Feeling distant from my iman and unsure how to reconnect
As-salamu alaykum, everyone. I've been struggling with my iman for the past three years. I became Muslim six years ago after living abroad and learning about Islam, which just made more sense to me as a former Christian. Back then, I wasn't the most practicing Christian-I didn't go to church much, but I read the Bible and prayed sometimes-yet I always felt close to Allah. I embraced Islam quickly, started wearing hijab, and tried to practice more, but now I feel like I pushed myself too hard too soon. Lately, I feel like a fraud. Islam doesn't feel like it's truly mine anymore. I don't find peace in the mosque like I did in church, reading the Quran doesn't bring me joy like the Bible did, and my prayers feel robotic-I'm just repeating words without feeling connected. I'm only praying out of fear, worried that if I died tomorrow, at least I could say I prayed. Recently, I've lost motivation entirely: I miss Fajr often, don't feel guilty about it, and even wished Ramadan would end quickly this year. What makes it harder is that I have an 8-month-old son. I'm trying to be a good Muslim on the outside just for him-playing Quran and nasheeds at home, praying when he's calm so he sees us, teaching him Islamic phrases like mashallah and alhamdulillah. But deep down, I feel like I'm only doing it for his sake. Without him, would I even be practicing? I miss parts of my past: having an occasional drink to relax, dressing more comfortably in warm weather, and my best friend who I gradually stopped talking to after reverting to focus on being a better Muslim. I miss feeling like I had a real connection to religion. When I ask for advice, I often get harsh responses telling me I'm sinning or out of Islam, which just pushes me away. I still believe in Islam-I just don't feel connected and find it hard to practice. Practical advice would help; being told to move to a Muslim country isn't feasible with my family, jobs, and home here. I also get advised to make lots of dua, and I have been sincerely for three years, praying for help during tahajjud and every Ramadan, but things only seem to get worse. I'm at a loss. My husband is supportive, but it makes me feel trapped because I'm doing things I don't want to. I don't want to leave Islam-I want to improve-but I wish I could take a break from praying to focus on myself and sort out my feelings, though I know that might make things harder. I just don't know what to do anymore.