Uncharted Waters: How to navigate uncertainty

We are — all of us — navigating uncharted waters.

None of us has previously experienced a pandemic, nor the havoc wrought by an unmanaged, exponential crisis.

While new leadership may eventually get our current crises under control, the reality is that the last four years revealed our collective shadow side, and real change won’t come from the top. It comes from us — from the front line, the activists, the advocates, the beleaguered, the passionate, the concerned… and the privileged.

What’s a ‘shadow’ side?

Our shadow is largely hidden — often from ourselves, almost always from others. Yet we all have one, and it isn’t bad; it’s part of being human. It’s just not the part of us we’re proud of — our biases (often unconscious), our judgments, resentments, and often our fears. It’s that little voice that says things in our head that most of us would never say out loud (“Did I really just think that? OMG!). It’s the learned behavior or conditioning that makes us think less of ourselves, or less of others. It’s our inner mean girl (or boy). Our shadow is in part why some of us love horror films, watching train wrecks (hopefully figurative), or watching our frenemies implode.

However, to fully grow and become wise, functioning humans, we must accept and embrace our shadow. Make visible that which is invisible. And then, while simple but not easy, we can heal, forgive, let go, and move on. We stop holding ourselves back or thinking we’re unworthy, or oppressing others for their differences. It’s on us to be courageous and own it, and challenge ourselves to unlearn and do different (as Maya Angelou said, when we know better, we do better), to become better versions of ourselves.

Why it matters

Collectively, we need to be better humans right now. We need to grow up, wise up, and smarten up. Now more than ever, we see how our systems and policies influence our thinking and behaviors, and how these are intricately connected to our well-being. The cracks have evolved into floodgates, and now, everything’s falling apart.

This is probably a good thing, even though it doesn’t feel like it.

Cautious optimism

While things can fall apart very quickly, the upward spiral takes longer. Real, meaningful change happens slowly, often in increments. We have to be patient and continually push forward. To borrow from MLK, “the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.” There are a lot of people doing great work if we look up and around.

So how to navigate all this…

The times we’re in are proving not for the faint of heart. It’s important to stay centered and focused on what matters most so when we emerge on the other side of this, we’ll be better than we were before… smarter, more innovative, more capable, empathetic, and contributing to the greater good for all of us, not just some of us.

First, accept where we are. It’s OK to not be OK. A favorite saying is to “get comfortable being uncomfortable.” Discomfort and the willingness to do hard things make us stronger, more resilient, and able to navigate uncertainty.

In addition, consider the following if you’re having a hard time right now.

• Hold onto a vision. If you don’t currently have a vision for your life or know what you want, choose something that’s meaningful to you right now, even if it’s just more peace within your insides — or if you want peace for the world around you. It’s a place to start.
• Plot a course. Think of the steps you need to take to make that vision come true. Even if it’s just getting up every day and showing up. Add steps as you get clear on what you want.
• Be willing to adjust. Change your direction, your thinking, or your actions. Be willing to listen to new ideas and opinions, or learn from someone who may have more experience or knowledge than you do. (This doesn’t make you less than.)
• Pay attention. The winds continually shift and you may need to stand firm… or change.
• Prepare for anything. Think through possibilities and have a good idea of what you’ll do and what you need to get through it, physically, mentally, or emotionally.
• Ask for help. While you can single-hand through life, we’re better together.
• Know what’s yours to do. We can’t be all things to all people. Let others take the helm, too, and just do your part.
• Stay steady. Take regular, consistent steps that get you closer to what you want to see, be, or do.
• Enjoy fair winds. Seek out the good. Take a break from the news, spend time in nature, move your body, breathe deeply, find #joyinmoments.

Everything is impermanent

“May you live in interesting times” feels rather relevant, as 2020 certainly has felt cursed at times. And, we get to be part of something that’s so much bigger than we are, ideally creating a better place for future generations.

Whether you’re out there making change in the world around your, or working on small personal changes, it doesn’t matter. It all counts. Being the best “you” that you can be has ripple effects that benefit everyone.

Change happens when systems and people breakdown. Breakdowns lead to breakthroughs, and while in many ways, we’re alone together, none of us are really alone in this. We’ve got this. It’s worth it.