The memoir "Indian Boyhood" by Dr. Charles Eastman gives excellent examples of this. He describes life in his native American tribe as alternating between the best life can offer and desperation / extreme discomfort. They did little to no work in spring and summer but faced constant warfare and often bitter winters, not to mention the risks involved in hunting large game. He notes how they lived at all times just moments from calamity but didn't live in fear per se.