How do I prepare for major life changes without overthinking them?

Major changes—career shifts, relationships ending, relocations—trigger the mind's worst habit: spinning endlessly through scenarios. You're trying to eliminate uncertainty by thinking harder. It doesn't work that way. Here's what I've learned: preparation is mostly about building capacity, not prediction. Before a major change, strengthen three things: your internal clarity (what do you actually value?), your external support (who matters?), and your flexibility (can you adapt when reality doesn't match your script?). With internal clarity, you're less jerked around by circumstance. With support, you're not alone in confusion. With flexibility, you can navigate without breaking. Practically: spend less time forecasting what will happen, more time asking what kind of person you want to be during this transition. That's actionable. That's grounding. Write down what you're genuinely uncertain about—not as a threat list, but as honest questions. What could you learn in the next month that would help? Focus there. The examined life during uncertainty isn't about controlling outcomes. It's about showing up with intention, staying curious, and trusting your capacity to respond. You've handled difficult things before. You'll handle this too.