Episode Description:

In this episode, Claire dives headfirst into a topic that feels especially timely in a chaotic world and unpredictable industry: the craving for certainty. What if you need to know how something will turn out before you take the risk? What if uncertainty keeps you frozen, anxious, or constantly second-guessing your choices?

With equal parts humor and wisdom (and a little sleep deprivation), Claire explores how our brains seek certainty for safety, how this impulse shows up differently for each Enneagram type, and how clinging to certainty can actually keep us stuck. She offers a powerful mindset shift that helps authors stop grasping for guarantees and start building confidence in their own resilience.

If you've ever thought, “If this doesn’t work, I don’t know what I’ll do,” this episode gives you practical tools to turn that fear into forward momentum.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why certainty is so alluring—and how it tricks us into playing small

• How each Enneagram type tends to seek certainty in their creative work

• The danger of mistaking plans or perfectionism for actual security

• What a “toolbox” of internal resources is, and how to build yours

• How to shift your mindset from “I need this to work” to “I’ll figure it out either way”

• Why failure hurts—but doesn’t have to stop you

• How your rebounding process can become a source of self-respect

Takeaway Challenge:Inventory your “toolbox.” What inner resources, skills, support systems, and past experiences remind you that you’ve handled hard things before? Add to it regularly. Confidence doesn’t come from knowing the future—it comes from trusting that you’ll know what to do when the future arrives.

Support the Show:

If this episode helped you see uncertainty in a new light, please consider leaving a review on your favorite podcast platform and sharing it with your author friends. Want more guidance? Visit liberatedwriter.com to explore Claire’s coaching, courses, and books for authors navigating the wild world of publishing with purpose.

Access the transcript here.

Happy writing—and yes, you can handle the bad parts.