Feeling a bit lost after embracing Islam
Assalamu alaikum everyone, just needed to get this off my chest, and any advice is totally welcome. I embraced Islam about 8 months back, and honestly, I've never felt this confused before. I ended up in a relationship that wasn't permissible for a while, and though it's over now, it really drained me emotionally. Being with someone who was raised Muslim made me feel like religion was being forced on me, even though I chose it myself-praying started to feel like a task, and since it ended, I've been struggling a lot. This is my first Ramadan, and things were going okay at first, but I guess I just hit a wall or something. A close friend of mine is Orthodox Christian, and I've noticed her kind of pushing her beliefs on me, which made me question my decision for a few days even though I don't agree with it. Now, I just feel disconnected and guilty, especially about missing my prayers. Every time I think about starting again, this huge pressure builds up and I freeze. I don't have much family support either, since my family isn't supportive of Islam, and I don't have many Muslim friends I'm close to-or I'm worried they'll judge me if I open up. It breaks my heart that I haven't been praying, even during these last precious days of Ramadan. On top of that, I'm still healing from that past relationship, my family's facing financial issues, and med school is piling on the stress. Honestly, I feel so ashamed, both in front of others and when I'm alone with my Creator. I really miss those early days after I reverted, when there was this bright spark in my life and Allah was my closest confidant. That spark feels gone now, and I just want to rediscover that love, pure curiosity, and deep respect I had for Allah. I'm desperate to start praying again but don't know how to shift my mindset or take that first step without feeling like a complete failure.