Hey everyone,

So it has been a crazy 24 hours. Did two exams and a lot of university work in record time, as well as an evening shift at work and got home after midnight and then fell asleep with my make up on- yes it was one of them days! I then woke up this morning, and although I had an amazing sleep the whole night was a blur and my head was pounding. Not literally, more metaphorically. It still is, as I have a million and one things to get done today!

Anyway, I came on here as I have had quite an interesting 24 hours. I have just had a meeting with my solicitor and that is one great way to ruin your day. Don’t get me wrong, my solicitor is amazing but unpacking your trauma with your abusive husband (soon to be ex-husband) can be just a slight trigger to your mental health and peace- did you sense the sarcasm through the screen?

I really do not have time for sarcasm- I have a flight to catch in 19 hours and a lot to get done before then. I am also starving as I didn’t get chance to eat before or at work yesterday and then I got home and fell asleep. Hence, time to eat now and then crack on with my packing and meetings and chores.

In between all this, I actually was reading some Kafka. I do love reading Kafka as it just speaks to me in a different way.

“Don’t bend; don’t water it down; don’t try to make it logical; don’t edit your own soul according to the fashion. Rather, follow your most intense obsessions mercilessly.”
— Franz Kafka

Kafka isn’t describing ‘obsessions’ as harmful fixations, but as symbols of our strongest passions, instincts, and creative forces. When he says ‘don’t bend; don’t water it down,’ he’s comparing your passion to something pure and highly concentrated. Diluting it would mean weakening your purpose to win approval or fit in, and he’s urging you instead to keep that inner drive strong and uncompromised.

His line about not ‘editing your own soul according to the fashion’ uses ‘fashion’ as a metaphor for society’s shifting expectations. Changing yourself to match them means altering who you are just to be accepted. Kafka’s message here is to remain authentic rather than reshaping your passions for the sake of conformity.

When he tells you to ‘follow your most intense obsessions mercilessly,’ he evokes the idea of pursuing what matters with unwavering commitment. The word ‘mercilessly’ implies letting go of fear, doubt, or hesitation so you can devote yourself fully to the work or calling that grips you most deeply.

Overall, Kafka is trying to say one thing and one thing only: your passion is a rare flame — don’t dilute it, dim it, or reshape it to suit the world. Honour it boldly and authentically.

With love,

Amina xo