No-Anxiety Stories. Chapter 30: Anchored in the Uncertain
Misha smiles at me through the screen from her apartment near Lisbon. She’s calm, reflective - the kind of calm that isn’t automatic, but carefully chosen, over and over again.
“I thought anxiety was something that happened to other people. Then I realized it can also be silent.”
Uncertainty That Trains Perspective
Misha moved from Mexico to Portugal - trading familiar streets for new languages, bureaucratic puzzles, and the challenge of becoming stable in a place she chose on purpose.
It wasn’t the moving itself that cracked her composure - it was everything that came before it. The fight to secure visas, to afford the relocation, to earn her right to start over.
Before Arrival, the Real Battle:
1 – The stress wasn’t post-move - it was the goal itself
2 – The uncertainty didn’t fade with success - it just changed shape
3 – Stability had to be built from scratch - emotionally and administratively
4 – New surroundings felt safer - but her mind still scanned for threats
🌀 Reflect
Which stage drains your energy more - the preparation or the transition? Where does your nervous system brace for impact, even after you’ve arrived?
Relief, Not Ruin
Unlike many, Misha didn’t feel more anxious living abroad. In fact, she felt relief.
“Mexico is beautiful, but there I was always watching my back. Safety matters more to me than almost anything.”
Instead of spiraling into doubt, she felt her independence expand.
What Changed for the Better:
1 – Distance muted old social pressures
2 – New routines gave her fresh perspective
3 – Familiar fears felt smaller from afar
4 – Her sense of safety grew, even when the paperwork didn’t cooperate
“I thought I’d miss home more. But I actually feel more in my place here.”
Comparison Fades Abroad
One unexpected upside: the distance diluted old expectations.
In Mexico, her social circle was wide and constant - people she’d known all her life, quietly measuring her progress against theirs.
“Being outside of that bubble, I realized: I can do whatever I want. I’m not performing for anyone anymore.”
🌀 Reflect
If you stepped away from your usual crowd, what pressures would you finally drop?
Control Over What Counts
Still, some fears don’t evaporate when the plane lands.
Misha’s biggest worry? The possibility of losing residency because of forces beyond her control.
“It makes me angry sometimes - like I did everything right, and still there’s a risk I’ll have to leave.”
Her wish isn’t for life to be perfect. It’s for peace inside the imperfections.
Her method:
Plan: Handle what she can - documents, finances, contingency plans
Accept: Remember that uncertainty is a feature, not a failure
Reframe: If she must return to Mexico, she’ll use the time to reconnect with her family
“Nothing is ever final. If it happens, I’ll find the good in it.”
🌀 Reflect
What would it look like to trust that even unplanned detours can offer something you need?
Resilience, Not Resignation
Misha doesn’t sugarcoat the frustration.
She feels the anger when bureaucracy wins. She feels the sadness when her plans stall. But she doesn’t let either become her identity.
“If I wait for everything to be solved before I feel calm, I’ll wait forever.”
Instead, she practices gratitude - for the life she has, for the person she’s become, for the chance to grow in ways she couldn’t back home.
What Actually Helps Her Stay Grounded:
Realistic expectations: “It’s never going to be perfect.”
Daily perspective: “I’m grateful for what I have.”
Support systems: “My partner and I figure it out together.”
🌀 Reflect
Where are you postponing gratitude until everything is certain? What could you appreciate right now, even in the mess?
No-Anxiety in Her Own Words
Misha doesn’t aspire to a life without challenges. She aims for a life where the challenges don’t own her.
Her practices:
1- Recognizing: “I have limits. That’s human.”
2- Refusing perfection: “Even with checklists, there will always be surprises.”
3- Reframing: “Every detour teaches me something.”
What Misha Wants Now
To secure her residency, so she can invest fully in her business.
To keep discovering what freedom feels like outside old expectations.
To trust that uncertainty isn’t her enemy - it’s just part of the deal.
“I know I can’t control everything. But I can choose how I respond.”
💡 What You Might Take from Misha’s Story
Uncertainty isn’t failure - it’s reality.
Safety is foundational, but peace is internal.
Distance can reveal where comparison was driving your anxiety.
Even the most prepared plan has gaps - and that doesn’t mean you did it wrong.
Thanks for reading.
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