What this Ramadan 1446AH taught a Healthcare Professional about boundaries, seasons, and slowing down.

As-salamu alaykum,

It’s about the 12tth or 13th of Shawwal and while most of us are still keeping the Shawwal fasts on our radar, the reality of the post-Ramadan dip and the related struggle to hold on to the lessons and shifts that we experienced this past Ramadan is likely dawning hard on us.

Like new years resolutions, these things fade away fast without an intentional effort to keep them alive. The pull to revert back to the pre-Ramadan default is likely even stronger for busy professionals that are often time-poor like healthcare professionals given the limited space to slow things down enough to catch our breath and build forward with intention.

This year, a few key lessons surfaced for me, that I intend to hold on to for the haul. 

Here are three takeaways I’m carrying forward:

1. Boundaries Are Essential

In healthcare, we’re constantly giving—time, energy, presence. It’s central to our service roles—but it also drains us so paying attention to “filling our cups” is key. Setting and staying true to our boundaries is an essential strategy for refilling our drained cups so that we keep showing up where it matters most with our best selves—with family, in our communities and even at the bedside. 

This year, I let go of these boundaries on a few key occasions and the fallout reminded me of this essential value of holding on to our boundaries while honoring the spiritual axiom that “every moment in time has its best version” so that we can pivot intentionally and not as a default where it makes the most sense. 

This approach served me better in the last 10 nights. I said strategic “nos” to a variety of tempting scenarios—you likely had some of them too. I negotiated to engage with folks at more optimal times and declined late-night catch-ups and other well-meaning events. Not because I didn’t value those things—but because I was reminded that in order to be fully present for what mattered most, I had to say no to the rest.

And you know what? It brought so much ease. So much Barakah.

When we create intentional space—by protecting our time, limiting distractions, or reducing decision fatigue—we’re not being selfish. We’re creating room for presence. For connection. For a deeper spiritual experience.

2. Plan for the Season You’re In

This was a big one for me. Every Ramadan isn’t created equal—because we aren’t the same every year.

Some years you’re in a season of strength and spaciousness. Other years, you’re knee-deep in diapers and sleep deprivation, navigating unplanned events, or overwhelmed by the sheer load of work. This year, my Ramadan landed in a season of transition. Evolving responsibilities. A baby becoming a toddler. My energy levels were decent but my margins were tighter.

So I adjusted.

I adjusted my intentions and goals to match the season and focused on more presence. Less hustle, more heart.

This is something we don’t talk about enough in healthcare professional spaces. We’re trained to perform at a high level no matter what—but spiritual growth honors capacity, not just effort.

A praiseworthy Ramadan plan doesn’t ignore your current season. It integrates it—with wisdom, compassion, and realism without losing sight of ambition for the hereafter.

3. Frequent Reviews Keep You Anchored

While the reality of how short life is doesn’t always hit us with clarity, that Ramadan is a sprint is something we all acknowledge and experience real time—-it often slips away without us fully embracing it.

One way to manage this reality and to stay anchored is to cultivate the habit of frequent reviews. Just five minutes at the end of the day to ask:

• What did I intend for today?

• What actually happened?

• What can I adjust tomorrow?

And once a week, a deeper check-in:

• What went well?

• What’s not going well?

• What did I learn?

These pauses help us stay present and aspire to optimize each passing day in Ramadan and beyond so that we are not stuck in the gap mindset of focusing only on what is not going well but rather that we are objectively self exploring and course-correcting gently instead of crashing hard. 

Daily reviews are ideal. But even every three days or once a week can go a long way in making sure the month doesn’t pass in a blur.

Final Thoughts: Making the Lessons Last

As we return to our post-Ramadan rhythm, these three lessons don’t have to stay in Ramadan as I have alluded to earlier.

These lessons should translate to our ever evolving seasons of life and guide how we approach work-life design with intention that prioritizes our akhira, balance and protects us from burnout.

And as you build forward, let's keep this prophetic wisdom in mind, 

Aisha (RA) narrated that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: "Do good deeds properly, sincerely and moderately and know that your deeds will not make you enter Paradise, and that the most beloved deed to Allah is the most regular and constant even if it were little." 

(Sahih al-Bukhari 6464)

And maybe, just maybe—with a focus on building consistent habits even if they seem small and almost inconsequential at first glance, we can keep a bit of Ramadan with us all year long and create a life of ongoing growth and transformation.

At Sakeenah Growth Company, we are building a group coaching program that can support you on this journey in sha Allah. If you would like to explore the possibility of working with me in this capacity, then simply email me at [email protected] or register your interest here for the group coaching opportunity.

May Allah, the Most High, continue to support our individual and collective journeys of transformation and make us from among the peak performers at home and at work and among the truly successful ones in the hereafter. Amin

Sincerely,

Sulyman

P.S. If you’re seeking a space to cultivate resilience, deepen self-mastery, and thrive in your career and life—grounded in faith—join us in the SakeenahMD Community. Together, we are committed to faith-driven excellence in healthcare and beyond.

Let’s navigate this journey together. 💙