Assalamu alaykum - A reminder from someone who reverted two years ago

Assalamu alaykum! I wanted to share a few reminders that helped me after I reverted a couple of years ago - hope they benefit someone. 1) A general reminder: Being guided back to Islam is a huge blessing from Allah. We might feel like we're behind sometimes because we had to relearn so much and rebuild routines, but the destination is the same for all of us. It's okay to take inspiration from others, but don't compare yourself to people who've been practising for decades just because you're the same age. Life already has its usual struggles - work, sleep, eating, studying, staying healthy, and managing inner desires. Don't be hard on yourself if you can't be perfect right away. Growing in deen is a lifelong process; sometimes you'll move forward, sometimes back - don't let setbacks push you away from Islam. 2) For new reverts: If you believe the pillars of faith, then you are Muslim - taking shahada is important and it doesn't have to wait for a mosque ceremony. Don’t postpone it out of fear of not being perfect. You'll make mistakes, but keep repenting (tawbah) and learning. Learn and put things into practice step by step. Try to avoid rushing into marriage during the first year unless there’s no other option - you’re still discovering religious duties and what you need in a spouse. It's normal to have an identity crisis, miss your past self, feel burned out, lose some friends, or feel overwhelmed. That doesn’t mean you regret reverting - you left an old life to build a new one, and that adjustment takes time. Focus on small improvements and don't take on more than you can handle. A few practical cautions: not everyone online who calls themselves knowledgeable has pure intentions or correct understanding. If someone lacks good character or behaves inappropriately - mixing genders without boundaries, insulting others, shouting, sugar-coating important matters, or labeling people without wisdom - step away until you have the ability to judge what's proper. Remember that everyone's journey is different and only you and Allah know your situation. Do what is within your capacity now, and try not to obsess over the past - work toward a better future, little by little.