In Times of "Uncertainty," Fear + Panic

by Dr. Cailin O'Hara, DACM, LAc, Dipl OM

In Times of Uncertainty:
Moving Forward on a New Trajectory
guidance for COVID-19 and all the times that destabilize us

​In fact, all times are uncertain. We’re used to predictability, but much of predictability is actually based on our expectations, rules and beliefs. Regardless, we find a great deal of comfort in things going our way, how we want them to go, how we expect them to go.
 
When things aren’t as we expect or plan, it feels destabilizing, scary, unsettling, shocking. What can we do with this energy? How do we move through those heavy feelings of unknowns, what ifs and fear?
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1) Uncertainty creates opportunities and options.
As long as we feel certain about things, we are less able to see other sides and possibilities. We’re locked in and cruising along, sometimes for so long that we wind up running on autopilot. It’s not so much that uncertainty creates options but that it allows us to finally see them. We’re forced to hold a wider perspective; we’re forced to look for alternatives and ways through because the old way isn’t working anymore. Countless options ALWAYS exist, and uncertainty can force us to step back, allowing more possibilities to come into view.
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​Write about this: What other angles can I look at this from? What are the best possible outcomes here? How else can I go about this in a way that feels better for me? How else can I think about this in a way that feels better for me?

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​2) Uncertainty slows momentum and calls for reevaluation.
Just as uncertainty creates options, it is in searching for those options that we find ourselves in a process of reevaluation. We can’t go on charging ahead like we had been, so we’re forced to look at what has been in place and how well it has been working for us. When we feel uncertain, we naturally retract. We experience doubt. We have unanswered questions. All of this slows us down- and in the process of slowing down, we can catch our breath, reassess and move forward on a new trajectory.

​Write about this: How have things been working until now? How well have they been working? What was going well? What contributed to things not working well? What was definitely not working? Why? What could be better? How do you WANT things to go?

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3) Uncertainty engenders fear… and courage.
Uncertainty equals fear, period. It’s easy to panic, catastrophize and feel consumed by anxieties in uncertain times. None of us are immune to it; it’s a natural reaction. However, feeling how we get triggered and how fear happens for us is the perfect way to WORK with it within ourselves. And as we work with our fears, we touch the heart of courage. Fear is exactly the motivation we need to tap into feelings of empowerment- knowing we are capable and WILL overcome, seeing challenge as opportunity, gaining confidence and conviction as a way to shut fear the F up.

Write about this: How does fear show up for you? How does it influence you? What triggers you? How can your fears empower you? What thoughts or actions feel better than fear? How can you empower yourself to overcome your fears?

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4) Uncertainty is destabilizing, and thus, transformative.
As structures and systems break down, we are in pivotal times of transformation. Just look at the Tower card in the tarot deck- everything “falling apart” also signals new beginnings. Sometimes the breaking down is small, sometimes it is catastrophic. We live in a world of birth, death and rebirth. All things are cycling through these phases, and nothing about us or our lives is an exception. We truly live from one transformation to the next. The stronger the destabilization and falling apart, often the more impressive the transformation. The phoenix rising is a good example.

​Write about this: What are some things that have fallen apart and ended only to create something better in your life? How can you allow yourself to be transformed in uncertain times? What emotions or fears feel like they are in the way of you accepting and allowing what is happening now? What emotions and beliefs would be more helpful for you in navigating the natural process of things changing, ending and beginning again?

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We can let uncertain times terrify us, paralyze us, send us down the dark hole of hopelessness and panic. 

We can let uncertain times show us possibilities and help us think waaay outside the boxes we’ve created. 

Essentially, we have a choice. 

We choose every moment of every day how we are going to respond and feel, whether we realize it or not. 
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What feeling and belief are you under the influence of, how is it affecting you, and how can you choose differently if it’s not working for you?