"How to embrace uncertainty" by Prof Arie Kruglanski is a useful discussion of psychological issues around ambiguity, openness, optimism, "cognitive closure", and a constellation of related topics. The author's summary:

1. Uncertain situations are inevitable. From waiting for a call back to anticipating important test results, everyone faces situations with uncertain outcomes. Not knowing what will happen can be challenging.
2. Uncertainty doesn’t have to be so daunting. Many people worry intensely about or try to escape uncertain situations. But developing a more optimistic outlook and learning to tolerate uncertainty can make these situations easier to face.
3. Be your own defence attorney. Reflecting on past failures or disappointments, identify reasons for each outcome that were unique to that situation — rather than reflecting a permanent problem.
4. Develop a ‘can do’ attitude. Think of situations with uncertain outcomes as challenges to be met — and list specific ways to overcome the difficulties they pose.
5. Devise alternatives. Reduce your emotional dependence on the outcomes of uncertain situations by listing alternative courses of action that you can take if the worst were to happen.
6. Practise mindfulness. Take some time to simply observe the thoughts and feelings that an uncertain situation brings up. Cultivate a more relaxed state of mind with regular mindfulness meditation.

_{(cf Optimist Creed (1999-04-16), Negative Thinking Patterns (2015-08-28), Power of Optimism (2016-02-23), More Optimism (2023-05-27), ...) - ^z - 2024-01-13}