How to center yourself during uncertainty

If the ever evolving twists and turns occurring in 2020 have been getting to you, you are not alone.

From the direct effects of the global pandemic, to the dire repercussions it has had on people’s mental and emotional states, many of us have been forced to navigate uncertainty in unprecedented ways.

We are currently on the cusp of monumental changes. The type that many of us have not seen or experienced in our lifetimes. But among the disruption and confusion that this year has brought us, we have also been presented with a unique opportunity to be present with ourselves and others in deeply impactful ways. If you are thinking you need to feel, do or act a certain way to keep it together, I want you to realize that there isn’t one right way to feel right now. Every single feeling and thought you are having is perfectly valid.

So, what does one do to stay centered in times like these? The following are three effective practices that can help:

1) Stay focused on what you can control

When things feel chaotic and uncertain, it is important to invest your focus and energy on the things you can control. What actions or changes can you make in your life that will benefit you now? Take out a piece of paper and list all of the things you can control such as your thoughts, where you spend your time, who you spend it with, what routines you partake in, etc. 

Noting the things within your control can help ground you into the present and give you the clarity on what you can do to enforce positive shifts in your life.

2) Give your emotions space to move

Emotions are powerful. When we keep them contained and bottled up, they can wreak havoc on our mental and physical states. Hence, it is important we allow our emotions to flow through us when feeling them. An effective way to do this is to move our body. Whether its yoga, dance, walking or other forms of movement, motion of any form for at least 10-15 minutes can help to release any stuck emotions in the body and clear the mind.

3) Ground your energy with mindfulness

Mindfulness is the practice of bringing all of your attention to the present moment. To help pull you out of your racing thoughts and back into your calm center. The next time you feel overwhelmed, try this quick practice:

• Find a quiet place where you will not be disrupted

• Sit or lie down comfortably (and if you have a timer handy, set it for 10 minutes)

• Place one hand on your chest, the other on your belly and bring all of your attention to your breath. Slowly inhale through the nose to the count of 5. Hold for 3 seconds. Then, slowly exhale through the mouth to the count of 6. Continue this for the duration of your practice.

• As your thoughts pass in your mind, try to steer your attention away from your breath and slowly come back to your breathing exercise. Continue to allow your thoughts to pass through as you breathe in and out.

Cultivating calmness in uncertainty is a learned practice. It is about learning to find peace amid any storm. It is about making peace with what is, rather than wishing for what cannot be in the moment.

May the following poem remind you of the power of calling in calmness into your life.

The following poem is also a part of a poetic guided meditation that you can listen to here.