London
Woke up at 08:27.
Bright and beautiful outside.
The top of the building opposite my road is beautiful. I opened my eyes and it fitted perfectly into the top part of my window. I could see just the top of the opposite building and the design on it. It used to be a boys’ school over 100 years ago.
The architecture on London’s streets is incredible. I just don’t know how these buildings are still so solid after all these years.
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful day today.
Woke up and texted my housemate, who is moving in with his girlfriend, asking when the van was coming. He said 09:30.
I decided not to eat or drink anything because I would be working out, carrying furniture down the stairs.
The van man arrived on time. We moved the sofas and all the furniture. Very sweaty, but a good workout.
Bid farewell to my mate, although he said he would be back again later.
11:30 — Jumped in the shower and went to do a showing near Baker Street.
11:52 — Got a text from the viewer cancelling, so I returned home for 12:15.
I was hungry by then and was looking for a banana, but I had none. So I asked my two female housemates if they had any.
One of them said I could have a pear from her. The other one was looking through everything she had to see if she could give me something.
I said, “It has to be a banana,” and we had a laugh.
So I walked up to the Sainsbury’s on Southampton Row and bought 22 bananas.
Returned home, put two bananas in one girl’s tray and two in the other’s tray, then made a smoothie with two bananas.
My other housemate was sitting in the kitchen, always curious about what I’m eating, so I offered her one glass from my one-litre protein shaker.
She was happy and liked it. She said she was going to buy the whey protein powder from Holland & Barrett.
I didn’t offer Zuhr today. Instead, I went scrolling on the app, which somehow made me go on an unanticipated trip outside.
Back home half an hour later, I showered again.
Then a mate was in the area and wanted to come and say hi. I said okay.
He popped around at about 14:30 for half an hour.
After that, I sat at the desk working for the next hour, until 16:30, when I felt very sleepy.
I took a nap for the next whole hour.
Woke up to a few texts.
My mate from this morning, who had moved out, was back to collect his final things and just wanted to say goodbye.
There were a few messages at different times. He must have started texting just as I went to sleep.
He was asking for a glass of something to drink, but I didn’t go downstairs.
I texted him as soon as I woke up to ask if he was still there.
He said he only had the next five minutes because his cab was on the way to pick him up.
I was just in time.
We had a quick three-minute chat, with another four minutes before the cab arrived. I went downstairs, we had another quick chat, and I helped him put the rest of his things into the car.
Then we properly said goodbye.
I doubt he’ll keep in touch, but I wish him all the best.
Soon to be a dad!
17:45 — Had a text from Mother checking what I was up to.
I told her, “I’m just lying in bed, Mother. I was helping my housemate today, so I’m just resting. I’ll do dinner later.”
She was already in bed, but we spoke for a long chat for about 40 minutes.
Today is my brother-in-law’s birthday. The rest of the family was at home.
After the long chat with her, I made a cup of coffee at 19:15 and had it.
Left home at 19:50 for the gym and got there just after 20:00.
I was on the rowing machine for 70 minutes.
Did 1,000 × “Astaghfirullāhal-ladhī lā ilāha illā Huwa, al-Ḥayyul-Qayyūm, wa atūbu ilayh
Returned home around 21:30 after showering.
A few of our housemates were sitting outside at the front, so I sat there with them and we talked about the upcoming lunar eclipse this coming Friday.
Then I headed up to the kitchen and made dinner around 23:30.
Too late, I know.
But it’s my time.
It’s my day off.
And I made sure I got back to my desk before midnight, because the story goes that if you don’t get to your horse before midnight, the magic changes and the horse and cart become a mouse cage.
But I made sure I was sitting at the desk before midnight.
I’ve got only 48 minutes of my annual leave left, and I aim to get focused tomorrow and finally finish the task I’ve been thinking about finishing for the past two weeks.
The one-night batting thing will happen.
What is Deadline-driven procrastination, or productive procrastination under pressure?
It’s when you keep putting something off because the deadline feels distant, but as soon as the deadline gets close, the pressure, urgency and fear of running out of time suddenly kick in.
That creates a strong burst of focus and motivation, allowing you to sit down for a few hours – sometimes even through the night- and finish what you had been avoiding for days or weeks.
And perhaps that is exactly where I am now.
Grateful for a peaceful but productive day.
Grateful for a long chat with Mother.
Grateful for being there to help my mate this morning.
What would it take for me and for you to wake up 10 x times bigger, thicker, leaner, stronger, more muscular, happier, richer; wake up early, get work done, take breaks, have a good workout whenever, have everything be okay with family, friends and everyone around, and then have a relaxing, relaxing, relaxing yet productive day tomorrow?
Sign up for the monthly letter below.
Goodnight, good luck!
Ash Khaleem
MY LETTERS ARE 100% FREE.