A very warm welcome back to the blog 🙂
It’s 10 pm on a Saturday night and I’m currently sitting in bed with a cup of chai next to me. Just got out of the shower, slipped into fresh pjs. It’s late so the apartment is quiet, the window is lightly open for some cool night air, and in the warm, golden hue coming from the lamp in my room, I’m here writing to you.
It feels almost surreal to be typing out an actual blog post. Some of you might remember this as ‘our thing’, I’d write a post every single day, sometimes a personal story, or a room tour, maybe a current routine or a friend’s recipe I’d tried. Whatever it was, we’d meet here everyday; so many of you’d tell me, either over your morning chai, or during a quick break at work, waiting during school pickup, or when back home and unwinding. I loved being a part of your everyday in this way. I think nothing else has ever compared to the feeling of this. It was always a very warm, intimate vibe and I think I’m feeling some of it right now 🙂
You might wonder why we’re here again. Are blogs even relevant anymore? I don’t know. I’m writing this today because I think, at this moment in time that’s who I want to be. I want to be that person who still writes. Not everyday, but a warm chat every once in a while, that doesn’t care much for an algorithm or sterile things like engagement or number of likes. Just a heart-to-heart that’s about everything and nothing at the same time.
In the middle of the usual Instagram posts, work campaigns, everyday random Stories….once in a while, I want to be the person who still writes.
I’m 38 and it becomes clearer as I age, who is it that I want to be. What do I want to make space for in my life, what do I want to set free. I think we all long for certain things, but the things we give our energy to, are not always that. One of the questions I like to frequently ask myself, is whether the longings in my heart, are in line with the choices in my life.
Simple things like eating better. Owning less. Imperfect hobbies. Longer hugs.
And something else that I want to make space for is this quiet corner on the internet, where you can choose to come and find stillness for a little while. I think while the pace of life today, of social apps, is fast and constantly moving, I think it’s stillness that is fearless. Because hustle and speed are things we fall into, but stillness is what we choose for ourselves.
We made pasta for dinner tonight. I’m still mildly thrilled from the joy of having that. I want to thank you for being here and giving value to what I say. I don’t know when I’ll post next, but like I said, I want to be the person who still writes 🙂
Let’s chat soon again?
Yesss please. I want to read more of desi wonder woman 🥰 Following you since 2014. Have started my own blog after getting inspiration from you.
Just like the good old days 💕
Missed this. Loved this.
Also love that I don’t have to keep holding the screen to read something. Lol
I want to be you 🥺♥️
Being who we are not what the times want us to be ❤️
This feels so lovely, so warm, and so heartening. Wishing you joy, health and peace always.
Absolute love 💗
This blog was like a breath of fresh air. I guess we all want a little bit of stillness in this crazy fast paced world. Looking forward to your next blog! Much love 💛
I loved how simple this entry was, thank you for making my Saturday evening enlightening ❤️
I recently started blogging again myself (albeit sans theme) and quite enjoy the stillness of it. Loved those old days when social media was slow, so trying to revive it for myself as well, not engagement or anything else. Makes me happy to see there are more people like me! 🌸
Your post is like a warm hug from a dear old friend ❤
This post took me years back. I started following you after coming to Australia in 2014 cant believe its 8 years already. Reading your blogs was my favorite thing those days. You are such an inspiration Shehzeen.
Cant wait for your next one.
Following you from 2017 I believe. Your first post I read where you said you dont keep things for special guests or purpose anymore, and you use it in daily life. This post made me your fan, learning alot from that time from you.
Stay the way your are
Thank you for the breather. <3
You have my 💚 yes yes and yes we all would love to read lime old times. Even i myself intend to start my blogpost ..mayb urs is THE SIGN
Lods of luv n light ur way!!!!
Yes please .. want to read something like this so badly … for peace .. as it is so rare these days but also abundant in little things which we overlook.
So so glad that you are writing again. I have read and reread all previous blogs so many times and missed the fact so much that you weren’t writing anymore.
You have a knack of writing that makes one want to sit back, relax and reflect. Do continue with this. 💕
‘I think while the pace of life today, of social apps, is fast and constantly moving, I think it’s stillness that is fearless. Because hustle and speed are things we fall into, but stillness is what we choose for ourselves.’
Only U can write so beautifully ❤️
And just like you many of us are also old school, who still believes in power of thoughts that are expressed through blogs. 🤗
yes please want to read more of this.
Don,t know what to say…It was a hard day for me today…Felt good after reading this…The way you have written it is just beautiful…
So many memories just flooded in reading this post, Shehzeen! Somehow reading this made me feel like you were talking directly to me and not thousands others.
