This week’s news has felt heavier than usual.

If you haven’t seen it, tensions have escalated in the Middle East after a U.S. military action in Iran. In response, Iran issued threats against U.S. bases, including one here in Qatar.

We don’t live near the base. And to be honest, life is still moving forward.

The girls are in school. I’m still packing for our summer holiday. I’m working.

But that quiet sense of awareness lingers in the background.

It’s one of those moments when your expat life and your real life collide.

When headlines aren’t just out there, they’re sitting with you while you sip coffee, check the weather, and figure out which suitcases still have working wheels.

Here’s the thing:

We often talk about why we choose this life: more freedom, more alignment, more adventure. But part of that freedom is also staying informed enough to make choices with clarity, not fear.

This isn’t about panic. It’s about presence.

The world is complex. And if we’re going to live in it fully, especially across borders, we can’t afford to tune it all out.

So we stay aware. We hold space for both:

🌍 the joy of slow mornings in the Middle East

📰 and the weight of global news that changes by the hour

We’re scheduled to fly out of Qatar on July 5th. And yes, I’m counting the days, not just because of the summer heat, but because travel always gives me perspective.

Until then, I’m choosing to stay grounded, stay informed, and stay grateful that life keeps moving, even in moments like this.

A quiet reminder:

Awareness is power. You don’t have to obsess over the news.

But don’t disappear from it either. Especially if your life depends on the choices you make from what you know.

Talk soon,

Sonaya 💛

P.S. I shared more about this moment and what I’m really thinking as a mom, wife, and expat in this quick video:

🎥 Watch it here on TikTok

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Why Doha, Qatar?

Here’s a bit of our story:

In 2016, I moved from the U.S. to London for love. Fast-forward to today, and my husband and I are celebrating 8 years of marriage with our two daughters, Mia (7) and Elise (6). Like every parent, we want to provide our kids with the best experiences and create opportunities we never had.

In January, my husband received an offer to work in Doha with a tax-free salary that was too good to pass up. I’ll admit I wasn’t thrilled about moving to the Middle East. I never imagined visiting, let alone living here. But the benefits were undeniable, and we decided to leap.

After months of back-and-forth on whether this move was happening, we finally landed in Doha on August 15th. And just like that, everything changed. I had spent 3 years building a life I loved in London—a thriving business, a supportive community, and a lifestyle that felt just right. Now, it was time to start over.

Highlights of Our First 7 Days in Doha

Before we left, Mia told me, “I know you want us to have a better life, but my life’s not that bad now.” That broke my heart. Still, we packed up our lives in London and flew 6.5 hours to Doha to begin this new chapter.

One of the most significant adjustments has been the culture. From separate waiting rooms for men and women at the hospital to designated entrances by gender at government offices, it’s been an eye-opener. And then there’s the matter of my legal profession status here—I’m listed as a “housewife” on paper, which feels like a slap in the face after building a business that brought me so much freedom and autonomy.

Living in Doha is different, to say the least. At the airport, I noticed that many families have nannies who handle all the childcare duties while the parents chill. It made me realize how much I’ve been doing alone and how exhausted I’ve felt juggling it all.

Despite the initial shock and adjustments, we’re slowly finding our footing. The girls have been resilient, quickly adapting to the new environment. We are in corporate housing, figuring out where to settle, and getting around by Uber for now. I miss the freedom of having my own car.

Mentally, it’s been tough for me. The first week was incredibly draining—I slept a lot but never felt truly rested. It wasn’t until a whole week had passed that I started to regain some energy.

Friday (Day 1) was a lesson in Doha’s culture: we went to the mall at 11:30 AM, only to find everything closed for Friday prayers. I had some disappointed girls, when they saw the deflated bounce park. By Saturday, we were back at the mall, and the girls had a blast at the indoor bounce park—where they even watched the kids while we shopped.

My priority has been settling the girls into their new routine. So I enrolled them in half-day trampoline camp for a week, and seeing their smiles reassured me that we made the right choice in moving here, even if the adjustment was challenging.

Food shopping was a surprise—luxuries like ice cream and Oreos are pricey, and our first attempt at food delivery didn’t go as planned. Temu has become my new Amazon —it’s not the same, but it’s working for now.

The 95-degree heat didn’t deter us from a brief scooter ride, though Elise quickly noticed her tan after just 15 minutes outside! We’ve also started exploring like our recent visit to a Doha Beach Club on Friday (Day 7), where I met a Qatari mom who I was surprised to see was actively engaged with her kids. We even exchanged numbers—something my therapist would be proud of me!

The work week here is Sunday through Thursday, with the weekend on Friday and Saturday.  This will take some getting used to. As we prepare for the girls to start school, I’m reminded that we’re all adapting to this new life, one day at a time.