Gosh…we are almost coming to the end of this extremely tumultuous year and wondering about how we want to try to make sense of how we can integrate this pandemic into our lives. We have been incredibly challenged and have faced some variation of uncertainty, whether that be the pandemic, politics, economic instability, work schedules being upended, or some other unforeseen challenges. As humans, we yearn to know information about the future and when this capability is taken away it can be difficult to cope. We are hardwired to perceive the unknown as threatening since that helps us create safety. Anxiety is a normal response to a pandemic. As an emotion, anxiety is considered innate and necessary for survival. It is also a defense mechanism that helps us cope. Think of anxiety as a coiled spring that is ready to pounce in case we need it. We may even look towards astrology signs and conspiracy theories to fill in the blanks of the unknown and uncertain.
Sometimes it can feel as if there is nothing to do and nowhere to go, but once we learn to shift our mindset and curate a sense of agency then we can be resilient for life’s future curveballs.
When we face uncertainty head-on, it helps us learn and grow. Going into denial does not serve the mind well. Resistance prolongs the pain and anxiety associated. A state of mind where we learn to honor and accept adversity can help us move towards acceptance, which forces us to surrender our discomfort and allows us to learn and move forward. Generating comfort guides us to rest and take breaks from stressing about daily mysteries. The essence of life is that we will have obstacles and we will be surrounded by uncertainties. If we obsess on the small events that we cannot control, we are setting ourselves up to remain in a state of edginess. We can choose to have the option to be in charge of what we are able to impact and accept what we cannot.
We may want to consider shifting our viewpoint to be more appreciative, rather than anxious, about life’s variability. Making a daily gratitude journal is one of the BEST gifts we can give ourselves. We are also very blessed that we do not have to constantly navigate where life takes us, and spontaneity can be very stimulating and life energizing. When we allow ourselves to have gestures of gratitude for the simple things in life such as a mate who unexpectedly did the laundry, a flower you may have received, or a tight hug from your child when you walked back home. In the grand scheme of things, our lives are full of uncertainty, we never know how each day will unfold. By shifting our fear to acceptance we are reinforcing our ability to succumb to life’s vastness.
Daily Good is a great resource that gives a perspective that gives us permission to step into spirituality. https://www.dailygood.org/story/2324/deepening-our-comfort-with-uncertainty-kristi-nelson/
