Hey there, lovely readers! It’s Shabana Mukhtar, and today, I want to talk about the traditions that my parents have kept, which I, well, haven’t quite followed to the letter.

My parents don’t break the ties with toxic relatives. While I do understand and follow the concept of “sila rehmi”, I don’t go out of my way to keep the relation alive. If people are toxic, staying away from them is mandatory for my sanity. And, I give my sanity utmost prioity.

You see, my parents have this uncanny ability to not break ties with toxic relatives. Now, don’t get me wrong, I do understand the concept of “sila rehmi,” the importance of maintaining family connections, but there’s a fine line between that and preserving one’s sanity.

As much as I respect the value of family bonds, I firmly believe that staying away from toxic people is crucial for my well-being. My parents may keep the relation alive despite the toxicity, but I’ve come to realize that sometimes, the best thing for my own mental health is to distance myself from negativity. It’s all about prioritizing my sanity above all else.

But you know what? There’s one quality my parents possess that I wish I had in abundance – their ability to be easy-going and get over things in a whiff. While they can brush off conflicts and move on swiftly, I, on the other hand, tend to hold onto grudges for what feels like an eternity. It’s like my mind has a mind of its own, and it refuses to let go of even the tiniest scuffle.

As I write this, there’s this incident that occurred on Monday, and here I am, still mulling it over. It’s like a never-ending loop, and it can be incredibly frustrating. Hypersensitivity is definitely a thing, and it can be a real struggle to let go of things that have hurt or bothered me.

Sometimes, I wish I had an eraser for my mind – the ability to simply wipe away negative thoughts and memories. But alas, I’m just wired differently. I’m learning to accept that it’s okay to take my time to process things and to be gentle with myself in the process. We all have our quirks and challenges, and it’s essential to recognize and embrace them.

So, my dear readers, as I continue on this journey of self-discovery and growth, I invite you to reflect on your own traditions and ways of handling conflicts. We’re all unique, and it’s okay if we don’t perfectly adhere to the practices of our parents or society. What matters most is being true to ourselves, prioritizing our well-being, and striving to become the best version of ourselves.

Here’s to embracing our quirks, learning from our experiences, and, above all, being kind to ourselves. Until next time, take care and remember to give yourself the love and understanding you deserve. Happy reading!