This week marks 1 month since I turned twenty-freaking-two… which is totally enough time to make myself an expert on the following (just kidding). But hey, it was a month that involved both celebration and great, great losses. I guess that’s just life… right?
It was for that very reason that I felt persuaded to share what the past 22-ish years have taught me. Warning: the list is kinda cliche, but IT’S ALL TRUE. And everyone will interpret each one differently.
Here are my personal life gems – and I hope you stumble upon them when you need it most.
1. Life is unpredictable. You don’t have to explore it alone.
2. Love. Love. Love. Always try to cancel out hate and anger with love. Nourish your heart with it.
3. Your mind is your greatest weapon – and it’s untouchable. Take care of it.
4. The higher you go in life, the more obstacles you’ll endure. The key to conquering them is by never losing sight of who you are and what you want.
5. Working in or being interested in fashion does not give anyone the green light to undermine you or your work. It’s a tough industry as it is.
6. Don’t ever allow yourself to feel comfortable. Because (1) nothing is guaranteed and (2) comfort kills ambition.
7. Read #6 regularly.
8. There’s a certain wisdom behind every single person that enters your life. Always be welcoming but don’t let your guests overstay if they don’t need to be there.
9. Everyone grieves differently. Keeping your sorrow locked in your heart doesn’t mean you don’t care.
10. FEAR AND DOUBT WILL ALSO KILL AMBITION.
11. It’s okay to be inspired – as long as you’re being inspired to become the best version of yourself.
12. Who you are today is not always who you are tomorrow. And who you are tomorrow is not always who you are today. And there’s nothing wrong with that. Embrace your growth.
13. The way you dress indicates who you are and how you feel. It’s your greatest form of expression. Don’t ever stop playing dress up.
14. Time helps you forgive.
15. Modesty is all about who you are on the inside. It’s about the type of heart and mind you have, not the clothes on your back (or head?). A modest attitude will radiate from within and eventually seep into every aspect of your lifestyle.
16. Being “different” and chasing after “unconventional” goals will attract a lot of hater-ade drinking people and passive-aggressive comments. First they’ll hate you for it, then they’re neutral, and finally they ‘love’ you for it. But none of that should matter to you.
17. Having a nickname is totally fine – but don’t let anyone butcher your name because they’re too lazy to put in an ounce of effort and get it right. It’s 2 syllables damn it.
18. The smaller your circle, the happier you’ll be.
19. You get what you give. You see what you want to see. It’s always about perspective.
20. You’ll have a million and one interests as you navigate life and it’s ok to not like the same things anymore.
21. There’s no be-all and end-all method for self-care.
22. God will always be your constant. Have faith in his plans. You never lose something without gaining something better in return. Wait for it.
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Nihal Qawasmi
Nihal is a Palestinian-American-Muslim from New York with a bachelor’s degree in Communication Arts + Journalism & Political Science. She currently manages her own blog -- where she talks about modest fashion, lifestyle, and spirituality -- and is a social media consultant. Nihal is passionate about participating in global movements for girls and women through different mediums such as writing and forums. Besides dressing up, she also enjoys convincing others that coffee is a food group and feminism is common sense.
