STYLEBOOK BY SYAHIRA ZAKARIA: Thoughts

"I'd pick you up and we'd go back in time." Amazing Instagram Captions from Red (Taylor's Version) Part I

, by stylebysya

Of Social Media & Battling Anxiety

I realize that I have not blogged in a long while and I think it's time I explain why.

At the end of 2017, I realized that being an influencer really took a toll on my mental health and the thing was, it was my over-sharing that made it so. I was sharing so much on social media, it was like a fodder for people to talk about me and, worse, make assumptions about me because they think they know me.

The truth is, I never shared too much on social media. I thought I had the perfect balance between public and private life. But because so many essential details were left out of the public eye, people made assumptions about my life that were completely off base.

But I can't blame them for taking pieces of an incomplete puzzle and drawing their own conclusions. So instead, I stopped. Blogging. Instagram. Facebook. Everything. And Alhamdulillah, it worked! I am in a better place now.

After 4 years, I have been quite generous in my sharing again especially in things that disappear after 24 hours but the truth is, the thousands of views still gets to me. It's like I don't feel safe on my own social media. I was shocked when my friend told me her views were usually below a hundred. How nice, I thought. To not feel like you have so many eyes on you.

For me, being an influencer is a responsibility which I do not take lightly. I have to ensure that the messaging I share across are not hurtful or harmful to others and if possible, be beneficial to the readers. Maybe it's my own fault for taking life too seriously but it's my personal belief. I also absolutely dread keyboard warriors that cannot see reason and has no idea of the concept 'agree to disagree'. Or worse, randomly says hurtful things.

Yes, it comes with the territory. So, I stopped la. Simple.

And in the breeze of the wind,

I hear them speak of me still,

when I have given them nothing to say.

And it is as clear as the blue skies above me

that they have misplaced recrimination,

for care.

And confused unthinking disregard,

for charm.

Did they never learn that appearances are often misleading?

| don't judge a book by its cover |

With love,

Sya.

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# Feature, Thoughts

Empower Series: Syahira Zakaria and Melisha Lin

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# Family, Thoughts

Ramadhan in the New Normal

The must-have selfie in a telekung during Ramadhan

Assalamualaikum WBT and Salam Ramadhan dear readers.

This Ramadhan started out very sombre for my Husband's family. A few days before the Holy month started, my brother-in-law headed to Jerteh, Terengganu to get married. Unfortunately, he had to go alone and other family members were unable to be there due to the Movement Control Order. A day after his solemnisation, my mother-in-law was hospitalised due to Coronary Artery Disease. The night before her angioplasty, my father-in-law was also hospitalised due to similar problem. They were hospitalised in different hospitals according to their insurance. What was worse, as we are facing this pandemic, none of us were allowed to be there. Please make prayers for my family. May all of us be protected from illnesses and may He heal and cure us all.

Alhamdulillah, both of them have been discharged yesterday evening and the newlyweds made it home to Kuala Lumpur safely.

Abah on the ambulance heading to the hospital

This Ramadhan is very sad for everyone around the world. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, most countries are under quarantine or have some kind of Movement Control Order in place. Mosques are closed, Umrah pilgrimages are canceled, even Eid prayers are to be done at home! Most people suspect that the MCO will be extended until after Eid which breaks the hearts of many people around the world as the 'New Normal' is for everyone to isolate themselves and not gather in big groups.

I am also saddened by this turn of events as I am unable to meet my family for Ramadhan or Eid which is a tradition for us since 1993. We are, however, lucky enough to have the technology to help us get through this pandemic a little less sad. Video calls make you feel like everyone's not so far, you know?

In times of difficulty, our only source of strength is our faith in the absolute power of God. We know that if we have His protection and guidance, we will be able to overcome all the challenges that surround us.

I think there's also a lot of positive aspects of the MCO. As most of us are on leave for the period, we are able to concentrate on our ibadah more and we can do a lot more this Ramadhan. Now, we have time to read the Quran, improve our hafazan, engage in the remembrance of Allah SWT, reflect and improve oneself, learn a new skill like cooking or baking to serve to your family for breaking fast...and the list goes on!

Let us strive in improving ourselves this Ramadhan and have patience.

My sister's Majlis Khatam Quran a week before the MCO

Love,

Sya.

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, by stylebysya

# Thoughts,

Heart of Steel

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# Thoughts,

There is nothing wrong with wanting.

