Today marks the three year anniversary of this blog.

I started writing in August 2015 with the intention of writing one piece every day for 1000 days. This is what I posted three years ago before I began:

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- I am currently unemployed (by choice)
- I currently write for free for both The New LoFi  and my university newspaper, The Gauntlet. (albeit my first article for the latter will be published September 1)
- I have over three years experience as a festival correspondent, shooting photos and doing write-ups for seven festivals total thusfar. (All of this work was done for free)
- I am three semesters away from completing a BA in Sociology at the University of Calgary

The total amount of money I have made from journalism is: $100
Estimated cost of journalism so far: $6500

This looks pretty bleak, but the truth is that I really haven’t tried to make money in this industry. At least until now. My goal, by the end of this exercise, is to be a successful freelance journalist. What defines success? A number of things. But lets just set our sights on breaking even and paying rent.
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I think this requires a proper update.

- Since I began this blog, I have written over 400+ poems, short stories, and pieces of prose. I have been published in two magazines thusfar, and am currently archiving my work for larger publication

- I began writing a speculative fiction novel, a lengthy project I don’t expect to finish soon

- I completed my degree and earned a BA in Sociology with Distinction from the University of Calgary, taking multiple advanced photography courses in the latter stages of my degree

- I have shifted my focus away from writing in journalism to photography, with my work appearing internationally in CBC, Brooklyn Vegan, She Shreds, BeatRoute, Cross+Decay, and The F Word. Although I occasionally still write live music and film reviews. (I’m currently typing a pitch in another browser!)

- I joined the photography crew for both the Calgary Folk Festival and Sled Island, and have now photographed 30+ music festivals

- I am currently employed at the same establishment for 2 ½ years, but now earn roughly half my income with my own business as a creative photographer and artist.

- I was the artist in residence at two of Calgary’s most dynamic and up-and-coming businesses, Rosso Coffee Roasters and High Line Brewing, and have had my film work featured in two magazines (including a lengthy interview regarding my process) as well as the Emerging Photographer’s Showcase at the Exposure Photography Festival

- I held an art show and sold over $1000 of my own work

- I scored a short film and have begun compiling music equipment (I try to practice every other day)

- Perhaps most importantly I have made countless friends locally and internationally, all of whom inspire me on a daily basis. In the past three years I have visited Brazil, Mexico, Vancouver, Toronto, and Portland, where I met so many beautiful people who have shown me love and friendship

I’m my own worst critic, I’m sure anyone close to me can vouch for that. There are many days where I feel like I haven’t accomplished anything at all. I’m 28 years old, still working in the service industry, and am more financially precarious than I’ve ever been. I spend countless days lying on the couch, unable to cook food for myself and unable to function beyond scrolling through social media. My depression has been immobilizing many times throughout these three years, and I am constantly convincing and unconvincing myself that I’m accomplishing nothing.

But looking back on this exercise it would be impossible to say that I haven’t made significant progress redefining my life as a creative. My priorities have shifted, I’ve reallocated a lot of my energy, and I am more self-aware and assured than I have ever been. I am genuinely excited for what the future holds in the next 1000 days of my life.

So let’s get started again.

In The Name Of Allah The Most Gracious The Most Merciful

️ Nine things which you’re not afraid to do when Allah the Almighty blesses you with a strong personality (true confidence):

1] When you have a strong personality, you’re not afraid of standing out from a crowd or behaving differently from the majority of people, as long as you firmly believe that whatever you’re doing is something which Allah the Most Wise and His noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu ‘alaihi wa sallam love.

2] When you have a strong personality, you’re not afraid of speaking up and correcting a person’s misinformation or misinterpretation which could mislead others.

3] When you have a strong personality, you’re not afraid to disappoint people and decline requests which you’re incapable of doing, whether you refuse to comply because you’ve got other tasks to prioritize or doing that favor would conflict with your values.

4] When you have a strong personality, you’re not afraid to verbally defend a Muslim who’s the subject of some lousy gossip and rumors, or if you can’t say anything in their defense, without hesitation you are not afraid to walk away from the toxic discussion.

5] When you have a strong personality, you’re not afraid of saying sorry and sincerely apologizing to individuals whom you have knowingly or unintentionally mistreated.

6] When you have a strong personality, you’re not afraid of looking weird, seeming strange to others and getting laughed at for doing something which not everybody can readily approve of.

