Nia Safar

Salaam wa alaikoum and hi! So, here we are! Again! It’s August 20th, 2024, and I’m about to embark on something I never thought I’d do—something called the 75 Soft Challenge. Now, before you start imagining me doing some hardcore workout while shouting motivational quotes at the mirror, let me clarify: this is my own version of the challenge. Think of it as 75 Hard’s more relaxed cousin who still gets things done but isn’t into extreme boot camps.

Let’s talk about the plan (or, as I like to call it, my “Getting my life in order” list). These are the things I’ll be focusing on for the next 75 days starting August 26th with November 8th being my last day of this challenge. Hopefully we’ll make it this far!

1. Pray Fajr

This is non-negotiable. Fajr is the early morning prayer, and honestly, it’s such a peaceful way to start the day. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, “The two Rak’ahs of Fajr prayer are better than the world and everything in it.” So what better way to start your day then with the goodness of this prayer? But, seeing as Fajr is around 4AM, I find that a bit too early to start my day. So I will probably get back into bed after dragging myself out of it to pray.

2. Adkhar Every Morning and Evening

Adkhar are short prayers and remembrances, and I’ll be making sure I do them every morning and evening. It’s like giving my day a spiritual warm-up and cool-down. I mean, who doesn’t want a bit of extra protection and blessing? And let’s be honest, it’s also a great way to add some calmness to the daily chaos.

3. Read Quran Every Day (At Least 2 Pages!)

Here’s the thing: I’ve always wanted to be one of those people who reads the Quran regularly. It’s such a beautiful, calming practice, and now I’m committing to reading at least two pages a day. Sounds easy enough, right? But we all know how life gets, so let’s see how I manage this one.

4. Read 10 Pages of an Islam-Related Book

There are so many amazing books out there that I’ve been meaning to read, and this challenge is the perfect excuse to finally get to them. Just 10 pages a day. That’s like, what? 20 minutes? If I can scroll through Instagram for that long, I can definitely handle this.

5. 30-Minute Workout (3 Days On, 1 Day Off)

Okay, so here’s where things get a bit more intense. I’ll be doing a 30-minute workout every day, but I’m giving myself a rest day after every three days. Because let’s face it, I’m not a superhero, and I need those rest days to keep my sanity intact. This could be anything from a sweaty cardio session to some gentle yoga. As long as I’m moving, it counts!

6. Stretch Every Morning

If you’ve ever woken up feeling like the Tin Man from The Wizard of Oz, you’ll understand why this is on my list. A good stretch in the morning is like hitting the reset button on your body. Plus, it’s a nice way to ease into the day before all the madness begins.

7. Drink 1.5 Liters of Water Every Day

This is one of those things I’m always saying I’ll do, but somehow I still end up having drank not nearly enough. Not anymore! I’m committing to drinking 1.5 liters of water every day. Hydration, here I come! (And maybe a few extra trips to the bathroom, but that’s a small price to pay.)

8. Earn Money Every Day

Now, this one’s a bit different. Whether it’s through my regular job, a side hustle, or even just selling something I no longer need, I’m going to make sure I earn some money every single day, even if it’s just €1,- It’s a way to keep me focused on my goals and, let’s be honest, it’s always nice to see the bank balance going up.

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Honestly, I’m doing this challenge because I need a bit of structure in my life. The days can blur together when you’re juggling work, life, and everything in between, and having this list feels like a way to make sure I’m actually doing things that matter to me. Plus, I love a good challenge, especially one that’s going to make me feel like I’m growing in more ways than one.

Let’s be real—sticking to anything for 75 days straight is a bit daunting. I’m especially nervous about the workouts. I mean, what if I wake up on day 15 and just don’t feel like it? (Spoiler: I probably won’t feel like it.) But that’s where the whole “soft” part comes in—I’m giving myself permission to not be perfect. If I mess up, I’ll just get back on track the next day.

My game plan

Here’s how I’m going to tackle this:

1. Take It One Day at a Time: I’m not going to think about day 75 when I’m only on day 2. That’s just overwhelming. Instead, I’ll focus on today and do the best I can.
2. Forgive Myself If I Slip: Life happens. If I miss something one day, I’ll remind myself that it’s okay. The point is to keep going, not to be perfect.
3. Celebrate the Small Wins: Did I drink all my water today? Did I get my 10 pages in? That’s a win! I’ll be celebrating every little victory along the way because why not?

So, Here We Go!

I’m excited, nervous, and a little bit curious about where this challenge will take me. Will I come out of it with a new set of habits, or will I just collapse into a puddle of sweat and water bottles? Only time will tell, but one thing’s for sure: it’s going to be an adventure.

If you’re thinking about joining me on this challenge or just want to follow along, let’s do this together! In case you do want to follow along, I’ve created this handy tracker to help you stay on track with your own 75 Soft Challenge. You can download it below!

In case you want to fill it in with your own habits these upcoming 75 days, there is a fillable tracker as well.

Here’s to 75 days of growth, faith, and maybe a bit of chaos. Wish me luck—I think I’m going to need it!