Strategies for Living Successfully with Uncertainty

As human beings, we tend to feel the most comfortable living with certainty. For many of us, this may mean living with the routines we’ve created day in and day out. With routines, our lives are filled with certainty and become familiar, like our favorite slippers and sweatpants.?

But what happens when our ways of being and doing are completely turned upside down? What happens when uncertainty becomes the new normal??

Uncertainty Can Be Stressful

Uncertainty can enter our lives in many different ways. For example, the current pandemic has created massive uncertainty in many of our lives. Or the death of a spouse or loved one can create a significant disruption in our routines and life. What about becoming an expat? Moving to a new country brings all kinds of uncertainty into what was once our comfortable, routine life.?

Why are we so stressed when uncertainty comes? For one thing, it’s uncomfortable. Uncertainty may bring fear, anxiety, distress, and more. These feelings are natural to us as human beings. We are hardwired to resist insecurity. However, such feelings can hold you back from making progress into a new life or moving in the right direction for growth and opportunity.?

The real key is to understand that uncertainty is a normal part of life. We can learn to handle tension by accepting this is necessary to help us grow.?

So, how can you learn to live with uncertainty and even thrive in spite of it? We’ve put together some tips to help you live through uncertain times successfully and more comfortably.?

1). Accept – Don’t Fight

The first step is to accept uncertainty as a regular part of living and realize resistance keeps us from growing. Think of it this way. Fighting against uncertainty only causes more pain and trouble. But, on the other hand, accepting uncertainty gives us a chance to learn, grow, overcome, and even feel better.?

So, try to practice acceptance. For instance, if you’re a new expat, know and accept that moving to a new country is going to be challenging. But, even so, it also offers a beautiful way to grow and expand as an individual.?

This is only one example. No matter the situation you’re facing, accept it and don’t fight. Accept this is a challenging time and avoid resisting. Instead, take the challenge head-on while acknowledging your own feelings through the process. Consider this a time to grow as a person and find the best this experience has to offer.?

2). Focus on What You Can Control

As you accept and then begin to move through uncertainty, there are parts of your life where you do have control. These are areas of your life that can provide the stability needed to help you feel more in control and stronger. They can provide the foundation on which to build your life during uncertain and insecure times.?

Having a daily routine is one area where you have control. Establishing a daily routine that’s comfortable helps you go through the day with confidence. In addition, having a familiar routine provides some level of predictability, which can be used as the foundation of your life. Instead of feeling as if everything’s out of control, you can establish some normalcy by creating a routine, a schedule, rituals, and habits that hold you together.?

And remember to find those parts of your life that bring enjoyment. Going back to the example of becoming an expat, do create a daily routine that works for you. But at the same time, look for new things to do, see, explore, and learn. These are the ways to find positive things in your new life while relieving anxiety about your future.?

Focus on creating a routine where possible. This can help relieve fear and anxiety while helping you to find the positives and enjoyment as you travel through the process.?

3). Invest in Yourself

What does it mean to invest in yourself? When things are uncertain, you are your own best resource. Unfortunately, during stressful times, there’s a tendency to let ourselves “go.” By this, we mean that many people may not care for their own physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being during times of insecurity and uncertainty. Some may not take care of their appearance or health, while others may let social connections slide. Maybe sleep hygiene isn’t a the top of the list, which leads to exhaustion and poor sleep. These are only a few examples of how we may not take care of ourselves when we are in difficult, challenging times.?

However, what we fail to recognize is that self-care is essential for uncertain times. Just to clarify, we’re not telling you to become selfish. There’s a vast difference between being selfish or taking care of yourself. A selfish person is only focused on what’s best for them, what they want, etc., with disregard for everyone around them. On the other hand, self-care is the way to ensure you’re healthy, happy, and accepting.?

Investing in yourself means self-care, but even more. When times are uncertain, don’t be afraid of trying new things. Take a course to develop or learn new skills, for instance. These are ways to invest in yourself. For example, if you are an expat, learn the language of your new home. Even if you’re there for a short time, you will have a deeper, richer experience of your new home by learning the language.?

