They will judge you anyway, so keep going!

🌈 1372 – Tuesday, 23 September 2025, 22:53

London

“I Want Your Love” by Transvision Vamp is playing on Virgin Radio. I’m sitting at my desk, planning to go to bed by 11 p.m., though I doubt it will happen.

In front of me is a huge window, right behind my laptop screen. Across the road, one floor up, I see two big windows from different flats. On the right side is my usual “companion,” who often keeps me company while doing her work. She had turned off her lights after dinner earlier, but now the lights are back on, though I don’t see anyone there.

On the left is another flat with new people who recently moved in. I’m not sure how many live there. Tonight, a girl suddenly shouted “Ey bello” at my window, laughing and waving. Then two other similar-looking girls joined her, all three laughing and waving at me. They’re now watching TV in their living room with the lights off.

I should head to bed, but since I haven’t written in a few days, let me quickly put something down, since I feel good.

Woke up early today but kept snoozing the alarm and finally got up around 7:40. Nothing on the mind except “I need to get to work soon.” didn’t rush. Read a few rukus of Surah-Kahf in bed, then did affirmations, then Metta Bhavana. I put my hands on the floor, legs on the bed bed, did 11 push-ups, then sat at the edge and meditated reciting:

• 40 Surah Alham

• 33 Subhan Allah

• 33 Alhamdulillah

• 34 Allahu Akbar

• 100 Astaghfirullah

• 100 Ya Noor

• 7 Durood-e-Sharif

• 40 Kalima Tayyaba, “La ilaha illallahu Muhammadur Rasool Allah”

Then checked the family WhatsApp chat – everything was good. Gave a heart to Dad’s morning prayer message, then got out of bed.

I felt good but also kept thinking, “I need to get to work on time… runnnn!”

The bike tyre had been playing up, went downstairs to fill it with air, but it didn’t work, so I decided to walk to work so more less time now to get ready. Showered, offered two rakats of Fajr salah, 2 rakats of salah-tu-hajath and had chickpeas for breakfast. Thankfully, had ironed the shirt last night. Wore blue trousers, black shoes, and a cream jacket.

With Bloomberg Daybreak Europe just started on the headphones, left home, walked to Green Park tube station, and took the Jubilee line one stop. The train was crowded but fine.

At work, ran into a friend who said, “Nice haircut, looking fresh!” blushed and quickly walked away. The rest of the day went fine. Had a training session in another building until lunch, then went back, worked for an hour, and took lunch around 13:40.

On my way to lunch, called Mum. She showed me my little nephew Hamd (eating crisps) and niece Hawwa (who had just fallen asleep). My sister-in-law was around, and Mum was watching the kids, though she mentioned she was feeling a little queasy. I said goodbye, turned off my camera, and went inside to grab lunch.

Had haddock fillet with salad. The afternoon went smoothly, and I logged off around 17:50. A friend had invited me out for drinks with a few others, including two old colleagues. I wasn’t sure, but eventually said yes.

They had already been there since 5, and it was now 6. On my way out, bumped into another friend who said he still had an hour of work, but said to me to go and at least say hello. So I dragged myself to The Feathers pub in Westminster. It was beautiful, lively, and full of people finishing work and having drinks.

I couldn’t find my friends at first. At the bar, I asked if there was seating upstairs, and they said yes – it was reserved. I was sure my friends were there. I got myself a drink and was about to head upstairs when bumped into a friend. We started chatting, then another joined, then another, and by the time I finally went upstairs, my pint was already half gone. Everyone teased me: “Why is your glass half? Where were you? Why so long? Did you miss us?”

Stayed about 40 minutes, then left. On the way home, I had a funny video call with a mate, who was acting funny in the end on the video, wonder why, then quickly called Mum again to check on her. She said it was cold and raining back home, the kids had gone to their other grandparents, Dad was asleep, and she was heading to bed. I told her to drink something warm, wished her goodnight, and gave her a kiss over the phone.

Walked back home through Greenpark, made breadcrumbs chicken with salad for dinner. Just as I was about to get up, my dear brother texted:

“Assalam Alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuhu, how was your day? Happy National Day.”

I wished him Happy Saudi National Day too. He said he had just come back from the gym, eaten dinner, and was sitting down. I told him I’d also sat down at the just just now to do some writing.

I hope you’re day went well, something different, something unpredicted, life is a one-time offer – perhaps we should use it well.

Around the world today

• Russia–Ukraine war: Ukraine has increased drone strikes against Russian oil infrastructure (refineries, pipelines, and distribution facilities in Bryansk, Samara, etc.), disrupting fuel production and exports and causing shortages inside Russia. (Reuters)

• Israel–Palestine war: A UN Commission accused the Israeli government of seeking permanent control over Gaza and demographic dominance in the West Bank by expanding settlements, creating buffer zones, and displacing Palestinians. It reported that by July 2025, Israel had de facto control of more than 75% of Gaza territory.

• AI: A new tool called Delphi-2M can now predict a person’s risk of developing over 1,000 diseases, based on medical history, lifestyle, and demographics, and can forecast health outcomes decades in advance.

Three things I felt grateful for today

• Grateful I had ironed my shirt last night.

• Grateful and so glad I went for that quick drinks with the friends after work.

• Grateful my dear brother joined the gym – nothing makes me happier.

What would it take for me – and for you – to wake up 10 times stronger, more energetic, confident, happy, and grateful? To wake up early, have a good workout, start work on time, everything to be okay with family, friends and everyone around us, then have a relaxing, relaxing (mentally) yet a productive day tomorrow? I love you so much!

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Goodnight, good luck!

Ash Khaleem