7] When you have a strong personality, you’re not afraid of making mistakes and encountering failures, as you always trust Allah Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala Who knows what’s best for you, and you’re willing to learn from any mistake you commit.

8] When you have a strong personality, you’re not afraid of giving something a second and third try after failing in the first attempt. If it doesn’t work out again, you’re not afraid of canceling it or conducting different plans to reach the same goal.

9] When you have a strong personality, you’re not afraid of solitude and appearing “lonely” if you decide to quit trying to be close friends with individuals who are untrustworthy or whose vibes are not good for you.

~•~

Anas Ibn Malik RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: Allah’s noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, “Help your brother, whether he is an oppressor or is being oppressed.” It was said, “O Messenger of Allah, we help the oppressed, but how do we help an oppressor?” The Prophet Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, “By seizing his hand (by preventing the oppressor from oppressing).”

Source: Sahih Al-Bukhari 2312

Sahih Muslim 2584

Grade: Muttafaqun Alayhi (Authenticity agreed upon) according to Al-Bukhari and Muslim

Abu Huraira RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: Allah’s noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, “The strong believer is more beloved to Allah than the weak believer, but there is goodness in both of them. Be eager for what benefits you, seek help from Allah, and do not be frustrated. If something befalls you, then do not say: 'If only I had done something else.’ Rather say: "Allah has decreed what He wills.” Verily, the phrase ‘if only’ opens the way for the work of shaytan.“

Source: Sahih Muslim 2664

Grade: Sahih (Authentic) according to Muslim

https://mjustsharingislam.blogspot.com/2020/04/note-on-being-one-of-allahs-allies.html

https://mjustsharingislam.blogspot.com/2021/09/note-on-fearing-only-allah-almighty.html

https://mjustsharingislam.blogspot.com/2021/09/tips-signs-of-females-with-very-weak.html

https://mjustsharingislam.blogspot.com/2022/03/tips-eleven-tips-to-become-more.html

https://mjustsharingislam.blogspot.com/2021/01/poem-eleven-signs-of-people-with-strong.html

https://youtu.be/UH2Xbg1C-SU

Most people, on waking up, accelerate through a quick panicky pre-consciousness check-up: who am I, where am I, who is he/she, good god, why am I cuddling a policeman’s helmet, what happened last night?

And this is because people are riddled by Doubt. It is the engine that drives them through their lives. It is the elastic band in the little model airplane of their soul, and they spend their time winding it up until it knots. Early morning is the worst time–there’s that little moment of panic in case You have drifted away in the night and something else has moved in. This never happened to Granny Weatherwax. She went straight from fast asleep to instant operation on all six cylinders. She never needed to find herself because she always knew who was doing the looking.

Terry Pratchett, Witches Abroad

the best way to get things done is to simply begin ️✨

I have so many diaries from when I was in school. my favourite entry to this day was: dear diary, today I found out I need braces. NOOOOOOOOOOOOO. with my glasses too, I’ll look so ugly (oh young kristy).

yesterday I noticed that I was resisting to write. I was coming up with all these excuses and realised I was resisting because I didn’t want to be honest with myself. I didn’t want to write down the crappy feelings I had for the first day of the year. the new year is all about being fresh and optimistic and I was hungover and had a little bit of PPD (post party depression). but as I started to write it was therapeutic as it made me really think about why I was feeling what I was. it then led to me calling mitch and having such an honest conversation which left us both feeling really great and how to approach a similar situation. journaling allows you to explore, to have an honest conversation with yourself, and help figure out what really matters and is important to you.

journaling doesn’t have to be an elaborate thing. all you need is some pen and paper and a couple of sentences. for me I’m writing one thing I’m grateful for, my mood and try to unravel why, and in the calendar part and big highlights. the hardest part is just starting the habit but can you stack it on something else like when you’re having your morning coffee?

I found this post by @simplyfiercely helpful. she suggests asking yourself these questions : how do you feel right now? why do you feel that way? how do you want to feel? what can you do to feel that way?

www.simplyfiercely.com/start-journaling

akindplace:

I will allow myself to sleep when I am tired. I will allow myself to rest when my body needs to recover. I will eat when I feel hungry and not let anyone body shame me. I will practice what I learn in therapy. Most of all, I will be patient with myself. It took time for me to get sick, and it is going to take time for me to recover.

Your greatest test will be how you handle people who mishandled you.