Hello and welcome to this week's Choosing Happy podcast.

This week I explore uncertainty and finding certainty in the unknown.

How do we thrive when we really don't know what's happening?

When we find that we're in a place where we can't control what we hoped to be able to control.

So today's episode, I'm going deep into that.

Stay tuned for seven ways that you can thrive through uncertainty in this week's Choosing Happy podcast.

Hello and welcome to the Choosing Happy podcast where we explore the paths to joy and fulfillment and to Choosing Happy.

I'm your host, Heather Masters.

And today we're diving deep into a topic that resonates with many of us.

How to thrive through uncertainty and the power of finding certainty amid chaos.

In today's fast paced world, uncertainty can often feel overwhelming things happening that we really hadn't anticipated even four or five years ago.

And it's about learning to navigate through uncertainty effectively.

And it's about choosing a perspective that gives you the empowerment and the self motivation to create the life you want and to live in joy and happiness irrespective of the outside world.

So let's start by first defining what we mean by uncertainty.

It's that feeling of not knowing what's next, whether it's related to work, relationships or even global events.

And this uncertainty can lead to anxiety and stress, but it can also be a catalyst for growth.

There's this mantra which I'm sure if you've listened to the show before, that life is always working for us.

So that being in stressful and uncertain situations can invite us to thrive in uncertainty, to really step into our power, into our internal guidance, irrespective of outside circumstances.

Embracing uncertainty allows us to adapt and develop resilience.

Uncertainty refers to situations where outcomes are unpredictable.

And if you've ever cared for anyone who is seriously ill, that can be so unpredictable.

And you can be living with a timeline that no one really knows other than the Creator themselves.

And the impact on mental health for yourself and for obviously those people who don't know how long they've got left can really lead to extreme anxiety and stress.

And it's kind of a choice, and this is kind of the growth opportunity, the choice to be adaptable, to choose a different perspective and to take each day as a huge gift and to really lean into loving and enjoying life.

Here are six ways to thrive through uncertainty.

Now that we understand uncertainty a little better, here are six strategies that could help you through these really unpredictable times in the world and possibly in your Life number one is cultivate a growth mindset.

And what do I mean by that?

It's taking the opportunity to really take another look at the situation and to ask yourself, what is the lesson here?

What is this challenge coming up in my life for?

What's.

What's.

What is it inviting me to expand into what other things that I haven't done before that I can do that will take me beyond where I am now?

Can I choose to absolutely know with absolute certainty and amidst the uncertainty that I am going to be okay?

In fact, I'm going to be better than okay.

I'm going to expand beyond my circumstances and move into a different level of vibration of consciousness and invite and receive new circumstances in.

Focus on what you can control and focus on finding the lesson.

And even if the lesson is about surrendering to the Creator and allowing the Creator to lead you through this experience, then that's a huge win anyway.

Number two is about establishing routines, Creating routines that provide structure when we're in chaotic times.

Having a daily routine that gives you that sense of control and normalcy and a little bit of structure amidst the chaos can give you the confidence to keep going, to know that you've got this, you've got your share taken care of, you're doing what you know how to do, things that are going to help you thrive, that are going to help you with your mindset, that are going to keep you healthy.

Because if you take on, number one, that the universe is working for you, you can ask what routines are going to help you the most to open and expand into the person you're moving into.

And that could be from a mindset perspective, it could be from a work perspective, it could be from a health perspective.

And included in that is what could you let go of that no longer serves you.

I noticed for me, that there's a lot of foods that I used to eat that I can't eat anymore.

And in difficult times, I've kind of been forced to focus on food that serves my body.

And I am also working out every morning and building my strength because I'm getting older, and I'm really aware of the, you know, if you don't use it, you lose it, especially as you get older.

Rather than giving into the aging process or giving in to dietary problems, I'm embracing them as opportunities to honor my body in a way that I have done before.

One of the other things that I do, and that's made a huge difference, and that's number three, is practice mindfulness.

And I'M sure you've heard about me talking about Headspace and I'm not an affiliate, but mindfulness practices really do make such a difference on a daily basis.

Really find an app and commit to mindfulness, even if it's just 10 minutes a day, because it helps ground you in the present moment, it increases your awareness, it helps reduce anxiety about the future.

And a lot of the mindfulness programs introduce many different ways of coping with stress, with anxiety, and bringing you back into the present moment and aligning with your breaths.

Doing the deep breathing that really brings you back and centres you, but also, as I say, allows you to expand your awareness and to notice things not just about yourself, but also your impact on the world as well.

And be mindful of how you show up and how that ripple effect goes out into your family, into your workplace and more so mindfulness techniques.

Just amazing.

Number four is seek support.

It's very easy and I'm very guilty of it that when you get stressed you withdraw, especially if you're an introvert.

And it's actually the getting out, the doing things that can help you thrive through that.

Connecting with friends, with family, with groups, online, you know, joining a, maybe a creative writing group like I have, or creating or a dance group, whatever it is for you, that kind of creates a support group for you so that it alleviates you feeling isolated.

