Hi my loves,
HOW HAVE YOU BEEN DOING? 4 years. It’s been almost 4 whole years since I disappeared and I would like to inform you with my whole chest that I AM BACK. But let’s rewind a bit. You deserve an explanation, so let’s talk about it. Where the hell have I been??
Next came the agonizing, long distance relationship, jeez. I
wouldn’t wish that shit upon anyone. If any of you are dealing with it right
now, just know that I am so proud of you. It's so tough, not just because you
miss your partner but the time zones?? And having to stay awake or turn your
entire schedule upside down just to speak to them, sigh. Hated it. Can you tell
I’m not the romantic type? Haha sorry.
Then began a life I was not prepared for. A life.. I will
talk about in the future someday. Not today. UAE, is beautiful. I am so in love
and I will definitely be back there soon. That being said, I lived there for a
full year and half and hands down, it was some of the most challenging times of
my life. Interesting, yet tough. Away from my family, in a new country and a
lot of other things that I will, as I mentioned above talk about in the future
someday.
Then suddenly, 8 months in, a very planned surprise. Haha you
knew it was coming. I knew. Everyone knew. I was pregnant!! And in September
2022, I was blessed with the love of my life, Eesa. A little human being that I
live and breathe for. The little human who is asleep next to me as I quietly type this post in a dark room only lit by a nightlight because he hates sleeping in
the dark. The little human that I am extremely protective of (suddenly my
parents behavior makes sense to me). I won’t be sharing any of his pictures
online because its not something I am comfortable with. But he will inevitably make an appearance
or two in my content because he is such a big part of my life. The biggest part
of my life really.
I never knew I had strength like that until I had no option
but to stay strong, for my little boy. Subhanallah. And finally, light at the
end of the tunnel! I could bring him back to Srilanka. The crisis had been
resolved to a certain extent and his documents were ready and you guys, when I
tell you what it felt like getting back home..
You know those scenes in movies where someone is released from prison and sees sunlight for the first time in years after being in solitary confinement, yeah. That’s what it felt like. I have so much love in my life. I had forgotten about that while I was in UAE. I had friends offering to come and look after my son while I napped, I had my parents who I live with now, helping me. I was safe. My son and I were safe again.
Only this time, I like to think of myself as a new and improved version of Zaha. Zaha 2.0 we can call it. I am no longer the people pleaser I used to be. I have never stood more fearlessly in my truth and my heart has never been more full. Alhamdulillah!
But I am finally here my loves. Over the past 4 years, I’ve had to grow up a LOT and do it VERY QUICKLY. If you knew of the things I’ve been through over, not just the past few years but over the past 27 years of life, one would wonder how I still manage to smile this much. But I just happen to be someone who believes that every bad experience is a learning opportunity. I keep finding lessons in my worst moments.
The lessons I learned from difficult years in my past helped me get through these 4 years and I know for a fact that the lessons I learned this time around will carry me through several more decades. I am so excited to share this side of myself with you. The warrior, the artist, the mom.
Therefore, I am happy to announce that I am no longer going to be just a pair of eyeballs on the internet and you’re going to see ‘me’ and more of my heart and thoughts on camera from now on. I hope you guys will join me on this journey, I have so much to share with you.
I love you,
Zaha Ali
(aka The Veiled Artist)
