What do we do when an accident, illness or setback messes up our organization? How can we stop letting ourselves be overwhelmed by stress and frustration? In other words, how can we manage life’s unexpected events with efficiency and serenity? Here are my 10 tips that will help you feel calmer and more Zen in the face of life’s ups and downs.

1 – Working on acceptance

We are not masters of everything that happens in our lives, we don’t have absolute control. And this realization is a source of stress, and even suffering.

What do we do when we break our leg on the way to a long-awaited concert the following week? What do we do when we’re bedridden with fever when we had that all-important meeting at work? We can’t do it, and we have great difficulty accepting it. Because, yes, managing the unexpected is above all accepting that we can’t manage everything.

That’s why we need to learn to accept that we can’t control everything, that we can’t do everything we’d like to do. That’s the way life is. And we have to accept it. Acceptance doesn’t mean sinking into fear or suffering; on the contrary, it means giving ourselves the right to let go of negative emotions and feelings, to breathe calmly and serenely. What do you think?

2 – Open yourself up to discovery to deal with life’s unexpected events

If we look closely, we tend to plan and organize everything. That’s why, when we can’t manage the unexpected, we suffer so much frustration. But what if the unexpected were a unique opportunity to open up to discovery?

Do you think that’s all life is about: following a well-planned, well-oiled agenda? No. Life is about being open to discovery, and knowing how to get off the beaten track from time to time. What do you think?

3 – Don’t fill your diary to the brim to deal with life’s unexpected events

The fuller our diary, the less we can deal with the unexpected. And yet, what do we do most of the time, we fill our schedules to the brim. And yet, setting aside time during the week for emptiness, for nothing, allows us to make time for the unexpected.

So, the question we need to ask ourselves is: do we want to continue to deny ourselves that the unexpected has any place in our lives, and therefore in our planning, or do we want to make room for the unexpected in our planning and thus gain in calm and serenity?

4 – Don’t complain for too long

When something unexpected happens to us, one of our first reflexes is to start grumbling: “Why is this happening to me? Why now? I haven’t got the time!” It’s normal to grumble, it’s human. What’s more, it can be experienced as a transition that makes us fully aware that something unexpected has happened and that we need to deal with it.

The problem is when we can’t stop grumbling, because we’re wasting not only our time, but also our energy. And we need that time and energy to deal with the unexpected.

So, when something unexpected comes up, give yourself the right to say 3 sentences, and only 3 sentences to grumble, and then look for solutions! What do you think?

5 – Don’t complain too much either

Sometimes the unexpected just doesn’t happen. It could be an illness or an accident that immobilizes us. So what can we do? Actually, the question is: what not to do? Complain for too long. Yes, we’re unlucky, and being able to say it out loud can make us feel better in the moment.

On the other hand, if we spend days doing this, we’re going to make ourselves suffer needlessly. So stop whining and look for ways to make the situation as pleasant as possible. Isn’t that more interesting? What do you think?

6 – Use your creativity to deal with life’s unexpected events

Managing the unexpected also means being creative. In other words, changing the way we think and act to come up with a new solution. To do this, we need to break out of our habitual way of thinking and allow ourselves to think and act differently.

This opens up a world of freedom, and even joy. In fact, just because something is unexpected doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a source of stress and suffering. It can be a source of joy. What do you think?

7 – Knowing how to ask for and accept help to deal with life’s unexpected events

We don’t like asking for help, and we have great difficulty accepting it. In fact, we’ve grown up with the belief that we should take care of ourselves, like grown-ups, and we live with the fear of feeling indebted to others.

Yet knowing how to ask for and accept help is a wonderful way of dealing with life’s unexpected events. And, to do this, let’s learn to receive help with humility and joy. Learn to say “I need… Could you help me with…”.

8 – Take the opportunity to take stock

The unexpected is often a moment when we come to a screeching halt in our lives. It’s quite a shock, but it can also be an opportunity to take stock. Indeed, it’s not impossible that you’ve been moving too fast for a while, and that you’re moving too fast towards nowhere.

So why not take the opportunity to make sure you’re still on the right track and heading in the right direction? What do you think?

9 – Find your way back to gratitude

The unexpected in life is a wake-up call, and perhaps that’s why we don’t like the unexpected. Because they force us to ask ourselves the right questions, and to become aware once again of the life that’s passing us by every day.

That’s why I think the unexpected is often a wonderful opportunity to rediscover the path of gratitude. Because they allow us to regain awareness of the fact that we are alive, and that this is a wonderful gift. What do you think?

10 – Use courage, patience and perseverance to deal with life’s unexpected events.

Unforeseen events can put us to the test, which is why we must never let an unforeseen event make us give up or give up on anything. On the contrary, we must always see the unexpected as an opportunity to take another step towards courage, patience and perseverance. What do you think?

Find out more:

I invite you to read these 2 complementary articles:

Discover Knowing how to let go thanks to the 4 laws of spirituality
Discover Opening up to spirituality: 100 quotes that are good for the soul

I recommend this inspiring book:

Antifragile: Things That Gain from Disorder by Nassim Nicholas Taleb

The author introduces the concept of antifragility – systems and individuals that not only withstand, but thrive in, the unpredictability and chaos of life. This book provides a philosophical framework for dealing with the unexpected, encouraging readers to see challenges as opportunities for growth. By understanding and applying antifragile principles, individuals can cultivate resilience, adaptability and a mindset that turns adversity into strength, in order to deal effectively with life’s uncertainties.

This is an exceptional book, to which readers will refer again and again. The best book I’ve read in a year. My copy has more notes and highlights than the last ten books put together – which is indicative of the many insights Taleb brings .

Thank you very much for reading this article.

If you liked it, let me know in the comments.

Take care of yourself