Train Delay, Panic Attack: Why We’re Probably Not Ready for a Global Crisis
The other day, I was on a train in Copenhagen, heading to another part of the city. As is often the case, there were delays, and the train was packed. As we neared a station, people began to shuffle out — and suddenly things started to go wrong. One person screamed, “Let me out!” and had a full-blown panic attack. Others followed, angry and rude, visibly losing control. What struck me was how many people seemed utterly unprepared to deal with such a minor inconvenience. This wasn’t a life-or-death situation; it was just a delay. Yet, for so many, it turned into a full-blown crisis.
In Denmark, where trains are manually operated, the likelihood of something truly catastrophic happening — like the train doors trapping someone — was practically non-existent. It was a simple delay, but the distress was overwhelming. And I couldn’t help but wonder: If we’re this unprepared for a minor inconvenience, how will we react if something much worse happens? A cyberattack, perhaps, as the government recently warned could disrupt services for up to three days. Will those same people who panicked on the train be able to handle a real crisis? Honestly, I think we are fundamentally unprepared for what’s coming.
Look at what happened during the COVID-19 lockdowns. The panic, the emotional breakdowns, the inability to adapt — these weren’t isolated incidents. We’ve seen long-term effects, especially on children, who are still dealing with the aftermath (and we’re still trying to understand what actually happened to them). This isn’t just about getting through a temporary inconvenience. We’ve become so dependent on comfort and predictability that we’ve lost the ability to cope when things go wrong.
Interestingly, I know people who’ve gone to extreme lengths to prepare for a crisis. Some have bought land in Sweden, stockpiled food, and even invested in weapons, anticipating a “zombie apocalypse” or global disaster. One is even teaching himself to be an archer. For real. And these aren’t doomsday theorists or hippies — these are all quite successful entrepreneurs, and powerful global executives. And yet, they’re planning for survival as if the world could collapse at any moment (and they are obviously way more prepared than I).
I, on the other hand, am not as prepared. We moved back to Denmark to be close to family because, in the event of a global collapse, I’d rather be with the people I love. This is actually a reflection exercise we conducted. But when I look around at my own living situation, I can’t help but ask: if another lockdown or something like that were to happen, how would I fare? Many homes today are poorly designed for resilience — minimalist spaces with no books, no games, no room to breathe. It’s no surprise people cracked during the lockdowns. How could they not? They were confined to environments that didn’t even support basic human comfort, let alone the emotional challenges of a global crisis (not to say that I’m better, but I probably have enough books to read till I turn 120..😂). But honestly, if the electricity disappears — what will you do in a minimal home that is completely tech reliant? (not to mention the basic needs).
When I reflect on this, I think of my family’s upbringing in the Soviet Union. My grandmother grew up in poverty, and hardship was a way of life. Yet, despite having so little, they made do. They knew how to adapt — whether it was foraging, mending clothes, or enduring the long lines for stamps. These weren’t just survival skills; they were ingrained in the very fabric of their lives. We even have a Russian joke that sums up the world situation: no matter how bad things get, the punchline is always the same — things were crappy before, they’ll be crappy now, and honestly, who cares? It’s just more of the same. But in a world where such skills (and such a mindset) have become increasingly rare, it’s clear just how unprepared we are for real adversity.
I’ve asked parents at the school meetings I have hosted how they envision the world in 2050. It’s a crucial question when we think about the future of our children. While we can’t predict the specifics, we do know that the rate of change is accelerating, and the systems we rely on are increasingly fragile. If we don’t start adapting now — building resilience, shifting our mindsets, developing the necessary skills — we risk becoming even more vulnerable to the unpredictable challenges of tomorrow. Because building resilience doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a mindset, a way of being in the world. It’s about being prepared for challenges rather than expecting comfort. Like the ability to remain calm in stressful situations enables us to think clearly and act effectively. Seven years ago, Marcus and I found ourselves stranded in the middle of nowhere in Iceland, in the dead of night during winter, after crashing our car. It was a terrible situation (I was eight months pregnant), and the only thing I could think to do in that moment was to meditate. We grounded ourselves and focused on deep breathing, which helped us stay calm and focused. Practices like mindfulness, meditation, and deep breathing can be powerful tools to keep us grounded in moments of panic.
Another predictor of resilience is having a strong support system. In times of crisis, we rely on the people around us for emotional strength and practical help. Building close relationships, maintaining friendships, and being there for others is vital. Right now, my family lives in a shared arrangement with another family: two houses, one garden, and occasional meals together. When we moved in, we joked that if another lockdown happens, we’d have each other. But the truth is, we were serious. If everything falls apart, we want to be in a place where our children can play, where we can still go outside, and where life can continue with some sense of normalcy — even if the rest of the world is falling apart.
When we talk about the future, many people I know refer to migration crises, rising levels of poverty, and how high-income countries like ours will need to show support for those less fortunate. There’s often this sense of moral obligation — as if we, the wealthier nations, are the ones who must help when things get tough. But honestly, after the train experience, I can’t help but wonder: Aren’t we the ones who are the least resilient?
If something as trivial as a train delay can trigger panic and mental breakdowns, how will we cope when the stakes are higher? When the disruptions are larger? How will we fare when the systems we rely on begin to collapse? It’s no longer just about power outages or network failures — it’s about food shortages, economic collapse, or social unrest. If we can’t handle small disruptions, how will we survive the big ones?
This thought takes me back to my time working in the Middle East, where constant challenges — network shortages, power outages, and unpredictable situations — required quick thinking and adaptability. It wasn’t always easy, but I learned to adjust. And I think, in the coming years, it won’t be the wealthiest or the most powerful who survive. It will be those who know how to cope, how to adapt, and how to manage in the face of adversity. And I actually doubt that it’s us.
We’ve become so accustomed to comfort, predictability, and a sense of control that even the smallest inconvenience feels like a major crisis. We’ve built a society around stability, but we’ve forgotten how to function without it. The truth is, resilience isn’t just about enduring today’s challenges — it’s about preparing for a future where those challenges will only grow more complex. It’s about being adaptable, resourceful, and mentally tough for the unknown.
In the end, it won’t be the goodwill of high-income countries that saves us when real disruptions hit. It will be our ability to adapt, adjust, and rebuild when the world falls apart. But we need to start building resilience now — not just as individuals, but as a society. If we don’t, we’ll find ourselves unprepared when the world changes in ways we aren’t ready for. After all, if a train delay can cause a panic attack, I’m not sure how we’d handle a global crisis.
So, how are things on your end? Are you preparing to escape to Sweden.. or?
