Conquering Change: Trusting Yourself in the Face of Uncertainty

Posted on June 19, 2023 by Camilla Quintana, One of Thousands of Life Coaches on Noomii.

Does your life currently feel like a wild rollercoaster ride? One that’s filled with unexpected twists and turns, leaving you feeling disoriented, out of control, and uncertain about your next steps?

Then you’re in the right place. Consider this article your plate of comfort food, a nourishing blend of insights and guidance to help you get back a sense of footing and control in the middle of the chaos. So, grab a metaphorical spoon and get ready to indulge in the insights and inspiration I’m about to present!

- The Trouble With Uncertainty -

Whether you’re embarking on the adventure of moving to a new country, entering a new life stage like marriage or motherhood, or going through a significant transition such as leaving a corporate job to become an entrepreneur… there’s one constant companion joining you on this journey: Uncertainty.

Uncertainty has a sneaky way of creeping into our lives at the most inconvenient times. It stirs up a whirlwind of emotions, leaving us stumbling around as we search for solid ground, stability and direction.

Our minds get flooded with questions like: What decisions should I make? What steps should I take? What will life look like on the other side of this transition, and will I be happy with it? What if I’ve made the wrong choices?

Believe me, I’ve been there too. As an Expat Woman, I’ve hit the reset button countless times, moving to new countries, and immersing myself in new environments, cultures, languages and circumstances.

I understand those 3 a.m. wake-up calls when your mind races with thoughts of overwhelming challenges ahead. I know the frustration of trying to map out various scenarios only to find yourself tangled in a web of unknowns. It’s that constant tug-of-war between wanting to take control and being plagued by doubt at every turn.

Uncertainty doesn’t discriminate; it touches all of our lives, especially during times of change, when we’re navigating unknown waters and stepping out of our comfort zones. It’s an unavoidable part of life, which means that the only way to cope with it is by learning to embrace it.

- So, What’s The Secret To Conquering Uncertainty?

There’s a powerful antidote to uncertainty that will empower you to cope with it with confidence and grace: It’s fostering an unshakable sense of self-trust. That profound belief in yourself, your own abilities and your resilience.

Imagine self-trust as a lighthouse guiding your ship through a storm. It’s that unwavering beacon of light on the horizon. When you learn to trust yourself to be fine, and to figure things out no matter what, you can weather any storm and navigate even through the darkest of nights.

Usually, when faced with uncertainty, we tend to respond in two ways. We either:
- try to distract ourselves from it or
- get caught up in worrying and ruminating.

But let’s be honest, neither of these strategies helps us effectively deal with our feelings. So, let’s take a different approach.

First and foremost, it’s crucial to acknowledge that uncertainty is difficult. Not knowing what the future holds and how our lives will turn out would be tough for anyone. If you’re feeling uncertain, trust me when I say you’re not alone, and your experiences and fears are absolutely valid.

I wonder if you can think back to a time in your life when you were able to handle uncertainty well?
What situation were you in? What was it like? And what was different about between that experience and what you’re going though now?
Give yourself credit for finding your way through, and recognize that you are indeed capable of navigating uncertainty, even though it’s not easy.

Uncertainty triggers fear, stress, and anxiety, which narrows our perspective and disconnects us from our creativity and optimism. Our “fight or flight” response kicks in, making it difficult to see solutions and opportunities. As a life coach, I believe in framing things in solvable terms. So, let’s dig deeper into the questions that uncertainty brings to the surface.

For example, if you’re worried about “What if I the change ahead won’t be good for me?” Maybe you have a new career in mind, ending a relationship or moving away. What’s underlying this question is the fear that you may not know how to be happy with your new situation.

If you’re agonizing over “What if I take the wrong decision?”, you might indeed be wondering: what if I won’t be able to deal with the consequences?

Here’s the game-changer: by shifting the focus from external circumstances to your inner self, you gain control over your response to uncertainty. You may not be able to change the outside factors, but you do have influence over yourself.

What lies beneath uncertainty is the fear that you won’t be able to cope with the outcome, make the best of it, and thrive despite the challenges. Therefore, it’s not really about uncertainty itself; it’s about the trust we have in ourselves to navigate adversity and grow.

- What Can You Do To Develop Self Trust? -

Start by acknowledging your resilience. Take small steps to prove to yourself that you can handle uncertainty and adversity. Remember those moments in your life when you pushed beyond your limits, even in seemingly insignificant ways.

You can find your “safe area” to practice resilience and self-trust too. It might be doing one more push-up when you feel like giving up or consciously feeling your worries about getting hungry but not acting on them immediately. It might be pushing yourself to get up 10 minutes earlier in the morning, or ending your shower with an ice-cold stream.

Embracing these small challenges might seem insignificant, but they will help you strengthen your self-trust muscles and expand your capacity to thrive even when things get hard. Your experience of pushing through discomfort, even if just a little bit, or moving out of your comfort zone, will have a self-assuring ripple effect on your life.

Creating a safe space within your mind is equally important. Treat yourself with kindness, especially when you feel you’ve made mistakes, and forgive yourself for any missteps. Remember, if you are fully committed to doing your best in life, regardless of the circumstances, you not only strengthen your self-trust but also free yourself from regrets and self-punishment. You can rest easy knowing that you gave it your all.

So, when uncertainty knocks on your door, acknowledge its presence and its complexity. But instead of focusing on the unknown, focus on your ability to make the best of any situation and outcome! Once you’re rooted in that belief, new answers and solutions will become visible and feasible to you

Remember, you got this, and I’m here cheering you on every step of the way!

- Would You Like Help With Conquering Change and Mastering Self Trust? -

Then you’re in the right place! >>> Contact me today for a free consultation and let’s talk about how I can help you get there! <<<