I fell into a rut.

Juggling a product launch, building the coaching program, newsletter, Threads, Youtube... not to mention things in my offline world that need extra attention (nothing bad).

Alhamdulillah though.

I bit off more than I can chew but it's because I love this work.

I'm passionate about the opportunities out there for us creators (especially Muslims, as we continue building our own sub-section of the creator economy in sha Allah).

But recently?

It's like I 'relapsed' to my old self.

I've been stress eating, sleeping late and not looking forward to anything "productive".

If you're anything like me (not born with a silver spoon in your mouth), starting a business isn't the simplest thing in the world.

You likely have other responsibilities and priorities to juggle.

(If you're young with no obligations, take this as a reminder to really double down on what matters to you before you accept what's assigned to you by the world).

There are things in life other than business that will need your attention. Simple as that.

But I've always believed it takes a certain level of stress tolerance to succeed.

And to be honest, I'm usually good at that.

Especially if I have a strong WHY.

So I just take a break as needed to recharge my batteries, then continue on.

No big deal, right?

WRONG.

It's not that simple.

I recently re-read Hadith Qudsi 15 with the perspective of my recent rut, and Subhānallāh...

This is the famous quote from the beginning of it:

"I am as My servant thinks I am"

It reminded me of the importance of optimism and relying solely on Allah.

Why?

Your inner world is more important than your outer world

It's not "I am as My servant's material world is"—A'udhubillah...

It's "I am as My servant thinks I am"

Allah is emphasising our perspective, not material possession or external circumstance.

Think about it...

People who have a lot less than you can be way happier.

And people who have everything can be unfulfilled and depressed.

In short, to loop back...

If you think business needs to be stressful, then it will be

But if you approach it with calmness and playful-heartedness, then that's also what will be reflected back to you.

REGARDLESS of circumstance.

I'm not talking about "manifestation" or "law of attraction".

Your thoughts do not emit electromagnetic waves that the "universe" is listening to, waiting to be shaped by your own whims and desires, lol.

What I am saying is that if you consistently return to Allah, and maintain Dhikr of Allah, then any circumstance you experience is inherently GOOD, and you can't feel stressed about it.

Everything that happens is part of Allah's perfect plan, even when we forget.

Our job is to remember.

Try remembering (in your heart) and feeling stressed at the same time 😁 it's really difficult.

Anyway...

No Barakah Brainstorm call again this week (while I focus on re-evaluating and getting back into the swing of things).

But I'm curious about you.

Have you had similar experiences as a creator?

Take 15 seconds to hit reply and share.

This isn't some cheeky tactic to sell you something, I'm just genuinely curious if you relate at all.

As-salamu aleiykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh, my halal creator friend 😊

—Redim