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# Photoshoot, Thoughts

The Mai Series: I had the Time of My Life Fighting Dragons with You

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# Looks, Thoughts

| asymmetric | not identical on both sides of a central line

When Indah Ederra came to Malaysia for Asia Islamic Fashion Week 2017, I asked her if I can please have this AIRA ASYMMETRIC TOP because it spoke to me.

Yes, fashion speaks to me.

I'm such a weirdo.

I knew Indah through Jogja based fashion blogger, Lia Ardiatami. She was my date at Jakarta Fashion Week and brought me shopping right after. She introduced me to Ederra's brand and I immediately fell in love! I was so excited when Ederra herself contacted me to invite me to her show.

When we met up for tea after the show, she passed me this top as a gift! I was so happy I cried!

With Indah Ederra, Isna Nurita Sari, Ewindhasari, Sizzling Suzai, Maisyarah, Syuhada and Nononess

My love for asymmetrical tops started awhile back. When I was travelling the world (still travelling now), I was so inspired. I became much more versatile and edgy when I came back from Europe and then I started working in the fashion industry and fell in love with fashion even more.

It's all in the intricate details; I've said this before. The ruffles and the asymmetrical cuts remind me of life. You see, life isn't always easy. It's not simple.There's no straight line. There's never two lives that are identical.

There's never two sides of a story that are identical.

There are always two sides to a story:
Your side.
And what I had to go through.

And these parts are never really, truly, completely, the same.
There's always something that's different.
Always.

On this pages, I write of the untold story of what I've seen. Of what I've felt.

Like, I felt like your actions showed affection. Love, even.
But maybe you didn't see me like that at all.
And maybe we both have crushes on each other. But nothing more.
Or maybe the truth is that we've been in each other's arms.
But no one knows.
Nor would they believe it.

There's so many possibilities.
There's so many parts to a story.

On this pages, is my story.

Top: Aira Asym Top by Indah Ederra

Shawl: dUCkscarves

Nude slacks: H&M

Photographer: Syed Ahmad Safwan

Love,

Sya.

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# Thoughts, Travels

A Tribute to My Dear Friend, Shea Rasol

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# Looks, Thoughts

Not Every New Beginning is Meant to Last Forever

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# Looks, Thoughts

Fifty Shades Lighter on the Streets of London

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# Looks, Thoughts

And I will always wonder if you ever are where you want to be?

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# Thoughts,

Goodbye 2015.

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# Looks, Sponsored

Hijab Style: My Thoughts (And Fashion Tips)

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# Thoughts,

Fasting from Social Media

Selamat Hari Raya Maaf Zahir Batin, my dear readers!

I know I haven't updated the blog in awhile ever since I started my finals and law attachment program. Honestly, I did not feel like sharing about my days spent in the whole of Ramadhan. I felt like secluding myself from social media, as if my actions would be more ikhlas if I didn't 'tell the world' about it; I was fasting from social media.

I am currently in Istanbul, Turkey, where the Ottoman empire had built their empire to 2/3 of the world. The last time I came, I was 17 and 'wild & free'. A time that I have never talked about. This time, I am so different than before that it really hit me, you know. The trip is like a reflection for me.

Anyway, with Eid, I also reflected on how private I actually was. A lot of people have asked my friends (but never straight to me, I wonder why) why I rarely post photos of my family. The truth is, I never did until this blog came about and blasted my life out of proportion. It was nothing really, just a very difficult adjustment.

The point is, my whole life in Ipoh with my family, I have always been taught to be private. It was always don't tell people this or that and never tell people you're on holiday or your phone number or address. Don't post photos of your parents. Don't post photos of your house. Or your plate number.

The truth is, these are really smart. I still keep to most of the rules. But being in Ipoh for my attachment, I feel like keeping to the rules even more.

And I love it.

I don't see the need to post on social media about everything. It's not healthy. It's an obsession.

However, I began questioning my fasting from social media when my dad asked me if I was coming to a charity program for pictures. He was trying to support me in blogging by inviting me to so many charities in Ramadhan, I swear I went for at least one charity event per week. He wanted to help me inspire others to do the same.

So I decided that I will blog about my Ramadhan soon, after this trip of course. I also should blog about this trip! Coming soon, ok? I promise.

xoxo,

Sya.