☀️ Vitamin Deen #1 - Are we overdoing Ramadan?
Isn't Ramadan about going back to the simplest things?
Salam loves!
Oh how excited I am about finally writing these letters to you, Subhan’Allah I never thought of this medium as a way to feel closer to my community but it really feels special to be able to communicate with you like this Alhamdulillah — Jazakum Allah kheir for your trust and subscribing!
For this first newsletter, I wanted to touch upon how I’ve been feeling about this pre-Ramadan period where everyone is sharing their goals, tips, products in a way that I found a bit overwhelming… Is it just me?
What happened?
I can’t shy away from the fact that as an Islamic lifestyle content creator, I have of course been sharing Ramadan content and if I’m completely honest, it is also the time of the year that is most profitable to me, with brand partnerships being way more numerous than the rest of the year.
This time however, I have truly felt like social media is completely saturated with content that makes you feel like Ramadan is about achieving a lot of things… Don’t get me wrong, I love taking Ramadan as an opportunity to prioritise my faith and create a little bucket list (I even shared a video on this topic last year). I was also really excited to see unique and mindful content such as the Ramadan challenge created by the lovely Husna Jolay or this post by Muslim Parenthood — but generally speaking, I’ve felt like prepping for Ramadan has kind of become a trend and experiencing it a contest. It’s made me feel a little anxious, so I took some distance from social media and reflected.
Ramadan is not a time for hustle.
Ramadan is a chance for us to to cherish the simplest things, to reset our bodies, minds and hearts, to implement habits we’ll keep for the rest of the year, not just during this blessed month. It isn’t a sprint race, it is a step that allows us to recharge so we can keep up with our marathon.
I also feel like we sometimes forget that our main mission during Ramadan is to fast, you know? It’s okay to focus on only a few things you want to work on if you feel like it, even it’s just fasting with the right intentions and keeping up with your usual faith goals. We all have our own personal journeys and lifestyles so don’t overpressure yourself or think you’ll fail if your Ramadan prep doesn’t look like what you see online. Take it slow and do the best you can sister!
People see the results, but Allah sees the intentions.
I’ve personally decided to keep things simple this year. Ramadan hasn’t been easy ever since my dad passed away and I haven’t enjoyed the last two as much as I usually do, so this year, I didn’t want to overdo it. In this video, I’m sharing with you the Ramadan moodboard I created: I want it to be peaceful.
A few things I’ll be using to make this Ramadan peaceful
While there’s of course no need for you to purchase anything if you don’t feel like it, I thought some of you might be interested in these (and you know how much I love sharing beautiful Muslim owned brand).
This Ramadan & Beyond Journal (code MIZAAN): I refused to receive any Ramadan planner except this because of how special it is. I love that it carries on after the blessed month has passed and gives mindful tips on how to build habits rather than reaching goals. You can also get it with Quran Reflection Cards!
These Anti-Stress Gummies (code TASSIA15): Saffron has been used in Prophetic Medicine to deal with stress and sadness. It also decrease fatigue and improves your mood. I took these supplements before and really liked them so I’m excited to have them again this Ramadan insha’Allah.
I’m a huge home decor lover and I believe it really impacts your well-being. You know how much I love these candles so I’ll definitely be lighting these insha’Allah (they would make great gifts too). I’ve also received some beautiful artisan crafted Ramadan decor pieces (code ASSIA15) that I cannot wait to display.
I would love to know your thoughts on this topic! Ramadan is honestly such a blessing and I know we can all make the most of it by taking it day by day, living it as if it waas the last one without compromising our mental health and imaan just because we’ve compared ourselves too much.
Take care!
Love and du’a,
Assia
From my experience, whenever Ramadan approaches, I find myself panicking, rushing, and worrying about whether my sins can truly be erased. It feels like a time for deep repentance, but I often become so overwhelmed that I end up giving up. However, this read was a much-needed breath of fresh air. You're absolutely right—sometimes, it's the simplest steps, the small efforts, that lead us toward our goals. This serves as a beautiful reminder that even the smallest sincere intentions at the start of Ramadan can bring immense blessings and Allah’s mercy.
But we also have to keep in mind that this short time is the only period where every moment is filled with blessings and holiness. It’s a rare opportunity, and it’s up to us to make the most of it. Ramadan isn’t about perfection; it’s about effort, growth, and drawing closer to Allah, no matter how small the steps may seem. What truly matters is consistency and sincerity, because even the smallest intentions can lead to immense rewards in this sacred month. (Sorry, I yap too hard lol)