Predict the Chaos to Protect Your Peace

The holidays are here. A time for joy, connection… and chaos. You get in your car, heading to the local store, and you know what’s coming: traffic. Not just traffic, but slow drivers in the fast lane, people cutting you off, or someone misusing a traffic circle (again). You finally arrive, only to find crowded aisles, the last of what you needed grabbed by someone else, and registers backed up for what seems like miles.

Sound familiar? It should. And yet, so often, these perfectly predictable scenarios leave us emotionally frazzled. Why is that? Why are we so caught off guard by what we know will likely happen?

The solution lies in a simple mindset shift: predict the chaos before it unfolds.

Set Your Expectations—Realistically

Before you even start the car, remind yourself: There will be traffic. Someone will drive slow. The lines will be long. People will be rude. Accepting these truths removes the element of surprise. When these frustrations occur, you’re not shocked or angry—they’re simply part of the experience.

And here’s the beauty of it: if the chaos you predict doesn’t happen, you get a pleasant surprise. Smooth traffic? An empty aisle? A kind cashier? Wonderful! But if it does go sideways, you’re prepared. Either way, you win.

Empathy Changes Everything

There’s another layer to this mindset: humility. That driver who cut someone off? That could be you. The shopper blocking the aisle? You’ve been there too. Realizing that we all, at some point, contribute to the frustration of others fosters patience. We’re all navigating the same chaotic environments, doing the best we can.

A Win-Win Mentality

This practice of predicting outcomes and managing emotions doesn’t just apply to holiday shopping. It’s a strategy for life. Whether it’s a difficult meeting, a long airport line, or an unpredictable toddler, preparing for the likely chaos allows you to face the situation with calm and resilience. And when things unexpectedly go well? That’s just icing on the cake.

By predicting the chaos, you protect your peace. This holiday season—and beyond—step into your car, store, or daily life with realistic expectations. You might find that the emotional upheaval that used to own you no longer has the exact grip. See you out there.