A Guide to Navigating Turbulent Times
Photo by Johannes Plenio on Unsplash.
The waves of uncertainty may rise quickly, leaving us searching for steadiness.
Periods of transition—whether starting a new job, moving, adjusting to a life change, or simply shifting seasons—can feel like being caught in unpredictable seas.
The truth is: we cannot control the weather of life. But we can learn to sail through it. Anchors, buoys, compasses, and sails—each offers a different kind of support that helps us stay steady, move forward, and eventually find calmer waters.
The Anchor: What Grounds You
Anchors are routines, values, and practices that hold you steady when everything else feels unmoored.
Why it matters: Consistent rituals (morning walks, journaling, a regular meal routine) give your nervous system predictability and calm.
How to use it: Choose one or two small, reliable practices that you treat as non-negotiable. They become your steady dock lines in shifting tides.
The Buoys: What Keeps You Afloat
Buoys don’t keep you in place—they help you notice where you are and give you something to reach for when things feel overwhelming.
Why it matters: Small joys (a funny text, a favorite playlist, a cup of coffee in the sun) give your brain moments of relief. These light touches break up heaviness and remind you that not everything is hard.
How to use it: Create a “buoy list” of 5–10 small joys you can return to when the seas feel rough.
The Compass: What Points the Way
Your compass is your core values—the deeper reasons that guide your decisions.
Why it matters: When you act in alignment with your values, uncertainty feels less chaotic and choices become clearer.
How to use it: When facing a decision, ask: “Which option brings me closer to who I want to be?”
The Rudder: Small Course Corrections
The rudder represents the small, practical steps that shift your direction.
Why it matters: Large changes can feel impossible in stormy seasons, but small steps still move the ship forward.
How to use it: Choose one small action per day—send the email, step outside, drink the water. The power lies in steady adjustments.
The Sails: Managing Your Energy
The sails catch the wind—but they don’t have to be at full mast all the time.
Why it matters: Energy ebbs and flows. Overextending in a storm creates burnout, but scaling back allows you to conserve strength.
How to use it: Ask yourself each morning: “What size sail can I realistically raise today?” Then plan accordingly.
The Lighthouse and the Crew: You Are Not Alone
No sailor navigates without support. Lighthouses represent mentors, therapists, or “future-you” reminders that guide you toward safe harbor. Your crew is the community that steadies you through the storm.
Why it matters: Human nervous systems calm each other. Reaching out reduces isolation and builds resilience.
How to use it: Identify one or two people who can serve as your “crew” during transitions. Send a simple check-in when you feel adrift.
The Harbor: Rest and Renewal
Even in stormy times, you need spaces of calm. A harbor is any safe pocket—whether therapy, meditation, quiet meals, or intentional breaks—that allows you to restore.
Why it matters: Pausing does not mean failing; it means refueling so you can continue.
How to use it: Schedule one “harbor hour” each week where you give yourself permission to rest without fixing.
Closing Thoughts
Transitions can feel daunting, but they are also opportunities to strengthen our navigation skills. Anchors give us stability, buoys remind us of joy, compasses set our direction, and sails, rudders, and lighthouses help us keep moving forward.
If you’re in a season of transition and seeking steadier ground, our team at CPW is here to support you. Sometimes the best way through stormy seas is having someone on deck with you. Reach out to us when you’re ready—we’d be honored to help guide the journey and be a part of your crew.
About the Author
After spending years in a local community mental health setting and group practice in leadership positions, Tina D. Shah (PsyD, LP) decided to start Collaboration for Psychological Wellness, LLC to expand access and reduce barriers to services.