Trust the Free Fall: Finding Stability in Uncertain Times
Last month, I saw it coming. I prepared. I planned. And yet—things did not go as expected.
A big launch, a major work event, months of preparation—only to have it feel like a rocket exploding mid-air. In the aftermath, I found myself asking: What just happened? What does this mean? Will I be okay?
When Control Slips Away
Life, much like leadership and business, is full of failed launches, unexpected pivots, and shakeups. We crave control, but reality often has other plans. The more we try to force stability, the harder the free fall feels. And right now, many people—leaders, business owners, parents—are feeling that sense of instability more than ever.
Layoffs, market crashes, political uncertainty—our world is shifting rapidly. And while self-care and stress management help, true resilience comes from something deeper: trusting that you can handle whatever comes next.
What Real Resilience Looks Like
Pema Chödrön says, “To be fully alive, fully human, and completely awake is to be continually thrown out of the nest.”
Real resilience isn’t about avoiding setbacks—it’s about learning to navigate them. It’s about trusting your own adaptability, not gripping onto a rigid plan. It’s the ability to say:
If things don’t go as planned, I can recalibrate.
If I fail, I will learn.
If life forces me in a new direction, I will find my footing again.
From Setback to Reset
What felt like failure in my launch turned out to be a necessary reset. The experience forced me to reassess and realign my work in a way that made more sense.
It was as if the universe was saying: You’re going the wrong way. Let me help you.
Not all shakeups feel like gifts in the moment—but often, they are.
Questions for Reflection
In moments of uncertainty, ask yourself:
Am I gripping too tightly to one outcome when adaptability is needed?
Are old fears or patterns keeping me stuck?
How can I remind myself that no matter what, I can handle it?
The only thing we can truly control is how we respond to life’s unexpected turns. And when we learn to trust the free fall, we discover an inner stability that no external chaos can shake.
No matter what, you can handle it. And not only that—you’ll be stronger for it.
Read the full version of this article on my Substack.