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"Aside from that realisation, I discovered one of life’s duties is to continuously show you how much you still have to learn." This is absolutely right and thus piece was beautifully written so thank you for showing yourself in your vulnerable state. You have to trust your writing is valuable as it is. we are in a recession, more people are applying to open calls than ever which reduces your chances to be chosen. The same thing has been happening to me with my arts application for the past 2 years and it has been disheartening indeed but and at the end of the day, those things boil down to luck and trends and tastes.It says nothing about the inherent quality of your work. I'm sure you've heard of many books who became super famous but were first rejected by tens of publishers. Aslo, this adulthood thing ? the more you live the more you realize you never figure it out. No one does, even if they look like they do.

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Thank you so much for this 🥰 I think growing up, we’ve always felt as if adulthood was a part of life where everything fell into place and we figure life out. Now, we have to deal with the reality of that idea being untrue.

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Jul 7Liked by Fatima Mohammed

I just gave this a reread and Fatimah, I have to say, I don’t you’re disillusioned. Or should I say, I don’t think it’s a crime to be disillusioned. Optimism is never too much or unwarranted. Yeah, adulthood is off to a rocky start but it’s kinda that way for everyone I’d say. It’s okay not to be okay, yeah, but it’s even better to be okay in the face of things you can’t control. Please please please, take great care of yourself you deserve the world. 🫶🏾

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Thank you so much, Kaothar. I really appreciate this <3

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This is quite a relatable experience🥺. I felt it when you said you have cried more in this phase than in your four years in school😩. And yes! Social media displays only the fleshy parts and not the bones😏.

Recently, I found the perfect song for this period of my life--- Flowers by Samantha Ebert

Dear Fatima,

Your best days are not behind you, they are waiting for you to catch up with them.

I just want you to know that you will be fine real soon❤️

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Awwn. Thank you, Vicky ❤️

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This is so beautiful to read your vulnerability! We were truly taught to view rejections as the end of the world and something so diminishing of our work that we forgot that many things need to account in rejections, and it might be painful, but it's worth pushing through and not giving up! It is also something I learned the hard way but have made peace with for a few years now! Instead of seeing rejections as inherently bad, I tend to ask for feedback as to why my work was not considered, so I know what to better next time! I did that for all my job interviews I got rejected from and the ones who were kind to answer me back and be truthful, truly helped me master job interviews and confidence!

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I agree, rejections can be opportunities to learn and grow. Fingers crossed that I learn from them rather than see them as the end of the world. Thank you so much for reading, Ruth <3

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Thank you sooo much for sharing such a vulnerable part of yourself with us. Fatima, it is in times like these that hope is radical and life-saving. I know it’s cliche but it really will get better.

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Thank you, Blessing ❤️

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So she didn't believe me the first time I told her she was a good writer 👀

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:/

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💛 A lovely letter! I'm sorry for your troubles, but glad to hear how you're learning and growing through them, with honesty. It reminded me of a quote from Tim Keller, I think... Something about being on a boat and having a rock in your path - do we pray that God would take the problem away, or that he would raise the water level so that we can sail over? (The water level being our own growth, strength, endurance etc.) Sorry, that might not make any sense! 😅

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Thank you, Robyn! And I totally get the quote, thank you for sharing it :)

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omg, Fatimah this came at the perfect time. Thank you so much for sharing this 🥺🫂.

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I’m glad you resonate with it. Thank you so much for reading <3

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