SYUKUR ALHAMDULILLAH ~ 39 THINGS FOR ME TO BE GRATEFUL FOR

Eiyo Fadneiras,

Welcome back to my blog ^_^ How's March treating you so far? I hope you're all having a good month. And to my Muslim friends, how's your Eid Mubarak celebration? Are you guys still on vacation? Hehehe ^_^

I can't believe March is almost over for us. Hahaha ... like I always say, time envies us >_< I'll be turning 40 tomorrow, March 31. So this post is going to be about me. Hehehe >_<  I'm going to ask myself four questions reflecting on the past, four questions to access the present, and four questions to look forward to the coming year.  Now let's get started ...

Before we begin the questions, please share a summary of yourself, three fun facts, and three shocking facts about you ...

Eiyo, my name is Fadima Mooneira (well, it's actually my pen name). I am a Malaysian millennial authorpreneur, novelist, blogger, illustrator, and crafter. I describe myself as artistic, creative, imaginative, and innovative. As a writer and creator, my wildest dream is to inspire people to be unapologetically themselves. That's why I love crafting characters who are unapologetically themselves >_<

My latest selfie. Yes, I just cut my hair short ^_^

THREE FUN FACTS ABOUT ME

#1 Besides writing and blogging, I also love drawing, reading novels and webtoons, travelling, photography, enjoying girls' day out with my girls, and doing fitness workouts.

#2 I love bright colors more than dark ones. My color choice makes most people believe I'm bubbly and a social butterfly. But in reality, I'm an introvert and a lonewolf.

#3 I love cats and wish to adopt a black color maine coon in the future. Insya-Allah.

THREE SHOCKING FACTS ABOUT ME

#1 Most people believe I am a K-drama addict. Okay ... it's true I love watching K-dramas. But I'm not a K-drama addict. I'm actually more into old classic black-and-white films. I love classic Malay and Hollywood films. Yeah!

#2 Since I always portray a sophisticated image, most people think I'm a coffee person. But actually, I'm more of a tea drinker. I only drink coffee when I'm craving it. Yes, I love Mixue and Chagee. Hehehe >_<

#3 Just because I smile at everyone, doesn't mean I want to be friends with everyone. I'm quite selective when it comes to friendship. And I also don't care if other people don't like me.  If you think I'm arrogant just because I don't see you as a friend, it's ok. My inner peace is my priority ^_^

FOUR QUESTIONS REFLECTING ON THE PAST YEARS

#1 WHAT ARE YOUR TOP 3 ACCOMPLISMENTS FROM THE LAST FIVE YEARS?

Firstly, I'm grateful that I'm now a published author. Alhamdulillah, I have published 11 books over the last five years ~ two novels, one solo book, one zine, and seven collaboration books. Besides being a published author, I have also participated in book events ~ KLIBF 2023, KLIBF 2024, SCBF 2024, SIBF 2024, Perhentian Buku Kajang, and SIBF 2025. This is my second accomplishment. And participating in these events allows me to meet people in the book industry. Alhamdulillah. I have found my people. And this is the best accomplishment since becoming a writer.

With my fellow Karyawan Mandiri pals @SIBF 2025

#2 WHAT WAS YOUR GREATEST LIFE LESSON THIS LAST FIVE YEARS?

Oh wow!!! That's so many. But the most valuable for me is the mountain theory that I learned last year. According to the mountain theory, we, humans, don't just climb one mountain in life. We actually have more than one mountain to climb. So if you feel like you've been knocked down from the mountain you're currently climbing, tell yourself that you are not knocked down. You have already reached the pick. So it's time for you to climb a new mountain that is more challenging. And that new mountain is offering you more blessings. Now let me share my life experience that is related to the mountain theory ...

Back in 2018, I had a terrible heartbreak. I lost a job that I loved so much after the 2018 General Election. All contract civil servants were terminated, including me :'( That tragedy really made me feel like I'm going to hit rock bottom. I tried to bounce back. But it was not easy. I sent my resume to 20 companies a day. But I never received positive feedback from them. And most never called me for an interview. I felt so crushed. I thought I was punished. I kept asking myself, "Was I a bad person all this time? Was I a bad daughter to my parents? What did I do wrong to deserve this punishment?" 

One year later, a good friend advised me to stop sending too many applications to too many companies. She told me to use this opportunity to build my passion instead of just hunting for a job. So I followed my friend's advice. I started blogging again. And I started joining communities back in 2019. That made me realize that I love writing. And I also started taking creative writing classes. At first, I thought writing was just a hobby. But as I advance in my journey, I realized that writing is not just a hobby for me. Writing is me, my life, and my long-forgotten dream. Yes, writing is a self-discovery for me.

As a writer, I learned a lot of theories about life that I can include in my writing. And one of them is the mountain theory. The mountain theory makes me realize that the heartbreak I had back in 2018 was not a punishment. In fact, it was a blessing. It took me out of my comfort zone and made me discover myself and my long-forgotten dream. Alhamdulillah ^_^

#3 HOW HAVE YOU CHANGED SINCE THE LAST FIVE YEARS?

