The remedy for overcoming inner struggles

Assalaamu'alaykum,

I understand - life can feel like a rollercoaster sometimes.

One minute, things are going smoothly and the next, you’re feeling the sting of someone’s unkind words, or plans take an unexpected turn, leaving you frustrated.

Or maybe you’ve been waiting for a duaa to be answered, and your patience is wearing thin. 

Frustration sets in and those negative emotions start brewing inside.

You might even find an uglier side of yourself coming to the surface, one you’d rather stay hidden.

I know you know it’s all part of the test, but the real question is - how do we respond to those inner struggles?

How do we stay grounded, connected to our higher purpose and avoid reacting in ways we might regret later?

What if the key to staying grounded during those tough moments is by embracing a traveller’s mindset?

The Prophet Muhammad (saw) taught us to be in this world as though we were travellers. It’s a powerful reminder that everything in this life - our challenges, wins, tests and even the emotions that bubble up in both good and bad times - is all temporary.

But what matters most is keeping our hearts and minds focused on the bigger picture -  our ultimate life purpose and journey toward our final destination, instead of getting swept away by momentary frustrations.

When we remember that we’re just transitioning through a temporary stop, it becomes easier to navigate life's ups and downs with patience and grace, knowing that nothing in this life is permanent. 

By adopting a traveller's mindset, we can embrace challenges with a sense of calm, understanding that each trial is just part of the journey, not the destination.

I’ve seen the traveller’s mindset make a huge difference for myself and my clients.

For example, Sophia (*name changed to protect privacy) was feeling stuck in a cycle of heated arguments with her husband. They just couldn’t see eye to eye, and it seemed like things weren’t getting better no matter how hard she tried. 

Then, something shifted. When Sophia adopted the traveller’s mindset, she changed her focus from finding faults with her husband's actions to reflecting inwardly. She started asking herself where her words and actions were leading her in the long term, considering how they might be recorded for her in the sight of Allah. With this God-centered focus, she asked herself, “How would Allah want me to respond?”

Slowly but surely, her knee-jerk reactions lessened. She realised how easy it was to blurt out ego-fuelled words in the heat of the moment, only to regret them later.

Choosing her words more carefully and holding back when needed wasn’t easy, it took real courage. 

But doing so brought peace into her home and more importantly into her heart, she felt her relationship start to improve and found it much easier to handle difficult conversations in a calm, respectful way.

When we change, the world around us begins to shift too. [Quran 13:11]

Sophia’s change is just one example of how powerful the traveller’s mindset can be when it comes to handling life’s inevitable tests with grace and intention.

PS: Take the Spiritual Confidence Quiz – discover your unique strengths and growth areas when it comes to showing up with faith-led confidence. Take the quiz here .

Reflection of the Week

Which area of your life do you feel the most struggle in?

When you remind yourself that it’s all temporary, do you notice a shift within?

Dua of the Week

اللّهُمَّ لا سَهْلَ إلا ما جَعَلْتَهُ سَهْلا وَأنتَ تَجْعَلُ الحَزْنَ إذا شِئْتَ سَهْلا

“O Allah! There is no ease except that which You make easy, and indeed You, when You want, make difficulties easy.”