Soon you will realise it was all in your favour.

🌈 1375 – Tuesday, 21 October 2025 22:58

London

Just got up from the desk after sitting here for at least an hour and a half. Finally got up to grab the little radio from the other room – the silence was really getting to me tonight. For some reason, the quiet felt heavier than usual, and I didn’t want to sit in it.

I kept texting and calling my mate – probably more than I should have – just to talk to someone. Guess that’s what happens when you have too much free time and no plans; as they say, “an idle mind is the devil’s workshop.” And that felt true today.

Maybe it wasn’t that bad, just me overthinking and reflecting – wondering how things could have been different if I’d made other choices. In the end, all we really have is ourselves, our thoughts, and the direction we decide to take, even if we don’t fully know where it’s leading. All we can do is take one step at a time.

I’ve been off work this week, since the weekend, Monday, and now Tuesday. I hadn’t written since Friday, so I’ll try to catch up and sum up the last few days.

After finishing work on Friday, I remember taking a long nap after a long week. Woke up late that evening, and before I knew it, Friday was gone.

On Saturday, met up with a university friend I hadn’t seen in seven years. The last time we met was before COVID – she reminded me it was just ten days after her son was born. I remember wanting to visit earlier but decided to wait until she was back home and settled. Seeing her again after so long was really nice. Her son’s grown up now – running around and full of energy. We had a great time catching up.

We were classmates at uni and even shared a house back then, so it brought back lots of old memories. She cooked a big meal – fish, rice, okra, rasam, and daal. I stayed about four hours chatting with her and her son. Her husband, who runs an off-licence downstairs along with his IT job in Canary Wharf, was too shy to come up for lunch. If he had, we probably would’ve gone on talking for hours, just like old times. We promised not to let years go by before meeting again. That was my Saturday.

Sunday and Monday were mostly spent reading a book, “Kings and Queens” by Ian Dale – one I bought as a gift for my old boss and dear friend, whom I was meeting on Monday evening at 16:00. It was a 550-page book. I managed around 350 pages – not bad, though it was a tough read because of the old English and historical content. Had to reread parts to understand, but at least I covered English history from 1045 to 1650.

On Monday afternoon, despite the heavy rain, I made it to the Civil Service Club on my bike to meet two friends. They absolutely loved the book – said it was a thoughtful gift. This morning, I woke up to a message saying it was “the best gift of the year” and that it would give them hours of joy and a chance to live through history again. Made me so happy.

Last night got home around 10 pm, relaxed for a bit, and went straight to bed.

Now, coming to today – Tuesday.

Woke up early. It was cold, grey, and wet from the night’s rain, but by 9 am the sky had cleared up beautifully. After breakfast, sat down at my desk to get some work done. I realise mornings are my most productive time, so I wanted to use those hours well – got some writing done and finished a few tasks.

I’ve decided that no matter what, I should always dedicate a few hours each day – two, three, or four – to pure, focused work. No distractions: no emails, no phone, no social media, no interruptions. Just work. “Eat the frog” – do the hardest thing first, and once that’s done, the rest of the day feels lighter.

By the time I finished my solid block of work, it was 14:20 in the afternoon. Left home for the gym, wore just a jumper and jeans, with my gym clothes underneath. Went to PureGym Piccadilly. It was an odd crowd – I suppose people sneaking in workouts during their lunch breaks.

Had a short but really, really, really good upper body workout – four sets of pull-ups, incline dumbbell presses, pullovers, lateral raises, and some ab work on the machine. Had a shower there, headed home and offered Zohr Salah.

While I was still at the gym, Mum texted saying, Nephew Hamd was calling ‘Chachu, Chachu’” and wanted to talk to me. I video-called him quickly from there, I was sweating – said a quick hello and goodbye.

Had beef and rice for lunch, then video-called family again. This time spoke with my dear brother, niece, nephew, and Mum for about 40 minutes. It was lovely to see everyone together at home.

But afterward, I felt a bit down – my brother and his kids are visiting parents, and here I am, on my week off, sitting alone in London. Maybe I should’ve gone home too.

When your family isn’t close by, your friends become your family. I texted one friend to see if he wanted to catch up later, but he was at an event. I didn’t feel like messaging anyone else. Sometimes you just want to talk to one good friend, not start from scratch with others.

Later chatted a bit more with the same friend I’d been talking to earlier. We didn’t meet up, but we had a good conversation. In the end, people just need people – no matter how strong or independent you think you are. A simple laugh shared with someone can completely change your day.

Those who are surrounded by people they love are truly lucky. For now, I just want to stay grateful for what I already have, instead of always looking for something more.

Around the world today

• Japan: Sanae Takaichi has been elected Japan’s first female Prime Minister by the Liberal Democratic Party – a historic moment in Japan’s politics. (Reuters)

• Russia–Ukraine War: Russia has intensified its attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, targeting power and gas facilities with drone and missile strikes ahead of winter. (Reuters)

• Israel–Hamas Conflict: Despite the ceasefire deal, humanitarian aid in Gaza is still far below expectations. Both sides accuse each other of breaking the truce, and reports say Israeli strikes have killed several civilians. (The Guardian)

3 things I’m grateful for today

• Grateful got some writing done and will soon head to bed.

• Grateful for my family – the richest person is the one with happy parents and a united family.

• Grateful that I still have a few days off ahead and can plan them however I like.

What would it take for me – and for you – to wake up tomorrow 10 x times bigger, muscular, leaner, happier, energetic, confident, and grateful. Wake up early, make it to the workout, have a good workout, everything to be okay with family, friends and everyone around, then have a relaxing, relaxing, relaxing yet a productive day tomorrow?

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Goodnight, good luck!

Ash Khaleem