Uncertainty at the New Year?

The new year has begun, bringing with it a lot of uncertainty. Questions like what will happen to my job, my health, my family’s health, my relationship, my finances, among others, arise. These questions may be normal, part of daily concerns, but sometimes they can become compulsive, disturbing thoughts that produce another type of negative symptoms.

Uncertainty (Managing uncertainty – The Well: The Well) is defined as the inability to predict the future or the incompatibility between two ideas. The American Psychological Association, or APA for short (APA Dictionary of Psychology), defines uncertainty as a state or condition in which something is not known. They add that it is a lack of confidence or clarity in our ideas, decisions, or intentions.

If we break down the descriptions of uncertainty, can we conclude that we have NO control? And if not having control generates insecurity, the answer is correct, and it is entirely normal. However, let’s look at it from another perspective. We will use a change in perspective. Embracing opportunities, and welcoming the new year as what it is—a fresh start—allows us to see our present with openness, with options to choose from. This is the moment to make a list of goals, concretize thoughts, ideas, and dreams, and define steps to achieve them.

Some questions we can ask ourselves during times of uncertainty are:

• What are my goals for this new year?
• What challenges can I anticipate facing this new year?
• What tools/strengths do I have to deal with these challenges?
• What changes do I want to make in my life, and how do I start?
• Which relationships do I want to strengthen this year?
• How do I continue to grow and learn every day?

These questions can serve as a guide to start reflecting on the areas (personal, professional, financial, etc.) that you want to modify. It’s your moment! Motivate yourself, get excited about what’s to come, and the results will come in a satisfying manner.