It's therefore, you know, kind of nips depression in the bud and provides new perspectives, some people to talk to, to share with, to get new experiences, to share experiences as well, of them going through similar things and maybe getting different suggestions that you couldn't have thought of by yourself.

And obviously in seeking support as well, you can seek a coach.

That's one of the things that I went into coaching for, is to be able to help people in the most difficult of circumstances and situations.

And especially at the moment, I do feel I'm being called to step into my coaching, my holistic coaching to help people through this particular time in history.

Number five is to limit information overload, be very selective about the news that you watch, how much social media you consume, how much information you take in, because the type of information and just too much information, too much screen time can heighten anxiety.

Focus on good things, focus on the happy news and actually focus on taking time out from the digital world and maybe practicing using your peripheral vision.

That's your expanded vision which expands your awareness and changes your nervous system into a calm aligned state.

If you don't know anything about peripheral vision, look it up online.

Expanded Awareness, because it's very, very powerful in many, many ways.

I have covered it in the podcast previously and finally, we've already mentioned it.

But number six is focusing on what you control, identifying those aspects of your life that you know you have power over, and concentrate your efforts there.

And again, be aware of being honest with yourself about what you have power over.

We don't have power over other people, no matter how much we'd like to.

You know, I've been there caring for my parents, and I'm thinking you've got things under control and things can very quickly change in a matter of seconds.

Really look at what you can control, which mainly is your own self care, your own mental stability, your own perspective, and again, your own belief system and values so that when or if things take a turn that you can immediately, you know, step into.

This is for me, what am I learning here?

How can I show up?

How can I step up to be the person I'm meant to be, to move through this with ease and grace?

In the next piece, I'm looking at the power of finding certainty in uncertainty.

Because uncertainty is a constant in life.

Change is a constant.

We are, I believe, in a period of absolutely mental change and mental uncertainty.

I don't think in all of my life, I can think of a time where so many things at the same time are changing, massively transforming, and that creates a world of huge uncertainty.

And it's crucial then to find a way of being certain.

And what do I mean by that?

By finding something to trust in beyond everything else.

And for me, that's the Creator finding certainty that I'm on my path and that whatever shows up for me is the path that the Creator wants me to take.

And that by asking the right questions and being in dialogue with the Creator, that I can find certainty, that even in the darkest moments, I can know that this is for my good and therefore it's all going to work out for the highest good of myself.

Now, some of the ways to find certainty on a more practical level is to establish achievable goals that give you direction.

Think of things that you know you can definitely achieve, irrespective of what's going on around you.

And then develop resilience by reflecting on past experiences where you know you've potentially overcome these challenges or worse, challenges before, because this builds confidence and it reminds you, and it reminds your unconscious mind that this isn't the uncharted territory that the unconscious mind might think it is.

And you can call on past resources and bring them into the moment to help you move beyond current point.

One of the really powerful things that I think is overlooked a lot is the power of lateral thinking and the ability to look at something that's in the past that might be or seem to be completely unrelated to where you are now.

But those resources that you used in the past to get through that situation are easily transferable, even though the current situation might feel completely different.

Taking time to really think about that and to explore that.

When you're in a situation where, for instance, if you've got something that's a problem at work and you had problems in a relationship before, maybe with parents or maybe with someone else, then you could probably look at the overall over arcing subject of conflict and how you have in the past come through really sticky conflicts in an elegant and mutually beneficial way that you came out for a win win.

One of the other things you can do is to create a positive environment, really clearing your space, surrounding yourself with things that light you up, surrounding yourself with positive people, books, doing activities that lift you up.

One of my previous episodes was about supporting yourself happiness support system and creating that.

And I was thinking about doing that again so that I can expand on it because I know that I've expanded my happiness support system over the last year or so.

And I think it would be be good, given the very changing circumstances we find ourselves in, to be able to have a support system, even if it's a checklist of, you know, if I'm feeling down, what can I do?

For instance, just moving around.

And one of the most important things that's overlooked as well is changing your state.

So if you get shocked news, shocking news, find a moment where you can go and actually try and celebrate it.

Because you know that life is setting you up for a massive transformation.

It's giving you the challenge to really thrive through whatever the situation is.

And I know there will be situations where you really don't want to do that.

I know that when it comes to loss of loved ones, you're not going to be wanting to celebrate.

But there again, in certain circumstances, when you step back later at the light of, you know, the cold light of day, celebrating somebody's life is a very, very positive and honorable thing to do as well.

So we've covered many things and as I wrap up today's episode, remember that while uncertainty is inevitable, while it seems to be increasing, how we respond and what we do defines our experience.

And by cultivating a growth mindset, being open to expanding our awareness by practicing, establishing routines having a go at some mindfulness, seeking support, limiting the information, the negative information that we allow in, and making sure that we're doing things in bite sized chunks rather than overloading ourselves, then focusing on what we can control on our relationship with the creator, then we can thrive, even in the most unpredictable times.

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