Introducing... 🎉

The Fresh Start Series

Assalamu alaykum dear friend,

I’m exciteddddd today because we’re starting a new email series 🎉

Let’s call it The Fresh Start Series, shall we?

We’ll be looking into ways we can have fresh starts in the different areas of our lives inshaAllah, as we head into the new year.

I don’t know about you, but 2024 has been a whole ride! Alhamdulillah for all of it.

Sometimes, all this new year talk can feel a bit too much and kinda suffocating. It seems like everyone is talking about resolutions and big changes.

I know, I know…

But I gently encourage you to lean into the newness of the new year 😆 and see it as a chance to have a fresh start.

So… WHAT exactly is a Fresh Start?

You know how when we try to lose weight, we say “I’ll start on Monday!”?

Well, that’s because Monday is a Fresh Start. The previous week is gone, and on Monday is when the new week starts.

A move to a new house is a Fresh Start.

The start of a new academic year is a Fresh Start.

The fresh start effect is something we can take advantage of.

It is where significant and important events, like the beginning of a new year, or the end of a job, can create a sense of a clean slate and a new beginning, and also ‘ginger’ us to focus on our focus.

New beginnings give us an internal boost and make us feel ready to take on new adventures and challenges.

Over the next few weeks/Letters inshaAllah, we'll look into how we can apply this fresh start idea to the different areas of our lives!

I hope and pray you enter the new year with a strong why in one hand, and an action plan in the other.

We’re in this together, inshaAllah. And I’m looking forward to going on this mini journey with you!

Love + Du'a,
Maryam

---

Long time no “What I’m up to” 😆

• Sisters Flourish Community: The 12-Week Du’a Challenge is in full swing! In case you’re wondering, I’m focusing on two things:
  Thing 1 is self-compassion related - I am finding ways to ‘see’ myself a bit more, the way I see others. And to be kinder to myself, and all that good stuff.
  Thing 2 is fitness related. It’s going well so far, alhamdulillah! I’ve been working out 3x a week (yay)! Though this may change soon, because my family is on the move!
  Our little 12 Week Du’a community is busyyyy doing the work mashaAllah, and it makes me beyond proud to see sisters working steadyyyy towards what matters to them

• Homeschool: On the homeschool side, we’re kinda still figuring things out for this term. I mean, alhamdulillah they have a routine for some of their work, but for others, we’ve had to relax in many ways due to not having a schedule we can stay consistent with. Things like science and history aren’t part of our non-negotiables, so not much happening there. But math and reading and Qur’an are moving along well alhamdulillah.
  We’re using Beast Academy for math this year, because we found it easier to stay consistent with since we’ve been traveling. For language arts, we’re starting Logic of English in January inshaAllah!

• Travel: I’ve mentioned travel here and there in previous Letters, but haven’t really shared details yet. Partly because we haven’t made the time for it yet, and partly because I have been going on in my head about what platform to use!
  We’re going to be sharing more details soon (early 2025 inshaAllah)… either on YouTube or simply Podcast style.
  I think YouTube is a no-brainer because visuals, but Mr. A and I both kinda have our hands full already… and starting a new YouTube channel seems like one more big thing to do.
  I also considered a newsletter-only thing (feels more manageable!!), but I keep going back to video may be easier for the people interested.

  I really don’t see us on TikTok, but who knows!
  The main thing is we do want it to be very beneficial to anyone who consumes the content, so yeah, let’s see!
  I don’t know. Istikhara, yes, but also please let us know if you have any ideas/suggestions.
  How do *you* like to consume content around travel adventures + worldschooling (if it’s your kinda thing)?
  Halppp 😁

Ok, over to you now!

What have you been up to? 😁 Hit reply and let me know (or comment below)

💝
Thank you for reading, and thank you for receiving my words lovingly.
If you found any value in today’s Letter, please click the like button, share it with someone who might find it valuable too, or consider becoming a subscriber below.
Your support helps me keep creating content for you.