I am feeling uncertain a lot these days, as I am sure many people are. So many unknowns:
How long do I have to stay home?
How many people are carrying the virus?
How much risk is there to going to the store?
Will there be a second wave, and when?
When I started out as a vagabond, I was coming off years as a project manager, where my job was to reduce uncertainty and manage risks. I was really good at my job and used those same skills to plan the tow vehicle and trailer purchase and pickup. After I retired, though, and became a full-time traveler, being the project manager of my own life drove me crazy because the road and the vagabond life had so many uncertainties.
A month after I started, I realized I could fight the uncertainty or embrace it. It seemed easier to learn to embrace it and start to “go with the flow.” I remember writing in the sand “Embrace the Uncertainty” and taking a picture of it to remind myself what to do when things got weird.
And things are definitely weird right now. If you’d asked me four years ago what my plan was if there was a pandemic, I would probably have stared at you for a long time. Who would plan for something as weird as that? I was more worried about breaking an ankle or having a car accident than a pandemic. And yet, here we are, in the middle of a pandemic (For the record, I did break my hand and I did have an accident, so now I don’t have to worry about those either.)
On my morning walk today, I turned down a different street than my semi-usual route. I looked ahead and spotted these beautiful pink flowers in full bloom. The planter were hanging on the fence, facing the street, as if the homeowner was saying “here, these are for y’all to enjoy.” (I live in the South now, I can say y’all any time I want.)
And that’s when it hit me: I deal with uncertainty every day. Which street to take? What errands to run? What am I going to write about for today’s blog post? What’s for breakfast? For dinner? Watch a movie or read a book?
Nothing in life is certain, as much as I want it to be. The uncertainties are certainly magnified by this pandemic, but I will deal with them the way I deal with the daily uncertainties: one thing at a time, when it’s time. Call it “just in time” project management, or call it embracing the uncertainty. Either one works for me.
When nothing is sure, everything is possible.
Margaret Drabble
Hi Annie, we may not always leave comments but pls know we, as your appreciative readers are still here. waving from Northern Del.
Thx for your thoughtful perspectives/personal insights during these times of uncertainty. Uncertainty really is the one thing we ourselves can be certain of during these times of the ongoing pandemic.
Be well and stay safe.
The2Sisters-betty lou (the younger sister)
In 2008 one of the last group projects in grad school was to put together a plan for one of the universities departments in preparation for a pandemic, we used the bird flu. I doubt they actually implemented our plan…but I wonder now…
The uncertainty is beginning to wear on me. I used to long for days that I could stay at home…and many days I enjoy it still…but I really want to roam now that summer is coming and I’m sad to think that maybe I won’t be able to. On the other hand, I roam alone….so maybe, if they lift the stay exclusively at home rule I’ll still be able to do mini adventures.
I feel guilty for even being worried about such things while people are dying. 178 died in Michigan alone yesterday. Still. This curve doesn’t seem to be crushed to me.
It is a state we are all dealing with Annie. Well said and very relatable. I often look to Mary Oliver for guidance and the following verse is something that helped me immensely both before and now during the pandemic.
“Things take the time they take. Don’t worry.”
I have learned a lot from Pema over the years, so thanks for this. Just bought on Kindle.
It is the sense of “being in control” that has been exposed as an illusion that I work hard to maintain. It is a different perspective to realize that as things come up, they can be handled.
Comfortable with Uncertainty by Pema Chodron….book that has most affected my life…sending you much love, Annie
Well put! : ) (Stay safe).