Creating Certainty During Uncertain Times and the Neurodiverse, ADHD, Dyslexic Brain
Let’s not pretend that things don’t feel a little uncertain right now — they do.
Let’s also not pretend that shift, change, and uncertainty don’t create anxiety in people. Oh boy, do they ever.
That fear of change and the anxiety that comes with it can especially affect a neurodiverse brain by amplifying some of the more frustrating traits of neurodivergence — things like short-term memory loss, restlessness, hyperfocus, spelling challenges, word recall issues, and just an overall sense of panic.
And, as you might guess, if we don’t calm that fear and rising anxiety, it starts to loop itself into a really annoying cycle — one that can become a pain in the butt and require a lot of energy to break.
But here’s the truth:
You have more control over the situation than you realize.
So often, when people tell me that things feel out of control, or that they have no idea how things are going to turn out — or even that they’re not sure they’re going to be okay — I remind them: you have more control over the situation than you realize.
Don’t think I’m not having conversations with business owners who are feeling an immense amount of uncertainty right now — because I am.
And I’m talking to young people just getting out of college who are also describing to me that same uncertainty. The worries and the wording are slightly different, but the feelings are very similar. And the way it’s affecting their neurology? That’s also quite similar.
It amplifies, just like I said earlier, those traits — and that can get in the way of creating the results we want in life.
Because you have more control than you think, let’s start by naming what you can control.
Here are a few things I know I can control:
• I’ll go to bed tonight at some point.
• I’ll eat food today.
• I’ll drink water today.
• I’ll use my phone for something today.
• I’ll get up tomorrow and do this whole thing again.
These might seem simple, but they’re anchors. These are the little things that remind you that not everything is up in the air.
Now, find a way to refocus your brain — and do it often throughout the day.
Once we become aware that we’re being hijacked by uncertainty (and that this is what’s creating anxiety), we need to interrupt that pattern. That interruption — that mental redirect — is one of the most important gifts you can give yourself.
Here are a few ways to refocus your brain:
• Meditation
• Exercise
• Dance
• Movement
• Prayer
• Gratitude journal
• EFT (tapping)
Each time you interrupt the loop, you’re reclaiming your calm. You’re stepping back into control. You’re reminding your brain that you’re safe — and that you’ve got this.
Ask yourself or Journal on some of these questions:
• What are some things that could go right in this situation, even if they feel unlikely?
• What’s a time in the past when I faced uncertainty and it worked out better than I expected? What did I do then?
• How might someone I admire view or respond to this situation?
• If my future self — one year from now — could speak to me right now, what do I think they’d say?
• What strengths have helped me through difficult moments before? Which one do I want to bring forward now?
• If I trusted myself completely in this situation, what would I do next?
• What choices do I still have, even if the situation feels out of my control?
• What small action could I take right now that would help me feel just a little more in control or supported?
• What if this moment of uncertainty is not a problem to solve, but a transition to grow through?
• What would I say to a friend feeling the way I am right now? Can I offer that to myself?
• What do I most need to hear or believe in order to meet this situation with calm confidence?
There will always be uncertainty in life — at some level, that’s a guarantee.
In fact, I’m certain of that.
A powerful gift you can give yourself is to learn how to refocus and harness that fear and anxiety — transforming it into productive energy that fuels your future growth and helps you move toward your goals.
So whether you’re a CEO navigating tough decisions, or a young professional stepping into your first big job after college, this much is true:
We are always in motion.
If you’re alive, you’re moving.
Let’s make sure that motion is forward — and in the direction you truly want to go.
I hope you realize how much power you really have to create the life you dream of.
JoyGenea
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