Personally giving up Haram things has been both difficult and rewarding. It’s embarrassing to admit but I used to listen to drill rap, do drugs, enjoy vile entertainment, and consider horrible people my friends. This isn’t irregular in America, but it’s a horrible guilt now that I see life differently. Music and pharmaceuticals were the hardest things to give up, while gender mixing is something I’m happy to no longer do as I’m in a committed relationship and have always been uncomfortable dealing with other women. I always felt uncomfortable with western ideas of sexual liberty and women being promiscuous because I never felt that was something I’d want my own wife to do. Pork is not something ive ever really liked and silk is not something I ever wore. I used to drink but when I could afford it and didn’t have a reason not to, but alcohol has never been something I needed to survive. The idea of “giving things up” is not really how I feel about avoiding Haram, but that’s the language that was used commonly in Christian and Catholic communities when referring to people following religious prohibitions like avoiding getting drunk or no longer fornicating around. A huge benefit of Islam for me has been to fix my own hygiene and protectiveness over my cleanliness and environment. When you truly believe the words of Our Prophet (saw) following his message and trying to live according to it is your number one priority in life. I can’t undo all the Haram from my past but will do whatever it takes to help my son avoid my mistakes and I hope to also convince my living family (grandparents, parents, etc) to turn to Islam.