Last week we talked about the brain chemistry of uncertainty.
I asked you what strategies you use when you are in a place of “waiting to find out” and promised to share some of my strategies. Here is a frame shift that helps me every time.
You may have heard this phrase: “You don’t know what you don’t know.” I use it a lot and maybe you do too. It’s true, but you know what else is true?
You know what you know.
No matter how much uncertainty you’re navigating, there are things you know that can calm your nervous system. The strategy is this: shift from the “what if” downward spiral to reminding yourself where you are grounded and safe, what you do know and won’t change no matter what the what if.
Waiting to hear about medical results? You know who your people are and who you can count on to support you. You know how capable you are of asking good questions, following sound advice and advocating for yourself.
Waiting to hear if you got accepted to a school or a job? You know what your skills are and what you can do to learn, to earn, to move towards your goals even if you don’t get this particular opportunity.
Waiting for to hear the answer to your marriage proposal? A date you invited someone on, or a friend to text you back? You know what activities make you happy, that you are lovable, that your value doesn’t lie in any one person’s response to any question, no matter how important.
So for this week, I’ll ask you this: In the face of an uncertainty in your life right now, what DO you know?
All my best,
Dr. G
