Hey girl hey. And boy.
Ramadan is just around the corner (literally in a day) and just like many events and occasions, it has its expectations and realities. It’s nothing to do with the month itself but more to do with how unproductive of a potato I am. 😂And just before we begin, I know many of my readers do not celebrate Ramadan, so here is a brief introduction. Ramadan is the ninth and holiest month in the Islamic calendar. In this month, we Muslims fast (not eat or drink) from sunrise to sunset for the sake of Allah (God) and increase our offering of prayers, Quran recitation, good deeds, and charity. The purpose of fasting is to redirect our hearts away from the distractions around us and to cleanse the soul. Ramadan also teaches us self-discipline, self-control, sacrifice and empathy for those who are less fortunate. And yes, you’re probably like “gurl food is bae, how do you survive for 14 hours without it?” 😂 It actually isn’t that hard and even when it is tiring, we’ll get rewarded in the afterlife inshallah which is what matters. Plus, some people go without food and water, except there’s no iftar (feast for breaking the fast) which is really heartbreaking.💔 So yeah, now let’s get started.
- Decorations
You expect to be on your game this month with DIY lanterns and banners all around your room. You have a Pinterest-inspired corner in your room just for Quran and prayer and you’re just feeling the vibe. But sadly, one can only dream, and every year you get too lazy to make DIYs and your room remains the same mess every year. But hey, at least there’s that one lantern sitting on the coffee table. 😂
expectation reality (I need that curtain though)
2. Finishing The Quran
So in order to finish the whole Quran in one month, you can read 20 pages a day. Of course, my procrastinating self keeps leaving pages for the day after and eventually my period comes for a full week to interrupt my progress (you can’t fast, pray or read Quran on your period – tmi but we’re all girls…oh wait I say ‘and boy’ too…dun dun duu- ANYWAYS 😂😂) but next thing I know there’s 5 more days until Ramadan is over and I’m only 100 pages in. But no, this year I won’t organise it like a chore. I’ll read as much as I can every day and inshallah I complete it. Hopefully, this month doesn’t turn into the reality of past years. 😂
expectation reality
3. Productivity
Ramadan is the month where you find out if it was Satan’s thoughts in your head or if it was just you all along. Satan along with the major devils are locked up in the month of Ramadan so if you sin or procrastinate, it’s like wow so it was me all along. 😂
In Ramadan, I expect my productivity to be on an all-time high but it isn’t always. Not only did I procrastinate on Quran but I left homework until after Iftar because I DiDn’T hAvE mUcH eNeRgY. But NOT this month. The new Bayance is back and ready to be productive. 😂 Ugh I say that every year.
expectation reality
4. Sharing Food
Ramadan is also a month of family gatherings and being kind to one another but when it comes to breaking the fast, it’s a war zone and I’ve already dibsed the whole platter of sambusa. 😂
expectation reality
5. Drinking Water For Suhoor
After the first day, you realize how thirsty you can get throughout fasting so you make sure you drink lots of water for Suhoor. (early breakfast) Except…you’re suddenly really full and can barely gulp down 100 mL. And the process repeats. Thirsty throughout the day, but when there is water, I suddenly don’t want it anymore. “Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory” – yes, I had to slip that cheesy quote in here. 😂 But seriously, our bodies are so weird!
