Recently I’ve seen a lot published about the challenges we’re facing as we live “…in these uncertain times.”

But here’s the thing; they’re always uncertain times.

Yes, we’ve experienced a pandemic that forced us all into a ‘new normal.’  There’s a war in Ukraine, unsettling economic times…and the list goes on.

But no one ever knows the future.  There may have been periods of relative calm, but think back to the 1960s.  We smirk at knowing how little technology was available even to the US space program.  It seems more simplistic – but it certainly wasn’t for the people who were living through it and didn’t know how things would turn out.

In the 1960s a sitting US president was assassinated, there was a raging and unpopular war in Vietnam, the civil rights movement was blossoming and the hippie generation was just getting going.  And, of course, the Cold War between the Soviet Union was and the US was growing, with the real possibility of nuclear war dangling over everyone.

How do we plan for our careers, our families and our eventual retirement in such an environment?  What are the things that we can do to help ourselves and others cope with uncertainty and build resilience.

One of the most important things to do is to maintain a sense of perspective. It can be easy to get caught up in our own worries and fears, but it’s important to remember that we are not alone in our experience. Many people are going through similar struggles and it’s important to support one another.

Also, make sure to prioritize taking care of yourself. This includes getting enough sleep, eating well, and engaging in regular exercise. Additionally, finding healthy ways to cope with stress, such as meditation, yoga, or journaling, can be beneficial.  Doing these things with a friend or partner enhances their effectiveness.

Finally, focus on what you can control. It can be easy to feel like, mostly, things are out of our control! However, it’s important to remember that there are always things that we can control, such as our own thoughts, actions/choices, and reactions.

Even in the best of times, life can be unpredictable. The key is to find ways to build resilience and adapt to change. By focusing on the things that we can control and practicing self-care, we can help ourselves and others navigate the uncertainty.