How to Make Every Day Better - As-Salaam-Alaikum
As-Salaam-Alaikum, friends. Are you tired of chasing happiness through material things? Do your days feel the same and your inner peace feels weak? I want to share six simple, down-to-earth ways to make daily life more meaningful - inshaa'Allah some of these will help. First: Move your body more. Do you find excuses to stay inactive? "No time," "I’m too tired," "I don't have gear," etc. Even small movement helps. Walk, do simple home exercises, or take the stairs. Physical activity lifts your mood, reduces negative thoughts, and helps you sleep better at night. Think of it as taking care of the amanah (your body) and clearing the heart a little. Keep it simple: just move. Second: Give less weight to other people’s opinions. If every comment or action from others shakes your inner peace, you’re letting external things run your life. Reflect on moments you were hurt by others’ words and how much it affected your days. Protect your heart and ask: who really controls your well-being - other people, your ego, or you? Try to respond, not react, and seek contentment from Allah rather than everyone’s approval. Third: Get to know yourself. Pause and ask: who is steering my daily choices - my heart or external pressures and desires? Spend time reflecting and learn what genuinely makes you feel at peace and more spiritual. With patience you’ll notice which actions bring out your best and which pull you away from what truly matters. You are the one who knows yourself best; trust that. Fourth: Let your heart and faith guide your goals. Many people chase goals set by society, family pressure, or trends. Try setting some goals guided by your soul and your deen - things that enrich you spiritually, creatively, or that increase your sense of purpose. When you follow that inner nudge - the feeling of flow or hope - you’ll find more lasting contentment than you would from purely material aims. Fifth: Don’t abandon those soul-led goals. It’s easy to slip back into old habits and focus only on material gain. Keep returning to the spiritual and creative things that gave you meaning. They might not give a quick rush like consumption, but they bring steadier, deeper peace - the kind that lasts and helps you rely less on external things. Sixth: Do things that spark hope. Find small, healthy activities that lift your spirit and motivate you to wake up: walking, visiting family, attending halaqah or a short lesson, reading that book you’ve delayed, or learning something new about a topic you care about. Hope is what gets you through daily life; nurture it. In short, six steps to try (inshaa'Allah): 1) Move more. 2) Stop overvaluing others’ opinions. 3) Know yourself better. 4) Let your heart/faith set goals. 5) Stick with those soul goals. 6) Do things that create hope. May Allah grant us hearts that find peace and days filled with useful, meaningful moments. I hope some of these simple tips help - take what works for you and may it bring barakah to your routine.