Problems are like the Weather

Like the weather, problems affect us, but we didn’t create them, and we can’t make them disappear just because we want to.

Think about a storm rolling in. You can’t stop the rain, calm the wind, or hold back the snow. It’s simply what the sky is doing that day. But you can decide how you will meet it. You can grab an umbrella, stay indoors, or pull on your boots and splash through puddles.

Problems like self-doubt, worry, and guilt are a lot like weather systems. They blow in uninvited. You didn’t choose to feel shaky before an important meeting, or to wake up with worry about the future. These feelings arrive the way a cloudy day arrives—on their own schedule.

What you can choose is your response. Here are a few ways to “pack your umbrella”:

1. Notice the Forecast

Problems create effects. Pay attention to the way that you are thinking and feeling, even your posture. If self-doubt, or another problem is showing up, name it: “I’m noticing some storm clouds of worry right now.” Simply naming it helps you step back and remember—it’s weather, not your identity.

2. Dress for the Weather

When you know a storm is brewing, you prepare. The same goes for inner storms. If you know certain situations spark self-doubt (like public speaking or starting something new), plan ahead. Listen to a favorite song, practice grounding, challenge your thoughts or change your posture.

3. Carry an Umbrella

Umbrellas don’t stop the rain; they make it easier to keep moving. What’s your umbrella? Deep breathing, tapping, taking a short walk, or reaching out to a supportive friend. These little practices may not eliminate the storm, but they keep you from being soaked. 

4. Find Shelter When You Need To

Sometimes the storm is too strong to push through. That’s when rest, quiet, and self-compassion are essential. Curl up with a book, take a nap, or give yourself permission to pause. Taking shelter means that you’re wise enough to wait out the downpour. 

5. Remember That the Sky Is Bigger Than the Storm

No matter how dark the clouds get, the sky itself remains vast and unbroken. In the same way, you are more than self-doubt, more than worry or guilt. These storms will pass. Separate from problems, you remain steady, capable, and whole. 

When we stop blaming ourselves for the “weather”, we gain freedom. The point isn’t to control the sky—it’s to find our footing under it. Some days call for compassion; others require courage.  These storms may come and go, but you remain—able to choose how you walk through them.

So today, ask yourself: How is the weather affecting me? And how will I move through it with the knowledge and skills that I have?