I was quite happy in my new role today, at the warehouse where my employment agency has found me work. I was lifting big boxes containing 25 smaller boxes onto a pallet. All seemed calm and stable, certainty was present.
An unexpected appearance by my boss and a summons for me and a handful of the other agency staff to follow him to the other end of the warehouse. We all exchanged glances, uncertain of our fate. There was a long pause as we waited nervously to see what the news was. I am not sure why, but I felt I was on edge!
In the end it turned out to be a 2-minute announcement and return to our original roles. So why did I get a spooked by the uncertainty of it? I am sure if I was still packing the same boxes in 2 weeks’ time onto the same pallet, I would probably relish a bit of uncertainty!
It all seems to come down to a need to be in control. As humans we don’t like not being in control. We don’t like uncertainty if we cannot choose it. For example, I choose uncertainty by opting for a new dish in a restaurant. But when it is out of my control, like being summoned by my boss, it put me on edge! My mind started to anticipate different scenario’s, many of which were negative. Mindfulness has shown me to recognise when uncertainty is here and to wait, be patient and see what happens. Most of all it has taught me to ignore the unfounded conclusions my mind always jumps too!