29

I have a tradition. Every year I write down the number of things I learnt over the last year I want to remember the year ahead. Better late than never, here's 29 at 29.

1. Going through the loss of a loved one, planned or unplanned, is the most traumatic thing you will ever experience. Death is a part of life but loss doesn't get easier the more you lose.

2. I will never get used to sing goodbyes or walking away. It is the most profoundly disturbing thing I have or will ever deal with.

3. You can fall in love again, but be careful who you fall in love with.

4. There is no limit to how many times you think your heart can break. Break it will.

5. Everyone you love will disappoint you at some point. You have to learn to minimize expectations.

6. On that note, expectations are premeditated disappointments.

7. For better or worse, life will continue to surprise you.

8. My hardest battle is fear, and of that, fear of abondonment followed by fear of entrapment (in closed small spaces or held against my will) followed by fear of failure.

9. Success does not guarantee contentment. Success does not guarantee contentment.

10. Be careful of what things suck the soul of you. Because everything you give yourself to, takes a bit out of you. Be careful of the price you pay.

11. Don't ignore the red flags. Don't ignore your gut feeling.

12. No matter what the world says, taking off your rosy sunglasses that make it easier to cope, won't make things better.

13. Loneliness is the worst thing in the world (see fear of abondonment)

14. Learning to selfsoothe is a very very very important survival skill.

15. Self care does not equal selfishness. It does not come naturally but you absolutely need it to survive.

16. To Love does not mean to have.

17. Yes there will be others who will have it all. Have ask the love. All the family. All the success. All the friends. Kids. Houses. Wealth. Deen. IT.DOES.NOT.MATTER. You are not behind. You are not late. Be grateful.

18. Cherish your parents. No one will ever love you like they do. No one will ever support you like they do. No one will ever forgive you like they do.

19. That battle inside yourself? Stop fighting it. Forgive yourself. Perfection is unattainable.

20. There is no knight in shining armor.

21. Learn to set clear boundaries around yourself. Do not tolerate everything because of your fear of confrontation.

22. Stop letting fear rule your life.

23. It is not your job to fix everyone you love.

24. True happiness is in being loved without doubt.

25. No matter how dark or gets, always find a reason to live. To keep going.

26. Things worth holding onto : your sanity, sense of humor, generosity of spirit, softness of heart, kindness, honesty, Imaan, optimism, ability to love unconditionally.

27. Things to let go off: fear, anger, betrayel, lying, impatience, holding onto stress, inability to let go

28. You are more than the sum of all your problems

29. Your life isn't over yet. It is just beginning. Chin up.

-eeda

 

E