The present moment can quickly become overwhelming when we feel like we’re bracing for something, but not quite sure what’s coming next. It’s exhausting to be poised on high alert, stuck in “fight or flight” but to be unsure where to go, what the danger is exactly, which direction it might be coming from, or even how seriously to take it amidst all the constant noise. No matter what the particular flavor of fear is on any given day, when we’re stuck in it, it’s not a lot of fun.
But it doesn’t have to derail us. Just as the kids at Heart of Los Angeles learn to navigate the obstacles placed between them and educational opportunities, we can all develop strategies to navigate the unknown.
One powerful tool is focusing on what is within our control. While no one can predict the future, we can exert control over how we react. Taking deep breaths, practicing mindfulness, or simply going for a walk outdoors can help ground us in the present moment and get us out of our heads. Small acts of self-care can make a big difference, even if they can’t make the thing we’re worrying about go away completely. By staying present today, we can make sure that if the bad thing does happen tomorrow, and it’s as bad as we feared (which it rarely is), we at least haven’t suffered twice for no reason.
And if you do find yourself unable to shake off that persistent worst-case scenario thinking by connecting with the moment you’re in, you might try taking just one concrete action step that you know you’d need to take if things did end up at their worst. Concerned about fires or flooding? Pack that go-bag you’ve been putting off making. Or why not take a few minutes and brush up on your protected rights – be they tenant rights, rights to due process, or basic human rights? Whatever your worry, maybe there’s a skill you can learn, a person you can call, or an appointment you can make that will at the very least take your mind off it in the short term while reminding you that as stuck as you might feel when you just don’t know what’s coming, you can still move forward.
Finally, remember that uncertainty is a part of life and that life is often better in the company of others. Talking to a friend, family member, or mentor can put things in perspective. Sharing our worries can lighten the load, and helping someone else navigate their fears can remind you that you’re stronger than you might think.
Just like the community at Heart of LA, we all thrive when we lean on each other.
Written by Nick Clark
