Being a Muslim woman in the creative field means navigating a beautiful blend of faith, art, and hustle. In the past, I often found myself pouring from an empty cup – juggling tight deadlines, family responsibilities, and personal goals all at once. There came a point when I realized that to thrive as both a devoted Muslim and a passionate creative, I needed to prioritize self-care. But not just any self-care – I leaned into practices rooted in my faith and values. Over time, I discovered 5 self-care habits that help me stay grounded as a Muslim woman and creative, no matter how chaotic life gets.
These habits have become my anchors. They calm me during storms of stress, refocus my intentions, and inspire my creativity. In this post, I’ll share the stories behind these five habits and how each one nurtures my soul and fuels my work. I hope that by sharing my journey, you might find something to inspire your own self-care routine, whether or not you share the same faith or creative path.
- Observing Daily Salah and Reciting Surah Waqi’ah & Surah Mulk at Night
My day revolves around the five daily prayers (salah). No matter how busy my schedule gets, I make it a point to pause for each prayer – it’s a sacred appointment I have with my Creator, and with myself. This daily rhythm of salah gives structure to my day and provides moments of instant calm. I remember one afternoon when I was overwhelmed by a project deadline; I stepped away to pray Asr. In the quiet of my sujood (prostration), I felt my racing heart slow down and my perspective shift. By the time I returned to my work, my mind was clearer and my anxiety had subsided. Prayer is my ultimate grounding practice – it recenters me on what truly matters and lets me carry on with renewed focus.
At night, I add an extra layer to this ritual: reciting Surah Al-Waqi’ah and Surah Al-Mulk before I sleep. Growing up, I often heard my parents talk about the blessings of these chapters of the Qur’an – Waqi’ah for sustenance and protection from poverty, and Mulk for protection and as a reminder of the hereafter. Whether or not one focuses on these traditional benefits, the act of reciting these surahs every night has a profound effect on me. As I recite the melodic Arabic verses, the noise of the day fades away. It’s like a spiritual lullaby that eases me into a state of peace. I reflect on the meanings – the reminders of our purpose and the temporary nature of this world – and it puts my worries in perspective.
In a way, ending my day with Qur’an each night is the closure I need; it tells my brain and heart that it’s okay to rest now because I’ve handed over my worries to Allah. Not only does this habit strengthen my faith, but it also improves my well-being. In fact, researchers have found that prayer offers benefits similar to meditation by calming the nervous system and reducing the body’s stress responses. For me, the emotional and spiritual comfort I get from salah and nightly recitations is priceless – I truly feel that “verily, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest”. - Using a Digital Counter (Tasbih) for Dhikr
One of the simplest yet most profound self-care habits I cherish is doing daily dhikr, or remembrance of God. After each prayer – and even during small pockets of time throughout the day – I love to repeat phrases of remembrance like Alhamdulillah (all praise is for God), SubhanAllah (glory be to God), and Allahu Akbar (God is the greatest). These words have a way of centering my heart and flooding it with gratitude and humility. But to keep track (and make sure I stay consistent), I use a little digital counter, essentially a modern tasbih. It’s a tiny device that fits in my hand (some look like rings or keychains) and with each press of a button it counts a dhikr for me.
I started using a digital tasbih about a year ago, after a friend recommended it. Before that, I sometimes lost count using my fingers or a traditional bead tasbih whenever I was distracted. This digital counter changed the game – I can clip it onto my finger and do dhikr while commuting, waiting in line, or taking a short break from work.
For example, if I’m nervous before a big meeting or feeling frustrated after editing a tough video project, I’ll take out my tasbih and start quietly saying Astaghfirullah (I seek forgiveness from Allah) or other calming phrases. The act of rhythmic repetition combined with seeing the numbers climb on the counter gives me a tangible sense of progress and calm. It’s almost like a mini meditation session that I can do anytime, anywhere.
Spiritually, it reminds me that Allah is always near and in control, which eases my worries. And mentally, it’s incredibly soothing – modern science would probably liken it to the grounding effect of repeating a mantra. The Qur’an beautifully says, “Truly, it is in the remembrance of Allah that hearts find peace.” I find this to be so true. Using a digital counter for dhikr helps integrate that remembrance seamlessly into my busy day, ensuring that no matter how hectic my schedule, I have frequent little moments of peace and gratitude. Those moments keep me grounded and often spark a more positive, creative mindset when I return to my tasks. - Practicing Mindfulness and Meditation (Deep Breathing)
As a creative, my mind can sometimes feel like a web browser with dozens of tabs open at once – ideas, to-do lists, and the occasional self-doubt all buzzing around. That’s when I know it’s time to pause and reset my mental canvas with a bit of mindfulness. For me, this usually means a short deep-breathing exercise or a quiet meditation session. I’ll step away from whatever I’m doing, close my eyes, and take slow, deep breaths: inhaling through my nose for a count of four, holding for a second, then exhaling through my mouth for a count of six. I repeat this simple cycle for a few minutes, focusing only on the sound and feeling of my breath. Each exhale feels like it carries away stress and tension. Sometimes I also incorporate a mental focus, like painting on stress relief coloring book, imagining light filling my lungs with each inhale, or silently repeating a short prayer or the name of Allah with each breath.
This practice might seem very basic, but it’s incredibly effective. On countless occasions, it has pulled me out of spiraling anxiety or a creative block. I distinctly remember one evening, I was working on a video edit that just wasn’t coming together; I was tired and on the verge of tears. Realizing I hadn’t taken a real break in hours, I put my tools down, sat on the floor, and just breathed deeply for five minutes. When I got up, not only did I feel calmer, but I also had a new idea of how to approach the edit. It’s like giving my brain a mini-vacation to regroup.
