Virtually Nurul – { Research | Fitness | Designs } by Nurul

Category: Healing

  • Unmet Needs

    So, had a disagreement again. It is really stressing me out whenever I reach out to him without being reciprocated. When I call his behaviour out, he threw tantrums and then finally proceeded to explain himself. He also said that I am stressing him out. For real?!!! What am I supposed to do, I am not a mind reader. He then proceeded to mention how different we are, I don’t know it is a bad thing or he is just stating a fact. So I stated again, that I have needs and they are not being met right now. I’ve got to explain why I do things and what I needed from him. This, for many times already. I was close to calling it off but decided to think and process why this happens and what he was telling me about.

    My initial response was, OK, I am stressing him out, and he obviously sees us as two individuals running different lives. I don’t know what that means and it hurts a little. Maybe I am in denial too. Again, I took my time and told him how was I supposed to understand his actions if he was not communicating well with me and that I truly don’t know him very well. I stated that I have my needs with him and gave him space to sort himself out. I don’t know the outcome of my actions but at least I don’t stay silent of things that I am not OK with. If it’s meant to be, it will. If it’s not, I will meet someone else – leave it to God.

    In between my anger and tears, I read about anxiety in relationships and came upon a podcast by Dr Sharon Martin and on awareness of highly sensitive person (lol another diagnosis) which I can resonate well. I have always been expressive when I feel things. I just can’t keep it down to myself. I have to share my experience or feelings with someone – ideally someone I care about and accept me as I am. The problem happens when I translate it out with asking for what I need – I am not used to it and those around me often disregard or feel uncomfortable with my requests. So the podcast talks about setting boundaries and be okay with who I am; and that there are many more people just like me. Even with varying degrees of compatibility, things can work out between 2 people. If he read my words with an open mind to understand, we may have another shot. I think I am progressing well with this and managed to better communicate if I don’t want to participate in anything.

    There is also a post on anxiety and relationship which has a lot of good points too. Another post that helps me to understand my feelings and response is this one – 12 Things Highly Sensitive People Love in a Partner (highlysensitiverefuge.com). And this one, too – Blog-Happy Highly Sensitive Life. I obviously have a lot to learn about myself, my wounds and triggers. I mean if I take him out of the equation it is going to be a lot easier and just find someone that is compatible with me. But it is not as easy as it sounds, especially when dealing with the agony of a heartbreak. I am just going to take my time to process what has happened and discern of what to do next, rather than hurting him and saying things that I might regret later.

  • Sometimes I Forgot to Draw or Find the Line

    Recently I have been asked to help with the family business to build on my dad’s vision again and with my sister-in-law’s business.

    I liked the idea and decided to help out. As we went along with the plan and I brought things to speed up, suddenly I got sabotaged again. My reputation on the line.

    Brought my brother to view on some stuffs on a gym which I knew the owners agreed to things – and then these two are playing games with me or us. The gym owner seemed so desperate to get the cash in despite of my assurance. I, for one hand felt as if my words and integrity have no value. And when I communicate to my brother, he has now changed his mind. This of course jeopardises my credibility with other people that I have promised stuffs. Relating to past event, I felt triggered that it’s gonna be like that all over again.

    I decided to do nothing until I have my thinking right. But it is clear now, the way my brother or my dad sees my role is the same as it was. I must draw the line and not fall into the same scenario again. My life is going so well now. Don’t sacrifice everything for them. Don’t give them the power to hold my lifeline again.

    I must communicate with them. I am just going to consult but if this is the way they are, not following the plan that I worked hard for – I am just not going to waste my time executing it. You want to do it your way, it’s your call, but I’m not gonna be involved.

    Damn it – I really should withdraw my name from all the companies. They don’t bring me happiness and I don’t in any way want to be involved in it.

    Main lesson here, always trust my gut feeling about a person. If they make me feel desperate – they are outright manipulative and just move on find someone else to work with. People don’t really change and don’t torture yourself working with people who are not compatible with you. There is always a choice.

    May Allah guides and provides me with sufficient wealth to live happily and meaningfully for as long as He permits.

