Breaking Mental Chains: One Blog Post at a Time

Don't ask yourself what the world needs, ask yourself what makes you come alive. And then go and do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive. - Howard Washington Thurman

Let me share the story behind the inception of my blogging journey. It all began during a casual conversation with a colleague while we were in his car, discussing the prospects of building a business in our homeland. The crux of our exchange revolved around the critical issue of education in our country—an inherited system deeply rooted in colonial influences, which seemed to perpetuate mental enslavement. I vividly recall expressing my conviction that we could address this problem by delving into online education, covering neglected areas such as our true history, financial literacy, geopolitics, and self-development.

To my dismay, my colleague dismissed the idea, asserting that people preferred traditional classroom learning. This discussion served as a catalyst, prompting me to reflect on numerous instances where my ideas were met with skepticism and dismissal. I questioned why was I still seeking external validation and approval for my ideas and dreams? Why did I hesitate to assert myself, share my thoughts, and use my voice authentically the way I wanted to? Disgusted by my own insecurities and the influence of fear over my decisions, I decided to start the journey on a small scale because my soul was aching with the weight of unexpressed ideas and untold stories. I did not want to die with my stories still inside me.

In that day itself, I resolved to start a blog—a platform where I could freely explore my thoughts, unburdened by schedules or external expectations and I did. I committed to writing intuitively, allowing my creativity to flow unrestricted, and addressing topics that resonated with my heart and soul at the very moment inspiration struck. Rejecting the notion of conforming to established norms in the blogging space, I embraced the raw, unfiltered essence of just being me.

Throughout the day, when various subjects niggle at my consciousness, I adopted diverse methods to capture the essence of those ideas. Whether jotting down notes on my phone's Notepad or recording my thoughts using the phone recorder, I found ways to document the inspiration that demanded expression.

The realization dawned that attempting to emulate others and seeking approval from external sources was an exhausting endeavor. Relying on friends and family for opinions proved counterproductive, as their unique perspectives could not align with the singular lens through which I perceived and felt the world. I discovered that ideas were deeply personal, born from individual experiences, consumption, and environments.

Initially fueled by frustration and anger towards my fears and limiting beliefs, the act of blogging evolved into a therapeutic exercise. It became a private dialogue with myself—a space to release pains, celebrate joys, revisit childhood memories, and analyze my interactions with both me and others. In overcoming my fears, blogging transformed my life, allowing me to write freely without concern for external judgments, ultimately reinforcing the profound impact of embracing authenticity.

In embracing the raw authenticity of my voice and daring to share the stories that define me, I've discovered the profound freedom that comes with being unapologetically myself. As I continue this blogging journey, I invite you to join me in celebrating the beauty of authenticity and the courage to live a life true to who we are. Here's to writing our stories, unfiltered and unrestrained, as we navigate the wonderful chaos of being human.

With all my heart,

Salima