by Ashley
I’ve been following Hope’s posts about her potential move and the significant transitions she’s been navigating in recent years—changes that have affected nearly every part of her life, from her job to her personal relationships.
While my own life hasn’t undergone quite as many seismic shifts, I’ve definitely been dealing with some disruptions, particularly in my work life.
Navigating Uncertainty at Work
I’ve touched on a few of these changes in previous posts. Without delving into too many details, my work environment has become a bit of a whirlwind. I’ve experienced an unexpected change in leadership, with my current leader serving in an interim role and no clear direction on who will lead us next. On top of that, my university is in a period of considerable instability, with leadership changes at nearly every level, shifts in funding structures, a hiring freeze, and a pause on raises, among other things.
As someone who thrives on stability and predictability, I’ve found this environment particularly challenging. There’s so much uncertainty. For example, we don’t know what the new funding model will look like, who my next boss will be, or how these changes will affect my role within the department.
Grasping at Control
In response, I’ve noticed myself trying to exert control over whatever I can. It’s almost as if I’ve been trying to force stability in my own little corner of the workplace. I’ve been pushing for small changes within my department, almost as if making those changes will help me feel more grounded, like my work is still valued despite everything else being up in the air.
It’s been a bit of a rollercoaster. One day, I’m excited about stepping into a larger leadership role, eager to take on more responsibility. The next, I start questioning whether I really want to add more to my plate and wonder if I’d be happier focusing on my current work without the stress of additional administrative duties. I go back and forth between wanting to climb the ladder and wanting to scale back, feeling pulled in different directions depending on the day.
It’s exhausting, and I can’t help but wonder if, in my efforts to manage the uncertainty, I’ve been grasping at straws.
Embracing Stillness in Times of Change
Reading through comments on Hope’s journey, I’ve noticed that many people have suggested she take a step back and resist making big decisions for now, encouraging a period of stillness rather than immediate action. While I’m not suggesting this is necessarily the right path for Hope—I believe that’s for her to decide—I can’t help but think that this might be good advice for me in my own situation. I’ve been so focused on trying to control the changes at work, but perhaps I need to pause, take a breath, and give myself some time to reflect.
Within the next year, my work environment will likely look completely different. We’ll have new leadership at the top, a new department head, and hopefully a more stable and defined business model.
As a long-term strategist, I’m used to thinking several steps ahead. I create and rely on strategic planning to guide my decision-making. But right now, it might be time to accept that not everything needs to be planned or controlled. Perhaps it’s okay to just wait and see. Peace, for now, might mean embracing stillness and not making any big changes at work for the time being. There will be plenty of time for change in the future.
Has there ever been a time in your life when you felt overwhelmed by uncertainty? How did you cope with the need for change without making rash decisions? I’d love to hear your thoughts!
Hi, I’m Ashley! Arizonan on paper, Texan at heart. Lover of running, blogging, and all things cheeeeese. Freshly 40, married mother of two, working in academia. Trying to finally (finally!) pay off that ridiculous 6-digit student loan debt!
