A few days ago it was the summer solstice here in the UK. I love this time of year. The summer lies ahead of us like a vast canvas, ready for us to elevate our experiences into lifelong memories. Friends will be contacted, good times will be had. May is a cheery month for sure, but by late June the British summer is well on its way. The large festivals have started happening and the school year is drawing to a close. The air is finally warm outside. Nostalgia and hope bloom in equal measure.
But wait…
The difference with 2023 is that the creeping specter of dystopia that haunts post-modernity seems to have formed full force and broken down the metaphorical city gate. France is in flames. Inflation is rampant. The Ukrainian conflict’s counter offensive is grinding through thousands of lives. Meanwhile, Space Cowboy at the helm of arguably the most important source of ‘free’ journalism is causing chaos. That’s not to mention the horrendous climate-related scenarios that seem increasingly unbearable to think about. Talk about a lot going on!
Against this backdrop of the potential breakdown of whole countries, and failing sectors of society within regions, the world economy is spasming. Witness the large scale public layoffs of the past year or so. Of course, they have been accompanied by the insidious and unstoppable rise of ai, disrupting everything from the modelling industry to the corporate world. Companies large and small are finding it difficult to operate in such a destabilizing setting. It is a difficult time. Uncertainty is rife. And if there’s one thing we as humans don’t deal well with, it’s uncertainty.
What can one do in such a world of calamity?
I’ll start with a notion that I believe is from Alan Watts’s canon. That we do not come into this world; we come out of it, like leaves from a tree. As the ocean makes waves, the universe makes people. And so, every individual is an expression of the whole realm of nature. If ever you feel insignificant, unimportant or helpless you should remember this. Perhaps this is too poetic to provide real reassurance. Yet I would argue that meditating on this notion is a solid starting point for affecting positive and proactive change.
Let me elaborate with more aspects of practice drawn from Zen Buddhism. When faced with overwhelming uncertainty in the job market, or even having been made redundant, it is all too easy to let doubt creep in. Especially being ‘let go’. This can lead to worries about the future or regrets about the past. The importance of focusing on the present moment is evident here. This certainly does not mean ignoring your situation. Rather attending to what can be done right now. This could mean updating your CV, applying for jobs, reaching out to recruiters, or upskilling yourself.
Embrace uncertainty with body and mind
On the emotional level, its worth bearing in mind the transient nature of everything, the absolute impermanence of life. Losing a job is a significant change, and it’s only natural to feel upset. Here’s the thing; acknowledging that all that we have in life is subject to change and entropy can provide a certain level of comfort. All careers must come to an end. All jobs will become something else in time. Understanding this could also open your mind to new possibilities that you may not have considered before.
The idea of non-attachment supplements everything written above. This doesn’t mean being dispassionate or not caring about the outcome of a workplace restructure or specific job application. Instead, recognise that the results of these processes do not define your worth or potential. The advice on this point is not to be too bound up with a certain role at one company, or even a trade that may one day be obsolete. Additionally, if you keep an appropriate level of non-attachment to the world of work, it will also be easier to find harmony with non-work or family pursuits.
What about actual practical habits?
The second most practical habit you could introduce or build upon during times of great uncertainty and change would be regular meditation. Repeated meditation can help manage stress and anxiety during challenging times. Mindfulness mediation can also provide clarity, helping you understand what you truly want in your life and from your next career move. There’s a plethora of books on the topic of meditation, and if Zen and mindfulness arouse your interest, five of my favourites are reviewed here.
However, the most important thing you could do, and something you could do right away is just to relax. Take a deep breath. Hold it in for the count of three, and then breathe out. Repeat for a while, and just breathe mindfully. Focus on your breath, and repeatedly bring your mind back to the present moment and the task at hand. Mindful and full-body breathing like this will improve your decision-making and focus over time.
The last word on uncertainty
Another statement from Alan Watts – “The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance.” I know… life as a dance isn’t the metaphor for everyone. Some people hate dancing, others take life too seriously. But trust me, I think Alan’s right on this one.