Staying in a relationship just because you love someone is not worth it. love is not all you need. Respect is what you need. Time is what you need. Reassurance is what you need. Happiness is what you need. A bestfriend is what you need.
Nobody prepares you for the amount of pain and grief you experience when you have to forgive yourself for believing someone was actually a genuine person. The hardest part isn't just their betrayal, it's the shame you carry for ignoring your instincts.
to my 2026 self,
i hope you are happier. i hope you wake up lighter, softer, and a little more at peace with the world and with yourself. i hope you smile more without forcing it, and i hope your days feel gentler than the ones you fought through this year.
i hope you are healthier in all the ways that matter. not just in body, but in mind and in heart. i hope you've learned to choose rest without guilt, to close doors that drain you, and to protect your peace like it's something sacred. because it is.
i hope you are loved. truly loved. the kind of love that makes you feel safe, seen, and valued. whether it comes from people, from god, or from your own healing, i hope you feel wrapped in warmth you once prayed for.
and most of all, i hope you get everything you deserve. the breakthroughs you cried for. the opportunities you waited for. the joy you almost gave up on. i hope you look back at me, your 2025 self, and whisper, "thank you for not giving up."
i'm rooting for your softest and strongest year yet.
Alhumdulillah! I’ve seen how quickly Allah puts things in place when you stop clinging to what drains you and start focusing on what brings barakah, growth, and happiness. Tough journey, but so worth it.