Whether we realize it or not, we are always dealing with some level of uncertainty and lack of control. The last few months though have added a new level of fear of and confusion when it comes to uncertainty.
Here are a few things I am continually reminding myself to help with the fear of uncertainty.
1.
The universe must want me to understand this message on a very deep level. From now on, I’ll do my best not to ask the following questions:
- Why is this taking so long?
- How long will it take?
- Will it really take that long?
- Are we there yet?
I surrender to things taking as long as they take.
2.
If the fear of uncertainty is causing extra stress, reduce other stress that is within your control.
3.
Even through the fear of uncertainty, the world is still yelling. Pay attention to me! Buy me! Watch this! Read this! Scroll all the way to the end! Get on this Zoom call! Do this! Feel this way! Not this way!
And it will keep yelling. And you will keep putting your hand on your heart to remember what’s important to you. Even though things are different now, you still get to have boundaries. You still get to decide where your attention goes and when. And tomorrow, when things are different again, you can decide again. Put your hands on your heart.
4.
The hard stuff will pass and so will the good stuff. May that thought both relieve some anxiety and encourage us to really appreciate things for what they are.
5.
Gratitude makes the hard stuff bearable and the good stuff even sweeter. I remind myself of this over and over again, especially on really challenging days. Even in the midst of a bad day, there is something good to recognize and appreciate.
6.
I wrote this in Project 333 and in Soulful Simplicity as a reminder that we can’t shop, eat, drink or busy our way out of feeling what we we feel. We can’t escape ourselves and the sooner we realize that we don’t have to fix our feelings, the sooner we can notice that for the most part, they come and go. Some need our attention. Some don’t. And the ones that do need our attention don’t need us to numb them or shove them down, they simply ask us to take care.
It’s so tempting to quiet the feelings with outside forces right now but instead, come back to yourself. Remember that you are a force that can comfort and heal.
7.
When we lose our footing, we search for meaning to become grounded again. It’s then that we can more easily identify what matters and what doesn’t.
There will always be uncertainty, and there may always be some level of fear of uncertainty and we can ease that fear by taking good care, deep breaths and being gentle with ourselves and those around us.