This post took more time than I initially thought it would. I sat down for random ABCs about myself but when I started writing, I was drawn to each alphabet as an individual story of its own. I truly wanted this piece to be an accurate representation of myself and the vision behind my writing.
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The original idea was inspired by a trending prompt on Medium –>
About Me — Explained in an Alphabetical Order.
Hi, my pen name is ArtisKev. Here’s my life in a nutshell.medium.com
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If I had written this ten years ago or even 3 years ago, it would be a completely different response.
After being locked up in the Covid pandemic, I realized how much I needed to devote time to myself. Kids were getting independent, and I could have the luxury to entertain some projects. With crafts and writing under my belt, I think I am now a much more confident person than I was when all I did was pop out babies or scrub the floors.
ABCs about me:
A — ambitions: Always have time for yourself. I don’t think one can grow without a mental sketch of what they want to achieve. Without a plan, you are just lost, mimicking the people around you.
I have always been a follower who hides behind a stronger energy than standing alone in front of a crowd. In the process, I lost myself. I no longer knew who I was and what I wanted to be. Therefore, I have now learned that having a plan, a set of dreams, and some goals will drive anyone to a more productive, satisfied inner person.
B — brother: I have one sibling and he is very dear to my heart. As kids, we found joy in similar things. He helped me come out of my cocoon when we moved to Texas thirty years ago. We may have drifted apart as annoying adolescents, but we truly found each other in college. I could pick up my phone and talk for hours without getting judged or advised. Someone who truly understood me. He is full of colorful, vibrant personality, and a wonderful addition to my life.
C — Chaotic Sanity: I launched my blog, Chaoticsanity.com, back in 2017 because I wanted to see where blogging would take me. Without consistency and vision, it hasn’t grown much but I love that I have a platform to showcase my growth from a shy, vulnerable mom to a determined individual.
D — doodle: If I am not writing, I am doodling. I love arts and crafts. It is amazing how mixing a few hues can color a new canvas so magnificently. We are all blank canvases, ready to be painted — what is important is that we learn to color it ourselves rather than allowing people to choose for us.
E — exit: One of the biggest growths I have incorporated is knowing when to leave. Have an exit plan when you feel you are not welcomed. You do not need to waste your time engaging in a conversation that is not benefiting your soul.
I tell my kids to walk with guards because people will take advantage of your vulnerability.
F — faith: Islam and Pakistani culture are ingrained in me. It is who I am, and it is who I want my children to be. Islam is so versatile and empowering. Now that I am learning more and more about Quranic verses, it is truly a way of life. And Pakistani culture is so colorful, and I love staying close to my roots, challenging it at times.
G — grateful: I am grateful to family and friends who understand me. This life is truly about me, and I am at the point where if you haven’t figured me out in 40 years, you are not going to.
H — husband: At times, I feel he doesn’t understand me but then some moments highlight that he knows my vision and fears way too well. And maybe every time he hinders a project, it is probably to save me pain and exhaustion. However, when he sees some viability, he supports it 100% with compassion (and some finances :))
I — Insta360: A dear cousin of my husband introduced us to Insta 360 one x2 a few years ago and I am hooked. I love taking 360 videos of our trip and editing it to the view I want to highlight. Not only do you see what’s in front of the camera, but you can scroll to see what’s all around any time by logging on to the Insta360 app.
J — jibberish: I hate to admit it but when I am excited and 100% engaged, I jibber. I am so absorbed in the experience that I do not want the conversation to end, and random words spur out of my mouth. Maybe one day they will be a good writing inspiration, but today they are a complete embarrassment.
K — knowingness: I like to know. I make connections so I know your story and learn from it. People may say that it is gossip, and it is only gossip if I bicker behind you. Then, some friends ask, “How do you know so much about our school system?” I know because I ask, and you won’t know if you don’t ask.
L — loner: I am bit of a loner. I love talking and hosting colorful parties with the people I connect with. However, I thrive on me-time; I need time to reflect and rejuvenate on my terms.
M — motherhood: I won’t be me without my kids. I have learned so much from my three boys than any other experience in life. They give me so many opportunities to meet and learn from other parents. They are the pure reflection of my greatness and failures, and I couldn’t be happier with the product I co-created.
N — nephews and niece: When I need young love and cute chatter, I can call on my nephews and niece. These creatures never disappoint. Sometimes my brother’s and brother-in-law’s kids’ talks are so intriguing that you start to doubt their physical age.
O — outdoors: I love the outdoors, no doubt. The color, the freshness, and the opportunities are all intriguing. There is so much inspiration to write and photograph. I am secretly fascinated by trees. With the right nurture, they individually grow so big and strong. Their roots spread acre long. Each trunk is unique and all captivated by (sun)light. It reminds me to stretch high but stay true to my roots.
P — parents: When I reflect on me fooling around with my teen boys, I don’t think I was ever this frank with my parents. However, with limited resources, they gave my brother and me experiences to cherish for a lifetime. I can’t thank them enough for the values they have instilled in me in their creative ways.
Q — quality: Everything is about quality vs quantity. I just now began to understand the value of quality when I started prioritizing my time with relationships. I don’t have time for drama so if you are good to my soul, I am good to you.
R — roots: The building block of who one is originates from their roots. You build a strong foundation and then venture out to adventurous routes. You have to be true to your core, or you are going to fumble down quickly.
S — Sameera: A while back I came across a prompt that asked who you are. I couldn’t answer “Who is Sameera?” without including my image as a daughter, sister, wife, and mother. I pondered and pondered but I still can’t come up with one sentence to describe me. That is when I discovered writing about self-discovery is an excellent niche to pursue.
T — time: Time is precious, and you can’t bring back the lost minutes. Please don’t waste my time and I will do the same. I rather be writing and investing in my soul than dealing with drama, so make the encounter with you worth my time.
U — unleash your writing: My dear cousin confronted me about my writing, “You write too kosher, and need to unleash your writing.”
V — voice: The motivation behind Chaoticsanity.com and all the stories on Medium is to have a voice. A voice that is not altered by people or screened from fears. It is as organic as it can be.
W — writing: Writing destresses me. It allows me to articulate my thoughts, feelings, emotions, and reflections in a comprehensible manner.
X — Xylo: When we brought a dog into our family, all I saw was a cute creature. Needless to say, this fur ball required a lot of time and maintenance. It quickly imprinted my heart with love before it was labeled as a nuisance. I have learned so much about unconditional love that I could never imagine my life without our Mastiff bear.
Y — yes: I am done saying yes. I am done pouring myself. It is too stressful to tackle it all. Call me selfish but this decade is about me and my growth.
Z — zone. Respect the zone. If I have marked it, it is mine. I can be very possessive about my belongings. Sharing is not caring, it’s a rollercoaster of stress and dirty faces, so if I say it’s mine, leave it alone.
