What I've Been Doing During The War

As a Bahraini resident, there is something that was not on my Bingo card this year: war. So we are at war because of countries we do not like. I do not want to make this into a political post so I will refrain from talking about the war itself and rather talk about the affect it has on my 'poor nerves'. Sirens, phone alerts, explosions, and restrictions are not the greatest to endure as one is also going through other struggles.

I wasn't able to make the birthday trip I planned on. But on my birthday, I spent the day at the beach, then had iftar with my husband, went to the gym, followed by cake at Wildflour (our tearoom).

Here are some things I have been doing while coming to terms of the realities of the world we are currently living in:

• Going to the gym: This has been a great reason for me to get off the couch, doomscrolling "news" on Instagram Threads, and move my body. Something as mundane as a walk gives me the feeling of normalcy that is not actually present but I am deluding myself successfully.

• Reading: This period has been such a great news for our local bookstore Neo because I am back on my reading game, baby! The books I discarded before as too sedate in which nothing really happens are so very welcome. I want nothing to happen. I want the peace and non-issues of Dream Harbor series by Laurie Gilmore.

• Journaling: I am writing more in my daily journal - things that are not about the war. Just mundane things like the weather and what I ate. I am making more lists and using my planner more for things I need to get done (and actually crossing them off the list)!

• Time with pets: It has been such a good time for my pets and my rescue cats as I spend extra time with them and give them extra treats to make up for their delayed flights and making them part of a human war they did not choose.

• Skincare: As a teenager, I was so into my skincare products and routine. Somewhere in my early 20s, I went back to just washing my face and slapping on a moisturiser as the occasional pimple I used to get stopped appearing. Now, I am back to spending more time morning and evening applying hydrating mists, serums, moisturisers, and barrier creams. I look like a slippery seal but it feels so good.

• TikTok: I have been posting more on TikTok just to keep my brain from obsessing over things I cannot control. If you are interested in what I am posting there, check it out.

Hope you are being fabulous. x