Viewing the world from the point of view of a worm or an eagle and other unusual techniques.
1. Find an internal source of control
In psychology, there is a concept called “locus of control”. It can be external or internal and determines the position from which we look at life. In the first case, we transfer control over the events that happen in our lives to external factors, such as political, economic or social. In the second case, control is based on a different principle: only we ourselves are responsible for our lives, we take responsibility for our actions and decisions.
People who view the world through the lens of internal control are much better at suppressing fear than those who rely on an external locus.
2. Let go of things that cannot be controlled
To cope with the fear of uncertainty, we need to understand what we can control and what we cannot. Anything that is beyond our control, it is important to learn to let go of. Here are a few such things:
- the opinion of others about you;
- actions and responsibility of other people;
- global economic processes;
- weather;
- traffic jams;
- future.
3. Let go of things you can control
Even if we can control something, it doesn’t mean we should. We usually take control because we think that if we don’t, no one else can. We feel our influence and how it changes our lives, and we don’t want to give that power to anyone else.
However, sometimes it is worth doing just that and focusing on one thing. In moments when you start to take control of more and more things, it does not hurt to remember the proverb: “If you chase two hares, you will catch neither.”
4. Approach planning wisely
This means thinking about and planning for the future, but also being able to adjust your plans when it arrives. We can’t predict what will happen next, but proper preparation can help mitigate any twists and turns of fate .
It’s like starting a business and planning how it will generate income. This determines the vector of development, but the entrepreneur will still change the strategy depending on the situation. In addition, the ability to make plans helps develop new skills that can significantly help in the future.
5. Look at the world from the point of view of the eagle and the worm
The worm sees only a few centimeters in front of it. The eagle, on the contrary, has a wide view. The worm notices details: leaves, puddles and stones. The eagle sees forests, seas and mountains.
In life, you need to be able to look at the world through both lenses. The eagle’s point of view gives you the big picture: where this road will lead you, what you will be doing in 10 years, where you plan to work next, what are the chances of your relationship for a happy future. The worm’s point of view is thinking about each next step, daily habits and rituals.
Fear of the unknown can arise when we lose the ability to see the world in one of these ways. If you are worried about the general trends in what is happening around you, you need to return to the eagle lens, try to see the long-term perspective and understand what has changed and how you can adapt to the new situation. If you are worried about not moving effectively towards your goals, return to the worm lens and change your daily habits.
6. Avoid “what if” statements
Another way to conquer fear of the unknown is to throw yourself into something. You don’t think Frodo from The Lord of the Rings walked all the way to Mordor to throw the ring, and then suddenly wondered, “What if I go back?” No, he’d already crossed the line.
This concept is explained in Joseph Campbell’s book “The Hero with a Thousand Faces”, where the author analyzes the hero’s journey. At the very beginning of the journey, the hero crosses a line after which he can no longer return to his past life. He can only move on.
If you are unsure about your future, it may mean that you are still giving yourself the opportunity to deviate from the intended path. Want to start exercising? Buy a gym membership, a uniform, and other necessary things. This way, you will cross the line after which there will be no turning back and no other choice, and your brain will convince you that the decision you made is the right one .
7. Adequately evaluate media resources
A few centuries ago, a whole city could burn down a hundred kilometers away from us – and we would never know about it. Today, we are aware of every catastrophe and tragedy that happens in the world, even if this information does not affect our daily lives.
Media resources feed our fear of the unknown in many ways. If possible, try to limit their consumption a little, for example, checking the news only twice a day, instead of every hour. This will help to restore internal balance, at least for a short time.
8. Be kinder to yourself
Each of the described methods for overcoming the fear of the unknown works. But, unfortunately, this does not mean that absolutely all of them will suit you personally. There may come moments when you will not succeed in anything, and the experiences will come flooding back with renewed vigor.
It’s important to be kind to yourself in times like these. Yes, you stumble, but you keep going. It’s like going to the gym. Sometimes you skip workouts , but you still keep going. One setback is just one setback. You’ll do better tomorrow.