  • Some More Real Life Update As At June 2024

    So April had been a real stressful month for me. So was May. Everything just went real fast that I rarely had time to breathe and reflect on my progress as far. So many incidents in between, really, both good and bad.

    • Relationship-wise I am feeling more secure, but the future remains unclear
    • Work-wise, I am getting better and more confident with my path here in fitness
    • Data collection had been a mess, it went out of hand and I got super stressed on this one
    • Issues with my student status and tuition fees, and stressed out with the possibility that I may need to extend my studies for a bit. This was resolved and I have accepted my limit.
    • I improved a lot at CrossFit, nailed RX wall walk, rope climb, did my first kipping pull up for real and got the courage to lift real heavy – 100kg deadlift, close to 60kg power cleans. My relationship with the community improved as well.
    • I had a hard long look at my finances and taken an interest in stock trading. Wish I had done it sooner, but still not too late. It’s time for me to slowly upgrade my life.
    • Car issues a couple of times, mechanic negligence! I really had enough and will not go see the mechanic again. Enough of paying for BS service!
    • Finally had a haircut!
    • Finally organised and resumed my painting
    • Reorganise my garden! And cleaned the main room which I had put off to do for months.
    • I had my first panic attack (the scariest thing ever) and been diagnosed with anxiety. Went to see therapist for a bit, it was nice.
    • I just held on to my boundaries with people (except with the boyfriend) which makes me feel powerful and relaxed – issues at the gym sorted!
    • Entrusted to run a group training service which is close to running my own gym
    • Had the best Teacher’s Day surprise celebration ever. Didn’t know I am valued that much. So much love!
    • Taken up new challenge to run my own gym with the family business. May Allah ease.
    • I feel that my relationship with my family has improved as well which relieves the heavy weights that I have been feeling. Though, they still trigger me, I am learning to challenge my catastrophic thinking whenever they ask of something from me.

    After the tumultuous months of uncertainties, I feel that June is when I had more control with my path and life. May it be time for me to thrive – and stay steadfast and be prepared enough for whatever that may come.

  • Be the Person That I Needed the Most

    I am so tempted to pick a fight (confront misbehaviour) again! The last time we fought was in October last year. Being in a relationship with someone who is really basic at relating could be frustrating most of the times. Ultimatums will not change someone, it only showed my fickleness and that I did not really meant what I said. It is not an ideal relationship, it is not so bad but I would say it is so bland and lacking in emotional support and consistency like a healthy relationship, at least like the one that I am expecting.

    I have the tendency to lash out at someone when the person (especially that I am so comfortable with, like a boyfriend), when things are not going my way, or when the person’s responses towards me made me feel anxious; especially after I have told explicitly so many times by words and actions on the consequences. It is partly my responsibility, too, as I have chosen to be with someone that is totally inept at relating and only absorbed by his own thoughts and problems most of the times. Seeing that this behaviour is so consistent for years, I have to make a choice whether to stay or leave. Truthfully, I don’t have the energy to leave yet because I would likely have to deal with his rationale (I am just being positive here, it could be his manipulative tactics) to show that he is not at fault. He is not changing his behaviour either. He is a decent man, but so traumatised with his past experiences that it is hard to discern if he is acting out of his intention, or out of looking good to please people. Very rarely has he shown his authentic side with me. So that really makes me feel 50/50 about the relationship. It could and it could not, even after all these years.

    What lacks in this relationship is that communication consistency. Like, I share things a lot, like other women in love. I want him to know what is going on in my world, my feelings, my concerns, like how I am interested in his. When we are apart, everything just disconnects – not even a single acknowledgement of my attempt to connect. That really makes me disappointed and rejected at times. I feel like that is so inconsiderate of him for treating me that way. He does not remember dates nor wishes me on important days. It makes me wonder, does he want something real or not?

