The Lifequake: Learning to Embrace The Unknown

If you've ever been in a situation where you've had to stare into the abyss of “the unknown” (or face many unknowns!) you'll know this can be super disorientating and the anxiety is often debilitating.

Your mind circling around all the “what if’s” and “worry" about the future. Usually envisioning everything that could go wrong, which leads to believing it WILL go wrong, which makes it very hard to form important decisions about the future!

I've found that if you can begin to embrace the unknowns (rather than resist them!) you're more likely to build a resilience towards this kind of stress and anxiety. 

​Here are three mindset tools I use that will help you get started:

1. Acknowledge There Will Be Some Discomfort When Stepping Outside Your Comfort Zone

​"I understand that with big life changes like this, it's going to feel uncomfortable for a little while - just until I get my new bearings." ​

Yes - you probably won't know how it will all play out, and you won't have control of every single outcome in this transition. 

Transformation like this requires stepping WAY outside of our comfort zone, and initially that feeling absolutely sucks!

But please, don't be scared of that. The discomfort won't last FOREVER.

Your comfort zone will stretch with each unknown you boldly face.

Everything always works itself out, in one way or another. 
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And I think "the unknown" gets a bad rap - it doesn't ALWAYS bring the bad outcomes!
It can and often does bring GOOD changes!

2. Focus On Today: Take It One Step At A Time

Instead of trying to predict and project every possible outcome (good or bad), ground yourself in:

• What you know today, and
• What you can do today

Keep your mind in the here and now, on the things you can control within your grasp. 

Zoom in and break everything down into smaller steps, or bite size pieces. When our mind is zoomed out way too far trying to figure out the macro view while in a stress response anxiety alarm will rise.

Take it one step at a time, trust that clarity on decisions will come as you move forward. 

I know letting go isn’t always easy! But it’s necessary to create space for the new and unexpected blessings that can come with change.
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Every lifequake, no matter how difficult, carries the potential for a fresh start, it will just take some time to unfold.

Remember, you don’t have to figure it all out today, there is no rush. Continue to put one foot in front of the other and you'll keep moving forward.

3. Trust The Answers Will Come To You

You are in fact extremely capable of navigating this chapter of unknown and emerging with a renewed sense of self.

I know it, and deep down you know it too. 

Trust that the answers you seek will arrive in their own time.
 
I have no doubt you've worked through challenges before, and found reasonable solutions. 

All the unknowns that are circling will soon become clear. And clarity often unfolds gradually. 

On thing you can do to help you lean more into trust...

Practice Gratitude:
 

• Every day, list one thing you’re grateful for within this transition, no matter how small.
• This could be a new insight, a supportive friend, a conversation that needed to happen, or a new skill you’re learning.

Gratitude will keep you focused on what’s possible instead of what’s impossible.

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About the Author: 
Janel Briggs is a NLP and Timeline Therapy Practitioner on a mission to support women across the globe in overcoming their professional anxieties, imposter syndrome, fears and insecurities to build unwavering confidence and self-belief. Mindset Coaching is about empowering women to rise above self-doubt and become fearless leaders in the pursuit of life and career success! 
Connect with Janel on social media via Linkedin or Instagram.

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If you’re looking to learn more about anxiety and the fear surrounding the unknown and ways to naturally relief it, my ebook “Becoming Fearless” is a wealth of knowledge. Offering 12 practical tools to support you beyond what I’ve shared here. Including coaching tips, links to meditations, mindfulness practices and inspirational stories from my clients. You can read more about it [here].