♥️
Always missed this. Miss the old you. I’m glad you decided to write and I’m glad I’m here reading a beautiful post by you.
Thanku for this brain massage ❤
Dww is back!!!! Cant believe you were not here for so long – but what a post. Imagined every bit of it and enjoyed so much. U rock!
💖
After having a long study day and a long study night waiting ahead this brought so much calm in the go go go life and reading this i felt my mind and heart slowing down and acknowledging the small blessings of life and i feel grateful . This felt so simple yet so special and i feel so good . Thank you Shehzeen api . Hoe you write more often ❤️❤️
I have binge-read almost every blog post of yours. Loved loved reading this like good old days. 🤍 Please do it more often. 🙂
As salam alai kum shehzeen. I know you only from the time on instagram and sad that I missed on the times when you were there regularly on blog. But I am so happy to be here now and reading this. Even I miss the things which is used to be so fun and just not scrolling through some mindless stuff. Thanks for reviving it back and waiting for many more blog posts.
I had such a good weekend after a long long long time. And this blog!!!!! It was the cherry on top that I enjoyed with an orange ice lolly.
I missed your blogs too much. Sometimes I visit your website and read your old posts. It’s my favourite quite corner on the internet. You made my day🍦❤️
So it was 22nd of April (2020) when I randomly saw your post of simple and decent ‘Ramadan Decor’ and from that till now I just know that there is this person who helped me infused some positivity into my life , from contributing positively to the world by making gratitude journal that allow me to focus on little things to eliminating negativity you have played a vital role✨ I will never let that go
Shehzeen, all I got to say is – Maza agaya! I used to enjoy your blogs so much. Always so simple yet so meaningful. Please write more often. Really missed your blogs.
I don’t know what’s it about you Shehzeen! Your words resonate with me SO much, always. I wouldn’t have taken out the time to read a blog post for anyone but you, but now I think I would do it for others too, itna maza aya!
All I would say is that I missed this so much. I used to take out time for your blogs with a cup of chai. It was my favourite pass time. This was like meeting an old friend.
I MISS blog posts!! I just can’t seem to get on the YouTube/Instagram/TikTok video wagon! I want my content in words in a long blog post! Reminds me of times when I had the time to read books instead of working all day long on laptops and phones!
♥️♥️♥️
Waiting for moree♥️♥️!
Omg this was such a trip down memory lane! Please make this a regular feature! Took me until now to realise that I had actually missed having this constant in my life ❤️
Such a warm fuzzy read. The joy of slow living and setting your own pace seems unmatched 🤍🤍🤍
Ufffffff Shezeen❤️❤️ Nostalgic feels! Seems like I am transported back in time when I used to read your blogs regularly. This Felt like a heart to heart discussion 🥺❤️
What better way to start your Monday than reading a piece by my favourite for the second time! Yes please, let’s meet up here again soon. ♡
Love you Shehzeen
I loved reading it … I love that you asked yourself if longings in my heart, are in line with the choices in my life … stillness is fearless … and also you are still thrilled about having pasta … kind of simple things that I love getting excited for …
OhmyGod! It just made me recall the days in 2015/2016 when I used to read your blogs on the office computer. Most of the apps like youtube, facebook were blocked on those computers so I used to just read blogs, mainly yours.
When you stopped posting here, I didn’t put pressure on you but I felt bad because reading your blogs daily became the beautiful part of my morning routine at work.
It felt so good to read this, and if you can please yahan aa jaya karo kbhi kbhar pyari Shehzeen 😍
Lots of love and prayers!
This was so relaxing. It got me disconnected from the hustles and worries of life for a while. In a never ending to-do list in our lives we forget to get still and feel life.
Thanx for reminding is that stillness in life still awaits us.
