If you’re one of the hundreds of thousands of people who have taken on a new position during the pandemic, you’ll likely notice that things feel a bit awkward. Starting a new job is exciting, but it can also be stressful and uncomfortable. Understanding why this is, though, can help make the transition easier and boost your confidence. One of the primary factors making a new job feel awkward is that your brain thrives on making predictions. You want to accurately forecast what is about to happen, and when you’re unable to do so—like when you’re in a brand new environment—it creates anxiety. This is compounded by the fact that you’re also plopped into a new culture. You don’t yet speak the organization’s specific lingo, and you don’t yet have a core group of companions. When you understand where your anxiety is coming from, you can take steps to mitigate it. Realize that your anxiety is a temporary state and that with familiarity comes comfort and confidence.