    Last week I texted him twice with no response. I don’t want to text a word more to protect my mental health. At this age, I feel like that was really stupid and lazy. Yes, he is a lazy and emotionless partner. Enough bantering and blaming him, I thought to myself, what would I do now? I decided to soak in the vulnerable feelings – feel all the feels, but quickly switch the attention back to myself, on how can I meet my own needs. My brain is full of stuff. I have to let it out or express them so that it is not cluttered in there. Talking to him makes me feel good. So when he is not around, I feel upset because I could not talk it out with my favourite person. Many times I have asked him why he do what he does. His explanation was so unsatisfactory. It is either he has not dig deep within or he is hiding something from me. I just have to find an alternate outlet. From now on, I am just going to dump everything here to empty out my mind and soothe my own emotions. I wonder if other people in a healthy or happy relationship does this as well – self-regulating themselves. It is like, for me, in a relationship, I would want to be able to share everything that makes me feel happy, upset, sad whatever, my experience of life to my partner. I want him to be my source of comfort when I worry or anxious or upset; so that I can face the hard truths of life knowing someone got my back. When these are consistently taken away from me, I feel like, staying together is pointless really as my needs have not been met when he is not around.

    Sometimes, when I am less triggered and got my logical thinking on, I thought, he is just human, as messed up as I am. He is also dealing with his own mess without involving and burdening me. If he lies to me, that is on him and has got nothing to do with me. I always have the choice. If he is being cold, I have the power to disengage. It is not about me. My life is not affected, I still am an awesome, beautiful and capable woman. My ego is bruised big time when he ignores me. I am not less worthy or unlovable deserving of a partner who treats me well with kindness and consideration and love consistently. My life still goes on as usual. I feel things, only the message is unclear as for now – maybe I am also in denial. I will not try to solve this, it is all already planned for me on Allah’s will. If we are destined to be together, we will be. For now, I will let it go, sit in with some uncomfortable feelings and surrender everything to Allah and focus with what I needed to do (which are aplenty! That is why I am so upset when I cannot talk to someone to untangle this mess.).

    Today, other than training, I really did not do anything else except eat and rest (these are necessary too). My mind told me today that maybe I don’t like myself that much today, I am unhappy about a lot of things. I fear that I might not finish my studies as things stall way too much. I missed deadlines, nobody cares on my efforts, my body hurts so much (super slow recovery) and I am short on cash again this month (another story and it is exhausting). Instead of reflecting and dealing with it, I choose to find external validation or stimulation to distract myself from my issues. On another context too, I need comfort and reassurance that things will be okay. Which I feel is kind of true. I often find myself want to punch him in the face when I am in trouble or in challenging situations and that he is not around to soothe and protect me. Instead of obsessing about his lack of presence in my life, just feel the uneasiness and unhappiness, I am on the right track. Things are moving forward, only at unexpectedly slower pace and with a lot of difficulties. Stay calm and be at peace with uncertainties. I will be okay. I am my own person, not my boyfriend’s, my parents, my siblings or anybody else. Allah got my back.

  • Healing with Cory Muscara

    Happy Friday! I am feeling so sluggish and a bit of anxious today. Some stuffs are bothering me right now. Mainly financial, and then I worry for my safety caused by car issue and another thing is about how I am not eating and sleeping enough to sustain my lifestyle training and working in fitness. Other than that, things are pretty rosy (and challenging). Today, I came across a post by Cory Muscara on Instagram (@corymuscara) on his lessons after 6-months meditating and living like monks. I am so glad I have found it, convinced me a lot that I have healed a lot and I am just getting better. Here are the things that he shared:

