#TGIF: The final Friday

Phew, we're finally here. After 36 Fridays, 36 posts — we are here at the finishing line. Best believe I will be having celebratory dinner for completing what I never thought I would. It's posting entries, what's so hard about that? It's not the posting and stories that I am celebrating, it's the fact that I successfully committed to it. I showed up every single week. I brainstormed, planned and followed through what I had set my mind to, many weeks ago. 

As I am writing this last TGIF post for this year, I thought of how this year has been for me. So many good things happened. I've made new friends that now have become a part of my everyday life, I performed my first Umrah, I was challenged at work (in a positive way), I said 'Yes' to things I have never done before, I opened the door to get to know someone (but that did not go well), I travelled, I welcomed a new family member, my friends and I made time for each other — celebrated everyone's birthdays despite our clashing schedules. We showed up anyways. I had so many highs, alhamdulillah but not without some humbling, of course.

I have high hopes for 2026, not to “outdo” 2025, but as a standard I set for myself to uphold based on what I’ve experienced this year. It does not matter how the year goes in the grand scheme of things; what matters to me is who I will be once I come out on the other side. As long as I am proud of her, it’s a successful year, regardless. Here are some reflections I've made this year that I thought I could share with you;

• You don't just have time, you make time
• The reality of striving for the life you wanted is to accept what comes with it
• Umrah is for everyone who Allah has called; the rich, the poor, the sinners or righteous. You are not "too far", "too poor", "too busy" for it.
• At the end of the day, family will be the place you turn back to
• Staying stagnant is the real failure
• Some seats will never be reserved for you, and that's okay
• Sadness and melancholy often mistaken as depth
• There's no use of overexplaining yourself, people will form opinions however they want
• Allah is so kind and generous, even when you don't deserve it
• If you want a village, you need to accept the occasional inconveniences of being a villager
• If it's your calling, it will keep calling
• Treasure people who treasure you
• Just try, just start, just do it
• Consistency > frequency
• Do it enough times that it becomes intrinsic
• Lack of romantic love is not a shortcoming, it can be a blessing
• Healing starts with you; celebrating all that you are and forgiving all that you are not
• Kindness goes a long way and disservice stays with people
• Being soft isn't weak but it can be seen that way. Learn to balance
• You have the power to be and do anything, you just need to believe in yourself
• Show up for people without the hope of anything in return, real ones will show up for you too
• Love is indeed, all around

Now, the question remains; will I continue TGIF in 2026? The answer is; Yes, I will. I might make some changes to the blog next year, might even move to another platform altogether. I have yet to think it through but I want to make the reading experience better. I have no idea if that means I will lose the archived entries and have to start fresh elsewhere. Have not figure that out yet, that would be next year's problem, but wish me luck in continuing this series for another year!

Before I end, none of this would be possible without the encouragement from the people whose opinion I truly value. I am deeply grateful for their presence, quiet support, and they way they continue to cheer me on as I write every week — friends and strangers alike.

I will see you in 2026.

walking straight into 2026, in gratitude and faith