How Best to Deal with Uncertainty and Anxiousness

On The Expansive podcast, we had a discussion around anxiousness and the incredible level of uncertainty we are all feeling about the future. That uncertainty makes everybody uncomfortable. It sits in the background of our lives, humming.

What emerged from that conversation was a simple, twofold approach.

1. Sit With It

The first step is to sit with anxiousness.

But not in a way that spirals into depression or a victim mindset. Not wallowing, not dramatizing, instead, sitting with it consciously and courageously.

Allow what needs to come up to come up. Allow what needs to be healed to surface. Allow what needs to bubble to the top to do so, and know that this is the work you are doing.

This is intentional; this is not passive, it’s active sitting.

In my new book, I speak about courageously mourning. Mourning with intention. Understanding why you need to go through a process of positive disintegration in order to reach post‑traumatic growth. That process requires you to sit in the discomfort without trying to bypass it.

This is the same principle.

2. Take Action Through New Inputs

The second part is action.

Learn new things, expose yourself to new ideas, seek out new information, and stretch your thinking.

While you are in the integration process, while you are sitting with what is surfacing, you also give yourself deliberate periods of expansion. You interrupt the anxiety by accessing new perspectives.

This combination changes everything.

When you sit in it consciously, you know why you are sitting in it. And when you expose yourself to new information, you don’t have time to remain anxious, because now you are learning, growing, and engaging.

Anxiousness becomes secondary.

Even though you are sitting still, it is an actionable sitting. And when you are exploring new inputs, it is expansion in motion.

Final Thought

The point isn’t to eliminate uncertainty; it’s to build the capacity to be with it.

To sit when it’s uncomfortable, to learn when it feels unclear, and to allow the disintegration without rushing the growth.

Because when you consciously integrate what is surfacing and deliberately expand into new information, something shifts. The anxiousness stops defining the experience.

Key Takeaways?

Sit with anxiousness consciously and courageously, allowing what needs to surface to do so

Take action by exposing yourself to new ideas, information, and perspectives

The combination of integration and expansion interrupts anxiety and fosters growth

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How do I know if I’m sitting with anxiety “correctly”?

A: The key is to avoid spiraling into depression or victimhood. Sit with the anxiety intentionally, allowing it to surface without judgment or dramatization. Trust that this active, courageous process is serving your growth.

Q: What are some examples of “new inputs” I can seek out?

A: Read books on topics outside your comfort zone, listen to podcasts that challenge your thinking, and take an online course in a subject you know little about. Anything that expands your perspective can interrupt the anxious loop.

Q: How long should I spend sitting with anxiety vs. exploring new ideas?

A: There’s no one-size-fits-all formula. Experiment to find the right balance for you. Maybe start with 20-30 minutes of intentional sitting, followed by 30-60 minutes of exploration. Adjust as needed based on what feels most productive.

Note: This blog post is an adaptation of the transcript from the video below.