Contents
Planning helps to gain confidence in the future. This is how we create a picture of a comfortable future for ourselves. But now we are experiencing fear and confusion because of the rapid changes on a global scale. How to help yourself and make plans in the spring of 2022?
In a state of anxiety, there is one main task for our mind — to ensure physical and mental safety. Because of this, we can make decisions that later raise questions to ourselves.
Before making plans for the future, it is worth planning a return to normal. Choose tools that will help you find a sense of calm. It can be a meeting with a psychologist, bodily practices, an evening in the company of loved ones or time alone with yourself. Be prepared to invest a resource and immerse yourself in this process.
The condition has more or less returned to normal, what’s next?
Not everything is in our hands
“Life depends on ourselves” is a position that helps to gain motivation and take responsibility for decisions. However, now it is worth revisiting this belief. We can control only a small percentage of external events, even if we really want to and make efforts in the right direction.
We can influence the situation that really depends on us. Ask yourself the question: “What is in my area of responsibility? What do I want to do with it right now?” The answer will help you understand what you need to focus on.
Let us help you see opportunities in the moment
Try to think about what advantages there are in the present moment for you and what to do to make things work out in the best way. Perhaps the current conditions are perfect for changing jobs, redefining your values, or paying attention to your health.
We always have a choice: think positively and look for opportunities «here and now» or wait for stability and freeze goals that used to burn our eyes. Now we ourselves determine the train of thought and the potential of the situation.
Critical thinking is the cure for compulsive actions
Fear is a normal response to abnormal circumstances. Many are afraid, feel aggression, we interact with the same people as ourselves. We pass on our emotions to others and become infected with them. At the same time, anxiety increases many times when others feel the same way. In this environment, it is easy to lose the ability to make decisions based on experience, desires and life position.
You need to remember about yourself, about your goals and the reasons for decisions. Before you follow the majority, think about why you need it.
When a friend shares his fear about world events, decide if his feelings are objective and whether it is worth adopting this attitude.
If you realize that you are in a state of anxiety at the moment of making a decision, it is better to slow down and do nothing for a while. So you will avoid hasty decisions and protect yourself from possible negative consequences.
We will begin to plan adequately when we monitor and control the emotions imposed on us. This is important not only for us, but for the world as a whole.
Need a plan B
In the new realities, changes are happening faster than we make forecasts. Predicting what will happen in a month is quite difficult and inefficient. Therefore, it is important to be mobile and learn to quickly adapt to the situation.
Under these conditions, it is better to make plans for the near future (from three days to two weeks) and reconsider the potential for early planning
Keep your long-term intentions in mind and take small but sure steps towards realizing them.
To calm yourself and gain confidence, you need to consider as many scenarios as possible. The principle of planning «A, B, C» will help with this.
Choose a space where you feel safe.
Think about what circumstances may await you in the future (even the worst and most frightening options).
Write down the steps for each scenario.
The technique will be most effective if you do this work on paper.
Allow yourself to write down everything that causes negative emotions. In the process, you will feel yourself returning to a state of calm.
Remember that you are not alone in the circumstances you are currently living. Be considerate of your feelings and the emotions of others. You have the resource to keep creating a comfortable reality.