    1. Find your true self is an act of love. Expressing it is an act of rebellion.
    2. A sign of growth is having more tolerance for discomfort. But it’s also having less tolerance for bullshit.
    3. Who you are is not your fault, but it is your responsibility.
    4. Desires that arise in agitation are more aligned with your ego. Desires that arise in stillness are more aligned with your soul.
    5. Procrastination is the refusal or inability to be with difficult emotions.
    6. The moment before letting go is often when we grip the hardest.
    7. You don’t find your ground by looking for stability. You find your ground by relaxing into instability.
    8. What you hate most in others is usually what you hate most in yourself.
    9. The biggest life hack is becoming your own best friend. Everything is easier when you do.
    10. The more comfortable you become in your own skin, the less you need to manufacture the world around you for comfort.
    11. An interesting thing happens when you start to like yourself. You no longer need all the things you thought you needed to be happy.
    12. If you don’t train your mind to appreciate what is good, you’ll continue to look for something better in the future, even when things are great.
    13. The belief that there is some future moment more worth our presence than the one we’re in right now is why we miss our lives.
    14. There is no set conditions that leads to lasting happiness. Lasting happiness doesn’t come from conditions, but from learning to flow with conditions.
    15. We often need to get out of alignment with the rest of the world to get back into alignment with ourselves.
    16. Real confidence looks like humility. You no longer need to advertise your value because it comes from a place that does not require the validation of others.
    17. Negative thoughts will not manifest a negative life. But unconscious negative thoughts will.
    18. Bullying yourself into enlightenment does not work. You must befriend yourself to transcend yourself.
    19. There are 3 layers to a moment: Your experience, your awareness of the experience, and your story about the experience. Be mindful of the story.
    20. Your mind doesn’t wander. It moves toward what it finds most interesting. To improve focus, become curious about what’s in front of you.
    21. Life continues whether you pay attention to it or not. I think it’s why the passage of time is so scary.
    22. High pain tolerance is a double-edged sword. It’s key for self-control, but can cause us to override the pain of being out of alignment.
    23. Peak experiences are fun, but you always have to come back. Learning to appreciate ordinary moments is the key to a fulfilling life.
    24. You cannot practice non-attachment. You can only show your mind the suffering attachment creates. When the mind sees this clearly, it will let go.
    25. Meditation can easily become suppression. Don’t use concentration to avoid what is uncomfortable.
    26. Meditation is not about feeling good. It’s about feeling what you’re feeling with good awareness. Plot twist: Eventually that makes you feel good.
    27. Some of the deepest peace we can experience is living in integrity. You can lie to other people about who you are, but you can’t lie to your heart.
    28. Be careful not to let the noise of your mind overpower the whispers of your heart.
    29. Life is always happening in just one moment. That’s all you’re responsible for.
    30. Monks love to fart while they meditate. The wisdom of letting go is expressed in many forms.
    31. You can’t life-hack wisdom. Do the work.

    Can relate to most of it. Hope his work is not a scam. Looking forward to more of his sharings.

  • Be Still

    I am just feeling so overwhelmed lately especially due to the excruciatingly hot weather and that I can’t eat or drink to at least give some motivation to keep doing what I needed to get done.

    Came across an Instagram post yesterday talking about trauma in women causing them to mess up in their feminine side believing that being feminine is harmful and being more masculine will help them survive. Well that’s exactly me! Only that I realise that I’m more leaning towards my feminine side this time around.

    I have always been feminine with my joy in expressing creativity in my work. I love perfumes, nice smells and pampering myself. It’s just that being this way is deemed as lazy and unproductive by my parents and mostly by the environment around me. So, it’s me who needs to enjoy and validate the feminine side of me.

    Today, I’m feeling messy because I am so exhausted I think my health is giving way because I didn’t rest, drink and eat enough. I already undereat during non-fasting month. So by eating less (not intentionally) during fasting month of course is going to set me back. It’s one of the things I need to seriously take care of.

    So much things to do, I want to make a new pair of baju raya for me also, study-wise, a lot of catching up to do. It feels so out of hand for me already. Things for book publisher, for my supervisor, for my data collection. My work is fine and I’m so grateful for it. Only that I have so much pending projects to do which I have no clue yet how am I gonna finish them. My mom expects me to help her so does my grandma. I was also a bit anxious cause my man is not responding to my call for connection. So that agitated me a bit. Good grief that we have delivered the new BodyPump release at the gym, so that lighten the load for myself a little bit.

    I realised that though what I’ve been doing is for my future (hopefully!), I feel that I’m not doing enough for me, to make time doing what makes me feel good, what makes me feel alive and happy – to express myself. So despite of pressure to move things forward, I just decided not to do anything and relax, focus on myself.

    What I like about me this year is that I stuck with my financial system that I managed to control my spending and actually saved some money for myself. Though I still have a long way to go, I feel optimistic with the way I handled it. I want to learn more about money and relate better with it.

