Navigating Uncertainty: JB's Monday Momentum #26
How Embracing Uncertainty Can Change Your Life
Estimated reading time: five minutes
Welcome to Monday Momentum, the weekly newsletter where I discuss practical wisdom, uncovering insights to enhance our lives one thoughtful moment at a time. While I have confidence in the ideas I write about, I am still learning them. I acknowledge that what works for me may not work for everyone. Take each idea as you see fit and let me know what you think!
Hello friends,
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Moving to the Netherlands in the middle of high school was a shot into straight unknown. At first, it was unsettling—new country, new people, and new customs—but keeping an open mind in the face of this uncertainty was what allowed me to adapt, make friends, and appreciate the experiences that followed. This same mindset was useful again just a couple of months ago when I moved to college. I knew I was about to enter another phase filled with unknowns, but also knew the best way to ease the transition was to embrace the opportunity and potential that lay ahead. This approach changed everything.
Life is full of moments like these—where the path ahead isn’t clear and uncertainty fogs our vision. It’s easy to fear what we don’t know, and this discomfort often leads us to avoid it altogether. Instead of resisting uncertainty, we must lean into it. This—and this alone—is all that is needed to clear the fog.
If you missed the last edition—“It's Bigger Than You”—you can click here to check it out.
A Question I am Contemplating:
How can facing uncertainty help you build resilience, curiosity, and adaptability?
Uncertainty pushes us beyond our comfort zones, challenging us to grow and adapt in ways we don't won't expect. When faced with the unknown, we must find new approaches, develop resilience, and embrace flexibility. It’s in these moments that we discover our true capabilities. If everything were predictable, there would be little incentive to learn or strive for more.
Curiosity plays a crucial role here. Rather than approaching the unknown with judgment, a curious mindset allows us to see possibilities where others might see only obstacles. When we become curious, we welcome questions, explore different perspectives, and transform uncertainty into a path of discovery. Every meaningful learning experience begins with some level of uncertainty—without it, there’s no motivation to seek answers or grow.
Exploration is driven by unknown. If the outcome of everything was already known, life would lose its excitement and become dull. Uncertainty keeps us engaged. By stepping into the unknown, we encounter unexpected opportunities, discover new passions, and gain insights that wouldn’t have been possible otherwise.
People respond to uncertainty in different ways. Some view it as a threat, finding comfort in routine and predictability. This approach may bring temporary relief but ultimately limits growth and fulfillment. It's tempting to stick to the familiar, but doing so leads us to settle for what we already know, rather than exploring what could be.
Those who face uncertainty head-on find their worldview expanded, inviting creativity and opening doors to new possibilities. When we start seeing the unknown not as a problem to solve but as an adventure to embrace, we open ourselves to growth.
Facing the unknown isn’t a skill we’re born with, but one that can be cultivated over time. It starts with small steps: trying new things, stepping out of your comfort zone, and staying present in uncertain situations. By focusing on the present, we can ground ourselves even when the future is unclear. What's more, staying rooted in the present will make navigating the unknown enjoyable, as it keeps you from thinking about how things should be or once were.
Shifting the mindset around uncertainty is also helpful. Instead of feeling discouraged when encountering new unknowns, we can treat these moments as opportunities to learn and a chance to expand our capabilities. Make it a habit to celebrate moments of uncertainty because they signify growth. When we frame the unknown as a positive experience, our outlook changes, making it easier to face challenges with courage.
Let’s dig deeper into why navigating uncertainty is closely linked to personal development. When we become comfortable with not having all the answers, we strengthen our resilience and adaptability. This skill helps in finding purpose, as the path is rarely clear. In letter #8, "The Pursuit of Purpose," I discussed how defining one’s purpose is not a single realization but an evolving process of reflection. Similarly, navigating uncertainty means allowing the path to reveal itself over time as we continue to progress. It’s often through facing the unknown that we find the answers we seek—or discover questions we didn’t know existed. Uncertainty becomes a catalyst for personal growth, helping us align our actions with an evolving sense of purpose.
Approaching uncertainty with curiosity, courage, and a willingness to learn, shifts it from being a source of fear to an opportunity. Embrace it and move forward—not because you know where it will take you, but because the journey itself is worth the exploration!
Quote on uncertainty:
“The whole future lies in uncertainty: live immediately.” — Seneca
Goal for the Week:
Go rock climbing
A couple of weeks ago, I went rock climbing for the first time. It was something I had never thought I would take up and was definitely out of my comfort zone. However, it was very rewarding (physically and mentally). This week, I am looking forward to going back and stepping out of my comfort zone once again.
Mortality — Christopher Hitchens (75% done)
Hillbilly Elegy — J.D. Vance (17% done)
What I finished Reading:
Awareness — Anthony de Mello
Anthony de Mello’s Awareness is an exploration of self-discovery and mindfulness that encourages readers to examine their thoughts and emotions to “wake up.” With a mix of spiritual insights and wisdom, de Mello discusses concepts like happiness, love, presence, identity, and attachment, helping us gain an understanding of ourselves and the world around us. One of my favorite ideas in the book is that our happiness and well-being should not depend on external factors or the approval of others. De Mello argues that seeking fulfillment outside ourselves leads to short-term satisfaction rather than lasting joy. This emphasizes the importance of inner contentment and self-reliance; true happiness comes from within and is not based on external circumstances or relationships. The writing style is unique, feeling like de Mello is confronting and having a serious conversation with you throughout the book. By no means does this make it an easy book to read; the dialogue prompted me to reflect consistently, and I’m still working to understand everything I read. Though it’s a short book, it carries significant weight. I give Awareness an 8.3/10.
Favorite quote1: “To depend on another psychologically—to depend on another emotionally—what does that imply? It means to depend on another human being for my happiness. Think about that. Because if you do, the next thing you will be doing, whether you’re aware of it or not, is demanding that other people contribute to your happiness. Then there will be a next step—fear, fear of loss, fear of alienation, fear of rejection, mutual control. Perfect love casts out of fear. Where there is love there are no demands, no expectations, no dependency. I do not demand that you make me happy; my happiness does not lie in you. If you were to leave me, I will not feel sorry for myself; I enjoy your company immensely, but I do not cling.”
What I’m listening to (one podcast, one artist, one song):
Fall of Civilizations: 8. The Sumerians — Fall of the First Cities
Greta Van Fleet
“Two Dozen Roses” — Shenandoah
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Take care,
James
Just in this short excerpt, you can already get a glimpse into de Mello’s (interesting) writing style. This idea also might seem a bit extreme, but the core is so important to understand: “My happiness does not lie in you.”