Personal Growth Tracking: Reflection on Emotional Highs and Lows
Learn how to embrace both challenges and victories.
It was a pretty fluctuating week. Emotionally, I don’t know if it’s because of hormonal changes in my body or some other triggers. Anyway, I’m glad I survived another week, and I hope you did too. We’ve all done an amazing job.
Thinking back to Week 9, I can’t remember all seven days clearly. Most of them were moments of joy or sorrow, but I’m glad I’ve been tracking my personal growth more intentionally with the calendar and charts I created for myself. As I started documenting more, time seems to pass faster, but life definitely feels more intentional.
The Low Note: Facing Failure and Frustration
As is our tradition, I’ll share one high note and one low note from my week.
Speaking of the low note: One of my website’s hosting services expired last week, so I tried to migrate it to a new host. Unfortunately, the migration wasn’t as easy, because... I still haven’t figured out why. I remember getting so frustrated at losing everything familiar. Luckily, I managed to keep all the content I’d updated. That issue bothered me for two whole days, but in the end, I realized my mood was too negative, so I allowed myself to rest.
While resting, I reflected on why this situation disturbed me so much. I realized that the real reason I got upset wasn’t about the website or the technical issues, but the feeling of failure. I’ve had the website for a year but hardly made any progress during that time. The expired hosting marked the milestone of that discouragement. The truth hurt, but I think that low note also gave me a lesson on how to face the deep-rooted insecurity within myself. I need to accept my emotions, whether they’re good or bad.
The High Note: Rediscovering Peace Through Personal Growth Tracking
You should always know that after a low note, there will be a high one.
My high note from last week came right after my emotional low. Since I started my 75 hard challenge on January 1st, I set four missions for each day:
1. Get up at 5:30 a.m.
2. Get outdoors for at least 10 minutes.
3. Write for an hour.
4. Update my blog
Since I need to wake up early, I have to go to bed early. I used to love reading in bed before sleep, but I haven’t done that in a while. That night, because I felt so low, I went to bed around 8 p.m., which left me plenty of time to read. I switched between a couple of different books, trying to get into the right mood. Once I was in the reading zone, I enjoyed a solid hour of reading before I had to sleep.
That hour was so peaceful and relaxing. I felt a deep sense of happiness and tranquility. It was definitely the high I needed after all the emotional turbulence.
Finding Balance Through Personal Growth Tracking
Life is hard because we always aspire to have things we don’t yet possess, but life is good with these aspirations. We find great reasons to get out of bed each day because we believe that our life is ultimately worth living.
How was your week? I hope you experienced something good out of the bad or survived the lows and thrived through the highs. A new week is ahead of us. Let’s live it.
About the Creator
Falls Shu
“All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better.”
Writer | Entrepreneur | Lifestyle | Mindful Living
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The 2-Hour Fast vs 14-Hour Fast: Global Ramadan 2026 Guide
Ramadan is not just a month on the Islamic calendar—it is a global spiritual journey experienced differently depending on where you live. In 2026, Muslims across the world will once again observe fasting from dawn to sunset, but the number of fasting hours will vary dramatically. In some places, it may feel like a short 2-hour symbolic fast during extreme daylight variations, while in others it could stretch close to 14 hours or even longer. This guide explores when Ramadan 2026 is expected to begin, how fasting hours differ across regions, and why geography plays such an important role in shaping the Ramadan experience. When Does Ramadan 2026 Start? Ramadan follows the Islamic lunar calendar, which is about 10–11 days shorter than the Gregorian calendar. Because of this, Ramadan moves earlier each year. Ramadan 2026 is expected to begin around February 17 or 18, 2026, depending on the sighting of the moon. The exact date may vary by country, as some nations rely on local moon sightings while others follow astronomical calculations. The month will last either 29 or 30 days, ending with the celebration of Eid al-Fitr. Why Fasting Hours Differ Around the World The daily fast begins at Fajr (dawn) and ends at Maghrib (sunset). Since daylight hours vary depending on a country’s latitude and the season, fasting time changes accordingly. In February and March 2026, Ramadan will fall during late winter in the Northern Hemisphere and late summer in the Southern Hemisphere. This creates noticeable