When life becomes uncertain.

Welcome to the Good Life Chronicles, where living a good life takes center stage.

I didn’t write a newsletter at the scheduled time two weeks ago.
Like many, I wasn’t sure what to say.

What’s happening in the Gulf region is ongoing, and at this point, 19 days later, it’s clear this isn’t something we can soften with easy reassurance or “it’ll be fine.” It will be, in time. But right now, that’s not the experience.

What I notice, in myself and in others, is a shared state: background uncertainty, low-grade anxiety, moments of heightened attention, alternating with pockets of normality and focus… until the next missile alert.

We find ourselves trying to talk about anything but it… and then realizing it dominates everything. Moments of frustration surface: was there ever a plan? How dare this unfold the way it has? And something else too: a sense of pride. Living here, like many across the GCC, there is a strong feeling of being looked after, of stability, and of standing in solidarity with the place we call home.

That mix of emotions is real, and it’s not overreacting.
It’s a normal response to a messy and volatile situation.

So the question becomes: how do we live well, as well as possible, in the middle of it?

For me, that has meant returning to a few simple things.

First, regulating myself physically. Movement helps. Evening walks, tennis, and my morning ride dislodge tension and distract.

Second, I deliberately watch things that make me laugh. It sounds trivial, but it isn’t. Laughter resets breathing, softens tension, and gives the mind a moment of relief, as well as perspective.

Third, something we don’t talk about often: planning for the worst. Pessimism isn’t something to avoid; used well, it’s a tool. I’m expecting this to last several weeks or months. That’s not being dramatic. It’s planning for the worst and hoping it never happens. It allows me to move past “waiting for things to go back to normal” and adjust to this new reality now.

Fourth, I’m trying to discipline myself to get the facts—the information I need—from official sources (not TikTok), and then stop looking. Doomscrolling only adds to anxiety.

Fifth, I’m trying to keep a routine. Laundry, work, breakfast, meetings, gym, sleep, cycling. Domestic routines anchor us to life.

And finally, checking in on people. A quick “I’m not going to ask you how you are because it’s now annoying! But here’s to an alert-free evening” is as much an expression of care as it is an uplift for all.

That, for now, is what my Good Life looks like under these conditions. Trying to live well isn’t something we only practice when things are calm.
It’s something we return to, especially when they’re not.

This will pass. And it will ask something of us in the meantime: courage, persistence, and the willingness to take many deep breaths.

For those of you in the region, what does “living well” look like for you right now, and what is one small thing you can do today to gain some control and support yourself or someone else?

Share it in the comments here or below depending on your platform. Remember to sign in to leave a comment.

Take care of yourself - and others.

xx

If you’re finding this moment difficult to navigate, you’re not alone. Many of the skills we talk about here, like regulating emotions, building perspective, strengthening courage and kindness, are things we can learn and practise over time.

If you’d like more structure and support, my online course Pyschological Capability for Life and Work brings together 40+ evidence-based strategies to help you manage stress, build emotional strength, and create a steadier sense of wellbeing, even and especially, in uncertain times. Learn more about it here.