How to Deal with Uncertainty & Embrace the Waiting Period.

When You’re in the Season of Waiting.

There are seasons in life that ask us to move, to take action. And there are seasons that ask us to wait. Waiting can take many forms: waiting for clarity about what’s next, waiting for inspiration or motivation to return, or waiting in the kinds of uncertainty that make us feel out of control - waiting to hear back about a diagnosis, waiting to conceive, waiting to hear back from court, waiting after a job interview, waiting for your exam results, or waiting to heal from an inner wound.

I often describe this period as the space In-Between or the Fuzzy Middle, where there’s no clear, HD picture of what’s ahead. And no matter what form it takes, waiting can feel unbearable.

What it Feels Like.

This Fuzzy Middle can feel like being suspended between what was and anticipating what’s not yet. You may feel restless, anxious, unmotivated, or discouraged, wanting to move forward but unsure how. When I find myself in this space, I often think, “If only I knew what’s next, I could finally feel settled and have a sense of direction.”

But after multiple experiences of personally being in The Fuzzy Middle, I've come to firmly believe that waiting is not empty. It’s a quiet, unseen process that calls for faith, patience, and gentleness with ourselves. Growth is still happening beneath the surface, even when you can’t see it yet.

From a psychological and somatic perspective, uncertainty naturally activates our nervous system. Our brains crave predictability; we want to know what’s coming next to feel safe. When that clarity or control isn’t available, the body can respond with agitation (hyperarousal) or collapse into fatigue and withdrawal (hypoarousal). So if you find yourself jumping between feeling scattered, numb, or stuck, it’s not because you’re doing something wrong. It’s your body’s way of managing the discomfort of being in this space.

Ways to Care for Yourself While You Wait.

Although I wish there was a magic wand that can make this space in-between disappear, it’s not about getting rid of it or avoiding the Fuzzy Middle altogether. It’s about learning how to wait well. Waiting well doesn’t erase the discomfort or restlessness, but it can strengthen your ability to move through these inevitable seasons with steadiness and self-compassion.

Here are a few ways to practice that:

1. Ground in the present moment. When your mind races ahead to what’s next, gently return to what’s here: your breath, your surroundings, a comforting routine. Even small anchors remind your body that you’re safe.

2. Live out your values, even without answers. You may not have clarity about the big picture, but you can still act in alignment with what matters to you. Ask yourself, “What would it look like to live by my values today?”  Whether that means showing kindness, staying curious, being creative or caring for your body, living by your values brings meaning to the waiting.

3. Tend to your nervous system. Notice what your body needs when you feel dysregulated.

If you feel restless or on edge, slow down: breathe, stretch, ground through your senses. If you feel low or disconnected, gently re-engage: move your body, step outside, watch something light.

4. Make space for rest and reflection. Waiting can invite insight into what matters to you, what you truly want, and what’s no longer serving you. Give yourself permission to slow down and reflect with curiosity. This might look like talking with a safe person or journalling.

5. Trust that something is still unfolding. Even when you can’t see movement or outward change, something within you is shifting. Trust that this season will make sense in hindsight and the discomfort of it all is not meaningless.

A Gentle Reminder.

You don’t need to rush the process or force clarity. The waiting period, as uncomfortable and painful as it can be, is an important chapter in your larger story.

So remember to take it day by day. Keep living out your values. Keep showing up for the small things that matter to you.

Often, quietly and unexpectedly, the next chapter begins to reveal itself, and you’ll realize that even this season of waiting was an important part of your becoming.

Thank you for reading! How do you “wait well”? I’d love to hear your thoughts and practices in the comments below!