Finding Steadiness in Uncertain Times

There’s a quiet (and not-so-quiet) rumbling happening across the country right now. Many people working in government roles — as well as in science, healthcare, education, and beyond — are being asked to leave their jobs. Some are being let go without warning. Others are sitting in a cloud of uncertainty, not knowing what the next month or even week may hold.

It's a strange thing, isn't it? On one hand, we crave certainty. We want to believe things are stable, that if we just work hard and do our best, we’ll be safe. And yet, the truth is that uncertainty is always part of the human experience — not just now, but always. We never know exactly what the next moment will bring. Life has always been a bit unpredictable.

That said, just because uncertainty is normal doesn’t make it easy. When jobs are at stake, when routines are disrupted, and when futures feel foggy, it’s completely human to feel anxious, angry, or even a little lost.

So, what can we do when so much feels out of our hands?

We come back to what is in our control.

Take a moment to pause and reflect on this simple truth: you cannot control the thoughts, decisions, or behaviors of others. You cannot control the past. You cannot control the future.

But you can control how you care for yourself today. You can control how you speak to yourself in this moment.You can choose your next small action. You can return to your breath, your body, your inner wisdom.

This is where your power lives.

There’s a helpful diagram that illustrates this beautifully — a simple circle of control. On the inside: your mindset, your self-talk, your goals, your habits, your boundaries. On the outside: everything else.

It’s easy to get pulled into the swirl of what-ifs and worst-case scenarios, but doing so only adds to our suffering. Grounding ourselves in the present, in what we can do, can be an anchor in the storm.

So here are a few gentle reminders to help you stay grounded when things feel shaky:

• Come back to your breath. Slow, deep breathing can help settle the nervous system and bring you into the now.

• Name what you're feeling. Sometimes just acknowledging, “This is hard” or “I feel unsure” is enough to create a bit of space between you and the spiral.

• Revisit your values. What matters to you most right now? How can you live in alignment with that, even in small ways?

• Lean into your support system. You don’t have to carry this alone.

• Take the next right step. Not the next ten, just the next.

  
  

We may not know what’s coming next in government, in policy, or in our own professions — but we can know ourselves. We can choose to stay present, steady, and rooted in what matters most.

So let me ask you, What do you need most right now? Is it rest? A plan? An outside support?

Whatever it is, give yourself permission to start there.

We are all moving through this together — one breath, one step, one grounded choice at a time.

Looking for more support in 1:1 therapy or coaching? You're welcome to schedule time on my calendar to talk more.