    I also becoming better at caring and standing up for myself, doing what I want to do versus doing what people expect me to do. For that, I wanna thank and pat myself at the back for such good work. Omg, this was so not me just 4 years ago!

    You are doing great Nurul. You are not behind, you are exactly where you want to be. Now let’s get ready to spend the day for myself that is to make baju raya instead of just doing study work and worrying about them!

  • Dealing with Shame and Disappointment

    I missed a deadline that I had promised to meet! It is an opportunity, a shot to be published in Taylor & Francis. I tried so hard to write and finish a book chapter manuscript eventhough I was given only about a month to get it done. It is so important to me as an aspiring tech consultant to get my ideas and views get across. Last night, I was planning to continue writing and get it done – the deadline already past in Malaysian timezone, but not in UK. I don’t think I am the only one who have thought of pushing it like that using the timezone as buffer. By 12.30 am, I was so exhausted and I felt that I am going to stress my body further if I did not go to bed and rest. I wrote an email asking for deadline extension – knowing full well how UK people work and just hoping for a little window of time to complete my paper.

    This morning I got up as usual, the time I got up for work. I felt a deep sense of shame and disappointment on myself. This felt too familiar. I looked up on Google if it’s common for writers to ask for extension. Turned out a lot of people do! I felt better. Then, to my instinct, I searched on how much does it cost to publish a book chapter – I was shocked to find out the answer (from as little as USD800 to thousands). I felt so much better. Maybe God is protecting me and showing me how to prepare better for a book project.

    It got me into deep thinking why did I feel shame so much. My feelings of fear, the desperation to finish, the anxiety and mind-racing structuring what I would write in the midst of idle times were all too intense and real. There I was again, in fight mode. I was not in grave danger, but my body and responses felt like it. Then, I told myself, I had never been taught how to deal with shame and disappointment when I was little. I had a conversation with my nephew on winning and losing on how to deal with it. It was so funny when I listen to my own compassionate advice to others, the disappointment for not ‘winning’ did not feel so bad. I broke my routine and did uncomfortable things to make it work, that made me upset too. What’s worse that can happen if I didn’t publish my journal? Partly it was ego – I am not used to ‘losing’, secondly, I wanted to publish so bad – it is fine, I am human with feelings.

    The feeling of shame and disappointment were so intense early in the morning. I was so tired and did not enjoy teaching today. I feel like I am unknowingly going to autopilot again, except that what I had trained to adapt, becoming routine – as in I don’t struggle anymore. Isn’t that great that I am progressing with my supertiring days. Intense feeling is there to feel and to process what did not work with me. It is up to me to receive the signal and feel all the emotions. My strong emotion is my strength.

    Recently I was driving to work feeling so anxious that I was swearing to any car that drove slower than 50kmph in front of me. I don’t know, rush hour traffic drives me mad and the people here are not the best of drivers (me included) – but yeah driving with anxiety and feeling pissed off never are a good combo. It felt too real, I wonder sometimes how come I feel that strongly to the point of hyperventilating and I can feel the reactions of my body if I feel something. Most of the times, I need time to ground myself and recompose. Sometimes I can, sometimes I can’t and just stayed pissed off and moody. Maybe I am good at expressing my emotions (not verbally), that people can feel it without me saying anything. During the drive, I asked myself why was I so pissed off and anxious – the answer to that was I was late and did not prepared enough for class or I had other stuff pending to do. I actually arrived gym on time as usual, not a single minute late – only a few minutes later than what I am comfortable to. Things led to another, I came to conclusion that I was mostly disappointed with myself because I held myself highly accountable to my own high expectations. It’s good to have and maintain standards, but I have trouble accepting if things don’t go my way – as in life, it rarely does which I often get if I stay obsessed (maybe I need to challenge this so that I can relax and not hold on to some idea so tightly.)