Mindfulness and deep breathing are scientifically proven to reduce stress – they literally signal our nervous system to relax, lowering heart rate and cortisol levels. But beyond the science, I consider this practice a spiritual act as well: it’s about being present and appreciating the moment that Allah has given me right now. In a world where we’re always rushing, this habit helps me slow down, observe my thoughts without judgment, and return to my work or worship with full presence. It’s a self-care habit that aligns beautifully with my life as a Muslim woman and creative, because it improves both my inner calm and my creative output. - Reflection and Gratitude Journaling
Writing has always been a part of my identity as a creative, but I’m not just talking about writing for work or content. I mean journaling – an honest, private conversation with myself on paper (or sometimes in a notes app). About two years ago, I started a gratitude journal as a way to fight off negativity and stress. Every night (or at least a few times a week), I sit down and jot down a handful of things I’m grateful for or reflective thoughts from the day. Some days I fill pages with anxious thoughts and prayers, and other days it’s just a bullet list of “three good things” that happened. On tough days, I might write, “I’m grateful that I managed to pray all my salah on time today,” or “Thankful for the cup of chai my husband made me, which gave me a comforting pause.” On really good days, the gratitude pours out faster than I can write. The key is, I try to be consistent with this habit because it has a cumulative effect on my mindset.
The power of reflection and gratitude journaling is truly remarkable. I found that over time, this practice trained my mind to look for silver linings and blessings throughout the day (knowing I’d be writing them down later). It shifted my focus from what went wrong to what went right. Flipping back through old journal entries also lets me see how far I’ve come – I’ll find notes about struggles I faced months ago that are no longer issues, which is so encouraging.
On a spiritual level, journaling feels like an extension of dua (prayer); I often write down my prayers and hopes, which in itself is an act of entrusting my affairs to Allah. There’s even a common saying of gratitude in Islam: Alhamdulillah (all thanks and praise to God). By writing my blessings down, I feel I’m truly living that expression of gratitude.
And interestingly, there’s research that backs up the benefits of gratitude journaling: studies have shown that writing down what you’re grateful for can significantly improve mental health and increase optimism. I can absolutely attest to that from personal experience. Since I started reflecting and practicing gratitude regularly, I’ve noticed I handle stress better and my creative blocks happen less often (or feel less scary when they do happen). This self-care habit has been like fertilizer for my soul – nurturing positivity, patience, and a stronger connection to my values. Plus, it’s something I genuinely look forward to; it’s my quiet me-time after a long day, often accompanied by a cozy blanket and a cup of tea. - Spending Quality Time with Loved Ones
In the pursuit of career goals and creative dreams, it’s easy to fall into the trap of 24/7 hustle. I’ll admit, there have been times I was so tunnel-visioned on a project that I neglected social calls or postponed family gatherings. But one thing I’ve learned (sometimes the hard way) is that investing time in my relationships is one of the most nourishing forms of self-care. Whether it’s having a heart-to-heart conversation with my husband, cooking dinner with my mom, playing with my nieces and nephews, or just catching up with a close friend over coffee – these moments ground me like nothing else. They remind me of who I am outside of work and social media, and they fill my heart with a sense of belonging and love.
Some of my most cherished memories (and many creative inspirations!) come from these times with loved ones. For example, a casual afternoon walk with a dear friend once sparked a great idea for a blog post, simply because our conversation opened my mind to a new perspective. And on days when I feel down or drained, calling up my sister or meeting a friend for a quick chat can instantly lift my mood.
Islam places a big emphasis on maintaining family ties and community, and I understand why – we truly aren’t meant to do life alone. Taking time for loved ones is not time wasted; it’s like therapy, inspiration, and relaxation all rolled into one.
There’s even evidence that strong social connections improve our well-being. Studies show that spending time with family or friends can reduce feelings of loneliness and stress, and even boost our physical health by lowering anxiety and depression levels. I’ve found this to be spot on. When my relationships are nurtured, I feel more balanced and supported, which in turn helps me be more confident and creative in my work. In short, love is a powerful antidote to burnout. Laughing with my family or sharing stories with a friend reminds me that I’m part of something bigger than whatever issue is stressing me out. It recenters my priorities and gives me the emotional strength to face challenges with a fresh mind and a full heart.
Conclusion
Embracing these 5 self-care habits that help me stay grounded as a Muslim woman and creative has truly transformed both my personal and professional life. Each habit – from the quiet moments on the prayer mat, to the click of my digital tasbih, to penning down gratitude under the moonlight – has woven a safety net that catches me when I falter and uplifts me when I strive. They keep me connected to my faith, my purpose, and my loved ones, which in turn fuels my creativity and ambition.
In my journey as a content creator and strategist, I’ve realized that staying spiritually and emotionally grounded is the secret sauce to showing up as my best self. It’s amazing how when I take care of my inner well-being, I’m able to pour so much more energy and passion into my creative projects. This balance is something I deeply wish for all my fellow creators and entrepreneurs out there. It’s actually become a core part of my mission: helping other creators and business owners show up confidently with videos, SEO content, and strategies that help them get found online – and doing so in a way that is authentic and sustainable. I believe that when you feel grounded and true to yourself, you can shine more brightly in your work and connect more genuinely with your audience.
Thank you for reading my reflection on these self-care habits. I would love to hear about your self-care routines or any habits that keep you grounded. Please feel free to share in the comments – let’s learn from each other!
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