Alveena | Reflections & Realizations

Gratitude Nearly Broke Me

Alveena Salim Episode 1

Ever whispered “Alhamdulillah” while breaking inside?
This episode explores what it really means to practice gratitude in Islam — especially when life feels like it’s falling apart. Whether you’re navigating burnout, heartbreak, or healing, this is for you.

In this debut episode of Reflections & Realizations, I open up about losing my job, struggling in my marriage, and holding onto shukr when it felt impossible. Through therapy, neuroplasticity, and tawakkul, I began to rewire how I see hardship. And in the darkest moments, I created something that changed everything:

The Gratitude Loop – A 3-step mindset + faith-based tool:
Reframe. Pray. Repeat.

🔁 This loop moved me from spiralling into softening. It's not a quick fix. It’s a practice.

➤ Step 1: Reframe the moment
Ask yourself: What am I missing here?
Is it your health? A tiny mercy? A hot cup of chai? Just notice what’s already present.

➤ Step 2: Pray 2 raka'ah of shukr
Even if your heart isn’t in it. Especially when it isn’t.
Gratitude in Islam isn’t about convenience — it’s about presence.

➤ Step 3: Repeat. Repeat. Repeat.
Gratitude is a muscle. Not just a vibe. The more you use it, the stronger it gets.

This is a faith-rooted, psychology-informed tool that helped save my marriage, realign my mental health, and lead me to pursue a Master's in Psychology. If you’ve ever felt like you should be grateful — but secretly weren’t — you’re not alone.

🎙️ A podcast for Muslim women and seekers craving real conversations around Islamic psychology, emotional healing, and spiritual alignment.

💬 What does gratitude look like for you on your hardest days?
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#MuslimMentalHealth #IslamicPsychology #ShukrPractice #FaithAndHealing #GratitudeLoop #ReflectionsAndRealizations #Tawakkul #EmotionalHealing



Thank you for listening. If something in an episode touched you, made you think, or just hit different… I’d love to hear it. Alveena