A New Look on Times of Uncertainty
When times are uncertain, struggle slips in and disease lurks around the corner. See every uncertainty you have as a doorway. Open the door, by asking yourself what's behind it.
Certainty is what your mind demands of you every moment of every day. With that, you want to be able to stay in control under any circumstance. Yet, how often do you find yourself in a situation where you question yourself? You wake up in the morning with the idea that you can make the most of your day. All goes well, a couple of days go by, and you develop a rhythm. There are some obstacles along your way, yet you can handle them. Okay, it might cost some extra energy here and there. Luckily, all the techniques you’ve learned while growing up, at school, and during life help you to deal with whatever comes your way.
After a few days, you notice some aching muscles, a stiff joint, itchy skin, and other minor symptoms. You’ve had those before and survived, so it’s time to move on. Your occupations don´t allow you to stop, especially with the rhythm you’ve found. It’s remarkable how you’re able to find that extra energy. How wonderful would it be if you could maintain this! Let´s go for it, right?
Days go by and all looks well for you. Okay, the minor symptoms you experienced earlier are still there but haven’t increased. So far, so good. People even notice you more, as they value your input. They love your engagement, give you more responsibilities, and ask your opinion more often. Some even start to give compliments. Even more reason to stay motivated. Simply combine some tasks, so that it becomes easy to handle for you.
Within a few weeks, you’re in a vibe that all is working in your favor. You walk through the day with a strong dedication, something the people around you acknowledge. Amazing how quickly this has progressed for you. Time seems to go by quicker though, and you had to cancel a few meetups with friends and family. No issues here, you’ll catch up later, a promise you’re willing to keep. No way you’re giving up on the flow that you have found.
What Happens When You Start Questioning Yourself
The symptoms that you had before start to come back. And this time they’re more severe. A couple of mornings you woke up stiff and a bit tired, you had to skip breakfast to be on time for work. Luckily you’re just in time every day to keep doing your duties for the job. The demand has grown a lot over time, and you start to notice this. More emails and phone calls coming in, and more requests from your co-workers coming in. It is almost like they know that you have an answer to every question. In return, the first questions pop up in your head and a sense of doubt creeps in.
How are you going to deal with all of this?
What can you do to grow in your position?
When will you get to the point you longed for so long?
When will people see all the things you’re doing during a workday?
Familiar questions, since you have had this before. And somehow it all comes back, with every approach that you try. With each question that pops up, your goal seems further out of reach. You come closer with every attempt, yet you miss out the moment you take your chance.
Uncertainty Can Lead You Into a Maze of Disease
Something very small grows into a big issue and takes over your life. Yet you do exactly what was taught while growing up at home and school. Trying to make sure that everything is done in time, that you answer the questions that come your way, giving your full attention while keeping up with everyone else at all times so that you find the pleasure that you are looking for. And yet it leaves you stranded in situations where you question yourself.
Why can´t you keep up with others around you?
Why don´t you have the same amount of energy as anyone else?
Why aren´t you able to follow through with ideas?
Why is it so hard to share your story with others?
Why do you find yourself confused or overwhelmed for no particular reason?
What is wrong with you?
Stop.
Get uncertainties out of your mind instead of dealing with them
Eventually, it´s just your mind trying to make sense out of things that aren´t yours in the first place. Write it down, do a brain dump, get it out of your head, and burn it. Things that are not worth your time and attention are yours to let go of. All that is left is the experience itself and that’s more than enough.
Pick out the questions and invitations that are worth answering
People question all the time, mostly to process what’s going on in their minds. The strongest answer you can give to someone is ¨No¨. Without the need to explain yourself or feel guilty about it. If no one tells the other person that it’s not your responsibility to answer all their questions, they keep coming back. See it as a way of raising them how to treat you right, by setting proper boundaries. All the questions that are left, are the ones worth answering.
It’s okay if someone doesn’t see you and what you do
Anyone who doesn´t recognize you for who you truly are is not worth your time and energy. It’s beautiful as a lesson to learn from, in other words, to leave behind situations like this. And that´s it. Saying no to others to say yes to yourself sets you free. Remember: what you do you do for yourself first. Staying honest and true to yourself will bring the people in your life who support you no matter what.
Take a break to come back to a place of joy and calmness
Nourish yourself with a long shower or hot bath, some quiet time, and treat yourself to a healthy dish. Listen to the birds and ocean waves crashing, and do a walk of Love or Gratitude. The biggest treat you can give yourself in situations like this is slowing your breath. The moment your breath slows down so does your heartbeat. And in an instant, the rush is gone. Anything that is of true importance you can handle and all else is just a bonus. Enjoy the whole experience!
Protect your energy from draining people and places
Take a walk, go for a hike or a swim, go for a dance, do something creative. Move your body to release the energy that is not yours to handle. Walking away from unnecessary drama and negativity leaves only the truths and confrontations worth fighting for. In the meantime, you learn to let the emotions of others move through you like a wave without the need to identify yourself with it.
You’re not like others.
Following the rhythm of the world around you is tempting, especially in a new environment. Anything that demands your time, attention, and energy can make sense at first. Yet, in the long run, most of what you’re confronted with throughout the day is like noise. It’s there, out of your control, and not yours to handle. Finding your rhythm, the places and people that lift you up, and letting joy take the lead make the difference.
You are unique!
And you have the right to claim this.
No matter what others think of you.
Every uncertainty you have is a doorway.
It might scare you
Bring you doubts
Make you feel anxious
Confront you and tempt you to avoid the whole situation
Urge you to finish as quickly as possible
Open the door, by asking yourself what is behind it. You never know what you find out about yourself.
How do you deal with uncertainties? You can leave your comments below. I would love to learn more!