  • Reminder of What I’ve Got to Do Whenever I’m Stuck in A Funk

    Feeling so bad earlier today. I know it’s partly of my back soreness too. I didn’t cry like crazy today, instead I tried these things and I felt a lot better and able to get up and do some cleaning and cooking. Oh my God, my body and mind is so messed up. I guess I did the work on rewiring my mind, the other thing I need to work on is adjusting my body. So I did these three things just now:

    • Meditation – a different one that focuses on breathing to release anxiety, stress, ptsd and panic.
    • Vagus nerve stretching exercise – very simple one but really reoriented my day as well
    • Fascia rolling – I’ve been doing this for awhile, but this time, the focus is on releasing trapped emotions where my body feels tight. My back and glutes really loved this one.

    Then I managed to cook, did laundry and clean my toilet. A little bit more to clean, but at least I’m not stuck anymore.

  • NC Log

    Day 8 – 28/10/2023

    Woke up today and noticed that I started to dream about him. This is the most dreaded phase of breaking up with him. Still ruminating and tried to justify and find out what I did – how would it look like to him. Well it did not matter anyways. I was being true to myself and he also had demonstrated how incapable he was in loving me the way I need – or probably his lack of interests in doing so.

    Many times, I assure myself that my mind and body is adjusting to new norms where I don’t have to think are be prepared for his contacts all the time. It is going to be ok. I have to try rewire and replace them with something else. I also was quite in a funk since yesterday. But did some exercise to ease my stress and anxiety. It is going to be ok.

    Day 7 – 27/10/2023

    A little less sad today, just feeling of guilt for not being sensitive of his feelings when I pushed him away. It is what it is, and thinking about it would not help me to move forward. I don’t want to reach out as well, it might be overturned like before.

    The Instagram is full of contents about relationships and coupledom, it stresses me out sometimes. My upper body is just sore, my classes are not performing well which will affect my income. I just don’t feel like working on myself at the moment. But things need to get done, my studies, my work and all. I am just overall feel a bit disappointed with life, and with myself.

    Just be patient. Be alive and do my best to support and help myself. I am so tired. I just want to cry and sleep today.

    Day 6 – 26/10/2023

    Yesterday I woke up panicked again. Don’t know why am I like this. Anyway, yesterday I was curious if he still follows my friend. I was hurt to figure out that I was blocked too and he unfollowed my friend. He didn’t delete all the posts about me though. Well thank you for making it easier for me. I love him so much, that’s why I am so hurt and affected by this. But I can’t continue endure being treated like I don’t matter. I was emotionally tired and heartbroken yesterday.

    Today I just want to be, I don’t want to fix or ponder about anything. Life goes on.

    Day 4 – 24/10/2023

    Woke up feeling good. I actually got up early before my alarm clock set off. I realised that I panicked less in the morning now. OMG such was the effect of the relationship to me. Cause I was consistently waiting.

    However, later near afternoon I was feeling vulnerable and cried for a while. Yeah let it go! Feeling a lot better today.

    Day 3 – 23/10/2023

    Feeling bumped that my front headlamp for the car is not working again. Saw some rat bounced off of my car last night. I hope the wiring wasn’t messed by it. The weather is crazy hot today.

    This morning I woke up feeling better. By afternoon I am feeling empty. That’s just the void for being so used to worrying and waiting for his contacts that’s just gonna happen once or twice a month. I was feeling guilty for cutting things off with him like that after all we’ve been through. But realising what I wasted my time on, I am more convinced that I did the right thing.

    Day 2 – 22/10/2023

    Woke up super early and felt so fresh. It’s just a nice feeling and light. Received updates from my PT client and got a potential new client. Morning started great.

    Still processing my feelings out of all this. Wondering if I was being mean. But I still stand that I needed to do that to protect myself. I need to move on and never get back to the mean and hurtful cycle. Why was he so mean to me, I don’t know the answer. And I don’t care anymore. I just want to set myself free. No doubt, still, I am feeling scared of loneliness. Like, will I ever meet and fall in love and be in a relationship again. It’s a phase, I need to be patient.

    Scrolled my phone checking for notifications. I got so used to checking out if I got messages from him and then checked his profile out for signs if he’s doing anything. Now it feels weird that I don’t have to anymore. And just now I sang love songs and I used to think of him, now I need to replace that memory. It’s a bit sad, but life has to go on. I’m not mean, I’m just standing up for myself.

