Take Back Your Power By Using Curiosity to Meet Anxiety and Discomfort
Using Curiosity to Navigate Uncertainty
Under stress, we feel emotionally squeezed, and many things long-buried away rise to the surface for our review. Instead of focusing on the worries about the struggles, get curious about the message inside.
The COVID pandemic period brought continuous unknowns. We couldn’t predict when life would feel “normal” again, how many people would be affected, or who might be at risk. For months, it felt like trying to grab a cloud of invisible smoke.
When life is uncertain, anxiety and fear can rise. One way to regain a sense of agency is to focus on what is predictable in your daily life. Small routines — like walking, cooking, or simply taking a moment to breathe — become anchors to feeling grounded and reassured.
The Benefits of Pausing
The monotony of sheltering in place challenged our sense of time. Days blended, and routines felt repetitive. Yet, this pause offered a unique opportunity to reflect on and notice aspects of life we tend to take for granted or overlook.
When we're bored, stressed or feeling uncertain with life and ourselves, we can use that space for reflection. We could examine habits, notice patterns, and consider changes that might improve our daily lives. By leaning into space rather than resisting or filling it, we can uncover the benefits of stillness, even in the midst of discomfort.
Reorganizing Priorities
Pausing or creating space creates the chance to see clearly which aspects of life are essential and which are distractions. It allows us to evaluate:
How we spend our time and energy
What habits or routines support our well-being
Where we want to focus our effort after the pause
Some people discovered joy in home cooking or gardening, while others built a deeper sense of community with neighbors or family. Others noticed patterns of coping — positive or negative — that shaped their emotional health.
Reflecting on Emotional Patterns
Periods of stress and uncertainty often surface buried emotions or unresolved tensions. This pause allowed many to notice frustration, anxiety, or patterns in relationships.
Curious self-reflection can help us understand:
How we cope with stress
Which relationships or behaviors drain us
What changes do we want to make moving forward
By observing without judgment, we can take responsibility for our choices and start reorganizing our inner world for a healthier, more resilient life.
Turning Insight Into Action
Reflection is helpful for personal discovery and informs change. If you notice you get triggered every time you visit your family, you might set a boundary and adjust your expectations for your time together.
Questions to guide action:
Which parts of your life need more attention or care?
Where can energy be redistributed to support growth?
What habits or patterns could be shifted for a healthier life?
By examining how the pause affected us — what was difficult, what brought joy, what provided clarity — we can integrate these lessons to create a more balanced and intentional life moving forward.
Using the Pause as a Tool for Growth
The pandemic paused our lives and offered an opportunity to slow down and examine life from a different perspective. Through curiosity and reflection, we can:
Identify patterns and habits that serve or hinder us
Reorganize priorities and energy toward meaningful goals
Take intentional steps to cultivate growth and resilience
Even in challenging or uncertain times, pausing can be a tool for progress. By embracing reflection, we create the opportunity to emerge in a better place — with a clearer sense of direction, healthier habits, and more intentional connections with ourselves and others.
