Staying Centered In An Uncertain World by Clarissa Watson
There has been so much uncertainty in my life and in the world lately. A consistent question in my mind has been how to navigate that. The world seems so unstable; security in life seems so fragile. I am coming to learn that this is something that may not have one singular answer, but rather an answer that develops and adapts as I discover more about my mind, my relationships, my environment, and the patterns of the world I live in.
I look to the things that make me feel powerful and centered to find what the answer to that question looks like in my life right now. I believe there is much to learn from how I have discovered those things, and how I can set boundaries to protect those things so that I can continue to stay centered and navigate this world with confidence even amidst the uncertainty.
I have found that one of the greatest sources of stability in my life is my values. When so much feels uncertain, I ground myself in what I know to be true for me—principles that guide my choices, my relationships, and my sense of purpose. Values like community, appreciation of beauty, social justice, empowerment, and kindness shape the way I move through the world. They are not just ideals I hold in my mind but commitments I strive to embody through action.
Living my values requires both protecting them and practicing them. Protecting them means setting boundaries against influences that would pull me away from what I know is right for me. It means recognizing when a situation or relationship does not align with the kind of person I want to be and having the courage to step back. Practicing them means showing up in ways that reinforce these values—building and nurturing relationships, advocating for justice, appreciating and sharing beauty, and ensuring that kindness is not just something I oer to others but also something I extend to myself. This week, I centered myself and reconnected with reality by walking along the river near my college. Often, I will spend time sitting at the overlook under the bridge seen in the picture and simply let my mind reconnect with my environment, noticing the visuals, sounds, and smells around me. I love the colors of the grati around me, and it helps me feel connected to not just my environment but also the community of artists who have helped to form that space.
Furthermore, I have come to understand that security in external systems is fragile. Institutions, governments, and even societal norms shift and break, but community—the relationships we build and the mutual care we cultivate—is a far more enduring source of stability. A strong, interdependent community provides the kind of resilience that no individual security can replicate. Investing in these relationships and fostering a sense of collective care makes me feel powerful, not just for myself but as part of something greater.
At the heart of all of this is the realization that my strength does not come from controlling the external world but from remaining rooted in who I am and what I stand for. By honoring my values, protecting them, and living them fully, I can move through uncertainty with confidence, knowing that my foundation is solid even when the world around me is not.
Additional tools for when you may be in crisis:
U.S. Crisis Text Line: 741-741
Ohio Mobile Response and Stabilization Services: 1-888-418-MRSS (6777)