Change Can Be Scary: A Halloween Tale of Uncertainty

It’s October 3rd, and I’ve already eaten an entire bag of candy corn. Send help! My willpower? Non-existent this week. Who can resist the allure of Halloween—the decorations, kids in costumes, and, of course, the candy (seriously, hand over your mini Twix bars!). For me, in my 50’s, avoiding sugar… the candy might just be the scariest part of Halloween.

We all have our own fears. As we creep into October and embrace the spooky season, it’s a good time to talk about the things in our professional lives that give us the chills. And no, I’m not talking about that questionable leftover sandwich from the office fridge. I’m talking about two things that can be as terrifying as any haunted house- change and uncertainty.

This year, with a volatile economy, extreme weather events like Hurricane Helene, and the looming elections, things feel scarier than ever. 

In today's workplace, uncertainty has become one of the top monsters under the bed. With the rapid pace of technological advancements and economic shifts, employees face fearsome unknowns about job security, company direction, and career paths. It’s like a horror movie when no one knows how it’s going to end.

Ambiguity around roles, expectations, and even the future of entire industries is haunting workplaces everywhere. Talk about scary! This lack of predictability stirs up ongoing stress, often leading to burnout, decreased productivity, and an overall drop in job satisfaction. The uncertainty itself is one of the most frightening parts of our work lives—we crave predictability, and when we don’t get it, our brains freak out faster than Jason jumping from behind the bushes in ‘Halloween’.

Why? Because our brains are wired to love control and predictability. When we don’t know what’s lurking around the corner, our brains go into overdrive, like that moment in a scary movie when you just *know* something bad is about to happen.

Here are three reasons why uncertainty spooks our brains and bodies:

1. **Our Brain’s Need for Predictability**: The human brain is wired for survival, and a big part of that is predicting outcomes. When faced with uncertainty, the brain's prefrontal cortex struggles to make sense of things, leading to feelings of confusion or chaos. This unpredictability activates the amygdala—the part of the brain responsible for fear and anxiety—making stress levels rise.

2. **Heightened Cortisol Levels**: When uncertainty rears its ugly head, it triggers the body's "fight or flight" response. Not knowing what's coming makes our brain think there’s a threat lurking, releasing stress hormones like cortisol. Too much cortisol for too long? It’s a real-life nightmare, leading to exhaustion, irritability, and even physical symptoms like headaches and muscle tension.

3. **Loss of Control and Increased Anxiety**: The scariest part of uncertainty is the feeling of helplessness it brings. Without control, our brains kick into overthinking mode, activating stress circuits that make us feel even more anxious. This mental loop can keep us stuck in a state of high alert, making it tough to relax or focus—kind of like trying to work while watching a slasher flick.

So, if you’re feeling stressed and haunted by a sense of unease, uncertainty might be the culprit. The good news is, most of what we worry about never even happens. According to a study by Dr. Lucas LaFreniere at Penn State University, about 91% of the things we worry about don’t come true. And even when the bad stuff does happen, it’s usually far less terrifying than we anticipated.

Think about it: we’re doing this to ourselves! Worrying about what could go wrong is like jumping at shadows—it wastes energy and makes us feel worse. This Halloween season, take it from someone who has spent years managing through uncertainty and change and researching resilience: the energy you spend worrying is energy you’ll never get back.

Remember: where your focus goes, your energy flows. Be careful what you let scare you this Halloween season. Most of the fears we have are unfounded, and recognizing that can help you manage your anxiety. As we navigate the spooky uncertainty of life and work, keep in mind that the majority of what we dread never actually comes to pass.

So, here’s to embracing the unknown, and maybe having one more mini Twix along the way. Happy Halloween! 🎃