20 Comments
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SabrGirl's avatar

ohhh wow. i'm not the youngest or even a younger daughter, i am the eldest daughter and still i related to this so much being someone who, when my dad remarried, had a perfect, obedient step sister come into my life, who everyone thinks is the eldest and who i'm always compared to. thank you for this. this was beautifully written

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Halima's avatar

Thank you so so much!! I’m so honoured 🥹

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Aliza's avatar

This is so well written 🥹 Thank you so much for writing it 🩷✨

As the youngest daughter I also wrote and posted something similar. Do check it out and share your thoughts I would love to hear them 💕🤍

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Halima's avatar

Thank youuu 🥹 I will do definitely 🤍

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Bare-ness Of Aging's avatar

I absolutely love this piece I’m 60 with 5 sisters and heard this so often growing up I was you!! And you know what turns out I’ve had the happiest life of all of them and you will too ! Stay true to who you are always and life is amazing

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Halima's avatar

Thank you so much!! I’m so glad the piece resonated with you 🥹

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setaria's avatar

The repetition of “Why can’t I be more like my sister?” creates a sense of frustration and helplessness that builds into a declaration of self-acceptance. THIS IS BEAUTIFUL

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Halima's avatar

Thank you sm!!! 🥹

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Delaney Langdon's avatar

there’s such quiet power in choosing to be wholly, unapologetically yourself. thank you for putting this into words for so many people struggling with this (especially in a day and age where social media makes amplifies comparison to another level)

<3 would love to connect ✨

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Halima's avatar

Thank you sm!! I’m so glad you resonated with the piece in this way 🥹💫

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Megan Hubbert's avatar

This has to be one of my very favorites of your pieces, Halima! As a fellow youngest daughter, I related to every line. It's so easy to fall into anxious attachment, comparison, and imposter syndrome when you grow up comparing yourself and having others compare you to your older siblings. Justice for Amy March!

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Halima's avatar

Thank you Meg!! I’m so glad you resonated and you love the piece 🥹 and yess, justice for Amy indeed hehe

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ameera | أميرة's avatar

omg I always felt so represented and saw myself in Amy, that I clutched onto her like a lifeline!!! Reading this piece felt like you crawled into my mind and heart and put my emotions into words. So beautiful, moving and relatable 🗣️

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Halima's avatar

Thank you sm!! Glad you resonated with the piece and Amy is an ABSOLUTE ICONNN 🥹🥹

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Manii's avatar

growing up as the oldest daughter of a south asian household Ive always made it a responsibility where anytime my mother would tell my younger sister to be 'more like me', I would interfere and oppose to the idea, like no. You guys made me have to grow up so fast I want her to have fun in life, like yes be responsible and all but i want her to be able to do what she wants in her own way. And honestly it doesn't change much given that it turns out we both have similar interests but given the opposition to being exactly alike based on parental standards we have created identities that are still unique to us and that just created a better friendship between us! So yeah to the older siblings oppose to your parents standards sometimes and create good relationships with your siblings

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Halima's avatar

I’m glad your sibling dynamic is like that 🥹 happy you could resonate in some way as the eldest!!!

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libby griffiths's avatar

as beautiful as ever, from an older sister that still managed to relate. you're always enough! <3

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Halima's avatar

Thank you Libby!! 🥹

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Bushra's avatar

This is so lovely. I don't think parents understand how much statements like that affect their children. You shouldn't spend your whole life trying to be someone else when Allah SWT has made you YOU for a reason. Lots of Love 🤍

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Halima's avatar

Thank you Bushra 🤍🤍

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