What Happens when We Stop Preparing for Everything
We’re diving right in today.
Here’s one unusual way to stay calm when you feel unprepared for the unknowns in life.
We call it Uncertainty Infusion. It’s our own little term for gradual exposure. Essentially it’s using small doses of exposure to uncertainty to make it feel less threatening to your body.
Let’s see a real world example.
Expecting the Unexpected
As an eldest daughter + a Virgo, at my worst I was used to preparing for everything lol. I was taught to always be ready + alert “just in case” something came up. That included me walking around with large tote bags filled with every item you can think of “just in case” someone needed something.
If someone needed bandaids, icy hot (yup you read that right), extra pads, hair glue, anything EXTRA people needed, I probably had it. At some point I realized that this habit pointed to anticipating what’s to come instead of living in the moment.
Getting Comfy with Less
The Tote Bag Experiment for Anxiousness
So something I decided to do to break this habit (without having to get rid of all of my cute tote bags), was to start putting LESS items in my bags.
Soon enough I was able to leave the house without spare earrings, an extra hair tie, or any items alike. I can now cope better with the reality that I don’t have to have 20 items, I can now have 10 lol. Truthfully I had to get real + ask myself playfully “did the world end or did it keep spinning even when my lace wasn’t perfectly laid + I left my earrings behind?” tee hee.
All in all, the lesson here is that the more you realize it’s okay to be unprepared even in the small things slowly but surely your body will learn to leave small things unresolved without panicking every time you’re not perfectly prepared.
Realizing Uncertain doesn’t mean Unsafe
Facing our fears in smaller doses can help us remain regulated enough to feel at least a bit more secure when a bigger experience happens.
Now, of course this method is not new in terms of micro-dosing. However MOST people don’t apply this approach when dealing with the unknown. Instead many people will fight the feeling of uncertainty, but with this new approach you can become the woman who knows that every uncertain experience isn’t detrimental or catastrophic. Sometimes it’s just INCONVENIENT.
Remember, inconvenience doesn’t mean you’re unsafe. It just means you may feel a little annoyed at the time. In the end the true lesson we learn is, “I don’t have to panic or escape my body when I meet uncertainty. I can sit with the unknown + still remain secure.”
Anticipating Less
Real Life Practice | Reducing Restlessness
If you want to try this in a real life scenario, the next time you get a casual text maybe don’t feel pressured to reply immediately. Sit + see how you feel at first, notice what comes up + where you notice it in your body. Then afterward try filling that time with something life giving like deep breathing, a walk in the sun, listening to 3-5 mins of your favorite song, finishing up a show + then answering the text.
This reminds you that uncertainty doesn’t always require URGENCY. It’s all about pacing your attention when it comes to small or big problems + finding practical ways to remain present + at peace as it occurs.
If you try out these examples today let us know over on our IG how it went for you.
For more ways to remain calm in the unknown, our ‘Own the Unknown’ relief guide is your trusted ally.
Until Next Time,
xo, Jas Janea