When uncertainty stresses us out, making us wonder which path to take, what decision to make or whether to respond at all, it can be crippling for some of us as if we have not developed emotional resilience. If you do struggle with resilience, how do you move through the challenge? How do you respond effectively to the situation? And how can you become more emotionally resilient in the face of uncertainty?
Try to Be Flexible
We often have difficulty learning to “go with the flow”. Obstinacy, ego, fixed beliefs, expectations, and habits are some of the things that lead us to resist change. When the house you thought you would live in forever is destroyed in a fire or the job you had trained for has been automated, or perhaps the “love of your life” has married someone else, what do you do?
Your life may be demanding a “course change”. In these situations, it’s wiser to practice acceptance and acknowledge that the situation has changed. You do not control the world, you only control yourself. The only way forward is to adjust your attitude, shift your thoughts, and create new dreams by being flexible.
Practice Being OK With Discomfort
When we are navigating a situation, most of us will feel somewhat unsure of ourselves. This is normal. Accepting yourself and your situation is a good place to begin. Calm the inner voices of fear, blame, or resentment, and resist the urge to create drama around uncertainty. Appraise the situation from a balanced place, realizing it is OK to feel uncomfortable at times. You will build emotional resilience if you use this time to practice accepting yourself despite the discomfort you feel.
Learn From Your Mistakes And Successes.
By allowing discomfort amid uncertain circumstances to reveal something about yourself, you can grow and become more emotionally resilient. Trial and error are how we learn. Once you adapt to being uncomfortable, you can apply yourself to the challenge at hand, which often triggers a flood of new ideas. Explore positive thoughts, emotions, and ideas.
This can open up whole new avenues of experiences for you that may enhance your coping skills, build resilience, and even expand the range of your newly discovered abilities. Test out some new approaches to see what works in this situation, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes, because they will make you more emotionally resilient if you are willing to learn from them.
Step Back to Gain a Broader Perspective
Widen your field of vision by reviewing the past and imagining the future. From this perspective, envision various plans, and estimate how they might unfold in the future until you discover a path that shows promise. A shift in perspective can help you see the situation from a new point of view and try out new solutions that make you more emotionally resilient in the future.
Coordinate with Others
Before moving forward with a plan of action, share your uncertainty, and brainstorm ideas for how to move forward with friends and colleagues. Remain open to suggestions, and defend ideas that you believe will not work. Then move forward knowing you’ve considered multiple options.
When at a Loss, Imitate Someone You Respect
Sometimes the hurdles seem too high, or we are at a loss about how to proceed. In these moments, we don’t feel very emotionally resilient. One trick is to think of someone you respect and imagine what they might do in this situation.
Practice Self-Compassion
In a difficult moment, it is essential to practice self-compassion. Be kind to yourself to maintain your self-confidence. It’s ok to take some time to release your disappointment or take a break from your routine. A walk in nature may be helpful for processing your thoughts and releasing pent-up emotions. Or eating healthy can help remind you of the importance of being kind to yourself. Once calm, research several options, and open your mind to all possibilities.
Celebrate Your Successes
After all the work you have done through uncertain times and situations, once you have initiated a plan that is working or picked yourself up after a tough experience, celebrate your success with those who helped you achieve positive results. Give yourself credit for a “win” that feels affirming, and let the joy sweep your heart. Practice being grateful for who you have been as well as who you are becoming. Emotionally resilience is about more than recovering from challenges, it’s about thriving in the face of those challenges.
Learn To Love Change
The only thing that is constant is change. Doing the same thing over and over can wear us down with its accumulative boredom. Change breeds something different and potentially exciting. New efforts stimulate growth potential through new experiences. It is “our ability to respond to life” that is being put to the test, and the more we exercise this muscle, the more we feel invigorated by the variety of life, and therefore the more emotionally resilient we become.
