While I’m setting new goals for next year, I’ve totally forgotten to take some time to ponder about and celebrate my achievements. And to look back at some of the lessons I’ve learnt from surviving 2025.
This year was filled with many ups and downs. Testing my relationships, my faith and my patience. But it’s all about how we grow from difficulty and conflict, not the absence of it. And that leads me to my first lesson…
❇️Conflict is necessary, but poison is not
Arguments and disagreements are normal in a relationship. And my marriage was no different. But what I learned from all of it: is that arguments can be heated, but throwing insults, swear words and using derogatory language is not healthy 🚫. While arguments come from a place of hurt or anger, we show our respect and love for the other person, by never crossing those boundaries🤝.
And when we do, we apologise and make a concerted effort to do better next time.
❇️Gossiping is fun…until you become the subject
Do I even need to go into this 😓 It starts out fun: a little inside joke, a secret between friends, a bad experience with an employer that makes you trauma bond with a co-worker. And it took me learning the hard way – finding out I was the topic of gossip – to finally realise that talking about people behind their backs is not cool, incredibly sinful and toxic for my heart.
In the Qur’an, The Almighty says, “O believers! Avoid suspicions, for indeed, some suspicions are sinful…” It’s part of the human experience to always learn, and all I can do moving forward, is ask for forgiveness and set stronger boundaries on myself and others 💗
❇️ Be grateful…because you’re now in the position you once prayed for
We naturally adapt to our situations, and then seek the next goal, the next raise, the next thing that will somehow make our life better. Sometimes, just as quickly as we achieve it 🔍. And what kept me humble and happy, even when things were very hard, was reminding myself that the prayers and dreams of my past self had become a reality. Even if it took years, months or weeks 🤗.
I was just too focused on the next thing to fully appreciate it.
❇️ The only thing you can control is yourself
You control when, why and how you react, apologise and interact with people. And there have been times when I needed me to swallow my pride and set my ego aside, to build a stronger relationship ♻️. Honesty is always key. And especially as a short Capetonian woman, I’ve had to learn to really watch my temper and my tone 👹. And when things didn’t go as planned, I only had control over my outlook, my emotions, and my belief in The Almighty.
This lesson is something I have started taking more seriously in life, as I hope to become a mother one day who leads by example.
❇️ Share your news with people who you truly trust
Not every person will be happy for you 🌚🌝. And not all people deserve to enter the depths of your mind and heart. Some people might even be fishing for a story to spread, or offer you advice that you didn’t need. Move in silence, and celebrate your wins with people who stood by you, even when they had nothing to gain from it 🌹.
In this instance, I am so thankful to have my husband: a man who has seen my most beautiful and ugliest sides, and still shows me love and respect.
And that’s that folks. A huge thank you, shukran and tramakassie for your support and love this year. May your 2026 be bright, beautiful and full of the Almighty’s choicest blessings.
Until next week…or should I say next year 😁
GirlOnTheBus 