Ask Kari: How Can I Make Plans for an Unpredictable Future?

Dear Kari,

Now that the world is getting back to being somewhat normal, how can I best look ahead in life and confidently make plans for my future? The past year has been so unpredictable and rocky; should I even make any plans?

--A Planner at Heart

Dear A Planner at Heart,

I love planners! Planning helps many people feel they are in control of their lives. Planning can help us feel stable, offering us the feeling we can move forward and be successful due to our well-laid-out plans. That said, planning should also include adaptability. As we have all learned in the past year, we can make plans for our lives, and they can change and then change again. So, make your plans for the upcoming year but be flexible; know that every day, even before a worldwide pandemic, we did not have as much control of every moment as we previously thought, and that’s OK, we can still have a lovely life. Plan, but be adaptable to have a big life.

–Kari

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About Kari: Dr. O’Neill is a Doctor of Social Work, and a board-certified licensed independent clinical social worker. Dr. O’Neill completed her undergraduate and graduate education at the University of Washington and her doctorate at Tulane University, and currently serves as an affiliated medical staff member at Swedish Hospital Issaquah.

 

This column is for entertainment purposes only. If you are in crisis and need support, please contact your healthcare provider directly or call 911.