differences in fasting durations. Shorter Fasts Near the Equator Countries near the equator experience relatively stable daylight hours throughout the year. In places like Indonesia, Malaysia, and parts of Africa, fasting hours usually range between 12 and 13 hours. The consistency makes Ramadan physically manageable, though the spiritual intensity remains just as powerful. Longer Fasts in Northern Countries In countries farther from the equator—such as the UK, Canada, or Northern Europe—daylight hours vary more dramatically across seasons. Because Ramadan 2026 falls in late winter, fasting hours in these countries will likely range from 11 to 14 hours. This is significantly shorter than summer Ramadans, which can exceed 18 hours in some northern cities. However, extreme northern regions sometimes experience unusual daylight patterns. In places above the Arctic Circle, there may be very little daylight or nearly continuous daylight at certain times of year. In such cases, Islamic scholars allow Muslims to follow the fasting schedule of the nearest moderate city. The “2-Hour Fast” Debate The idea of a “2-hour fast” often appears in discussions about polar regions. In some rare geographic conditions during specific seasons, sunrise and sunset may be very close together, technically creating a very short fasting window. However, Islamic jurisprudence addresses this issue carefully. Scholars generally recommend following a nearby city's schedule or using the timetable of Mecca if local conditions are extreme. This ensures fairness and practicality in religious observance. So while headlines may suggest extreme short or long fasts, in practice, Muslims follow structured guidance that keeps fasting spiritually meaningful and physically manageable. A Global Comparison of Fasting Hours in 2026 Here’s what fasting durations may approximately look like in different regions: Saudi Arabia (Mecca): Around 13 hours United States (New York): Around 11–12 hours United Kingdom (London): Around 12–13 hours Australia (Sydney): Around 13–14 hours Indonesia (Jakarta): Around 12–13 hours These estimates may vary slightly depending on the exact start date and local moon sighting decisions. The Spiritual Meaning Beyond Hours While discussions about fasting length often attract attention, Ramadan is about much more than counting hours. The fast teaches: Patience Gratitude Self-control Compassion for those less fortunate Whether fasting for 11 hours or 14 hours, the spiritual reward lies in intention and sincerity. Ramadan also encourages increased prayer, Quran recitation, charity, and community connection. Mosques fill with worshippers during nightly Taraweeh prayers, and families gather for Iftar meals to break their fast together. Health and Fasting: What to Expect Because Ramadan 2026 falls during cooler months in many northern countries, fasting may feel physically easier than summer Ramadans. Shorter daylight hours mean: Reduced dehydration risk More comfortable fasting temperatures Easier sleep adjustments Still, maintaining proper hydration during non-fasting hours and eating balanced Suhoor (pre-dawn meal) and Iftar meals is essential. How Geography Unites and Divides the Experience One of the most fascinating aspects of Ramadan is how a single global event feels different across continents. In Indonesia, Ramadan evenings are lively and warm. In Canada, they may be cold and snowy. In Australia, Muslims may be breaking their fast during late summer warmth. Yet despite these differences, the spiritual rhythm remains the same: Dawn prayer Daily fasting Sunset Iftar Nightly worship This shared structure creates a sense of global unity across time zones. Looking Ahead to Ramadan 2026 As Ramadan continues shifting earlier each year, Muslims in the Northern Hemisphere will experience shorter fasting days for several more years. Eventually, the month will return to summer again, bringing longer daylight hours once more. For now, Ramadan 2026 offers a relatively balanced fasting experience for most regions. Whether it feels like a short winter fast or a longer summer stretch in the Southern Hemisphere, the essence remains unchanged: self-discipline, reflection, and spiritual growth. Final Thoughts The difference between a “2-hour fast” and a “14-hour fast” may grab headlines, but Ramadan is not a competition of endurance. It is a month of intention, unity, and devotion. No matter where you live—near the equator, in the Arctic Circle, or somewhere in between—Ramadan 2026 will bring the same opportunity for renewal and connection. As the crescent moon is sighted and the first fast begins, millions around the world will share the same prayer, the same hunger, and the same hope for mercy and blessings. That is the true power of Ramadan: a global act of worship shaped by geography, but united by faith.
By Abid Ali6 days ago in Motivation
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