Today, I was told to go with the flow, and honestly, I feel like I’m trying to swim in a tsunami. With job uncertainty, the cost-of-living crisis 2025, and so much more, it’s hard to swim with the current.
We’ve all heard the phrase “go with the flow,” but what it really means is learning to let go — to stop trying to control every little thing and simply trust where life takes you. As someone who struggles to let go, that phrase always makes me tense up. It’s not easy to let go when you live with high-functioning anxiety or tend to overthink every little thing.
When we feel in control, we feel calm. We’ve planned for everything — every scenario, every backup plan. We’d 100% survive in the wild; we’d be Mary Poppins in the jungle, fully stocked with bandages, medication, aspirin, and even anti-flame cream.
But do we need our Mary Poppins bag for every situation?
Life feels hard right now — like trying to survive a tsunami while still trying to control every wave. I’m starting to wonder if it’s doing me more harm than good, this constant need to prepare for every possible scenario.
I firmly believe that if you don’t like your situation, change it — but trying to control everything is completely different. Lately, I’ve had several migraines in a space of a few weeks and can’t help but wonder if my body is trying to tell me something.
I am worried about every area of my life and actively trying to change it. Even at work, I’m trying to control a situation that I have no control over.
So, What Do We Do When We Need to Let Go?
I still believe it’s important to be prepared for life’s challenges. If you’re worried about something like a potential job loss, focus on what you can control — building an emergency fund for peace of mind and keeping your CV up to date so you’re ready if the unexpected happens.
However, it’s important to understand that losing our jobs is beyond our control. We can’t control a company’s cash flows, and we certainly can’t control the economy. But we can prepare for the worst-case scenario. I’m still learning to understand what I can prepare for and what’s out of my control. It’s not an easy feat.
Letting go can help us be free of mental clutter and anxiety. I read a Facebook quote that said mental clutter can be more exhausting than physical labour — and they’re not wrong. We endure sleepless nights, headaches, and anxiety — ruminating in our minds every scenario (the good and the bad).
Why Do We Feel the Need to Control?
This need to control often comes from a fear of uncertainty — and there’s plenty of that in today’s world. It can feel so overwhelming that it starts to consume our lives, from plans changing in social situations to someone’s behaviour at work.
According to PsychCentral, this fear can come from:
- Traumatic life experiences
- Childhood anxiety
- OCD tendencies
- Personality disorders
- Learned behaviours.
These things shape who we are and how we react to situations.
Recognising where our need for control comes from is the first step to finding peace from anxiety and overthinking.
Focus on What You Can Prepare For
We’ve all heard focus on what you can control, i.e., your reaction. However, focusing on what you can prepare is just as important.
I can’t control my salary, but I can control creating new alternative income ideas, like my Etsy shop and this blog.
Focusing on what you can prepare can also help reduce anxiety. You become more confident that you can handle any situation that life throws at you.
Some examples of how you can prepare:
- Improve your people skills: By improving your people skills, you can learn to handle difficult personalities at work or work through a change of plans with friends.
- Emergency fund: If you are facing uncertainty at work, building an emergency fund can really help. Knowing that you will be okay if you lose your job brings financial security and peace of mind.
- Meditation and mindfulness: By learning to meditate, you can reduce your mental clutter and anxiety, which can help you stay more present and grounded in the moment.
Final Thoughts
Unfortunately, we don’t have a crystal ball (and if you do, please tell me where you got it from!). We can’t control people’s behaviour or what happens at work, but we can prepare. By understanding what we need in place, we can stop life from turning upside down when the unexpected happens.
Letting go of control, learning mindfulness, and preparing for uncertainty can help us move toward emotional freedom and stress-free living. Remember, it’s not about giving up — it’s about going with the flow, one gentle step at a time.
Keep shining,
Madeline
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