With bills landing harder each month and the cost of living showing no signs of easing, many families are facing an uncomfortable truth: uncertainty has become the new normal. Journalist Simone Stolzoff's upcoming book tackles this head-on, exploring why modern life makes 'not knowing' feel so much harder – and crucially, how we can learn to cope better with the unknown.
Stolzoff admits he's naturally an 'uncertain person' – someone who ruminates and second-guesses himself. While this trait serves him well as a journalist, pushing him to dig deeper and ask harder questions, he recognises it can make everyday life more challenging. It's a struggle many households will recognise, especially when trying to plan budgets or make financial decisions in such unpredictable times.
His book examines why we've become less comfortable with uncertainty. In our age of instant answers and quick fixes, sitting with 'not knowing' feels almost unnatural. Yet this expectation of immediate clarity can leave us feeling more anxious when facing situations – like fluctuating energy costs or job security concerns – that simply don't have straightforward solutions.
Rather than trying to eliminate uncertainty (which is impossible), Stolzoff focuses on building resilience. His approach involves understanding why uncertainty feels so uncomfortable and developing practical strategies to manage that discomfort. The aim is to reduce stress and help people make better decisions even when they can't see the full picture – something particularly valuable when managing household finances or career planning.
The benefits extend well beyond personal peace of mind. Learning to work with uncertainty could help families navigate everything from job changes to relationship challenges, and even broader economic shifts, with less anxiety and more confidence. Stolzoff's work suggests that instead of fearing the unknown, we can learn to see it as part of life – and develop the tools to handle it better.