expectation reality
6. Breaking The Fast
Similarly to the last one, you’d expect for me to devour the entire dinner table but in reality, I’m so full after the first bite. I think it’s to do with my stomach getting used to it so I get filled up easily but this one gets me every time. 😂
expectation reality
7. Losing Weight
A lot of people probably think that since we’re not eating throughout the day, we surely must lose a lot of weight but that’s actually not true. In fact, Ramadan often causes weight gain if you’re not careful. This is because eating large meals super early in the morning and late at night with a long period of low activity can wreck your metabolism. But if you maintain yourself carefully, you’ll be fine. The majority of people lose a few pounds or stay the same but no, we don’t suddenly turn into skeletons – don’t worry. 😂 Wow #sciencelessonswithBayance101 😂
expectation reality
8. Weather
Unlike other holidays around the world, Ramadan shifts around 10 days early each year. For the past few years, Ramadan has been in the summer and now it’s in the summer AND school. I know it’s still Spring but it was literally so hot and sunny today and hopefully it’s not like that tomorrow. The thing with summer and school combined means that you can’t sleep in and not to mention, be outside for breaks and gym class. It gets hard sometimes but thankfully, Ramadan is starting to shift towards Spring so let’s pray for great weather for the next few years. 😂
expectation reality
All in all, it’s a really great month and I’m super excited for a month of blessings and family time (if we don’t fight over my mom’s sambusa 😂) Now as for my posting schedule, I might be posting less which is why I set a goal of 8 posts for May but I’m only 2 away so I’ll probably do more. Expect a few more Ramadan posts and if any of you want to collab on a Ramadan post this month, leave a comment or email me at bayanceblogs@gmail.com. I’ll continue with awards and normal lifestyle posts so I’ll try to schedule as much as possible. Have a very blessed Ramadan to whoever celebrates it and let’s try to aim for them expectations this year. 😂
Do you celebrate Ramadan?
If not, do you relate to some realities in other holidays (productivity, decor…etc)?
I’ll see you all in my next post.
Bayyy. 💞
Like this:
Like Loading...
Related
I enjoyed reading your post! I fast on Yom Kippur and it’s usually pretty easy but it would definitely be harder if I had to go to school and it was summer time!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you! Ohh I just searched up Yom Kippur and it’s very similar with the holy aspect. Haha wish me luck! 😂
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome! Yes! I will 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Girl, I need that curtain! Ramadan sounds super grueling, you seriously amaze me. AHAHAHA, that ‘man, I’m gonna be so skinny tomorrow’ gif is so me…and then I go and eat Oreos and milk and whoops, there goes my diet! Every year I tell myself I’m going to be prepared for Good Friday ( the Friday before Easter, when Catholics fast, eating only one meal) annnnd then I fail and usually end up yelling at someone for breathing on me or something. Great posy! ~Natalie Therese
LikeLike
Ikrrr 😂😂 Gurl your mind dictionary amazes me. I literally had to search up the word ‘grueling’. It can be tiresome but it all pays off in the end. OMGGG LITERALLY SAME 😂😂 I’m like yeah I’m so going to be healthy from now on and then I binge eat Takis like ughh why can’t food not have any consequences?? AHAHAHAH SAME 😂 In Ramadan, we’re supposed to be patient and be our best selves aka not swearing and being kind. But legit everyone tries to test my patience and I’m like bvdshdjgiasgwiuh 😂 You can do itttt tho! Neat commy!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hahaha, I ate a thesaurus when I was little and now I speak like an adult, ahaha. GIRLLL THAT’S SO ME!! The only no-guilt food I can really eat is pickles and seriously they get boring after six or seven, so….YAAASSS THAT’S HOW I FEEL DURING GOOD FRIDAYYYY!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You literally did! How would you describe me? I need adjectives for my art calligram. 😂 I LOVE pickled vegetables. Especially the crunchy ones – so fricking good. And loool yes it can’t be a coincidence that everyone’s extra annoying while I’m fasting. 😂😂😂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hmmmm…*focuses* Amiable, humorous, kind, fabulous. YASSS THE CRUNCHY ONES ARE THE BESSST! Have you every had pickled snap peas? Sooooo gooooood! XD so true!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aaah thank you so much! THEY AREEE! No I haven’t tried them. They look really good though. Carrots and the cauliflower ones are so good.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I haven’t tried cauliflower, I should, though.
LikeLiked by 1 person
hahah this brings such a new perspective on ramadan! 😀
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’m glad it cleared up misconceptions ❤️
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your post is funny. I was so ready for fasting, like I prepared few days in advance (like eating very light to eating nothing at all and just having water), and on the first day of fasting, Le Period came before sunset. What a bummer (not a Muslim here, but this is the 2nd Ramadan that I am fasting, though I didn’t complete it last year)
LikeLiked by 1 person
😂😂 Haha thanks. Ohh that’s great practise. I do the opposite- binge-eat while I can to get energy. 😂 OMG I hate when that happens. 😂😂 Le bummerr! Ohh do you fast Ramadan for health or are you considering reverting?
