New Muslim here, feeling a bit overwhelmed
Hey everyone, I became Muslim just last week (April 27th). The first few days were incredible-I learned how to pray, went to Jummah, and reaffirmed my Shahadah. Plus, I've been managing my final exams pretty well. But honestly, there's this quiet anxiety creeping in. Sometimes I worry: Did I make the right decision? Do I truly believe? Could I change my mind later? I've only been studying Islam seriously since last September, and I feel like I don't know enough yet. What's really tough is explaining to others why I took the Shahadah. I told the Imam I feared dying outside of Islam, so we gathered some Muslim friends and I took my Shahadah. So yeah, I do fear eternal punishment if I were to reject it after understanding it so well. (And of course, I believe in Allah's oneness and Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him). I'm not great at debating or explaining things-I get too nervous, lol. My biggest worry now is telling my atheist parents about my conversion. I graduate college in about two weeks, and I'm scared they'll think I've gone off the rails. I tried talking about religion with them a few times in my teens, but it didn't really lead anywhere. They knew I was meeting with the Imam, but assumed it was just for general advice. I'm moving back home from college next week. I've been praying five times a day, but I'm unsure how I'll manage that at home. Both my parents work from home (my mom fully remote, my dad hybrid), they want our doors open during the day, there's no lock, and they often come in without knocking. Basically, I have to tell them. I can't avoid it. I respect them too much to lie, and we have a wonderful relationship. I don't drink, don't use drugs, don't date, I'm graduating a year early, and I'm moving to Ireland in August for my master's (so I'll be independent in four months). TLDR; Just looking for some advice on this-any tips or support would be really appreciated. If any female revert who grew up in an atheist household happens to read this, I'd especially love to hear from you.