Finding Your Anchor in a Sea of Change

Ideas for Staying Grounded Amid External Chaos

Change has a way of hitting us when we least expect it. One moment, everything feels stable, and the next, you’re tossed into uncertainty, wondering which way is up.

I’ve been there.

I moved to Brazil in 2023 and went on a vacation during the year-end holidays. It was then that I hit a major roadblock—one that sent my entire world into a tailspin. Due to an expired visa and problems with my permanent residency paperwork, I wasn’t allowed to re-enter the country. Instead of heading home after vacation as planned, I found myself on a flight to Miami, completely unprepared for an indefinite stay while I sorted out my immigration status. My plans, my work, and my life in Brazil were all suddenly out of reach. I had no choice but to figure things out from a place of complete uncertainty.

Moments like these remind us just how unpredictable life can be. But they also teach us an important lesson: while we can’t always control external chaos, we can control how we anchor ourselves within it.

Here are a few key practices that helped me stay grounded—and can help you do the same when life throws you off course.

1. Establish a Daily Compass Check

When everything feels uncertain, small routines create stability.

Stuck in Miami, unsure of when (or if) I’d be able to return to Brazil, I started each morning with a simple ritual: a cup of coffee, a few deep breaths, and a reminder to focus on what I could control that day. Some mornings, that meant researching visa solutions and ways to expedite my permanent residence application. Other days, it meant allowing myself to just be—to walk along the beach, to reset, to remind myself that this situation wouldn’t last forever.

A morning practice—whether it’s journaling, meditation, or even just a quiet moment with a cup of coffee before the day begins—can anchor you when everything else feels up in the air.

2. Control What You Can, Release What You Can’t

One of the hardest lessons in times of upheaval is learning to separate what’s within your control from what isn’t.

I couldn’t control Brazil’s immigration policies or timelines, and I couldn’t snap my fingers and fix my visa situation overnight. But I could focus on my next steps. I leaned on my network, sought advice from immigration experts, and took each day one step at a time.

When you’re in the middle of a storm, ask yourself:

⭐ What can I actually influence right now?
⭐ What do I need to let go of before it consumes my energy?

This shift in focus is powerful—it turns helplessness into action.

3. Find Physical Anchors

Grounding isn’t just about mindset. Your body and environment play a huge role in how steady you feel.

During my unexpected stay in Miami, I found small ways to physically root myself: long walks, listening to familiar music, and creating a routine even in an unfamiliar place. These physical anchors reminded me that even though my situation was uncertain, I didn’t have to be.

If you’re feeling unmoored, try:

🏃‍♂️ Moving your body—exercise, a simple stretch, or a mindful walk
🎶 Playing music that calms or energizes you
🌊 Spending time in a space that feels grounding, whether it’s nature, a quiet room, or a favorite coffee shop

4. Reconnect with Your Core Values

When the external world is shifting, returning to what matters most can give you clarity.

For me, that time in Miami—though frustrating—also gave me a chance to reflect. I realized that resilience isn’t just about pushing through obstacles. It’s about staying aligned with what truly matters, even when circumstances are working against you.

Ask yourself:

⭐What values keep me grounded, no matter where I am?

⭐ How can I stay true to them, even in uncertainty?

The more you root yourself in your core beliefs, the less external chaos will shake you.

5. Lean on Your Support System

No one thrives in isolation. Finding your anchor often means reaching out to the right people.

During that time, I was so fortunate to have a good friend offer to let me stay at her house. This not only saved me money but helped enormously with my mental health since I was able to talk to her about my frustrations and challenges. I felt like I had an advocate, and this made a huge difference in my mindset, on those days where I hit a brick wall. I also leaned on family, friends, and mentors for advice, encouragement, and perspective. Their support helped me reframe my situation—not as a crisis, but as a detour that I could navigate.

Who in your life helps you stay steady? Whether it’s a friend, a mentor, or a professional network, staying connected can be one of the strongest anchors in times of change.

6. Accept the Waves—But Stay Anchored

A ship’s anchor doesn’t stop the ocean from moving. It simply keeps the vessel steady as the tides rise and fall.

Change will come. It always does. The key is not to resist it, but to find your anchor within it—the habits, values, and people that keep you grounded no matter what the storm brings.

What Anchors You?

We all face moments of uncertainty. What keeps you steady when the waves hit? Drop a comment and share your go-to strategies for staying grounded in change!