How to Practice Self-Compassion and Reflection During Ramadan
Ramadan is a time for self-reflection, compassion, and commitment to oneself. For some Muslims, it can feel like a time for rejoicing and connection, for others it can inflict emotions of guilt, loneliness, and anxiety. While this Holy month is practiced by billions of Muslims worldwide, it’s important to acknowledge experiences from all walks of life and the personal journey in searching for authenticity within religion. What does it mean to show up as our full self in a spiritual space? Can we give ourselves grace in moments of despair? How do we practice self-compassion while managing self-expectations? Our emotional symptoms can show up in our spiritual practices which can often lead to a cycle of negative self-beliefs and distortions. But if we give ourselves the space to just be, then just maybe we can decrease these thoughts of self-judgment and lean into our most vulnerable selves.
What is Ramadan?
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, which follows the phases of the moon. The month starts with the first crescent of a new moon, and the new day starts after sunset meaning the month changes every year. One of the major practices in Ramadan is fasting from sunrise to sunset, abstaining from food and water, purifying the soul, and practicing discipline. Ramadan can act as a spiritual refresher, reminding us to slow down and refocus on what’s most important in our lives. During this time, Muslims prioritize community, prayer, charity, and intentional living. But what does this mean for those individuals struggling with mental health challenges and everyday life stressors?
Anxiety and Self Judgement
As human beings, we work to set expectations for ourselves whether they’re informed by society, family, culture, or religion. Sometimes, these expectations can often lead to feelings of anxiety, self-judgment, and negative self-talk. By avoiding these expectations, our anxious symptoms become fueled by avoidance leaving us feeling like we’re never doing enough. With Ramadan as a month filled with spiritual expectations, it can feel daunting on trying to understand where we should start. Let us begin by acknowledging that contradictory emotions can exist, we can feel both excited to reconnect to our faith while experiencing the anxiety of what this may look like for us. Finding the balance between Ramadan and our mental health challenges is possible but it begins with our individual journey with grace. How to Practice Self-Compassion and Reflection during Ramadan
Self Compassion and Spirituality
So what does it mean to practice grace and compassion while balancing faith and spirituality? It starts with self-reflection, giving ourselves time to sit with uncomfortable feelings while acknowledging thoughts and normalizing what we’re experiencing. Leaning into vulnerability is part of the process, but what would it mean to find our most authentic selves in a spiritual space? Start with exploring our intentions for the month and what would we like to learn about ourselves and our relationship with faith. Identify the strengths you already possess and begin to set realistic goals while creating a structure that works best for you. This allows us to begin to view ourselves from a different lens, if we can change the information we take in then we can start to reframe those negative thoughts into positive beliefs about our capabilities. Changing this perspective can help deepen our empathy and awareness for ourselves and those around us. While all this may be true, we may still feel stuck accessing self-compassion so it’s important to take moments to remind ourselves that we are human, and we can rely on our support system, and community as often as we need to, which can help remind us that we’re not alone in this. Throughout this month-long journey, remember that taking care of your mental health and honoring your journey can be seen as a form of worship. So take this next month to re-center yourself and become grounded into whatever version of you feels most accessible. May this month be filled with healing, wholeness, and patience.
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