It's Time To Embrace The Uncertainty
Start writing a post
Health and Wellness

It's Time To Embrace The Uncertainty

Take a front seat to the thunderstorm.

109
It's Time To Embrace The Uncertainty
Unsplash

A structure is safe. It provides us with security, something to hold onto when uncertainty hides around every corner. When I was younger, the thought of spontaneity and unstructured events sent my brain into a spiral of panic.

Constantly, I overanalyzed all the possible outcomes that could result from an unfamiliar occurrence. Tests, confrontation, and how other people viewed me were main culprits of my anxiety.

For this reason, I despised change and saw it as an unwelcome nuisance.

After a while, I learned to embrace change and the excitement it contains. The transition to a more laidback version of myself was far from easy. After some time though, I learned that no matter how much you plan for your life, you can never control all outside variables.

Much like a thunderstorm can roll around and wreck your beach day, unexpected factors can roll around and wreck your plans for the future. Interestingly enough, I used to be absolutely terrified of thunderstorms.

For years, I hid in the basement every time a crack of thunder boomed through the air and bought all kinds of books that explained weather phenomenon. I thought that the more I knew, the less uncertainty there would be.

Every once and awhile, a nasty supercell would roll in out of the blue. I retreated back to the safety of the basement equipped with flashlights and snacks. In such moments, I wondered why I spent so much focus on phenomena I could not predict.

Today, I am fascinated by lightning, thunder, clouds, and the like. I prefer a front row view when the weather takes a turn for the worse. I can usually be found sitting by the window until the craziness passes. Likewise, I have embraced spontaneity.

Now, a structure is abnormal to me. Maybe this is because I have learned to thrive off the unexpected. I find joy in going on random adventures with my friends, exploring off the path when I go for a hike, trying something new on the menu and making friends in the most uncommon places. I make split decisions to go outside to watch the sunset or run a 5k.

When you view uncertainty as a positive thing, life becomes much less terrifying and quite a bit more thrilling.

Life hits us with curve balls we would never be able to see coming. Not all of these curve balls allow for an optimistic outlook. Sometimes life gets really horribly hard for no reason at all. The important thing is that we never lose that childlike wonder that causes us to keep seeking exhilaration.

A rainy day is an opportunity to jump in puddles. A missed connection opens the door for new connections; ones that will often benefit us more than those we missed. We cannot tell how much a person or moment will mean to us at first. We must trust that there will be better days with better opportunities ahead of us. Too rigid of a structure in life seems to only set people up for disappointment.

Goals and plans are crucial to success, but the ability to adapt, and smile through the cracks in our plans is crucial to happiness. If I’ve learned one thing in the past 19 years of my life, it’s that success is much easier to come by when we are happy.

Spark your curiosity.

Say yes to the random plans your friends make on Tuesday night to take a quick study break and explore your city. Take a class that may not relate to your major but fascinates you. Study abroad, decide to train for a marathon, make a last minute choice to visit your friends. Leave more room in your life for excitement. That might leave less certainty in your schedule, but life will break that schedule anyway.

Spontaneity leaves you with the power to break it yourself.

Take a front seat to the thunderstorm. You can overanalyze your fears and avoid them, or you can act on a whim sometimes, confront what scares you, and live a little bigger. Living a little bigger allows you to shine a little brighter.

Stop taking life so seriously and focusing on what you cannot change. Instead, chase your storms and focus on what thrills you.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

935325
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

112053
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lots of people sat on the cinema wearing 3D glasses
Pinterest

Ever wonder what your friend meant when they started babbling about you taking their stapler? Or how whenever you ask your friend for a favor they respond with "As You Wish?" Are you looking for new and creative ways to insult your friends?

Well, look no further. Here is a list of 70 of the most quotable movies of all time. Here you will find answers to your questions along with a multitude of other things such as; new insults for your friends, interesting characters, fantastic story lines, and of course quotes to log into your mind for future use.

Keep Reading...Show less
New Year Resolutions

It's 2024! You drank champagne, you wore funny glasses, and you watched the ball drop as you sang the night away with your best friends and family. What comes next you may ask? Sadly you will have to return to the real world full of work and school and paying bills. "Ah! But I have my New Year's Resolutions!"- you may say. But most of them are 100% complete cliches that you won't hold on to. Here is a list of those things you hear all around the world.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

The Ultimate Birthday: Unveiling the Perfect Day to Celebrate!

Let's be real, the day your birthday falls on could really make or break it.

67585
​different color birthday candles on a cake
Blacksburg Children's Museum

You heard it here first: birthdays in college are some of the best days of your four years. For one day annually, you get to forget about your identity as a stressed, broke, and overworked student, and take the time to celebrate. You can throw your responsibilities for a day, use your one skip in that class you hate, receive kind cards and gifts from loved ones and just enjoy yourself.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments