For example, if it is uncertain whether or not you will be moving to a new country, or whether you will be accepting a new job in your current country, make plans for how you will enjoy either outcome. If you end up staying, you might join a new gym, or find a new flat. If you move to a new country, look into the opportunities that expatriates have in that country to get together.
Use things such as your values, beliefs, and ultimate life goals to help you reduce the choices, if that is relevant for your decision. For example, if you are feeling uncertain about a few job offers you have received, think about how each job will help you accomplish your career goals, but also about how they will influence your quality of life. If you have a very involved family life, it may not be a good idea to choose a job that can call you away at any time of the day or night. This can help you eliminate one or two of your choices based on consideration of what is important to you.
For example, if you have a dream of attending a good college and becoming a doctor, then make that your goal. Whatever your goal is, write it down. This helps make it more concrete. Some goals may be more difficult to achieve, and may require more commitment, but with enough time and discipline, you can achieve almost anything. On the other hand, make sure you are realistic about your goal. Setting a goal to run a marathon in one month even though you’ve never run in your life is not a realistic goal.
For example, if you want to get into the best university in the country, but realize that you won’t be able to afford the costs of doing so, try looking into some other options. There are many, many good universities that are more affordable than some of the ivy leagues. On the other hand, if you simply must go to that expensive ivy league, consider attending part-time. This will give you enough time to also have a part-time job. Obviously this won’t cover everything, but it will help put some money in your pocket, and has the added bonus that you will have a bit of experience to put on your resume.
For example, if you have been training for your marathon, and you’re at the starting line on race day, but feel worried and uncertain that you won’t be able to finish, then let your backup plan be that when you get to the half marathon mark, you can stop if you feel that it is too much. Although this may be a slightly disappointing outcome, you can then take stock of your training, and have a better idea about what to expect next time. Then, you’ll definitely be able to finish.
For example, if we knew when we were born, who we would marry, how many kids we have, what kind of job we would do, we would lose our sense of adventure and curiosity. Try to embrace uncertainty as much as you can. Instead of being afraid of what’s to come, try reframing that thought process to be excited for what’s to come.
For example, if you or someone you love, has found out they may be suffering from a serious disease, search the internet for all the information you can find. Talk to other people who have the disease. This may result in some scary truths, but it may also help calm your anxiety that is related to the uncertainty of the diagnosis.
For example, if you are worried because you feel uncertain about whether or not you will get to go on a date with the person you like, remember that there are many other people on the planet, and just because you like someone doesn’t mean they should like you back. If it turns out they don’t feel the same, you will eventually meet other people you find interesting, and they might feel the same.
You could also do something to reassure yourself of your emotional strength. You could, for example, do something that scares you, like going to a social gathering where you don’t know anyone and making a new friend.
Another good way to use your time is through volunteering. You could try volunteering at an animal shelter, which will give you a good way to focus on something else, and will help a homeless animal as well. You could also use a different activity to distract yourself for a few hours, adult coloring books have become very popular recently, and many claim that they are a good way to relax and get your mind off of the day’s stress and worries.
If your past experience did not work out how you wanted, then it is more proof that no matter what happens, you will find a way through it. Oftentimes, the worst-case scenarios that we fear don’t come to fruition. So, instead of thinking about the worst possible scenario of what might happen, try thinking about the best possible scenario of what could happen. For example, maybe you had to make a tough decision about which university to attend. How did it work out for you? Were you sorry that you chose the university that you did? Most likely not! If you felt that you had chosen the wrong one, how did you deal with it?
You could attend a yoga class, or simply find a relaxing yoga video on the internet. Meditating will not only help your brain focus on something different, it will also improve your ability to deal with stressful and uncertain events in the future.
If you have a trusted friend, you can also talk to them about your worries, but if your anxiety over uncertainty is affecting you so greatly that you have trouble getting through daily life, it is probably best to seek professional help.
For example, if you feel uncertain about your performance on a recent exam, try to work through the different scenarios. If you did very poorly on your exam, how will it affect your grade? Will you be able to make up for the poor grade through extra credit, or through the remaining assignments and tests you have left? Can you discuss the issue with your teacher to see if there are other ways of improving? This will help your brain to think more pro-actively and positively.
This will help give your mind an outlet. You don’t have to do anything with this writing when you are done with it, just simply give yourself a way to get everything you are thinking out of your brain.
If you are religious, praying can give you some comfort as it allows a way for your brain to “talk through” the issue with an entity that you trust in. While it may not fix the problem entirely, it can provide you with some comfort, which may help you see other ways of dealing with your uncertainty.
