Finding Safety in Uncertainty: A Therapeutic Reflection

Being a therapist in the world we are currently experiencing has brought a deeper awareness—an awareness of the importance of connection and intentional restorative practices on our individualized journeys toward balance and stability within ourselves.

A question I am often asked is, “How am I supposed to go about my day-to-day knowing XXX is occurring all around me?” To be entirely transparent, the first time I was asked this, I had to pause. This is such a profoundly human response to the uncertainty of our current reality—one that I experience myself as well. So then, what do we do?

In our beautiful human nature, we often begin by turning our attention to what is within our control in the present moment. There are actionable steps we can take—supporting causes we care about, helping others in meaningful ways, and staying informed. Yet there is a crucial piece that is often overlooked… you. Your mental and emotional wellbeing. From a therapeutic perspective, sustained engagement with stress and uncertainty without restoration can lead to burnout, anxiety, and emotional exhaustion.

“Safety is not the absence of threat; it is the presence of connection.”
— Stephen W. Porges, PhD

To show up for others, we must first show up for ourselves. Restoration is a necessity for felt safety and for our capacity to actively engage with those around us. Through intentional moments of rest, reflection, and connection, we strengthen the ability to remain grounded, resilient, and present in a world that so often feels overwhelming.

I encourage you to invite yourself into five minutes of restorative time—here, right now. Maybe this invitation involves getting up to grab your favorite snack or beverage. Perhaps you move your body, step outside, reach out to a friend, or journal. This is your five minutes.

If you are feeling uncertain, perhaps these five minutes are spent gently checking in with yourself. Noticing what is happening within your body: Where do you sense stillness in this present moment? Where might your body be asking for attention? Your needs are worthy of taking up space. I hope you enjoy.

“Being able to feel safe with other people is probably the single most important aspect of mental health.”
— Bessel van der Kolk, MD, Psychiatrist, Trauma Researcher, Author of The Body Keeps the Score