Take time to invest in yourself in ways that make sense. Use this time of uncertainty to explore what you can do. And remember to enjoy the journey along the way. Have fun as you go through this new experience or time of life.?

4). Forget Expectations – Open Up to New Possibilities

When you live with specific expectations on how things should be, you’ll be disappointed every time. That’s a fact that many of us have had to learn when dealing with uncertainties. By expecting a specific outcome, you set yourself up for frustration, disappointment, and other negative feelings and thoughts. However, when you’re open to new possibilities, this is where the magic begins.?

By opening up to new possibilities, you give room for new opportunities and experiences of all kinds. New opportunities may be moving to a new country for work, building new relationships, and so much more. You never know what may be waiting around the corner.?

Of course, you can’t live your life waiting for the next best opportunity, either. So, rather than just waiting for the next opportunity, we mean living your life in a hopeful manner.?

Rather than setting up specific expectations, leave yourself open to the possibility of new things, new experiences, new people, and opportunities. Live your life each day without expectations. Replace any expectations with an openness to new possibilities and even exploring new aspects of yourself that are waiting to be discovered.?

5). Be Careful of Your Thoughts

Did you know thoughts are only things? They are only thoughts, neither good nor bad. Thoughts are natural to us, but they are only thoughts. However, our thoughts take on more meaning when we attach emotions to them.?

When we attach negative emotions to our thoughts, they take on an entire new meaning for us. Negative emotions can include fear, anxiety, grief, and more. Many times, when facing uncertainty, we let our thoughts run away with as many worst-case scenarios as we can imagine. Have you ever realized how much energy and time goes into creating so many worst-case scenarios? You may have felt pretty exhausted after such an exercise, and no wonder! It’s a lot of work!?

Your body reacts with stress as you work out all the worst-case scenarios you can think up. This is a natural response called the fight or flight response. When in a scary situation, your body creates a jolt of adrenalin to help you survive what appears to be a threatening situation. The problem is that your body perceives both real and imagined threats in the same way.?

When creating imagined negative scenarios, your body reacts as if the threat is real right now. In other words, the exercise of thinking through everything that could go wrong puts a lot of stress on your body, not only your mind. If you are constantly dreaming up negative scenarios, this eventually has an effect on your health. Such stress can lead to many health problems such as heart disease, hypertension, and more.?

So, instead of letting negative thoughts run away with you, actively choose to acknowledge your emotions. Then work to create some optimistic scenarios, too. Having a balance of both the worst and best scenarios ensures you will not overestimate negative consequences. Instead, you’ll be in a place of balance, where your mind can work unfettered by negative emotions. You’ll have a much better chance of making the right decisions in this mode!

6). Don’t Let Fear Reign Supreme

Fear, the very word, may conjure up negative emotions when you read the word. Even so, fear is a natural emotion, especially when faced with uncertainties. Fear is an emotion that can protect us; however, letting fear reign supreme will not help when you’re confronted by uncertainty.?

Fear, rather than being protective, can so run your life that you are paralyzed. It keeps you from living, changing, achieving your goals, and more. Instead, fear keeps you enthralled, alive in a narrow existence. While this may feel safe and secure, fear is depriving you of life.?

To tackle fear, find ways to ease your fears. For example, in uncertain situations, such as moving abroad, it’s helpful to research your new home. Research increases your knowledge and helps you learn what to expect in a new situation. Research can even help you may better decisions based on knowledge rather than fear.?

Another way to take care of fear is to focus on the here and now. For instance, you can take actions now that reduce worst-case scenarios in the future. And remember, you are still in control of some aspects of your life.?

When fear is causing you trouble, exercise can help. Even taking a 20-30 minute walk can help ease feelings of anxiety.?

And remember to reach out for support when you need it. This can be family, friends, and others who may have insights to help you. Reaching out for support can help reduce your fears in a huge way.?

Summing It Up

Uncertain times are a normal part of life. They can be what we make them, either positive or negative. Of course, there may be some negative aspects to uncertain times. However, by using the strategies in this article, you’ll have a better chance of using this time of uncertainty to bring out the best in yourself and those around you.?

Choose to embrace uncertainty and allow yourself to be open to new experiences. You can find meaning and purpose even during uncertain times!?