Happy Muslim Mama: Rollercoaster Week and Finding Quiet Time

I have had a busy few days with many ups and downs this week. An uncle passed away a few days ago and my mums cousin yesterday. Both were well loved. He for his patience, gentleness and perpetual smile. She for her hard work and sacrifice in raising her children. May Allah (SWT) grant them both the highest ranks in Jannah and their families peace and contentment. In between the stream of people visiting to pay condolences, trying to organise food for guests and family and visiting family members to sit with them for a little while, my mother-in-law arrived from Pakistan. She travelled five hours for my uncle’s funeral in Pakistan, five hours back home and then took a nine hour flight the next morning to reach us. I was worried she would be ill from exhaustion as she has not been well, but despite her tiredness she just wanted to talk and meet the neighbours and my parents who were coming round to welcome her.

The kids have kept me busy with a trip to Little Lady’s school to understand her GCSE options a little better, accepting a place at school for Darling and a coffee morning at Gorgeous’ school and Little Lady needs to be dropped off to yoga as part of her Duke of Edinburgh award activities.

At the same time, my office work has ramped up again. I am starting new projects, being asked to assist or advice on existing projects by multiple managers and generally being asked to help new people. I have asked for a raise, but didn’t get it, so will be trying to get as much training as possible instead. After a busy few days I can say I am shattered. I am struggling to shake the tiredness and of course, I thought this would be perfect timing to give up coffee in preparation for Ramadan. I have gotten to four days without my morning coffee and the first and fourth have been the hardest, with hash browns and toast soothing my stomach this morning. Every time I look in the mirror I feel as if I look dull and tired. So over the next few days I will try to catch some quiet moments and find ways to rejuvenate myself a little: make sure I take my multivitamins, try and take short naps after work, spend some time reading and set my chores and work aside long enough to take proper care of my skin.

What do you do to take care of yourself when life gets very full? How do you refresh and rejuvenate yourself?

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