IP Lifeline: Navigating Moments of Uncertainty

IP Lifeline From Infection Control Today

A few years ago, I took a cruise on the Atlantic. Although the voyage opened with sunny skies, the darkness quickly swallowed the sea. Soon, it would become difficult to see through the stormy skies as the waves crashed into the cruise liner and the wind whipped through any remaining tendrils of peace.

As this was my first cruise, I recall feeling ill with seasickness and a growing sense of unease. I felt a complete and utter loss of control as the chaos of the storm surrounded me. I wondered how the ship's captain must feel as he traversed such treacherous waters. I pictured him standing at the helm, cursing the skies above. I lay awake that night, googling “How often do cruise liners capsize,” while attempting to quell my anxiety.

But as the light pierced through the clouds that morning, something dawned on me—sailors don’t curse the storm; they watch for the lighthouse. In times of great uncertainty or fear, our challenge is not to control the storm we find ourselves in but to keep our eyes open for a guiding light.

We may not all be together in a physical boat, but many of us have lately felt a growing sense of fear and uncertainty. The waters ahead do not appear calm, and we grow weary that our metaphorical boat is sinking. We are concerned with every passing day that we are entering into dark and uncertain times.

Whether we fear the loss of our jobs, the decline of global health, or the increase of vaccine-preventable diseases, many of us see the warning signs on the horizon that a storm is coming. Transparently, I’ve found it difficult to ignore the approaching clouds and continue my everyday routines. How do you tend to the laundry, complete that report, and show up for your kid’s soccer game when it feels like the waves are about to capsize your ship?How do you keep sailing?

At some point in our lives, we will all find ourselves in a moment of uncertainty. We will all need to navigate a storm—now or in the future. Having strategies available to weather the uncertainty is essential to navigating through and around it. I cannot say I have all the answers, nor can I say that the following strategies will solve all the problems we may face. But my hope for all of us is this: That we can hold fast in the storm to find our guiding light on the other side.

Steps to Moving Through a Storm

1. Steady the Ship—Ground Yourself in What You Can Control

In a storm, a sailor’s first task is to steady the ship—adjusting the sails, securing loose cargo, and ensuring the vessel is balanced. Similarly, in uncertain times, our first step is to ground ourselves in what we can control.

In the Serenity prayer, we recite, “Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change what I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.” I’ve repeated those words to myself numerous times during key moments throughout my life. In those moments when the future feels uncertain, I must ground myself in the wisdom of accepting what is within my locus of control. This might mean establishing routines, focusing on daily habits, or reinforcing personal values. When the external world feels utterly chaotic, seeking to anchor ourselves in internal stability is paramount.

2. Read the Winds—Assess the Situation with a Clear Mind

A skilled sailor doesn’t panic in the middle of a storm; they assess the winds and the waves, adjusting their course accordingly. If we panic, we will all sink. In times of uncertainty, we must calm ourselves and then observe and analyze our situation. Acting impulsively will only send us crashing into the sea. We must approach the storm strategically and with a rational mind. We might ask, "What information do I need to navigate this situation effectively?” By gathering information, staying aware, and avoiding knee-jerk reactions, we can make informed decisions rather than being tossed about by the winds of fear and change.

3. Adjust the Sails—Adapt to Changing Conditions

No sailor steers a ship without adjusting its sails. They shift their strategy to pick up speed, slow down, or change directions. They embrace adaptability when storms arrive. In life, we must remain adaptable and flexible in moments of uncertainty. We must be willing to shift directions, change strategies, or adopt new methodologies.

I remember a moment in my career when I desperately wanted to leave my job and return to my previous position. I was denied and felt crushed by the disappointment of the news. However, I would never have imagined that not only a year later, I would assist with the state’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Although it was a challenging job, it will forever be a highlight of my career and one that immediately followed a storm that forced me to shift direction.

Sometimes, while storms may challenge us, they can also move us forward into places and moments where we are most needed.The more flexible we remain, the more resilient we will become. With that resilience, we just might find ourselves contributing in ways that we never could have imagined before.

4. Trust Your Compass—Rely on Core Principles and Guidance

Even in the thickest fog, a sailor trusts their compass to point them toward their destination. When uncertainty clouds our path, we must turn to our core values, mentors, and trusted sources of wisdom. What principles and values guide your decisions? Who are the people and resources you can rely upon? If you cling to your core values that guide who you are, your internal compass will keep you moving in the right direction, even if you can’t yet see the horizon.

The lighthouse isn’t immediately seen. We must continue moving toward the water, using our compass to guide us. Trust your internal compass, leaning into your values, principles, and trusted advisors.

5. Keep Moving Forward—One Wave at a Time

A storm may last for hours, days, or an entire 4 years. The only way through the storm is to keep sailing. In uncertain times, when all we want to do is freeze, we must keep moving. We must gather information, adjust our sails accordingly, and use our compass to guide us. Grounded in what we can control, we steady ourselves for what’s ahead. Even when the path isn’t clear, small, consistent actions will keep us moving forward. Eventually, the storm will pass, the skies will clear, and we will emerge strong and resilient. But to get there, we must keep moving forward.

I, too, feel the uncertainty of this moment. I wake with an unsettled fear of being swallowed by the storm.I suspect some of you are also in this boat with me, concerned about our present and future.So, I have one more thing to offer you, and that is this: You are not sailing alone. An entire community of us is fully ready to face the brewing storm on the horizon. The seas will not overwhelm the boat sailors when we work together in opposition to it. We will confidently traverse these waters, and we will navigate these moments of uncertainty to reach the other side.