How to Become Comfortable with Uncertainty

We crave control. Predictability makes us feel safe. But life rarely follows a straight line, and uncertainty is the space where real life — growth, change, possibility — actually happens.

Still, let’s be honest: uncertainty is uncomfortable. Whether it’s waiting to hear back from a job interview, navigating a health scare, or facing an unclear future, the not-knowing can feel unbearable. But what if we could learn not just to tolerate uncertainty — but to trust it?

Here’s how to begin getting more comfortable with the unknown.

1. Accept That Uncertainty Is Part of Life

This might sound obvious, but it's worth saying: you can’t eliminate uncertainty. Even when you think you’ve planned for every scenario, life can throw a curveball. Acceptance doesn’t mean giving up. It means releasing the impossible task of controlling every outcome and instead choosing to respond, not react. Try telling yourself: “I don’t have to know everything right now. I just need to take the next right step.”

2. Notice the Need for Control (And Let Go, Bit by Bit)

When we’re uncertain, our instinct is to grasp. We over-research, over-plan, overthink. That’s natural — but often unhelpful. Practice recognizing when you're trying to force clarity. Instead of searching for answers that don’t exist yet, pause and ground yourself in the present. Ask: “What’s actually happening right now — not what I fear might happen?”

3. Build a Tolerance with Small Acts of Surrender

You don’t have to leap headfirst into chaos to grow more comfortable with uncertainty. Start small.

• Take a different route to work.

• Try something new without researching every review.

• Let someone else make the plan.

• Wait to send that anxious email.

Each time you loosen the grip, you’re rewiring your brain to trust that uncertainty doesn’t equal danger. This is instrumental in helping free yourself from the "certainty trap."

4. Focus on What You Can Control

You may not control the future, but you can control how you meet it. That includes:

• Your mindset

• Your daily routines

• Your reactions

• The effort you put into your values

Uncertainty feels less overwhelming when you anchor yourself in consistent, intentional actions.

5. Use Uncertainty as a Teacher

What is this uncertainty revealing about you?

• Are you afraid of failure, rejection, or loss?

• Are you more attached to outcomes than experiences?

Uncertainty invites self-discovery. It forces us to look inward, reevaluate what matters, and often leads us to unexpected wisdom.

6. Find Peace in the Present Moment

Most anxiety around uncertainty comes from imagining the worst-case scenario. Meditation, breathing exercises, journaling — even five minutes a day — can help bring you back to the only place that’s real: now. Try this: “I don’t have all the answers, but I do have this moment. And that’s enough.”

7. Surround Yourself with Support

Being comfortable with uncertainty doesn’t mean doing it alone. Talk to friends, therapists, mentors. Sometimes the most helpful thing is someone saying, “Yeah, me too.” We’re all navigating unknowns — and that shared humanity can be a powerful comfort.

Final Thought: Uncertainty Isn’t the Enemy — It’s the Path

The most meaningful experiences in life — love, risk, creativity, change — all begin with uncertainty. Discomfort is a sign you're expanding. Trust that the ground beneath you, though shaky, can still hold growth. Because often, the unknown isn’t a void. It’s just a future that hasn’t fully formed yet — and maybe, just maybe, it’s unfolding in your favor.

If you or someone you know needs help learning to cope with uncertainty, our licensed clinicians at RDU Counseling for Change are here to help. Click here to schedule an appointment.