Issue 29: Solititude is a way to connect with yourself. -Christine Samuel  February 6th 2025

How Can You Overcome Fear and Embrace Growth During Uncertain Times?

Source photo: Christine Samuel

A year ago, we wrote about The Age of Insecurity, where writer and activist Astra Taylor described how most people today feel insecure and unsettled—both financially and emotionally. Young people often bear the brunt with feelings of insecurity but lately, everyone is feeling it.

Spinning Forward spoke to Christine Samuel, author of a new book, The Heart Space: Living with Grace and Ease in an Era of Uncertainty. The Toronto-based coach, facilitator, speaker, and founder of Inner Work Matters and the Listening Lab offers an introspective solution which we break down into three phases. When uncertainty is ongoing, Samuel believes that finding calm in the storm involves shifting from mind to heart and from fear to growth.

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.

PHASE 1: UNDERSTANDING DURING TIMES OF UNCERTAINTY

Spinning Forward: Why are so many young people struggling today?

Christine Samuel: "There's a profound disconnect. Young people are facing lots of pressure to succeed, to have the right career, and be financially stable. They're preoccupied with these things while navigating uncertainty. The systems they were taught to trust — education, career paths, even the idea of job security — are not working for them. I'm seeing more young people questioning everything: Is this path worth it? Am I doing enough? Should I be further along? That constant questioning creates deep, and exhausting anxiety."

Spinning Forward: You talk about the 'fear-based operating system' in your book. What does it mean?

Christine Samuel: "Think about how we're conditioned from an early age. You're taught that if we work hard enough, get the right degrees, and follow all the steps, you'll be rewarded with stability and success. I see young people working multiple jobs, pursuing another degree, and taking on side hustles. They are doing everything 'right' and still feel stuck. This creates what I call a fear-based operating system where we're constantly operating from a place of scarcity and anxiety."

"When you're constantly worried about falling behind or not doing enough, you start making decisions from a place of fear rather than authenticity. You take the job you think you should take rather than the one that calls to you. You pursue the degree that looks good on paper rather than the one that excites you. You stay in situations that drain you instead of leaving."

PHASE 2: DEVELOP A PRACTICE IN UNCERTAINTY

Spinning Forward: What's the first step in addressing the uncertainty someone feels now?"

Christine Samuel: "The first step is giving yourself permission to acknowledge these feelings. So many young people are trying to push through. They’re trying to figure everything out on their own. They’re comparing themselves online. There is power in saying, 'This is hard. This is overwhelming. And that's okay.' When we acknowledge our struggles without judgment, we create space for real understanding and change. It’s important to realize that feeling overwhelmed isn't a failure. It's a response to the pressure and the uncertainty."

Spinning Forward: How can someone better connect with themselves when feeling overwhelmed and trapped in the noise?

Christine Samuel: "Self-reflection is crucial. When you’re surrounded by noise and pressure, you need to carve out time to hear your own thoughts. Start small. Take just five minutes each day to check in with yourself, to ask how you’re feeling—not what you think you should be feeling but what you are genuinely experiencing in that moment. It doesn’t need to be a formal process. You can write down your thoughts to help untangle the chaos. Many don't realize the power of journaling. It’s a way to give voice to the inner turmoil and see patterns in your thoughts."

Spinning Forward: Can you say more about the importance of solitude and accepting the messiness of your life?

Christine Samuel: "Solitude isn’t the same as loneliness. Solititude is a way to connect with yourself. When you allow yourself to sit in silence, you learn to embrace your thoughts without distraction. The world around us keeps moving, but we don’t have to keep up with it. By pausing and reconnecting to your breath, your body, and your heart, you can find moments of quiet even when everything around you feels messy.

Stop trying to fix or control everything all at once. You’re human, and being human is messy. Let yourself sit in that messiness. Let your contradictions and feelings exist without judgment. When you do that, we become clearer. This is what I call the heart space, which is a gentle loving place where contradictions and feelings can coexist. It’s where insights and awareness happen. This safe space is not where we push or react but where we allow ourselves to simply be, even if it's for a short while."

Spinning Forward: "What are other ways to manage anxiety and find that safe space?

Christine Samuel: "Daily rituals can be incredibly grounding. Simple practices like mindfulness or meditation can help rewire your brain to respond to anxiety differently. I believe in the power of creating morning routines and things that set a positive tone for your day. It could be as simple as drinking a glass of water while reflecting on something you’re grateful for. These small acts are not just routines. They help create a ripple effect of well-being throughout your day."

PHASE 3: GROWING WITH COMMUNITY IN UNCERTAINY

Spinning Forward: "How does community help after you start doing the important inner work?

Christine Samuel: "Solitude is important for self-reflection and finding your individual calm space. Community allows us to share our stories and experiences—whether in a formal group setting or just with friends. We realize we're not alone in our struggles. I run a Deep Listening Practice Circle meetup event. When someone listens to you with no agenda, it’s transformative. It reminds you that you’re not alone. And when you listen to others deeply, it strengthens that sense of shared experience. We grow when we create space for ourselves and when we connect with others who understand."

Spinning Forward: "What advice do you have for people who feel stuck or let down by the system?

Christine Samuel: "Start with one small step. You don’t need to have it all figured out. Move purposefully in the direction of what feels right for you. And don't give up. You might be in a place where your circumstances feel bleak. In that storm, there is calm. There is a strong and clear answer that is right for you."

Spinning Forward: Finally, how does a young person stay hopeful?

Christine Samuel: "Hold onto that inner calm. Even when the outside world feels chaotic, trust that there's a steady center like the calm in the storm. It’s important to prioritize self-care and keep in mind that the journey of self-discovery is ongoing. Healing takes time. It's important to be gentle with yourself, allowing growth to happen at your own pace. The heart space plays an essential role here."