Finding Balance in a World of Uncertainty

Life has a way of settling into rhythms. We wake up to the same alarm, eat familiar meals, head to the same job, and wind down with weekend routines that rarely stray too far from the norm. There's comfort in the predictable—until, of course, the unpredictable shows up.

Even when our lives seem steady, change is always hovering in the background. It may come as a rite of passage, a shift in our responsibilities, or something more sudden and jarring—a loss, a diagnosis, a layoff. We know these moments are possible, yet we often carry on with business as usual, clinging to routines like a safety net.

Interestingly, I’ve noticed a shift in my own mindset over time. When I was struggling, I clung to hope. Change represented possibility—something better on the horizon. Now, when I think about change, it often carries a sense of dread. I brace for what might go wrong instead of dreaming about what could go right.

This emotional tension is something I dive into in my book, You Can’t Surf from the Shore. Life is a mixture of the good and the bad—joy and sorrow, hope and fear. But we often want to split the two, to only embrace what feels good and reject anything uncomfortable. The truth is, they’re inseparable.

So how do we live fully in the face of uncertainty?

The key is balance. We don’t know what’s coming next, but that shouldn’t lead us to play it safe and avoid going after what we want. Nor should it push us to live recklessly in fear that tomorrow might not come. Instead, we have to build a life that holds space for both the unknown and the meaningful.

One powerful way to do that is through a systems and habits-based approach. By creating intentional daily routines, we can move steadily toward the future we hope for—without sacrificing our present. It’s not about rigid discipline or ignoring joy, but rather finding ways to align our daily actions with our deeper values.

This balance doesn’t mean we’ll avoid pain, but it helps us feel anchored through it. It doesn’t guarantee the future, but it helps us shape it with purpose. With moderation, some sacrifice, and a whole lot of grace, we can create lives that are rich with meaning—no matter what changes come our way.