Salaam friends,

Ramadan is around the corner, and I’ve been thinking about it a lot. As the fasting month comes closer and closer, I get a mixed feeling of excitement and unease. The days will be long, fasting might cause a headache every now and again, sleep will be sporadic and unsatisfying, but I know it will be the best time of the year— just like the years before.

There is something to be said about deprivation that gives one a sense of contentment. That’s an underrated emotion, especially in a culture that’s driven by attention, achievement, and likes, where we only share with the world the best angle of our life.

Ramadan is a month where we go inward, search, and fill the holes that grow during the year, for us to come out— even if it’s for a little while— feeling complete.

🎧 What am I listening to?

I’m listening to the audio book Never Split the Difference: Negotiating as if Your Life Depended on It by Chris Voss, who is a former FBI negotiator. The book provides practical negotiation strategies and tactics for navigating difficult conversations and reaching mutually beneficial agreements. It emphasizes the importance of empathy, active listening, and effective communication.

I’m listening to the book for free on https://libbyapp.com/

💎 New From Me

This is a little cringy from me, I didn’t even share it on my social media for how embarrassing it feels. But y'all my homies!

I recently made a video about my MFA experience and uploaded it on YouTube. My intention is of two sides. One, I want to get comfortable talking to the camera. I feel very confident talking to a crowd, no matter how large or small, and that’s because of of my community and professional work. I want get as comfortable with the camera; I think is a valuable skill. The other, I want to produce content that’s infused by storytelling, which is a process I’m still trying to figure out.

If you have any feedback for me, please don’t hesitate to let me know. I know, just from a process perspective, everything sucks at the beginning, but with good feedback, consistency, and persistence anything can be done better.

📸 Through My Lens

🔖 Quote I’m pondering

“Popularity and materialism never fail to disappoint. Contentment is a treasure that never runs out.”

— Mohammad El Shinawy

Please share this newsletter with a friend that might benefit. You can give me feedback on Instagram. What do you want more or less of? Or other suggestions? Just send me a message @mohamedthewriter

Thank you for reading, and keep on creating.

Mohamed