Living in the Gap Between Hope and Fear: Navigating Uncertainty with Grace

Getting to Good Enough

Ever feel stuck between hoping for the best and preparing for the worst? When you're facing medical uncertainty—or any kind of unknown outcome—that gap between hope and fear can feel exhausting. In this episode, we get real about what it's like to live in that uncomfortable in-between space, and share strategies for staying present when the future feels uncertain.

What We Talk About

• [01:12] The Setup: Another Surgery, Another Unknown - Shannon shares the news that she needs a second shoulder surgery just weeks after getting out of her immobilizing brace
• [07:00] The Double Jeopardy of It All - Shannon reflects on the unfairness of facing another surgery so soon and her emotional journey from disbelief to acceptance
• [11:02] Making the Decision: Now or Later? - Shannon explains why she ultimately chose to have the surgery now rather than wait and live with uncertainty
• [14:50] The Practice of Coming Back to Now - Shannon shares how this experience is teaching her to come back to the present moment and enjoy what is
• [15:08] Janine's Small-Scale Uncertainty - Janine shares her own uncertainty about traveling during potential flight disruptions
• [18:30] Preparing What You Can, Then Letting Go - Both hosts discuss making contingency plans and then releasing the worry about what you can't control
• [21:30] The Irony of Shoulder Surgeries and This Podcast - Reflecting on how shoulder surgeries have repeatedly impacted the podcast's schedule

Key Takeaways

Uncertainty Comes in All Sizes (And It's All Valid)

Whether you're facing major surgery or travel plans during a government shutdown, uncertainty is uncomfortable. The scale doesn't matter—what matters is acknowledging that living in the unknown is hard, and giving yourself permission to feel all the feelings that come with it.

You Can Prepare for Multiple Futures Without Living in All of Them

When facing different possible outcomes, it's okay to mentally prepare for each scenario. Make your contingency plans, think through the what-ifs, and then practice letting go. You don't have to live in every possible future simultaneously—just prepare what you can and stay present.

Sometimes Facing the Unknown Is Better Than Living in Limbo

Shannon chose to have surgery now rather than rehab longer in uncertainty. Sometimes the discomfort of not knowing is worse than facing the thing itself. If you're stuck in an extended period of "maybe," consider whether taking action—even scary action—might bring relief.

Humor and Distraction Are Legitimate Coping Tools

The Great British Baking Show isn't just entertainment—it's a mental health strategy. When you're dealing with heavy uncertainty, give yourself permission to find comfort in whatever brings you peace, whether that's binge-watching TV, reading, or any other form of gentle distraction.

Staying Present Is a Practice, Not a Destination

You won't perfectly stay in the present moment when facing uncertainty—and that's okay. The goal isn't to never worry about the future, but to gently bring yourself back to now when you notice you've drifted into anxiety about what might happen.

The Bottom Line

Living in the gap between hope and fear is exhausting, but you don't have to do it perfectly. Identify one area of uncertainty in your life right now. What can you actually prepare for or control? Do that. Then practice letting go of the rest, even if just for today. Come back to the present moment as many times as you need to—that's not failure, that's the practice.

Listener Action: This week, when you catch yourself spinning out about an uncertain future, ask yourself: "What can I actually do about this right now?" If there's an action, take it. If there isn't, practice returning to this moment.

Connect With Us

Facing your own season of uncertainty? We'd love to hear how you're navigating it.

• Leave us a voicemail: 413-424-GTGE (4843)
• Comment on social media: @gettingtogoodenough on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube
• Email: [email protected]

If this episode resonated with you, please share it with someone who might need to hear it—and consider leaving a rating or review to help others find the show.

• You Tube Link - Watch the episode on YouTube!

Related Episodes

Want more like this? Check out these past episodes that explore similar themes:

• Episode 223: Jen Singer - Living with Illness - Guest Jen shares her journey of living with chronic disease and how illness taught her to let go of perfectionism. Topics include energy triage, figuring out how you want to spend your time when health is uncertain, and the importance of self-care. Jen's mission to "take the loneliness out of illness" resonates deeply with Shannon's current surgical journey.
• Episode 132: Quieting Your Mind – When you're facing medical uncertainty, your mind can feel anything but quiet. This episode explores how to turn down the volume on anxious thoughts, why our bodies react to worry as if the thing we're worrying about is actually happening, and Shannon's practical flowchart for responding to worry. Plus visual metaphors for letting thoughts pass through your mind.
• Episode 131: Trying Something New - When you're facing the unknown (like Shannon's surgical uncertainty), moving through fear becomes essential. This episode explores how letting go of perfectionism helps us embrace new experiences even when we don't know what to expect. "Everything you want is on the other side of fear."

POST SURGERY UPDATE: Shannon's surgery went well and the results were the best-case scenario!