Embrace Uncertainty as Adventure
As humans, we like to be in control. We like to know whats next. We try to pack every minute of the day with to-dos, even if it means scheduling “free time.” We have the exact plan for when we’ll work, when we’ll relax, and when we’ll go to the gym. Or we’ve met someone new, and suddenly, we’re picturing the entire relationship arc in our head. Will they be “the one”? Will this be a long-term thing? Will they text back this weekend or ghost me forever? We begin subtly trying to control the pace of things by analyzing their responses, timing, and any minor signs. Basically, taking out our crystal ball and turning dating into a game of “Mystic Meg”.
When we behave in this way we like to think that the universe can’t throw us any curveballs because we’ve already mapped out your life like a military operation. Spontaneity is a threat to our order!
Humans love knowing what's coming next, but life, of course, doesn’t always operate on our schedule. While trying to control every moment can be comforting, it can also mean we heavily meander off of our soul path and we end up feeling unfulfilled yet can’t understand why when we’ve done everything right haven’t we? We followed society's check list, we got the promotion, the house, the partner, the family and planned everything to the highest order. So, why do we feel something is still missing?
Because maybe it is.
Taking a leap off of the straight,narrow, safe path into uncertainty can feel terrifying. You’re not alone in feeling that, but it's in this space that we can really start to feel into what it is that really lights us up. It's not the done thing, and people will tell you you’re crazy, but that's only because it feels confronting for their own inner world. Maybe deep down they would love to do the same yet it feels so unavailable to them, and that's also understandable.
So how do I start to move towards embracibng uncertainty as adventure I hear you ask? Here’s some tips to get you started.
Curiosity - start questioning the f out of everything that doesn’t feel totally aligned in your life. This can be confronting af btw (the work is never easy but always worth it) so push through the discomfort. Get out the journal and really start to question your beliefs. For me, when I realised I was no longer remotely lit up by my work as a financial researcher, yet it was incredibly well paid, and I had control over my work schedule, I had to really get into the nitty gritty. Can I really stay doing this just because it's comfy? Do I really want that for myself and my life? It turns out no, I did not. Did I need to have a totally solid plan in place for my future before I left (maybe you do and that's totally fine), but for me I realised I didn’t. I wasn’t going to find it sitting in my financial researcher chair either. I knew I needed to be brave and fully step out of the two worlds I’d been bridging and into just one of them. The world that emerged as the winner for me was wellness and psychology. I have not looked back for even a second. It's an adventure I wouldn’t change for the world.
Get Comfortable with Being Uncomfortable - Realise that discomfort is a natural part of life. The more you lean into it, the more you’ll grow. Start small by doing little things that make you uncomfortable (like trying a new hobby, taking a new route to work, or having a conversation with someone you don’t know well). It’s uncomfortable at first, but you’ll soon discover parts of yourself you didn’t know existed. Your confidence and self-esteem will also grow and that’s never a bad thing.
Presence holds peace - the unknown often triggers anxiety because we’re too focused on the future. Practice whatever form of mindfulness works for you and stay grounded in the present. Focus on what you can control now, and take one step at a time, rather than getting overwhelmed by everything that’s unknown.
Build unshakeable self-trust - this is so key and incredibly life changing. Trust that no matter what happens, you have the strength and resilience to handle it. You’ve got YOU, and there is nothing more powerful in this world than truly trusting yourself. The unknown isn’t something to fear, because you've faced challenges before and come out stronger. Reassure yourself that you have what it takes.
Surround yourself with people that are doing what you want to do - find a community of people who embrace uncertainty as part of the adventure. Being around others who see the potential for growth in change can help you shift your own mindset. They can encourage you when you’re feeling uncertain and celebrate with you when things unfold in unexpected ways.
Set intentions, not expectations - instead of trying to control every outcome, set intentions for the kind of person you want to be and the experiences you want to have. This allows for flexibility in how things unfold while still giving you direction and purpose.
Practise flexible thinking - Let go of the need to make one "right" decision. The adventure in life is that we’re allowed to change our minds and make course corrections along the way. The universe will find a way to whack us back on track when we fly too far off course. Being flexible and open to adjusting your path can turn life into a beautiful adventure rather than a series of rigid decisions. The likelihood is it will turn out better than you could have imagined.
Find joy in the tiny moments - Look for the little moments of joy that come with uncertainty. Sometimes, the best adventures happen when things don’t go as we planned. Being open to these spontaneous moments will help you feel more at ease with the unknown. Maybe you say yes to a last minute party and end up meeting someone that offers you a job (happened to me!), or you meet the love of your life there! Who knows? And how exciting is that! So much possibility.
Surrender. Its the most powerful concept in the universe. We try to control everything because we believe its the key to happiness. But the truth is, control can feel suffocating, and it doesn’t guarantee the outcomes you think you want.
Surrender is one of those paradoxical concepts that can be incredibly liberating when fully embraced. It’s about letting go of the need to control everything and instead trusting the flow of life, allowing things to unfold as they will. This doesn't mean giving up on your dreams or becoming passive, but rather releasing the resistance that often causes unnecessary stress and struggle.
In order to surrender we need to release the need for perfectionism and external validation - and yes, that’s not easy!
If you’re healing in any form, surrendering means allowing yourself to feel all the feels without rushing the process. Trusting that you will heal at the right speed for you, and allowing yourself the grace to take things one step at a time. It is truly transformative.
So often, we rush through life or set rigid timelines for our goals, convinced we should have certain things by a specific age or stage. When things don’t happen as planned, we feel like failures, but often, the universe has a different, more beautiful plan.
Surrendering is about accepting that life moves in waves, and sometimes, the best thing you can do is ride those waves rather than fight against them. Trusting the flow means allowing life to take you to places you might not have expected, but that may turn out to be even better than you imagined.
It’s the surprise and the surrender that not only lead to the best growth but also to a life beyond our wildest dreams. You’ve got this.