Column by Chris Proctor
We are living in uncertain times; a pandemic that has changed our way of life forever, a global climate crisis of which we are already experiencing major repercussions, an unprecedented invasion of a sovereign country, which is posed go down in history books and record inflation, topped by outrageous housing unaffordability.
When I consider the times that we live in, I get a sense of trepidation and frustration, but above all, a sense of great uncertainty. Where are we heading? What will my future look like and what will my kid’s futures be like? Will I be able to afford a house? Will my children enjoy the same natural beauty as me, growing up?
Speaking to other similarly aged youth, uncertainty about the future is a prevailing theme on many a student’s minds. And with good reason, because us humans we crave security, but rather than worry about something we cannot control, we must now begin to find ways to cope with this uncertainty and make it into an asset for development, rather than an obstacle for failure.
Much about life is uncertain at the moment—and many things remain outside of our control. But while we can’t control the spread of a virus, the price of a house, or whether you’ll have a pay check next week, you’re not totally powerless. The first thing we must do to manage uncertainty is to take control over the things we have power over. For example, if you have lost your job, rather than worry about the future, begin to think about what you can control – getting a new one.
The second thing we must do is to focus on the positive things in our lives. I have learnt that every adverse situation we face, there is an aspect of good, regardless how hard it is to find, there is one – trust me.
One of the surest ways to avoid worrying about the future is to focus on the present. Instead of trying to predict what might happen, switch your attention to what’s happening right now, which will again leave you in control and enable you to make the best of even the most adverse of situations.
Learning to cope with uncertainty can be one of the biggest assets in your life. By being in control of your life, by focusing on the positive and switching your attention to the present, we can learn to have courage in the face of adversity.