Psychologists share tips and insights on how to coexist with life’s unpredictability and deal with unknowns.
conceptualize it as a fear of the unknown, with the understanding that the unknown has the potential to be threatening.As COVID starkly reminded us, nothing in this world is certain. And yet, many of us spend much of our lives courting the illusion of certainty.
Eric Anderson, an experimental psychologist at the Center for Outcomes Research & Evaluation at the Maine Medical Center, says that in some cases, it’s possible to become more comfortable by reducing the amount of uncertainty. If you’re anxious about moving to a new place or starting a new job, reaching out to someone who’s already there and hearing about their experience can give you more information about your future.
Opening yourself up to more possible scenarios actually introduces unnecessary variables, which makes it even harder to know what to expect. While it may feel like you’re dealing with the problem, worrying and reassurance seeking are in fact just like other distraction techniques. You can end up chasing the new variables in circles around your head without actually dealing with the problem.
Given that it takes a lot of bravery to face fears head-on, Daniels adds that factors like having a tight-knit community, spiritual practices and professional help can make it easier to cope with uncertain situations. Simplicity, rituals and the feeling of psychological safety that arise in these environments can help make the world feel less frightening.