I thought being at home for an extended period of time, with no daily commute and no external distractions, would free up lots of time to do all those things filed under the “living my best life” section of my brain.
I would cocoon myself in my home, try to ignore all the fear and uncertainty around me, and fill my days with attempts at self-betterment.
I made a list of all the productive things I would achieve. I vowed to try at least one new thing every day. I enrolled myself in Yale University's Science of Well-being online course. I signed up for Chris Hemsworth's free fitness app. I borrowed a puzzle; dusted off the backgammon set; got out the recipe books; cleared a spot in my garden for a vegetable patch…
And then proceeded to watch five episodes of Money Heist in a row. And eat three Cadbury's Creme Eggs in one sitting.
Where is it written that we need to be perpetually productive?
In amongst the general global pandemic-induced anxiety, my period of self-isolation has largely been spent feeling optimistic about all the things I’m going to achieve – and guilty at not yet having achieved them.
I hear about those people doing marathons on their balconies and then despair that all I’ve managed to do is identify the top right hand corner piece of my puzzle.
I go out into the garden to start a work out, but often just end up playing fetch with the dogs.
My redecorating efforts have mainly consisted of moving a potted plant from one side of the living room to another. By all reasonable accounts, project-quarantine-kickstart-your-life has so far been an epic fail.
And then I saw a tweet by author Marian Keyes that struck a chord. “Lookit, we don’t have to use this strange hiccup in time to become fluid in Mandarin or learn to play the clarinet or achieve anything at all,” she wrote.
“We need to remember how scared we are… And the thing about fear is it’s exhausting. If we’re getting through the day without running screaming through the streets, we’re already at saturation.
“Where is it written that we need to be perpetually productive? What’s wrong with doing nothing? What’s wrong with having a rest? What’s wrong with admitting that this thing is beyond us? Feed yourself, wash yourself. Do the small necessary stuff. That’s all you need to do.”
The thing is, we are already trying one new thing every day...
We are coping with the repercussions of an unprecedented global health crisis, so everything is new. Yes, we should be trying to distract ourselves, by finding the small things that bring us joy in these uncertain times.
For some, that will be balcony marathons or daily workouts with Mr Hemsworth; for others, it will be re-reading your favorite chick-lit novel for the umpteenth time.
For some, it will be lying on the sofa bingeing on Netflix. Either way, no judgement. It’s okay to feel worried or despondent or sad or tired or anything at all. And there’s no need to place added pressure on ourselves at an already stressful time.
We should try to stay healthy and keep our spirits up and connect with the people we love. Everything beyond that is just a bonus.
Self-care is self-kindness – and it's okay to settle for just getting through each day, without perfecting your artisan bread-making skills.
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
Game Of Thrones Season Seven: A Bluffers Guide
Want to sound on message about the biggest show on television without actually watching it? Best not to get locked into the labyrinthine tales of revenge and royalty: as Isaac Hempstead Wright put it, all you really need to know from now on is that there’s going to be a huge fight between humans and the armies of undead White Walkers.
The season ended with a dragon captured by the Night King blowing apart the huge wall of ice that separates the human world from its less appealing counterpart. Not that some of the humans in Westeros have been particularly appealing, either.
Anyway, the White Walkers are now free to cause any kind of havoc they wish, and as Liam Cunningham told us: “Westeros may be zombie land after the Night King has finished.” If the various human factions don’t put aside their differences in season 8, we could be looking at The Walking Dead: The Medieval Years.
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Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20SAMSUNG%20GALAXY%20Z%20FLIP5
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Fighter profiles
Gabrieli Pessanha (Brazil)
Reigning Abu Dhabi World Pro champion in the 95kg division, virtually unbeatable in her weight class. Known for her pressure game but also dangerous with her back on the mat.
Nathiely de Jesus, 23, (Brazil)
Two-time World Pro champion renowned for her aggressive game. She is tall and most feared by her opponents for both her triangles and arm-bar attacks.
Thamara Ferreira, 24, (Brazil)
Since her brown belt days, Ferreira has been dominating the 70kg, in both the World Pro and the Grand Slams. With a very aggressive game.
Samantha Cook, 32, (Britain)
One of the biggest talents coming out of Europe in recent times. She is known for a highly technical game and bringing her A game to the table as always.
Kendall Reusing, 22, (USA)
Another young gun ready to explode in the big leagues. The Californian resident is a powerhouse in the -95kg division. Her duels with Pessanha have been highlights in the Grand Slams.
Martina Gramenius, 32, (Sweden)
Already a two-time Grand Slam champion in the current season. Gramenius won golds in the 70kg, in both in Moscow and Tokyo, to earn a spot in the inaugural Queen of Mats.
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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2.3-litre%204cyl%20turbo%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E299hp%20at%205%2C500rpm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E420Nm%20at%202%2C750rpm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E10-speed%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFuel%20consumption%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E12.4L%2F100km%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENow%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh157%2C395%20(XLS)%3B%20Dh199%2C395%20(Limited)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
Dubai Bling season three
Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed
Rating: 1/5
The years Ramadan fell in May
Fringe@Four Line-up
October 1 - Phil Nichol (stand-up comedy)
October 29 - Mandy Knight (stand-up comedy)
November 5 - Sinatra Raw (Fringe theatre)
November 8 - Imah Dumagay & Sundeep Fernandes (stand-up comedy)
November 13 - Gordon Southern (stand-up comedy)
November 22 - In Loyal Company (Fringe theatre)
November 29 - Peter Searles (comedy / theatre)
December 5 - Sinatra’s Christmas Under The Stars (music / dinner show)
Killing of Qassem Suleimani