How to Embrace Uncertainty During a Midlife Crisis

Nobody likes uncertainty. Since the dawn of humanity, people have used divination tools to try to predict the future. They would look at the changing seasons and the stars, trying to decipher the cycles of nature to prepare for what lies ahead.

This aversion to uncertainty is hardwired into us because it triggers our survival instincts. We don't want to be in constant survival mode, as it drains our energy and resources. We become hyper-focused on the present, trying to escape predators, natural disasters, and other imminent dangers.

When we can't foresee a peaceful and predictable future, everything in between feels like a constant struggle. Today, we're going to talk about how to embrace uncertainty.

The word "embrace" is a fitting metaphor because when you're transforming your life, especially during a midlife crisis or turbulent times, you often don't know when it will end. If you did, it wouldn't be uncertain. For instance, if you knew it would end next month, you could prepare accordingly. But true uncertainty arises when you don't know when it will end or what the outcome will be.

So, embracing uncertainty is like holding onto a tantrum-throwing child or an enraged dog. You need to embrace them gently but firmly, letting the storm subside naturally. The kid may scream and kick, but you keep holding, knowing their energy will eventually dissipate, and you can release them.

It's the same with dogs fighting. You hold them until one yields a bit, and you can separate them. It's a delicate balance between holding them and not choking them or turning them against you. If you've experienced this, it's like trying to ride a mechanic bull in a fairground.

The point is, in times of turbulence or upheaval, flexibility is key. You can't plan when you don't know what will happen. Your ability to predict the future becomes extremely limited – only today, this week, or this month. You must focus on the short term because you can't plan ahead when the future is so uncertain. Your resources are better spent dealing with the swift decisions and changes that arise in the short term. You still need some hope, so don't put all your resources into an unpredictable future.

So, during times of uncertainty – whether it's family conflicts, health issues, or financial crises – make a list of what you can control now and what you can't. Focus on the near and middle-term. Anything related to the long-term that's beyond your control – set it aside. It's only a distraction for now. It will have its time later when the dust subsides.

Unsubscribe from notifications and eliminate anything that distracts you from focusing on your near and mid-term goals. The uncertainty may be an opportunity in disguise. It forces you to consider new possibilities and solutions, potentially accelerating your long-term goals, when reaching the other side.

Embrace uncertainty, don't fight it, don't run from it. Hold it flexibly, open to possibilities and change. Your ultimate goal is still there, waiting for you; you just need to navigate the uncertainty of the moment.

If you take one thing away from this, it's to embrace uncertainty. Hold it with flexibility and an open mind, knowing that it can lead to positive changes and bring out your best qualities, pushing you toward your desired destination faster and more effectively.