Are you ready for Ramadan? What have you done to prepare for the blessed moth of Ramadan? 

Unlike last year, I am trying to take my fasting game to the next level inshaa Allah. I have to admit that because I struggled last year (after not fasting for almost 2 years due to back-to-back pregnancies), I was excited when the time finally came  for me to fast.

But because I did not prepare myself mentally or physically I actually fell ill for a couple days. So this time around I really want to focus on getting a head start inshaa Allah. So here are..

20 ways that I will prepare for Ramdan and so can you 😉

Prepare for Ramadan by focusing on your Worship Game:

1.  Fast: If you have any days to prepay then this is the time do it, or if you don’t already fast on Mondays and Thursdays, now would be a good time to revive this sunnah.

2.  Eat Less: Cutting down your meals a few days before prepares your mind, stomach, and appetite for the upcoming fasting.

3.  Be a student of knowledge: Learn the virtues of Ramadan, so that you can stay away from that which is not beneficial.

4.  Wake up for Qiyaam: Start by waking up 15 minutes before fajr and increase it as time goes on. This will ultimately also help you get use to sleeping less.

5.  Read Quran: Set time aside during the day just for reading the Quran. Last year, I thought the best time for this was after Asr (which ended up to be the time I would start to get “bored”).  Needless to say, it was not the most optimal time, as by then I would usually be  hungry, tired and not exactly in the best state to concentrate. So, this year I will prioritize the Quran and set time aside in the wee hours of the morning inshaa Allah.

Prepare for Ramadan by Getting the Kids on board:

1.  Outings: Take them to the places they want to visit now. With the extremely long days, you may not be up for walking around the farm or zoo.

2.  Get crafty: This is a fun way to announce the arrival of the blessed month so how about making some Ramadan decorations together.

3.  Share the knowledge: Prepare Ramadan related activities to teach your kids about the virtues of Ramadan. Reading books about Ramadan together is also a fun and popular family tradition to introduce or continue.

4.  Get ’em busy: For younger kids, prepare busy bags to use at the masjid.

Prepare for Ramadan by getting your Kitchen in Order:

1.  Meal plans: Break the feast cycle by having a 30 day Ramadan meal plan

2.  Freezer meals: Prepare the Frozen batch of samosas, spring rolls and even start baking.

3.  Deep Clean: Have a good old cleaning session for the kitchen.

4.  Stock up: If there is one thing I learned last few years is not to go shopping with an empty stomach. So stock up your pantry, so that you decrease the amount of times you visit the stores.

Prepare for Ramadan by focusing on yourself:

1.  Start a cleanse: Before starting a detox, increasingly incorporate more plant based diets. This gives your body time to adjust and reduces any initial side effects such as headaches.

2.  Curb the caffeine addiction (if you have one): My husband struggles with this every year, and his withdrawal symptoms include seriously bad headaches. But I have noticed that if he cuts down gradually he is usually is much better than if he goes cold turkey.

3.  Curb all addictions/habits: This may include any social media addictions such as Facebook and Instagram or other addictions to food such as sugar.

4.  Set goals: Set yourself some goals for the month, and write it down. Mine will include less social media time and to read more. If you need a free printable on Ramadan goal setting, you can get one by clicking here. 

5.  Plan how you can maximize good deeds during Ramadan: Write a list of all the easy ways you can earn some rewards and magnify them. Do you enjoy cooking? Host a dinner for your fasting neighbors, family or friends or make some food for the masjid.

Prepare for Ramadan by doing all the Shopping:

1.  Shop for Eid outfits: I buy the kids their Eid outfits way before Ramadan. This is so that it’s less stressful during the blessed month. I remember my poor mother always taking us shopping during Ramadan. Some days, we would be out all day trying to get everything done. Not a good use of precious Ramadan time, if you ask me, especially since it can be easily avoided with just a little bit of planning.

2.  Gift closet: Something I had started last year was to create a “gift closet.” Every so often I would come across a crazy deal on toys and books that I just couldn’t pass up.  So I decided to buy them and put them away so I could give them away on special occasions. So, as crazy as it sounds I have most of the Eid gifts ready which means less stress trying to find everyone that “perfect” gift on the fly.

So there you have it by preparing now we can focus on what’s important during Ramadan which is (ibaadah) worship.

 How do you prepare for Ramadan?