Embracing uncertainty

I am looking for a job again, and although it’s easy to enjoy free time while not working, what I am finding harder is not knowing what’s coming next.

I’m not what you’d call a happy-go-lucky person, in fact anyone who knows me will tell you I’m a control freak. I normally deal with uncertainty by overpreparing. Whether planning for a work meeting or a weekend away, I’ll have plan, plan B and plan C.

So not knowing I’ll be spending most of my time doing next (since we spend most of our lives at work) is a bit nerve-racking.

As you will know if you’ve been there, sending out applications these days feels like the lottery. You put hours into applications, invest emotionally into the jobs you want, only to be ghosted in the last stages by the company (who may or may not be fronted by AI).

The whole process can feel totally demoralising.

So this time, instead of fixating on the outcome, I am determined to focus on the process and trust that I will find something I like eventually.

Easier said than done.

To be honest even, when we do get our dream job, we still can’t control how it will go or long we’ll work there. Doing our best work still doesn’t guarantee things will turn out great.

If this makes you feel anxious, me too – most of the time.

But I’m working on it, and here are a few tips I have found helpful to build resilience in times of uncertainty:

• Be in the moment: meditate, walk, swim, cook, draw, whatever feels good to you and connects you to a peaceful space

• Focus on what you can control and maintain a positive attitude when you can

• Talk to others. Don’t be stuck in your head: a worry shared is a worry halved

• Take time to notice the good things in your life, however small

• Journal, but only if it helps you feel better (writing about your same problems every day isn’t always that helpful)

• Take care of your physical self: eat healthy, exercise, sleep well. But don’t forget to have fun too (I strongly believe snacks are therapeutic)

• Make big plans for what you dream of doing later. When everything is up in the air is the best time to start afresh

• Remember all the times things went wrong and you were fine in the end: you’ll be fine this time too.