taken me 5 years to work through that, and accept responsibility for my actions. Ofcourse, both parties have a part to play in things going south, and initially I was in the head space of only blaming. I have worked really hard on myself to get to where I am, and a part of that has been learning how to be vulnerable again in new friendships. I have been able to do that more and more thanks to the kindness I have received on here, and the acceptance and love I have gotten from YOU. I have absolutely no words to express my gratitude. The internet can be a mean place. Trolls are abundant – but somehow, I have been fortunate to have far and few of these instances.
So, today I want to thank you – for showing up, supporting me, being kind to me, and providing me with a way to heal. I have tears in my eyes as I type this, but truly, my life is SO different (all in good ways) BECAUSE I started this little journey. As someone wise said “No one supports you like your internet friend” – and that my friends is YOU.
Lots of love,
Happy Birthday Areeba! Love the blog post and the vulnerability you shared. You are stronger and wiser at 31 than your 25. Enjoy your day ????
thank you!!
Happy birthday!!! Thank you for sharing these incredibly thoughtful & spot on reflections!! May 31 be a blessed year!
thank you for taking the time to read!
Happy birthday! What’s the meaning of life if it doesn’t have bumps along the way? And when you can admit to your mistakes it really does show self growth, and that’s something to be very proud of! Thank you for sharing such deep insights ???? lots of love your way!
Love this blog post! Each point had wisdom and I’m sure personal experience behind it as well. If the butterfly wouldn’t struggle to get out of the cocoon it wont be able to fly. Struggle has gotten a bad rep from us, whereas it should be opposite. Struggling should be seen as a gateway to a lesson. Your struggles have evolved you into a beautiful butterfly ???? Many Many Happy Returns of the day! ????
such wise words!! thank you for sharing that insight with me.. and i like the butterfly analogy!
absolutely!! thank you!
Hbd areeba!
thank you!
Happy Birthday Areeba. I can understand your pain and the whole process of recovering from the loss of your friends but that’s the thing about life. We learn through mistakes, bad choices and mishaps, and it takes soooo long to recover ourselves from the trauma and to realize that it’s ok if we couldn’t make the right choices and decisions, and we understand others perspective as well. Have a nice day!
thank you for those words. <3
Happy birthday dear????????????????
May Allah pak shower his blessings on you ameen
You’re my inspiration for studies for management skills
You’re one of the persons whose posts ,blog i like to read , it’s like you’re talking to me directly
These points are soooo much important and i need at my age of 25
Whoopsi ,thanks for writing so beautifully
You’re great ????????
Loves????????
that makes my day!
Happy birthday beautiful lady !!! I pray you keep finding and achieving your goals!!
Love reading your blog posts!!
It’s actually a very beautiful process that god has in place for all of us I feel, we cross paths with people who are needed to evolve us in various ways and then once that’s done we move along…
It’s all just a part of the bigger picture!!
Enjoy your day areeba!!
Happy birthday once again!❣️❣️
aww thanks for reading it and im so happy it resonated with you!
Happy birthday! Such a good read to start the day. ????
thank you!
So much feels ♥️ Congratulations Areeba!
thank you!!
This was the best start for my morning!! Filled with such wisdom and truth. Wishing you a great year ahead!
im so happy it resonated with you <3
Happy Birthday Areeba. Enjoy your day. Love your blog post.
thanks!!
Happy Birthday Areeba, hope you have an amazing day and year ahead! ????????
thank you!
Happy birthday Areeba! It’s been a joy to watch your journey this far.
thank you sundus <3
Happy Birthday :). I enjoy reading your blogs. Thanks for posting the valuable information.
Happy Birthday Areeba! I wish you a great year!
You’ve always been so inspiring and filled with so much positivity Mashallah! Love listening to your stories and reading your blog posts! ❤️
Happy Birthday Areeba!! Hope this year is everything you have ever wished for and more iA! Loved this post! Esp the bit about – “Anxiety is real, and it makes you do weird things like avoid people, procrastinate on studying”. That hits close to home. Hehe.
its sooo real! and knowing it is, makes it feel a bit better.
Beautifully said! Loved every bit of it & i could tell you’ve poured your heart out in this one. Happy birthday ????
i really did pour my heart into it.
Loved reading your insights/lessons learnt as life happens.. thank you for penning them down to share! I really look up to you! May Allah bless you, ALWAYS!
Happy Birthday Areeba!! ???? omg I am turning 30 this year and this post speaks to me in so many ways. Thank you for opening up and reflecting on your journey. I am going back and stalking your blog tonight lol
Happy birthday areeba.one of my closest frined is areeba.but thank you
I love you blogs and insta fan since before.
Its motivational always.
Your blog was so true in all aspects
Happy Birthday, Areeba! Thank you for this heartfelt post and the lessons you’ve learned…honestly nobody really tells us these things. I appreciate it. The part about friendship hit home to me, since I went through something very similar and it’s not easy. Lots of love and duas your way.
Thanks! I have lost quite a few friendships. But I’ve gained so many too. I think it’s a natural part of life, growing and evolving
HAPPY BIRTHDAY AREEBA
You are more stronger than you were earlier. Have a birthday blast and a blessed blissful life ahead always.
Loads of love for you always.
Happy 31st to me too. ????
Even if you keep writing on more lessons wo won’t left them unread.
Waiting for your next ebook launch eagerly.
Many happy returns of the day Areeba. May you continue to learn and impart wisdom. Also this should be on some “wise words for life” DIY printable or sign or something. That would be so befitting for you. ????♥️
Belated Happy birthday!
Great eye opening points! Thankyou for keeping things real around heree! We need that even more now with the fake Instagram perfectness.
And it takes alot to admit one’s own fault! You go girl!
What a great post and so many lessons we can all relate too! I lost some solid friendships too. People that were like family. It’s the hardest decision for me when I have to push away from people who I love, but are hurting me. So happy and grateful to have met you through the internet! Alhumdullilah