“The Universe does not behave according to our preconceived ideas. It continues to surprise us!”
Unknown

Living in the world today can be challenging, positively exhilarating, and everything in between. If it is not your specific life that is changing, then it is a loved one, a friend, a co-worker, or the world itself. There are many twists and turns in life, and with the expedience of technology, life is moving faster and changing more often than we can keep up with. Even if your unfamiliar territory is a well-thought-out strategy to leave a job, start a new business, change a habit, commit to a love, or welcome a new baby, part of getting good at life is being open and ready for JUMPING into the UNKNOWN.

In my own life as of late, I have been confronted with JUMPING IN without knowing where my next step is going to lead. I have always thought of myself as someone ready and open for change, but even when you think you are ready, the fears, uncertainty, and doubts can creep in and cause you to really face where you think your security is coming from in life.

For me, I was heading about sixty miles per hour down one path, and in a split second, I had to take a sharp left. Now, instead of turning right, I was turning left in a blink of an eye. You’ve got to love life with all the unexpected surprises! (Ok, I may be stretching it when I said “love,” but at least find the humor or amusement of it all.) It’s my hope that you will find these tips helpful; that even if you, too, have taken an unforeseen detour, you can find your grounding and allow the bewildering unknown, with all of its curve balls, to carry you to somewhere wonderful.  

READY, SET, JUMP! Here are five tips to help you on your way!

1. Ground Yourself

Allow yourself time to adjust to the new surroundings. It is not going to feel familiar, so give yourself permission to be uncomfortable and gain your bearings. This is key, because if you want things in your life to be the same, realize they’re not going to be, and knowing this might give you comfort. The train has left the station, and your view is going to look and feel different.

2. Acknowledge Your Feelings

Know that if your doubts, fears, and uncertainty arise, it’s ok. Some people don’t like to acknowledge these qualities when they are feeling them because they think that the feeling is going to overtake their lives. Know that feelings are like the weather—always changing. Ride the wave of the feeling and acknowledge it (you may need to write, cry, etc.) but feel it and move on without changing course.

3. Give Yourself Credit

If you have lived on this planet for any length of time, remember this is not the only time you have ventured into the unknown; you have already gone through life’s new beginnings and tough times, so you can do it again. Reflect back on how you made it through a past event when you thought you were never going to see it to the other side. By giving yourself credit and acknowledging that you have done it before, it will give you confidence that this too shall pass and the unfamiliar will become easier with time.

4. Create Safe Havens for Yourself

Part of the unknown is scary—we don’t know where we are going yet. It’s new. So find people, experiences, and situations that make you feel safe. Create a great circle of positive support—friends, mentors, and loved ones—and remember to avoid toxic people who can cause you to sabotage your new beginning.

For me, my protecting and nurturing area is my home, a wonderful place to restore and renew my spirit and my connection to God. Find what works for you and create those safe havens.

5. Prepare for the Positive

Use this time to redirect your energies toward your goals and desires. Focus on what you do want versus what you don’t want or what is not happening now. This is a time to understand and connect to the why of your unknown. If it is viewed as an unexpected loss or negative turn of events, find the lesson. Don’t ask yourself, “Why me?” Ask yourself, “What can I learn?” or “What is this turn of events showing me?” Whether it is expected or not, find the positive. Prepare for the positive. Prepare for the new. Allow the unknown to take you to fresh and unforeseen areas in yourself.

I say, “rock on with your fabulous new self and rise like a phoenix from the ashes,” which can enrich and enliven your mind, body, heart, and spirit!

Is there one thing you would like to share that has helped or hindered your success in jumping into this mysterious, vast, and wonderful place called the unknown?


Nina Boski is an entertainment and lifestyle expert and the host and Executive Producer of LifeBites LIVE, on emPOWERme.TV. You can watch LifeBites LIVE Thursdays at 11 a.m. PST. You can also follow Nina on Twitter.