Life is full of uncertainties. They are inevitable. You are probably going to encounter them in most aspects of your life. Your relationships, whether familial, professional, or intimate, are no exception to this rule.
Life throws enough challenges at you as it is. Being prepared and having a plan for how to manage any uncertainties that do arise is a great practice to get into. Here are some strategies that you can start implementing now in your relationships and beyond.
Encourage Open Communication
Communication is one of the most important foundations for any healthy relationship. Most importantly, you want to ensure you are having the right type of communication with your partner.
Open and honest conversations are imperative for building trust, strengthening your bond, fulfilling your needs, and honoring your values. They also help to overcome obstacles that pop up from time to time. If you are not having open conversations with your partner, now is the time to start.
Share concerns you have. Listen to your partner's opinions and perspectives with judgment-free ears. Be an active listener to fully grasp what their concerns. By having this open dialogue, you can work your way to a successful outcome, or at least a point of mutual understanding.
Embrace Flexibility
Despite your best efforts to plan and account for a majority of the details, you are going to encounter unexpected and uncertain situations. Having a rigid mindset will not do you many favors in the long run.
Learn to embrace a certain amount of flexibility in life. Being adaptable and open will help you have the proper approach for constructive responses. This way, when something uncertain comes up with you and your partner, it will not cause you a huge amount of stress. Instead, you will be able to go with the flow and let it play out.
Establish Boundaries
Having boundaries is another foundational building block for a healthy relationship. While there is not a rigid structure that can dictate how a relationship will go, boundaries can provide great guidelines.
Boundaries will protect you and your partner’s overall well-being. Communicate your boundaries to your partner and encourage them to do the same. When certain situations arise, you may find that one or both of you need your separate space to navigate the situation before coming back together to handle matters.
Focus on What Is in Your Control
When uncertainties come about, it can be easy to spend your time focusing on the outcome you want or details of the situation that are beyond your control. Acknowledge that you cannot always control your outcomes.
Take a step back and spend your energy on the things you can control. This is a helpful response in the face of uncertainty.
Focus on the Present
If you find yourself wrapped up in worry about the unforeseeable future and uncertainties in your relationship, it will create unnecessary stress and anxiety. You can also miss out on things happening right in front of you.
Engage in mindfulness exercises to keep yourself focused in the here and now. Practice techniques that will help reduce anxieties you may be having. More importantly, enjoy the moment with your partner. No one has a magic crystal ball with all the answers. The trajectory of your relationship will reveal itself over time, so take it all in as it happens.
Seek Professional Help
If anxiety about the future or uncertainty is affecting your quality of life, it may be time to explore additional guidance. Relationship therapists are a great resource for developing the necessary tools to navigate your relationship in a healthy manner.
During our sessions, we can explore this phenomenon further and help you find a good balance within your relationship. Use my contact information to get started.