Normalizing Uncertainty

By: Tanya Shah

3rd year,B.A (Hons.) Geography

Design: Ragini

How many times have you found yourself nodding along, pretending to know the answer to something when, in reality, you were completely in the dark? We live in a world driven by competition, where everyone seems to breathe in knowledge from every corner of the earth—from the depths of our planet to the vastness of the universe, from local news to global affairs.

You may often find yourself surrounded by people who seem certain about everything, who have quick answers and can dive into debates about even the smallest details. And yet, you might find yourself lost in your thoughts, struggling to find answers that others might consider trivial.

What if you don’t have a five-year plan? What if you don’t know exactly how you intend to pursue your career? What if you’ve spent years pursuing a passion, yet still feel like a novice compared to others? These questions, seemingly straightforward to others, can become points of vulnerability and anxiety for you. It’s okay because, while humans are intelligent creatures, we all have our limitations. Not everyone is equipped with a perfect recall of every fact. Not everyone can keep up with the constant flow of new information. Not everyone carries a toolkit filled with perfect answers.

In a world that celebrates expertise, quick wit, and confidence, it’s easy to feel inadequate when you don’t have all the answers. But it’s okay not to know everything at the moment. It’s okay to admit that, no matter how simple these questions seem, they fill you with uncertainty because you haven’t yet arrived at a decision. Isn’t it okay to admit that your learning process is ongoing rather than pretending you’ve mastered it all?

Life is full of complexities and uncertainties, and not knowing the answer to every question is a normal part of the human experience. Let’s normalize saying, “I don’t know,” because being knowledgeable doesn’t necessarily make you admirable, but admitting your shortcomings can inspire others who might be looking up to you. And What if you’ve tried different things and still don’t feel like you’ve found your place? Isn’t the process of searching and learning what makes the journey worthwhile?

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