Breakfast Chats: Evening Walks And Ramadan Preps
Also, I'm officially a reader, hah.
“Breakfast Chats” is a lighter series, where I share short musings and conversational tidbits about life things. It’s a regular, monthly feature that I’ve made open for access to all subscribers, both free and paid.
Welcome back to Breakfast Chats.
I’m coming out of a really lovely birthday week and everything was just made so much more special with the beyond incredible messages you guys sent on the last birthday reflections issue. It was honestly one of my own most favorite pieces that I’ve written here, but I genuinely didn’t anticipate the kind of love I’d get for it. Thank you so much for being the amazing readers that you are.
Now I have my coffee right next to me and let’s get started on this month’s Breakfast Chats.
1. EVENING WALKS
These days, Nabeel and I have been going out for short walks in the evenings and last week, we came upon a neighbor’s mango tree. The tree was lush full of fruit, and they had carefully covered it in netting to protect it from the birds eating away.
Looking at that tree, Nabeel and I were talking about how it looked like such a sweet labor of love. You can tell so many things about people from the things they keep themselves busy with.
Growing, nurturing a tree is something that takes effort, and it’s these very things that may take up your time, but they also take you away from things that we don’t realise are silently quite wasteful.
When Nabeel and I think about the kind of home we want to have eventually, whenever we buy our own, I’ve realised it’s not so much about having the best-looking space but one that can give us everyday experiences.
I don't really know what the look of our future home would be, but I know I want a fruit tree. And a spot to sit outside and have chai. Things like that.
Just some evening walk musings ☼
2. THE BEAUTY OF RAMADAN
In a few weeks, we’re going to be starting the month of Ramadan. I’m a Muslim so I observe it and while I can understand that it can appear really hard for people who aren’t closely familiar with it, for me it’s a time of an exemplary test of one’s character holistically.
Plugging an old post I did around Ramadan.
To detox from every single thing that holds you back from being the best version of yourself, these 30 days have absolutely been changing my life the past few years. Being conscious of every action and word that you put out into the world, taking care of the community, donating to the less privileged, testing your emotional & mental strength to the limits; this is a fire month for me.
There's the physical fasting too, which is also scientifically really incredible for your body for that duration of time, but for me the biggest thing is understanding everything I am capable of – emotionally, mentally, spiritually.
You know those intense workout marathons, or detox routines that people do – with time, this has become that incredible annual fitness regimen that I get to do to renew and restore myself as I am meant to be; I’m so excited about it. It’s not easy for sure, but then none of the truly transformative programs are, right.
I’m thinking of doing an issue on “A day in Ramadan” btw, if you’d like to see that, I’m leaving a message box below, let me know.
3. THE HABIT OF READING
I feel so happy to tell you guys that I think I’m now once again…a reader. The past year I rediscovered the actual love of reading, not the pretend kind that I’d been involved in for years.
I read a total of 21 books in 2024 and my plan is to continue reading about two books a month this year; of course just as a guide, not as an expectation. I feel like we sometimes ruin things for ourselves with our own expectations, you know.
Anyway, some months ago, I wrote about how I found my way back to reading; and honestly several people have told me since then how it made them enjoy books again, so have a look if you too have been trying like us :)
Here's that post.
4. NABEEL’S BIRTHDAY PLANS
Nabeel’s birthday is in two weeks and the best part is that it’s on a Saturday this year. There’s nothing like a weekend birthday. I have no plans right now though, except that I want to cook him something really good. I think this weekend I’ll sit down and loosely figure out what I can come up with.
Basically, I just want him to have a day where he feels relaxed and very loved.
Let’s see how I go :)
5. WEEKEND PLANS
Tonight we’re going for dinner at a friend’s place. They're South Indian and make the most incredible food so I’ve been pumped about this the whole week. South Indian is actually one of my most favorite cuisines, I think it’s easily in my top 5. Anyway, we’ll go pick up some fresh fruit to take with us before heading to their place.
The rest of the weekend will be a mix of a small coffee plan with more friends, going to the library to pick up some books I’ve reserved and stocking up on groceries for the coming week.
I think that’s it. I hope you have a good weekend. I might send out the next issue in three weeks, instead of two, depending on what I write about. See you here then :)
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Music Credit: The music in my voiceover background is ‘Milky’ by Ninn Tendo.