My little corner of the world.

Don't waste your tears. Be strong. This is your life. Get up. These are the words that my grandmother said to me as I cried and cried from the pain that cut deep inside my heart. She lent me her strength, power, and courage when I had none left. A woman who birthed and raised … Continue reading What Kind of Woman Am I?

A few mornings ago, I woke up feeling excited and full of energy. I could feel my body moving and swaying to the beat of my heart. I got ready for the day and tried to look my best, dressing in green and white. I left the house quickly to get to class early, walking … Continue reading Light Upon Light

Last year was the most difficult year of my life, and due to the stress of everything, my imaan - my faith - took a deep hit. I was in a tough place emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. It became much harder for me to pray - and I woke up almost every single morning not … Continue reading Hijab Woes

The past few months have been a roller coaster ride, to say the least. I think I came here to Istanbul with skyrocketing expectations of myself, which honestly isn’t surprising. I came searching for healing, and I expected myself to be healed almost immediately. And I received the biggest reality check when that didn’t happen. … Continue reading Halfway Point

I wear my heart on my sleeve. I always considered it one of my worst qualities, because everything I feel and think is plastered and apparent right on my face. I just can't help it. My resting face? It's probably the worst you've ever seen. Most people think I hate them when they first meet … Continue reading Heart on my Sleeve

Lately I’ve been thinking about the deeper meanings behind the tests I am put through by Allah ﷻ. We’re all tested in different ways, based on how much we can handle, what our capacity for pain is, and how strong our will to change can be. How trusting am I in the wisdom of Allah … Continue reading Wisdom

What does my heart look like? If you cut me open, what would you find? Does it have the bright color and shine of rubies, beating and sparkling with every breath that I take? Is it soft, fleshy, alive from the blood being pumped through it - in and out, in and out? Or is … Continue reading Heartworks