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The Year of the Snake: Lessons to Navigate Uncertain Times

Writer's picture: Shawna SuckowShawna Suckow

I’ve been feeling pretty distressed lately. The division in our country, the chaos, the too-muchness of all the changes going on. Thankfully, my friend Kris Finger sent me an article about the significance of 2025 being the Chinese Year of the Snake.


Side note: I hate snakes. The image below creeps me out. But I digress…

This is the Creepy McCreeperson Snake
This is the Creepy McCreeperson Snake

If there were ever a time to channel the Snake’s wisdom, it’s now. In Chinese culture, the Snake represents transformation, adaptability, and intuition—a creature that sheds its skin to grow, letting go of what no longer serves it. It moves with purpose, conserving its energy until the perfect moment to make its move.


Sound like a survival strategy for the chaotic world we’re living in right now?


The uncertainty in our country is at an all-time high. The economy is unpredictable, distrust in institutions and each other is now the norm, and the rules of democracy seem to shift daily. It’s enough to make anyone feel disoriented, anxious, and just plain exhausted.


But that’s exactly why I realized I need to take a cue from the Snake. Instead of reacting to chaos with fear or frustration, what if I saw this as a time for transformation? What if I leaned into it and adapted to get stronger for these tough times?


Here’s what I’m doing to become more resilient:


  1. Detox from News and Social Media


I realized I’ve been addicted to every single piece of news coming out lately, and the algorithms know that negativity draws more eyeballs (like that old saying, “If it bleeds, it leads”). I feel obligated to stay informed, but I realized I was in too deep and it wasn’t healthy in any way.


If you’re feeling ungrounded, frustrated, or downright angry every time you scroll through the news or social media, it might be time for a temporary detox. I’m starting with a week, and I’ll see how I feel at the end.


If you’re feeling like outrage and doom-scrolling are your default right now, give yourself permission to step back. It’s a hard realization, but I realized I don’t need to carry the weight of every crisis.


This isn’t about ignoring reality—it’s about protecting your mental and emotional energy so you can show up stronger, clearer, and able to control the things you can right now.



  1. Shed What’s Not Working


The Snake doesn’t hold onto old skin—it lets it go. Likewise, what’s weighing you down right now? Take an honest look at what (or who) you’ve been clinging to out of habit or fear. If it’s not serving you, shed it and make room for something better.


  1. Trust My Instincts (cue the song from Wicked)


The Snake moves intuitively—it doesn’t waste energy on unnecessary action. In a time when information overload is the norm and everyone has an opinion about what you "should" do, trust your gut. You can’t do it all, so choose what is realistic and right for now. You’ll know if and when the time is right for bigger action in work or life.


  1. Conserve My Energy for the Right Moves


Snakes don’t waste effort. They wait, observe, and move when the time is right. With so much uncertainty, it’s tempting to react to everything or scramble to control what’s out of your hands.


Instead, take a step back. What is the one move or mindset that will make the biggest impact for you today? Focus on that. Be strategic, not frantic.


Final Thought: The Year to Emerge Stronger


The world may feel unstable right now, but this is not the time to panic. It’s the time to shed, trust yourself, focus your energy, and take control of what you can.




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