Managing Uncertainty: Choosing to Leap Anyway
Uncertainty is one of the hardest things we face as humans. Our minds crave answers, closure, and control. But life rarely gives us those guarantees. Whether it is waiting on news, starting something new, or stepping into the unknown, uncertainty has a way of stirring up fear, doubt, and all the “what ifs.”
I want to share where I am at with uncertainty right now.
Picking Up the Pieces
Almost four years postpartum, I can look back and see how much I have walked through. Covid, postpartum depression, and the tragic loss of my dad all collided at once. There were moments I felt my past identity had been shattered, and I was not sure how to put myself back together.
But slowly, piece by piece, I started rebuilding. Through grief, therapy, community, and self-compassion, I began to find myself again. And somewhere along the way, I became a stronger version of myself, not in spite of the struggles but because of them.
Today, I feel like a better therapist than ever. My lived experiences have deepened my empathy and sharpened my ability to sit with people in the hard stuff. And with that has come a new sense of purpose: to use these experiences to help others rise, thrive, and feel less alone.
The New Uncertainty
The leap I am taking now is building Therapist Toolbox and Rise & Thrive. And here is the truth: I do not really know what I am doing when it comes to business. I do not know how to run ads, create the perfect sales funnel, or even explain the difference between a marketing strategy and a marketing plan without Googling it. Honestly, if you asked me to teach a workshop on branding right now, it would probably turn into “Marketing 101 with Goats.”
What I do know is how to connect. I know how to teach, share, hold space, and build community. And I know I can trust my clinical skills. I have spent years in training, consultation, and direct practice, and I feel confident in the evidence-based tools I bring to the table. That is where I am choosing to put my focus.
And yes, uncertainty still shows up. My brain goes straight to worst case scenarios:
“People will find out I have no idea what I am doing.”
“My imposter syndrome will be exposed.”
“My entire business will crash down in flames, and I will have to move to the woods and raise goats for a living.”
Okay, maybe not goats. But you get the picture. Why do I keep talking about goats? Probably because uncertainty makes us all a little ridiculous sometimes.
How I Help Clients Face Uncertainty
I am not alone in struggling with the discomfort of not knowing. This is something I walk through with clients all the time.
I have sat with people waiting on biopsy results after a breast cancer scare, learning to breathe through the fear instead of letting their minds spiral to the worst.
I have worked with parents newly navigating their child’s autism diagnosis, helping them focus on what they can do today rather than trying to solve the next 20 years in advance.
I have supported clients starting new jobs, terrified they would not measure up, by reminding them that courage and competence grow in small steps.
And I have worked with people whose anxiety shows up in everyday situations, like worrying, “What if someone talks to me at the store?” Together, we practiced leaning into that discomfort, reminding them that uncertainty about other people’s reactions is not a threat.
In each of these moments, the goal was never to erase uncertainty. It was to teach them how to live with it.
Meeting Uncertainty with Compassion
This is the same practice I use for myself. When those worst case thoughts pop up, I try not to fight them. I practice compassion instead. Accepting uncertainty is hard. Facing failure is scary. But avoiding the unknown keeps us stuck.
Here are a few things that help me and my clients manage uncertainty:
Accepting the “maybe.” Maybe this will work out, maybe it will not. That is reality, and trying to force guarantees only creates more anxiety.
Focusing on values. When we take steps in line with what matters most, like connection, growth, and authenticity, it matters less whether things are perfect.
Using humor. Laughing at the absurdity of our fears softens their grip. Sometimes the best antidote to “my life will crash down in flames” is picturing myself explaining to goats why my plan failed.
Practicing self-compassion. I remind my clients, and myself, that trying something new is brave, not foolish. And if we stumble, it does not mean we have failed. It means we are human.
Choosing to Rise
Managing uncertainty is not about pretending we are fearless. It is about admitting we are scared, and choosing to step forward anyway.
For me, that means writing, creating, teaching, and sharing what I know, even when I do not know how it will all turn out. For my clients, it might mean showing up to the store, starting a new job, or waiting on difficult news with their hearts open.
Uncertainty is uncomfortable, but it is also where change lives. And when we meet it with compassion and courage, it can help us rise.