LikeLike
Oh no I don’t binge eat afterwards. I only eat during Iftar and then drink water before sunrise. Firstly I fast for health, second I am not reverting but it is one of the 5 pillars if Islam and no harm will happen if I practice it 🤣🤣🤣
LikeLiked by 1 person
😂😂 Ohh that’s a good way to maintain your health! That’s cool that you commit to that to take care of yourself ❤ How are you finding it?
LikeLike
Actually its difficult during the first few days but as days go on, I just get used to it and its just like normal. Though I feel my body movements just slow down and I feel sleepy all the time 🤣🤣🤣
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yesss same 😂 Today I felt fine in the morning but throughout the day my energy ran out and I started to get headaches. But it’s not too much that I can’t gt through the day thankfully. And just like you said, it does take a couple days to get used to. And once the month is done, I feel weird eating during the day for a couple days afterwards. 😂
LikeLike
But it is a very good practice that we give our body some rest once a year and I also try to read the Qur’an during this time…🤣🤣🤣
LikeLiked by 1 person
It really is! Ah that’s interesting – how is that going for you?
LikeLike
Slowly reading it…not very used to it yet, it is like reading a book backwards 🤣
LikeLike
Omg all of these things are so relatable! I’m always telling myself I’ll be doing so much during Ramadan lol
LikeLiked by 2 people
😂😂😂 SAME! I set so much high expectations expecting to be a different person
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ramadan Mubarak! Lovely post 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Ramadan Kareem! Tysm ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m already fasting rn and the things here are sooo reletable! The time sahoor comes, I’m in total beast mode….they usually keep me far away from food during Ramadan..
LikeLiked by 2 people
😂😂 Yesss SAME! Ahahaha trueee 😂😂 Ramadan kareem!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You only fast 14 hours??? We have to do it for 19😇. I’m eating breakfast rn whilst reading this cos my period decided to come last night 😒😒, like, seriously?
LikeLiked by 2 people
Acc it’s 16 I just picked 14 but wow 19!! LMAO missing out on the Ramadan vibes. 😂 I get mine on the last week this year (tmi but whatevs) like ugh noo the last 10 days are important.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This certainly gives a new perspective on Ramadan! I sent you an email 😉
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’m glad it did (if in a good way 😂) and I’ll check it now.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ramadan moubarak ! I’m already fasting 😊 …Here we fast for 17 hours !
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ramadan kareem! Ohh we fast for 16 (I put 14 as an example 😂) It’s night time – time to raid the fridge. 😂
LikeLike
Interesting! GURLLLLLL HOW DO YOU NOT STARVE TO DEATH????????? XDDDD I actually have never fasted in my entire life! In my religion, we don’t have to fast unless we want to. I definitely got to know more about Ramadan!
LikeLiked by 1 person
HAHA GURL I’m still alive… for now 😂😂 Ohh you should try it one day. I’m glad you found it interesting!
LikeLiked by 1 person
HAHA!!! XDDD PLEASE DON’T DIE!!!! XDD OK! Yeah! Have a great day!
LikeLiked by 1 person
OMG I AM GAINING WEIGHT 100% IT’S LIKE MY IFTAR IS FAILING TO DIGEST!
LikeLiked by 1 person
LOLLL SAME
LikeLiked by 1 person
Two of my friends celebrate Ramadan and I found it interesting to get to know it a bit more. Even though I don’t celebrate it, some of those productivity and decor expectations and realities are haunting me 😂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah that’s cool!! 😂😂 Haha yesss.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love this! I am so guilty of the decorations (or lack thereof) and getting full too fast. I say, we do away with the expectations of Ramadan and just give ourselves smaller tinier goals that are achievable! (And keep a water bottle by our bedsides so we can gulp it down before sehri/suhoor even begins!)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! Haha sameee! Yesss exactly. You never know – you could end up achieving more. That’s a great tip!
LikeLike