Helloo Jee, AOA. Ouf I love the feeling of reading this. I can’t explain how it made me feel, but a little similar to how you’re feeling while writing. Like the deep yellow soothing light from your lamp with a light cool breeze. I am not from your old blog readers, I joined late but this reminds me of things in the past when all my free time wasn’t wasted on social media and bachpan k din and shaam Mai bahar khelna. Maybe this will finally get me to take a break from media for a while which I’ve been wanting to do. Thankyou for this warm wonderful feeling <3
I love to write and love to read even more…i loved reading this and would love to read more ❤️ there’s something special reading about someone’s daily routine and experiences and bringing the words alive in your imagination ❤️i started following you a couple of months ago and i love your instagram ❤️ i dont think you would remember me as a follower but i do try to comment and appreciate every time you post something beautiful, simple and meaningful ❤️ loads of love your way ❤️
Starting off my Monday with this post, I had seen this over the weekend but I wanted to read in peace so I saved it for Monday morning and I am so glad i did it. It’s like reading a page out of your fav book that is lying on your bedside table but you never get to it coz of all the hustle of life. This space used to be a part of my everyday routine and gosh how much I loved reading about everything, absolutely anytime you used to post. ‘Fridays’ used to be my fav though. Thanks for this 🥹
You won’t believe, I’ve been thinking on the same lines since quite sometime now. I have been talking to my friends about the same… I loved to write, I would love to resume writing and this IS a sign for me to start working on it. Thanks shehzeen for always making way for better things in life. 🤗
I have been a silent reader for years. I guess I startee reading when you were in UAE back then. All I want to say is I’m so glad you’re back here writing. Much love & prayers xx
Hey Shahzeen! ❤️
Loved reading this and being a blogger and bit of a reader and writer myself, it felt so good to read this blog of yours 😊
I’ve been following you on insta since past 3-4 years or maybe more and I just love your content, your stories, posts, your home and it’s decor and especially how you make simple things look so beautiful. Just like you for being you always! 🥰
Love
-Hina Shah
It will be an honour if you support me in my new bookstagram blog on insta @wordsandteaspots
Thanks in advance ❤️❤️
Shehzeen * 🙈
This blog post just made it feel like everything around me slowed down. The sound of the fan in this Karachi summer heat, the sound of the pigeons outside the balcony and the warm gush of wind from the balcony is all I can hear and feel now. That’s the kind of effect your presence (albeit virtual) in our lives and your writing has for so many of us. The ability to slow down time, make us feel things and think thoughts – something we forget too often in the pasoori of the everyday routine. Sending you a long, calm hug. Thanks for the perfect start to a week ❤️
To old days ❤️
Totly loved it ❤️ And would love to read more from u so yeah keep them coming girl while i wait for ur next blog here m sending u loads of love to u stay blessed ❤️
Always been a fan of reading, always been a fan of writing. Loved this <3
I forgot how amazing it felt to read your posts in past. The way you write simple things into simpler words just go straight to the heart deep. Suddenly I had that feeling of happiness that I used to feel when I got to read children magazines the urdu ones n the feel of it nothing complicated but always with something to learn to hold on to ❤️ Bless you dearest Shehzeen
you have become a great help for me in trying to slow down consciously, reading long passages or just doing anything without having to check my phone constantly, being aware of this mindlessness really bothered me, and it is difficult to work on but I am appreciating the process.. ❤️
It’s the stillness that got me❤️ Its something I long for, as time takes me away and away from my childhood, And further into motherhood and watching them grow so fast, its the stillness I long for😔
Thank you for creating a space of quiet in this noisy world i find comfort one your page and a relatability i cant find elsewhere
I hope to read another one if your blogs soon
This is my first time reading your blog post. I feel like writing too after reading this. Reading your blog is soothing and I’d like to read whatever you’re gonna write next. I’m also gonna start my own blog soon in sha Allah.
I love good old classic blog! I enjoyed reading about your day 🌻
I think in this crazy busy world which is being filled with fast disposable content we have forgotten how reading something simple, honest and thoughtful is actually what your overstimulated mind and soul needs. I think I must sound like a broken record but you have a gift for writing , so please keep at it . There are soo many of us who will take the time to read , appreciate and enjoy your little snippets. Also isn’t it amazing that what you write not only resonates with soo many of us but is also something that’s stays with us for a very long time 💓
Just love it. ❤️
This is WHO YOU ARE. This is what we all have been waiting for – a therapy to escape the usual chaos, maybe. But Shehzeen Rehman, you’re hands down the best therapist we can ever ask for. Writing this with teary & happy eyes, I don’t know when we would be able to reconnect through this happy place of ours, but I would keep coming back to this whenever I can 🙂 Lot’s of love from your random Internet friend <3
Read this while eating my favourite chocolate and unwinding after the day’s hustle and bustle, and it reminded me of why I followed you almost a decade ago – the daily, weekly snippets you shared with us so lovingly became a part of my everyday. Ufff, yaadein taazi hogayi hain! This post was short, sweet and such a refreshing change from the chaos of Instagram posts and stories. I appreciate your presence on social media, but your blog posts set you apart from the rest. So happy you decided to share this with us!
Hey shehzeen…. I always wondered why have you stopped writing… it’s very ‘You’ !! And secretly always wanted your new followers to know about ‘this’ shehzeen too … It was refreshing to read the blog again just like old times!😊
your blog feels like a breath of fresh air <3