This is part one of “Finding Hope in Uncertainty: How to Stay Grounded and Positive When the Future Feels Unclear”

Maybe this is helpful for you these next weeks as I go through a process where you might find hope. These blogs are for me as much as anything – so, I am “preaching to myself” as much as helping you.

Yesterday was a National Day of Prayer in Ukraine. Germany has a new government as of Sunday. The “powers that be” are making unsettling decisions and this all affects us, whether we read the news or just go shopping, or even just go to work (or not).

In times of uncertainty, when life feels this unpredictable and control seems out of reach, hope is essential. It serves as a guiding light, a source of strength that keeps us moving forward, even when we can't see the path clearly.

Finding hope in uncertainty can help you regain your balance, resilience, and a sense of purpose, helping you navigate all your challenges with a more positive outlook.

This is the beginning of a few blogs on how to cultivate and hold onto hope, even in the midst of great uncertainty.

1. Embrace the Present Moment and be Mindful

Often, uncertainty comes from worrying about the future or rehashing the past.

Hope is easier to cultivate when we focus on the present moment, appreciating what’s within our reach right now.

Mindfulness techniques, such as breathing exercises or meditation (I do Feldenkrais and highly recommend it), can bring you back to the present. Try to focus on what you can see, hear, and feel in this moment, and let it anchor you.

2. Celebrate Small Wins, those of Yours and those of Others.

Recognizing small achievements helps us stay grounded in the present and reinforces positive progress. Celebrate little victories, no matter how small—they’re steps toward a hopeful future. Invite a friend for dinner. Light a candle in the honor of your win. Take a photo of what you did to remember.

3. Be Ready, Willing and Able to Change and Grow

A trendy word is “growth mindset “, and it allows you to see your challenges as opportunities for growth, making it easier to remain hopeful, even in tough situations. This openness empowers you to see uncertainty as a space for learning, self-discovery, and resilience-building. You are the actor in your life, not your circumstances, thoughts or emotions. I could help you address this, if you have an issue with this.

Thus, this includes changing the way you look at your “negative aspects” of your life. Instead of seeing difficulties as setbacks, view them as opportunities for you to learn. Ask, “What can I learn from this?” or “How can I grow through this experience?”

Another way to gain hope is to think “positively” by focusing on your possibilities, not  on your problems. Try to focus on the possibilities that lie within the unknown ahead of you. Dream a bit. This shift in perspective can foster your curiosity, more optimism, and a proactive approach to the uncertainty in your life.

For more on this, wait until next week where I will share more - or contact me.

I wish you a more hopeful week, despite your circumstances.

Patricia Jehle               patricia@jehle-coaching.com