Don’t break yourself just to fit into someone’s life!

🌈1408 – Saturday, 6 June 2026 22:27

London

The weather has suddenly changed in London.

It was very, very, very warm all of a sudden last week and stayed that way until Monday this week. I still remember heading to the gym on Monday evening on my bike wearing only a T-shirt, thinking I should probably get my jumper out. Then the weather changed.

It started raining heavily on Tuesday. There was also a Tube strike that day. I was about to leave home for work when the rain started, so I stayed home instead.

Since then, it has been raining on and off, and the temperature has dropped drastically. Instead of just getting my jumper out, I had to bring out my full winter jacket.

Right now, I’m still comfortably sitting at the desk writing and typing with three layers of clothing on, including socks. The rain has only just stopped now. It was raining until around 7 p.m., with strong winds as well.

It’s so strange how the weather can go from one extreme to another.

I’ve always been fascinated by the fact that Australia has summer around Christmas while it’s usually freezing cold and sometimes snowing in England at that time. It’s the same planet. I understand it’s on the other side of the world and there must be an explanation, but it still feels strange to me.

I’ve completely lost my train of thought and got carried away.

I didn’t have my laptop charger with me for a few days, so the laptop went flat. I just realised that the last time I sat down to write was on the 31st of May. When I looked at the published site, the page appeared blank.

I went back to see whether I had actually written anything that day.

I had.

But the first line of the page said, “Not for publish.”

I wondered what I had written. As I started reading it, everything came back to me.

We’re just human beings, and we forget things.

If I hadn’t written that day – if I hadn’t poured my heart out and expressed exactly how I was feeling – then that chapter of my life would have disappeared.

There was quite a learning curve on that day, and somehow that onion layer still feels like it belongs hidden beneath the surface rather than seeing the light of day.

So for now, I’ve put a password on it.

If you’re someone who has thought about writing something, I can tell you this: the time spent, the lessons learned, and the experiences you’ve gained multiply with a ripple effect when they’re written down and shared.

We can only learn from each other’s mistakes.

Everyone and everything is just perception.

So please don’t hold back.

Let it all out.

Start now.

Start with a single letter.

Then a word.

But write.

Just write.

Come on.

Anyway, I woke up early today, even though I slept strangely last night and woke up several times.

I was feeling a bit under the weather yesterday, so I skipped my workout routine on Friday. After finishing work, I tried to take a nap in the evening but couldn’t fall asleep.

Surprisingly though, I woke up today feeling fresh and fully present.

I was still lying in bed and wanted to first look at the scenery of “Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem” hanging in my bedroom. My eyes searched for it, and that was the very first thing I looked at clearly this morning.

That was followed by a Ruku of Surah Kahf, then a good morning prayer message, and then some affirmations while still in bed.

I went to the bathroom, came back, and sat down to meditate while reciting Surah Fatiha 40 times.

After that, I got out of bed, brushed my teeth, made a cup of coffee, and got dressed.

I wore shorts and a T-shirt underneath, then jeans and a jumper, and finally a thicker hoodie-style jacket on top.

It was very windy outside.

I left home and cycled from Queen Square to Marshall Street Leisure Centre near Oxford Street.

I did exactly 1 hour and 1 minute of rowing on the machine.

I felt great afterwards.

I stayed there for a little while enjoying the feeling.

By then, the weather had cleared up slightly, and the morning seemed brighter.

As I was returning home and still climbing the stairs to my flat, I received a text from my dear mother asking what I was up to.

I told her I was feeling much better, that I had gone to the gym in the morning, and that I was about to make breakfast.

Earlier, I had checked their home camera and seen Dad nearby while Mother was preparing vegetables at the dining table.

She replied that she had just left the dining room and was now resting in her bedroom.

She also told me that Dad wanted me to call him after I had breakfast.

I quickly finished breakfast.

After a good workout, it felt like a really good meal.

I had chicken and rice.

I planned to call Dad, but it was their afternoon nap time. Both of my parents had gone to sleep.

Mother texted me to say that Dad was asleep and that she would let me know when he woke up.

About half an hour later, she messaged again and told me he was awake.

I called him.

It was around 12:10 in the afternoon for me.

We had a long conversation.

I finally got the chance to speak with Dad properly about the flat I’m hoping to buy in the next few days.

I had already told him on Thursday afternoon that my offer had been accepted.

Now I just need to begin the process.

He asked about the details of the flat and all the formalities involved.

It’s such a nice feeling to have parents and elders supporting you in the things you want to pursue in life.

I send my love and blessings to all the people who don’t have that support.

And I encourage everyone to be supportive of younger people whenever they can.

After the call, I felt a sense of relief.

The whole day seemed lighter.

I did a few errands at home after the long conversation with my parents and then took a decent nap.

Later, I got ready and headed to Knightsbridge, my usual weekend hangout spot.

As I was leaving home, it was raining outside.

I grabbed my umbrella first.

Then, while walking down the stairs, I realised I should take my hat as well.

The colours matched perfectly with my long jacket, and together they looked great.

I took the Piccadilly line from Russell Square to Knightsbridge.

Along the way, I noticed quite a few people turning around to look.

The hat has that old-fashioned gentleman’s style. These days, it’s usually older people who wear hats like that, or people attending special events or on holiday.

I think I’ve made up my mind to wear it more often from now on.

Why not make every day feel a little special for no particular reason?

Just to feel good.

And I’ll wear it on the way home too, now that it isn’t raining.

Three things I feel grateful for today

• Grateful for that long conversation with my parents today.

• Grateful for my lovely gentleman’s hat, which a friend bought for me in Camden many years ago when we spent the day there together.

• Grateful that the rain stopped and the weather cleared up so I can head home soon.

What would it take for me – and for you – to wake up ten times bigger, thicker, leaner, muscular, richer, stronger, happier, and more energised, to wake up early, to have a great workout, for everything to be okay with family, friends, and everyone around us, still have a relaxing, relaxing, relaxing, yet productive day tomorrow?

Sign up to the monthly letter below.

Goodnight, good luck! You know I love you!

Ash Khaleem