Welcome to my newsletter!

I’m Lina. 

I’m so grateful you’re here! 

Whether you're working from home, boosting your productivity, or dreaming of starting your own business—you're in the right place.

I imagine you’re someone who’s eager to level up in life, and I’m excited to be part of that journey with you.

I reverted to Islam two years ago, and since then my life has been filled with growth, learning, and transformation, الحمد لله.

I noticed there weren’t many resources that combined self-help, motivation, and personal growth from an Islamic perspective.

I found a few, but I still felt there was more to be shared, so I decided to create this weekly letter.

But before we dive in, I'd love to hear from you!

What brought you here?

What are you hoping to learn?

Just hit reply—I’d love to connect with you إن شاء الله.

Why Breaking Bad Habits Feels Impossible (And How to Overcome It)

Have you ever wondered why breaking bad habits can feel impossible, while others seem to achieve their goals so easily?

If you've ever been caught in the cycle of frustration, you're not alone.

I spent years in that loop

setting goals,

creating plans,

feeling motivated,

only to fall back into my old patterns within weeks.

It was exhausting, and I felt like I was missing something crucial.

Then, something clicked.

I came across a podcast that changed my perspective completely.

It wasn’t about what I was doing wrong—it was about who I believed I was.

The podcast host said:

"Change doesn’t come from what you do; it comes from who you are."

It reminded me of an ayah from the Qur’an:

“Indeed, Allah will not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves.” (Qur’an 13:11)

A lightbulb went off in my mind. 💡

The Power of Your Subconscious Mind

Did you know you make around 35,000 decisions every day?

About 95% of those decisions happen automatically, controlled by something called your subconscious mind.

It’s like autopilot—it handles everything from brushing your teeth to scrolling through your phone without a second thought.

Think about it:

the last time you stopped at a traffic light, did you have to think through your actions?

Probably not. You just did.

That’s how habits operate—like apps running in the background.

And that's exactly why breaking bad habits feels so hard.

While your conscious mind might say, “I’m going to change,” your subconscious is still running the same old programs.

Why Willpower Alone Isn’t Enough

One of the most common mistakes people make—including myself—is believing that willpower alone will break their bad habits.

We tell ourselves,

“be disciplined"

“try harder.”

But when we try to think our way out of a habit, we’re relying on the conscious mind—the part that is analytical and logical.

Unfortunately, that’s not the part of the brain in charge of habits.

So, we end up in a battle between willpower and subconscious urges.

I experienced this firsthand when I decided to stop listening to music.

Music was my go-to for everything

work,

cleaning,

relaxation.

Despite my decision to stop, I found myself opening Spotify time and again.

Consciously, I knew I didn’t want to listen, but my subconscious still saw music as essential to my daily routine.

My brain was programmed to keep the habit alive.

The subconscious mind is really powerful, controlled by your strong beliefs and instincts for survival.

And in a battle between your subconscious and your willpower, the subconscious always wins.

How to Reprogram Your Mind for Success

So, if willpower isn’t enough, how do you reprogram your mind to break these habits?

It starts by changing how you see yourself.

The key is not to fight the habit itself, but to change the story you tell yourself about it.

For example, instead of saying:

“I want to stop wasting time on social media”

try

“I’m not someone who checks social media mindlessly.”

It’s a subtle but powerful shift.

You’re no longer struggling against the habit;

you’re identifying as the kind of person who doesn’t engage in it.

Or if you're struggling to wake up for Fajr, don’t make it a daily decision.

Decide that you are someone who always wakes up for Fajr.

Make it a part of your identity, not a choice you debate each morning.

When you reframe it this way, it becomes natural.

The Pyramid of Change: Identity First, Action Follows

Many people try to change their environment first, thinking that if they alter their surroundings, they’ll see results.

For example, people join gyms in January to start a new fitness routine.

But by February, only 8% of them are still going.

Why?

Because they focus on behavior without addressing their underlying identity.

If you don’t believe that you’re someone who values fitness, no number of gym visits will lead to lasting change.

Your actions are always limited by how you see yourself.

When your identity and behavior align, change happens naturally.

You don’t have to force it; it’s simply part of who you are.

As the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said “Allah the Most High said: I am as My servant thinks I am.” 

This highlights the power of our thoughts and the importance of having good expectations of Allah.

The Be-Do-Have Model: A New Approach to Lasting Change

Many self-help gurus will tell you,

“Take massive action to change your life!”

But massive action without the right mindset often leads to burnout.

The real secret to change is found in the Be - Do - Have model.

Rather than focusing on what you need to do to achieve a goal, start by asking yourself,

“Who do I need to be?”

For example, if your goal is to pray on time, stop waiting for the perfect moment when life feels less busy.

Instead, ask yourself, “Who is the kind of person who always prays on time?”

Then, embody that identity.

This shift in identity changes how you approach your goal.

Once you believe yourself to be that person, your actions will follow naturally.

Building Confidence Through A Habit Tracker

One of the best tools I discovered for sticking to habits was a simple habit tracker.

It may sound basic, but trust me, it works wonders.

Here’s why:

• Visible Progress: Seeing small daily wins builds momentum.

• Accountability: It’s a visual reminder that you’re committed to change.

• Self-Trust: Each day you check off a habit, you prove to yourself that you can stick to your goals.

If you're serious about making lasting change, using a habit tracker is one of the most effective ways to rewire your brain for success.

To help you get started, I’m offering a free habit tracker that you can download [here]. 

It’s designed to keep you on track, motivated, and moving toward your goals every day.

Rely On Allah

In Islam, we know that true transformation comes from the help and guidance of Allah.

When striving to change our habits, we should not rely on our efforts alone.

Instead, we must turn to Allah through dua - asking Him to help us become the person we wish to be.

Rather than simply visualising yourself as the person who has overcome bad habits,

take it a step further by combining that intention with dua.

Imagine the kind of person you want to become - whether it’s someone who prays on time or someone who has broken free from distractions.

Then, ask Allah to instill these qualities in you.

The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) encouraged us to always turn to Allah for assistance.

When you make dua, you acknowledge that while you are putting in the effort, it is Allah who ultimately grants you the ability to succeed.

You might say something like:

"O Allah, help me become a person who is consistent in prayer, who avoids distractions, and who values my time and health. Grant me the ability to align my actions with the person I aspire to be."

Remember, with every effort you make, you're backed by the power of dua and Allah’s guidance.

Ready to Build Lasting Habits?

One of the best tools to start with is a habit tracker.

Click here to receive my free habit tracker, and take the first step toward building trust in yourself and sticking to your goals.

It’s time to stop wondering if you can do it and start proving to yourself that you can!

That’s all for now—thank you for making it to the end!

I can’t wait to continue this journey with you.

Until next time,

Lina