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Overcoming Uncertainty

Uncertainty

Uncertainty is just a fact of life. There are certain things you can plan for and strive to achieve but never does everything go according to plan. Like roller coasters, there are ups and downs in life. However, unlike roller coasters, there aren’t always clear tracks we follow all the time. That is the beauty of life, we can always change. Some people fall into habits and like the same things all the time. I am not one of them. I like the thrill of new experiences and adventures. I seek out new things to learn, ways to become better and novel experiences to have. But sometimes it is hard to make that leap of change. 

There have been several times in my life where I wish I just had the answer or knew exactly what was going to happen next so I could prepare for it. Not knowing was driving me nuts. There were times where I finally had the freedom to choose to only be overcome by possibilities and stunted by my direction. There is an anxiety in making that first step into anything and not knowing if it is going to be the right choice. But not choosing or not taking the opportunity is just as much a decision as doing it

steps to overcome

There are several ways to combat this life uncertainty when you feel like your path in life is completely undetermined. You are determined to live your best life but don’t know how to do it. Don’t worry. Go through these steps and hopefully you will feel some more clarity for helping you on your journey.

1. Be kind to yourself

Don’t beat yourself for not having the answer. You don’t have to make the perfect choice. You just have to start and you can change your direction later. Negativity or putting yourself down will only slow your ability to make the decisions you need to make. Think of what type of advice you would give a friend who is in your shoes. Would you be generous and supportive of your friend? Now do the same for yourself. 

2. Control what you can and let go of what you cannot

There are some things in your life that you can decide and control and some things in life that are not completely determined by you. Respecting and understanding what you can and can’t control is a huge leap in acceptance. You can make all the right decisions and it doesn’t work out but that doesn’t mean you haven’t learned or grown from your experiences. We all go through horrible things, but those things make us stronger and give us skills to combat other struggles we will overcome. Reflecting on what you can control and focusing your attention and energy on those things will make all the difference. 

3. Seek support

Support can come in many forms. Sometimes it is asking for advice or assistance from a trusted friend or family member. Sometimes it is seeking out new people in the field you are exploring or who have gone through similar experiences. Sometimes it comes in the form of therapy or coaching to help you get through a challenging time or struggle you are trying to overcome. Remember you are never alone. 

4. Pay attention to what is important

Taking your focus off the negative things, things you can’t control and things that don’t affect you frees up time for you to focus on the things that actually matter. When you find you are stuck in a loop, focusing on stressful situations, dwelling on negative things of the past, focusing on others’ problems or successes, try to refocus on what is good and important to you. You also can shift your attention from social media, the news and negative thoughts to focusing on the present and the positive things in your life. 

5. Invest in yourself 

When you are unsure of what to do, one of the best things you can do is to invest in yourself. Focusing on your mind, body and spirit can make all the difference in turning things around. Self-care is not selfish. It is a way to make your life better for not only you but for those around you. Learning something new, trying something new, giving yourself the time to exercise, eat right, sleep, enjoy time with friends or family. That investment goes miles. 

6. Start today

There is always an excuse for procrastination. It’s extra hard if you have perfectionist tendencies. You might not know what will happen once you start but waiting for the perfect moment may put off your dreams and journey forever. Take that leap. Start down that path. You might not know where it is going but at least you are moving!