Nia Safar

Salaam wa alaikoum and hi, my loves! I have been floored these last weeks with the flu. So my whole “changing my life” thing has been postponed for a little while. 

But coming out of this (disgusting) period, I have been hit with a moment of clarity on how I should tackle these upcoming 6 months. Have you ever heard of the “wheel of life”? This is supposed to be some kind of measuring tool for each aspect of your life. It could be a great starting point for us, using the six areas as focus points for these upcoming 6 months. We will start this slow, soft challenge June 1st. I am saying we, because I am delusional. 

So, back to business. I have found many wheels of life, each with their own set of categories. Comparing all of those, I chose 6 categories I find very important in my life and areas I would like to change.

Month 1: Spirituality

Spirituality is the cornerstone of my life as a Muslimah. It shapes my values, decisions, and overall outlook on life. Which is why I am choosing this category as my focus for the first month. I just feel off when I am not praying on time and not reading the Quran. When that part is good, my whole life just becomes better somehow.  This month, I’ll focus on deepening my spiritual practices. Some of my goals include:

• Daily Quran Reading: Setting aside at least 20 minutes each day for reading and reflecting on the Quran.
• Consistent Prayers: Ensuring all five daily prayers are performed on time with added emphasis on mindfulness and presence.
• Dhikr and Dua: Incorporating morning and evening supplications into my routine to stay connected with Allah throughout the day.

By the end of the month, I aim to feel more spiritually grounded and connected, providing a strong foundation for the months ahead.

Month 2: Money & Finances

As for money & finances; I am not that good at saving, and to be totally honest with you, I have no idea where all of my money goes? It sometimes feels as if it’s just evaporating into thin air. Also, my dream is to become financially independent and to quit my 9-5 job. I just don’t find any joy in it. So this month, I’ll focus on improving my financial habits:

• Budgeting: Creating a detailed monthly budget to track income and expenses.
• Saving: Setting up an automatic savings plan to build an emergency fund.
• Increase income.

The goal is to develop a healthier relationship with money, ensuring I can meet my needs and plan for the future with confidence.

Month 3: Health & Fitness

Then we have health & fitness. I have the condition of a literal sloth. And I move like one as well. I just want to run a few kilometres without feeling like my lungs are on fire? Like that is one of my literal goals. Also, a healthy body nurtures a healthy mind and spirit, giving me more energy to achieve my goals. Month’s 3 focus is on adopting habits that enhance my physical well-being:

• Regular Exercise: Committing to at least 30 minutes of exercise five days a week, ranging from brisk walks to yoga sessions.
• Balanced Diet: Planning meals that are nutritious and balanced, and reducing intake of processed foods.
• Hydration: Drinking at least 1.5 litres of water daily to stay hydrated and energised.

By the end of this month, I hope to feel more vibrant and energetic, setting a positive tone for the rest of my journey.

Month 4: Fun & Recreation

As for fun & recreation, I find literally everything interesting! However, I start one and then lose interest in it, go to another, lose interest, go to another, and so the cycle continues. The cycle must be broken! This month, I’ll prioritise joy and relaxation:

• Hobbies: Rediscovering old hobbies like drawing and trying new activities like sewing and staying consistent with it. 
• Travel: Exploring nearby places or planning a short getaway to refresh my mind and spirit.

Integrating fun and recreation into my routine will help me maintain a healthy work-life balance and enhance overall happiness.

Month 5: Personal Development

I haven’t been really doing much in regards to personal growth, so no new skills learned or anything like that. So I want to change that. This month, I’ll focus on expanding my knowledge and skills:

• Reading: Setting a goal to read at least one book related to personal development each week.
• Courses and Workshops: Enrolling in online courses to learn new skills or deepen existing ones.
• Self-Reflection: Keeping a journal to track progress and reflect on personal growth.

By investing in my personal development, I aim to become a more knowledgeable and capable individual.

Month 6: Relationships & Social Life

Healthy relationships are fundamental to a fulfilling life. This month, I’ll work on nurturing my social connections:

• Quality Time: Spending quality time with loved ones without the distraction of digital devices.
• Communication: Practicing active listening and expressing appreciation to strengthen bonds.
• Community Involvement: Participating in community events or volunteer activities to build new connections.

Enhancing my social life will bring more joy and support into my life, rounding off this six-month journey beautifully.

So, each month I will choose one category to really focus on and introduce habits into my life, giving me a month to get used to those habits before I stack more habits on top of those. It is best to start small, and from there we can grow. Again, there is no need to change 180 degrees, we will take it slow. As long as we stay consistent, we will be fine! 

Also, quick disclaimer for myself first and foremost; it will be so hard! Unbelievably hard! But we need to keep reminding ourselves why we are doing this, what our driving factor is. As long as we have the why, the doing will become somewhat durable. We just need to do it! No more thinking about it, no more daydreaming, no more planning, just doing! Because remember, our lives don’t have to stay this way. 

So back to the wheel of life, feel free to change the categories to suit your life. Grab a sheet of paper of whatever you like to write on, and list the six categories you want to focus on. Now grade each category. For example, this is what mine looks like: 

7 – Spirituality

4 – Money & finances

4 – Health & fitness

5 – Fun & recreation

6 – Personal development

7 – Relationships & social life

This six-month plan isn’t about drastic changes but about making small, consistent improvements that lead to a more balanced and fulfilling life. By focusing on one category each month, we give ourselves the space to adapt and grow without feeling overwhelmed.

As we embark on this journey together, I encourage you to reflect on your own wheel of life. Which areas need more attention in your life? How can you introduce new habits gradually to create lasting change?

Till next time!

With lots of live,

Nia