Half of My Life

Earlier this week, I reached a bittersweet and poignant point in my life. I realised that exactly half my life ago, I was embarking on a new chapter called ‘Marriage’. It didn’t last as long as I had expected to which, to be honest, I always imagined would be till the day either my husbandContinue reading “Half of My Life”

No More to Say?

In recent months, I’ve often thought about the idea of calling it a day with my online blog. I don’t have as much traffic as I used to in terms of views by others but I guess that’s because I don’t bother share it on my Instagram page or elsewhere as I used to before.Continue reading “No More to Say?”

Knowing One’s Place

It might seem like a bleak and pessimistic perspective but the idea of living out the remainder of my life without a marriage partner, is something that doesn’t make me afraid. If anything, I feel a sense of relief and being unfettered from responsibilities of taking care of another person other than those related toContinue reading “Knowing One’s Place”

Measuring Happiness

The idea to write about this in today’s blog post was inspired by the fact that I was recently asked a question in a group discussion of divorced Muslim women. “Where would I place myself in terms of happiness post-divorce, on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the highest score?” Without hesitation,Continue reading “Measuring Happiness”

A Few Days Off

It’s been wonderful to have had the last two weeks not tied to any appointments or fixed schedule. To know that I could dedicate complete days to my own whims and tasks, was something I was looking forward to before that time off had even started. Now that I am at the other end andContinue reading “A Few Days Off”

Charity in Action

Today, I’ve made final preparations for my first-ever trip to Bosnia. I am both nervous and excited as this isn’t a holiday that I’m going on but part of a charity mission. I hope these kind of trips will be more frequent in time to come – as long as my health, time and moneyContinue reading “Charity in Action”

Hubris Miasma

To all absentee parents out there.. How do you do it? How do you manage to swan off and live your selfish dreams without compunction? How do you live in material and emotional comfort knowing you have abandoned a past life? How does your conscience rest easy knowing you took care of yourself without lookingContinue reading “Hubris Miasma”

Consistency or Adventure?

Some would argue that a predictable life is something to covet as it offers security in that plans can be made well ahead of time. Every stage of life is clearly and neatly mapped out. Part of that predictability is the foresight to include contigency plans for times when things may not go exactly theContinue reading “Consistency or Adventure?”

Celebrating Life

Yesterday was my birthday. Unlike many people, especially the young generation, who would like to mark the day with parties and presents, I chose to keep it much more subdued. Instead, my sons and I had a day out in central London walking through different parks and then enjoyed a lovely Lebanese meal in oneContinue reading “Celebrating Life”

It’s All About Me Now

A completely self-indulgent title and well deserved. I make no apology for finally putting myself first having sacrificed my personal ambitions and hopes for so many years. Whilst I have no resentment in doing that, as motherhood was – and still is – a role I cherish, the balance has now shifted in favour ofContinue reading “It’s All About Me Now”