    I used to loathe all the couples posts on Instagram because I am jealous and I wanted what they had. Now, I should change my perspective and see them as inspiration for how my next relationship would be. It’s like learning and informative post. But not gonna deny that some posts are just cringe.

    And a random thought just came through, like, what if cutting ties with him is the final step for me to get that breakthrough. Cause everything else is aligned with what I wanted, except for my love relationship. I’m looking forward what’s coming up next.

    Day 1 – 21/10/2023

    Writing this to remind myself why I should not respond to any more advances from him and to document and journal how am I dealing and coping with all this mess. No dating for a whole year – that is the contract. Not sure yet how often would I write in this log. It is okay. I’ll write as necessary.

    How I feel today? Utter sadness, anger and betrayal, cried for hours in the afternoon. Now is just feeling emotionally exhausted and numb.

    What did I do? Meditate, block all social media. Have not blocked his number yet. Probably, I should just to be safe. Just act on my paper. Later I’ll do the folding for my clean laundry.

  • I am 41!

    It is my birthday today! A different celebration from when I was 40. Because I don’t have Facebook anymore that notifies everyone of my birthday, not many wished me one (not even my man!). Only my family members and some close friends who happen to interact with me often. I taught BodyPump as usual as it’s Thursday, and got announced by my instructor mate who team teached with me today to the whole class that it’s my birthday today. It was a nice feeling being appreciated like that. Afterwards, we had cake and some meal downstairs at Secret Recipe and I headed towards my parents’ to meet and celebrate with my family.

    Did the usual drills, small celebration with them. Had cake, kids singing birthday and fought to blow the candles, them gifts giving and them asked me to unwrap the presents. We ate a bit, and chit chatted with my sisters and mom. Dad, as usual, I don’t know what to talk about with him. He just went to bed early.

    I got some presents like freebies from expos – functional stuffs, mom gave me telekung and dad gave me a watch. It was so modest I was actually was not that excited. Then when I unwrapped the gift from my dad, I was half disappointed cause he gave me a men’s watch. In my mind, I was like, “Are you kidding me, don’t you realise how stylish I am, and you want me to wear this?”. Well, of course I didn’t voice out my disappointment and thanked him anyway with glee. I also asked my mom where I can have the strap adjusted, cause its too large on my wrist. She just answered me but like unsure of it. If they bought it together, she would have known. I packed some food and drove back to my house after everyone settled to their bedrooms.

    As I drove home, I became suspicious. Like, how could he do that to me, then I thought, he must have bought it for himself but didn’t want it and gave it to me instead – like, everything hand-me-downs, they’ll give it to me. As I arrived, showered and settled at home, I charged the smartwatch my dad gave me, changed the straps – the black leather straps look a lot better on my wrist than the steel one and checked what’s inside the box.

    I found the manual and some sort of warranty documents, then I saw the date of purchase. It was in 2020! And then I remembered my brother gave a Fossil watch to my dad for his birthday. Could this be the same watch? The settings of the phone, too, were configured for an iPhone and with my dad’s email address.

    I was heartbroken, like not angry heartbroken. It’s a sad feeling. My dad is not as he was years back. He’s in a fragile and vulnerable position right now. Maybe he is feeling powerless to help me, that’s why he’s like avoiding, even talking with me. Despite of that, he still wants to give his best to me. That’s my dad’s love to me. He has given me everything he could, even when in times he could not afford to. I feel that he’s really in big crisis right now and really need our help. On the bright side, I kind of glad that he didn’t spend so much money for a gift that I don’t really in favour of (like the almost 3 grands Tumi backpack they gave me last year).

    It is a huge awakening for me. I, too, am feeling so vulnerable and don’t know how I could turn my life around. But so far, things are kind of on track. I want to help my family and not be too financially dependent on them. I am not messing around anymore. Inside, I know I can do this. Just still figuring out what works. Allah will guide me, as long as I do it for the right reason with all my heart.

    May Allah protect my parents from their worries and insecurities; and teach them to be at peace and surrender to Him; and bless my parents with good health and meaningful life. I love my parents, and thank you Allah for blessing me with wonderful mom and dad who love me unconditionally with all their hearts.