21 Comments
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Zahra. G's avatar

I love this format of writing for you Leena. Will be looking forward to reading this every month Inshallah!

And your thumbnails are some of the most creative ones I've seen. If and when Inshallah i get to publishing I would love to have you onboard for graphics.

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Leena S.'s avatar

Thank you so much for your kind words! OMGG I would looovee to be a part of your graphics team for any publishing. It makes me so giddy to try new types of projects and experiment with different styles.!

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Halal SZ's avatar

ooooh I love this. I'm so on board to have this monthly read!

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Leena S.'s avatar

Yaay, Alhamdulilah!

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Aliena's avatar

I absolutely love this reflection series!

I hope you pass your drivers test when it stops snowing. It would be unfair to make you drive in snowy conditions so I’m glad it worked out for the best. I myself am scared of driving in snow but have gotten through this winter by some advice on my friend gave me. She said to drive over snowy patches by slowly accelerating and slowly braking so your car doesn’t spin.

Your thumbnails are some of the best that I’ve seen! I can tell that you really understand graphic design. If you don’t mind me asking, do you use Canva?

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Leena S.'s avatar

Ya I never car slipping until I experienced it once, slow accelerating and slow braking are great tips, and just driving slow on snowy patches in general. Still, I won't be booking my test for winter time.

Thank you so much!! I really enjoy making them! Yes I use Canva, they've been adding so many new features these past couple years which really elevates customizability potential.

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Abdulrahman's avatar

I will say, although I liked the thumbnail for “the scholar in you” the most, I liked the piece “Rise and Munch” more. Something about how you are able to take something as “simple” as Sahoor and weave in scientific/nutritional backed fact to better help people stay mindful on meals they have for Sahoor was insightful and amazing, I really liked it.

Also thanks for the shoutout! I never had someone shout me out on their post before haha, I really appreciate it Leena ^^

Also, best of luck on your drivers test! I know you’ll smash it! 👍🏽

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Leena S.'s avatar

Thank you! As you know, nutrition is a keen interest of mine, I'm glad I can share that passion with someone.

Of course! I can't lie I'm not a skilled literary analyst, I feel like I didn't do that piece justice. I but I want you to know I appreciate the effort and quality of your writing even if I don't have words to express it.

Thank you! This is the year I'll get my full license, Insha'Allah!

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Abdulrahman's avatar

Thank you! I really appreciate your kind words :)

You did well in that piece in my opinion. The main message you were trying to pass was conveyed properly and that’s the main thing. but it’s good that you leave room for improvement..it’s a good mindset to have.

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Leena S.'s avatar

Facts! Striving for Ihsan, Insha’Allah 💪🏽

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Aima the Marmot's avatar

Woww I didn't know you made your thumbnails yourself, Ma Sha Allah! I don't know, I really liked Pouring into one another's thumbnail ✨️ And I hope Allah helps you in being consistent and in achieving your goals. Ameen.

I also like dabbling in new things (yay) 👍 and I hope you share more intersting things and more good books recs in the future! An interesting thing I learned was basic abacus addition in December, (does that count as this month? :) )

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Leena S.'s avatar

Thank you for your kind words. Ameen, may Allah help you achieve your wildest dreams as well!!

Yay I love polymaths!! That sounds super cool, I've seen people super skilled at abacus and I've always been so fascinated. (Any month counts, the key is to be a life long learner ☺️).

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Aima the Marmot's avatar

Ameen 💕

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Malik's avatar

Firstly, great series idea. Secondly, PLS teach me I've always loved your thumbnails.

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Leena S.'s avatar

Thank you, thank you! I just use canva for thumbnails and use the graphics section for images. I did watch a bunch of yt videos on colours and fonts and graphic design basics which were really helpful. Apparently theres a whole font psychology about serif, sans serifs, and script fonts. That really helps me narrow down on the font options and find the best fit. Whenever I'm stuck, I like to look for inspiration from pinterest or behance (mostly pinterest). Other than that, it's mostly playing around with the different options available. Some times it takes 4 or 5 versions to find the right one. And the more I make thumbnails for this substack, I've learned what colours I like to use. Practice makes perfect of course.

If you make anything I would loooovee to see it!! Give it a try, it's honestly so much fun!

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Malik's avatar

I opt for pinterest but have found when I can't find something that truly captivates what i wanted i'll sit on it till I do, no matter how long, bad habit but hard to kill, perfectionism maybe. Once I went to the extreme of trying out AI art to describe what I had envisioned but God that was awful, so maybe I'll give making it a go! Would be a much easier task to undertake than painting/drawing lmao.

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Leena S.'s avatar

Yaa I agree, sometimes coming back to the drawing board another day makes it easier to create something I actually like. I don't think perfectionism is entirely bad, it encourages us to keep trying right?

I tried AI art too and was pretty disappointed as well. Canva graphics also has it's limitations though, sometimes the graphics aren't exactly what I want or the ones I do want are pro features. Drawing and painting is definitely a huge undertaking but the best way to get fully custom results. I'm learning to draw right now, and it's hard, but I love illustrations and if I keep learning I'm hoping I can make my own in a couple years Insha'Allah.

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Malik's avatar

In’sha’allah you do! But who knows, my next post might be a supremely good drawing of stickmen 🤌🏽. I think perfectionism is good in doses, it becomes a problem when it evolves into overthinking and spiralling thoughts of what ifs.

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Leena S.'s avatar

😮‍💨 I can’t wait to see these stickmen! I definitely, moderation and balance in key!

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Rafia Khader's avatar

I love this series and learning more about you! Hope you do well on your driver’s test!

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Leena S.'s avatar

Thank you!! I'll be rebooking it during better weather Insha'Allah! I can't wait to get this off my chest though.

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