If I asked you, do you love yourself? What would you say? You're listening to Unsween and Unfiltered the podcast, episode 35 of Season 2.

In today's episode, I sit down with Alia Taha to dive into the topic of self-love, not the hallmark version, rather the side that approaches the concept of being able to

see ourselves through the eyes of Allah suhanna and in return we can finally surrender to the idea

of loving ourselves, flaws and all. You keep repenting to God, but feeling the ache of spiraling darkness.

You're mad at God, you blame God for not being merciful as they say.

You start to resent him because you're sick of the people passing along his message.

You grow further away until you feel him no longer.

And since you no longer feel, you go ahead and commit what you repented for already.

But you feel guilty a little less, cry not really anymore, you just feel lost, more

and fluster.

You don't know who stands before you in the mirror. But why feel far and alone

when he's there awaiting your return? What if the mercy you were begging for, the pressure you were

feeling was from within? Because Allah forgave you when you repented. But have you forgiven yourself?

Have you stopped pressuring yourself? Have you stopped availing yourself to believe you're nothing more than your sinning actions? Just stop, breathe and let go. If you don't forgive yourself at the same time you seek forgiveness from Allah, you won't value yourself enough to know you can do and be better. Not a new you. You're still the same soul walking its path in this world,

just a better you. That's what we're all trying to do, right? Allah is full of mercy, love, and

forgiveness in the turning of pages. You are of his creation. That is value enough. You are enough

to do better, to be better. We all are. This was a beautiful and timely

piece ran by my special guest who happens to be a good friend of mine, more so a sister,

and her name is Aalya Taha. She isn't a stranger to this podcast, and I couldn't think of a better

person to have this conversation with. The topic of self-love.

The resilient act of choosing to love ourselves even when there are moments where it's easier

to self-load.

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