Well, writing improves all of me. Mostly, writing boosts my confidence to five levels higher and improves my communication skills. Before I begin my writing journey, I always struggle with communication. Yes, I had trouble expressing myself verbally. Maybe because I did not know myself well back then. Syukur alhamdulillah, writing really saves my life.

#4 WHAT HABITS ARE YOU READY TO LET GO OF?

Pleasing people! Yes, I was a people pleaser during my younger days. I always thought saying no would make me a villain. But now, not anymore. And choosing myself does not make me selfish. I'm just as important as anyone else.

FOUR QUESTIONS TO ACCESS THE PRESENT

#1 HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT TURNING 40?

Awesome! I feel fresh and reborn. Alhamdulillah, turning 40 doesn't make me feel old at all. To me, age is always just a number. How you feel about yourself is the most important. And yes, life begins at 40 ^_^

#2 ARE YOU LIVING IN ALIGNMENT WITH YOUR HIGHER SELF?

Well, I'm not there yet. But I am thriving and slowly aligning with my higher self. That's why I feel fresh and reborn at 40. Hehehe ^_^ My 20s and 30s were just an experiment back then. Alhamdulillah. I know myself better now. Every year is a self-discovery journey for me.

With my idol and one of my fellow authors, Puan Ninot Aziz ^_^

#3 WHAT DOES SUCCESS MEAN TO YOU IN THIS STAGE OF LIFE?

Discovering myself, being able to live a good, cozy life,  knowing that I am loved, whole, and enough, knowing who my people are, and being able to do more of the things that make me happy.

#4 IF YOU COULD DESCRIBE THIS YEAR IN ONE WORD, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

Rebirth. Turning 40 is a rebirth for me. Insya-Allah. The last five years were a self-discovery journey for me. And yes, this self-discovery journey will continue as long as I live ...

FOUR QUESTIONS TO LOOK FORWARD TO THE COMING YEAR

#1 WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS YEAR BESIDES YOUR BIRTHDAY?

My third novel, Manchester Epiphany. Insya-Allah, it will be released on April 7, 2026. A week after my birthday. I've been working hard on this novel since the middle of 2024. I hope the release will be smooth for me, and this novel will bring me more success than Fail Merah and Saranghaeyo Namsan. Aamiin. Manchester Epiphany is going to be my first novel in English. I hope to promote it internationally as well. Btw, I already started the Manchester Epiphany free reading session on my author's website, F.Mooneira's Bookshelf. And I already posted till chapter 3. Feel free to check it out >> MANCHESTER EPIPHANY @ F.MOONEIRA'S BOOKSHELF.

Manchester Epiphany cover designed by Fitri Sahari

Taadaa!!! Manchester Epiphany is out of the oven. See you this April 7 ^_^

And besides launching Manchester Epiphany, I hope to participate in book events this year as well, especially in KLIBF 2026 and SIBF 2026. I also hope that I will be able to make an appearance at any meet-and-greet event. I really need to practice my public speaking.

#2 WHAT ARE YOUR TOP 3 GOALS FOR THE NEXT COMING YEAR?

1) I want to continue thriving in my life journey and become a better person every day. 

2) I want to relearn the Al-Quran. Insya-Allah.

3) I hope I will perform umrah with my family in the coming year. 

#3 WHAT ARE YOU MOST EXCITED ABOUT FOR THE YEAR AHEAD?

1) To publish more books and become a better writer as I advance in my journey.

2) To become a bestselling and award-winning author. I hope to hear from those who have read my works that I'm now one of their all-time favorite authors.

3) I want to empower and make Malaysian literature world-class.

#4 WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO YOUR FUTURE-SELF?

Keep on rooting and cheering for me. I am thriving. And Insya-Allah, I will be aligned with you <3 <3 <3

The future I imagine. Insya-Allah ^_^

Okay, so these are the questions I have for myself. I love interviewing myself. Hehehe ^_^

Alhamdulillah, I am feeling grateful that I'm turning 40 so soon. 40 is a beautiful number. Insya-Allah, my 40s will be more beautiful than my 30s and 20s. Aamiin. I wish the same for everyone as well. And btw, do send me some love in the comment box below. Hehehe <3 <3 <3 

Okay, this is all for now. I'll see you guys again in April. And I'll be sharing more about Manchester Epiphany with you guys. Happy spring to those in the Northern hemisphere. The beautiful season has arrived. Yay!!!

XoXo,

Fadima Mooneira ^_^

(Authorpreneur, Novelist, Blogger, Illustrator & Crafter)

#FadimaMooneiraWriter #MyBirthday2026 #MeMyselfAndI #PopCulture #Edutainment #Lifestyle #Beauty #Travel #FadimaMooneiraDotCom

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