Planning for the unknown when everything feels uncertain
- Apr 19
- 3 min read
These articles are written by members of our Lived Experience Advisory Panel (LEAP), sharing their own reflections and what has helped them navigate change, uncertainty and planning ahead.
Since my husband died, I have become much more aware of the need to plan ahead for changes in my life, even when those changes are not immediate or urgent.
I understood the practical side of planning. Things like Lasting Power of Attorney, having records in place, and making sure someone could access important documents and passwords. I knew what these were for, when they might be needed, and how they worked. That part felt clear, and I have now done that.
Where I struggled was everything else.
The uncertainty.
Would my health hold up? Might I need care and could I afford it? Would I need to move? What if I could no longer drive? What if I felt lonely?
There are no neat answers to these questions, and I have had to accept that there never were.
I would be lying if I said I have worked it all out. But there are some ways of thinking and small changes that have helped me, and I hope they might help you too.
I am taking my time
This is not the same as doing nothing. If bereavement has taught me anything, it is that adjustment cannot be rushed.
I am learning to sit with uncertainty
I do not have all the answers, and I no longer expect to. Planning, for me, is not about certainty. It is about feeling a little more prepared, even when I do not know what is coming.
I choose carefully who I ask for support
I look for people who help me think things through, not people who tell me what I should do. Sometimes those closest to us care deeply, but are too close to see clearly.
I am exploring options before I need them
Retirement living, downsizing, different types of support and what they cost. I may not choose any of them, but understanding what is out there gives me more confidence if the time comes.
I am thinking in terms of “what if I cannot…”
Not specific scenarios, but capabilities. What if I could not drive? What if I could not manage everything on my own? It helps me think more broadly without overwhelming myself.
I am becoming more open to change
I am not trying to fix the future. Just gently loosening my attachment to how things have always been.
I am building confidence in small, practical ways
Trying things out. Learning as I go. So that if life shifts, I am not starting from scratch.
I am paying more attention to my environment
How I live. How things are set up. What makes life easier or harder. Small changes feel more important now.
I am prioritising friendships
Perhaps this is the most important of all. Before my husband died, I had not made a new friend in 15 years. Now I have two. Their support is invaluable. It gives me the confidence to keep looking ahead.
I am allowing life to be different to what I expected
This is another stage in life. Not the one I would have chosen, but one I am learning to live in.
A final thought
Planning for the unknown is not really about having a plan. It is about staying open, flexible, and putting small things in place that make the future feel a little less daunting.
If this resonates, if you are beginning to think about these questions, you are not alone.
If you live nearby, you are always welcome to come into Good Company HQ for a conversation at your pace, shaped around what matters to you.
You might also find it helpful to join a Circle and meet others in a similar situation.
