Hi, I’m Salwa.

I’m the writer behind Quietly Becoming, a psychology student, and a single mother navigating the beautiful, complicated mess of life. My days are filled with reflection, resilience, and relearning what it means to simply be.

For a long time, I thought growth meant fixing myself. That healing was about becoming someone better. But life has taught me otherwise. Healing isn’t about fixing—it’s about unlearning the guilt, questioning the rules, and reclaiming our right to rest, feel, and exist without apology.

Through my writing, I don’t claim to have all the answers. Sometimes, I share reflections to sit with. Other times, I offer tools—gentle ways to set boundaries, navigate emotions, or rethink what healing looks like. But at the heart of it, what I offer is permission. Permission to question the expectations you’ve been carrying. To let go of the pressure to always be “strong” or “productive.” To sit with your real, unedited feelings—without shame.”

About “Quietly Becoming”
This isn’t a space for self-improvement checklists or polished success stories. Quietly Becoming is for those of us who are tired of feeling like a project—who just want a place to breathe, to unlearn, to remember that we were never broken to begin with.

Here, I write about growth, mental health, and the quiet work of becoming—not as something to achieve, but as something to allow. Some days, that means reflecting on the weight of motherhood and mental health. Other days, it means questioning everything we’ve been taught about healing. Always, it means holding space for the truth of who we are.

If you’ve ever felt like you needed permission to slow down, to feel, to just be—welcome. You’re exactly where you need to be.

Why subscribe?

Subscribing to Quietly Becoming isn’t just about reading reflections—it’s about having a space to breathe. A space where you don’t have to be “strong” all the time, where self-growth doesn’t mean self-judgment, and where healing isn’t treated like another task to complete.

Here, you’ll find honest stories, thoughtful insights, and gentle reminders that you don’t have to fix yourself to be worthy of rest, love, or belonging. Some posts will challenge the way we think about growth. Others will offer practical tools to navigate boundaries, emotions, and self-acceptance. All of them will hold space for the messy, beautiful truth of being human.

Whether you’re here to unlearn old narratives, to feel less alone, or simply to take a moment for yourself—I’m grateful you’re here.

Subscribe to get full access to the newsletter and publication archives.

Stay up-to-date

Never miss an update—every new post is sent directly to your email inbox. For a spam-free, ad-free reading experience, plus audio and community features, get the Substack app.

Join the crew

Be part of a community of people who share your interests. Participate in the comments section, or support this work with a subscription.

To learn more about the tech platform that powers this publication, visit Substack.com.

Subscribe to Quietly Becoming

A space to unlearn self-judgment, embrace the truth of who you are, and reclaim your right to rest, heal, and exist—without apology.

People

Psychology major navigating the ups and downs of learning, living, and growing. Sharing reflections on psychology, mental health, gratitude, resilience, and the human experience. I hope you’ll find something here to inspire or comfort you. #withlove