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I set the intention to not know, what I think I know
An outdated mindset: As explored at the end of September’s newsletter, many of us have been trained to know as much as possible, to fill the empty spaces and to avoid the void. We live in a culture that is constantly searching for answers. We tend to think of knowledge as power. The more data, insight, and experience we collect, the better equipped we believe we are to navigate the world. Really?
Many of us fall into predictable traps when facing uncertainty and the unknown.
Trap 1 - Analysis Paralysis: This is when we try to gather every piece of information before acting, or binary thinking where we see only best/worst outcomes rather than the spectrum of possibilities.
Only yesterday, I observed this in myself!
I had been making preparations for a journey overseas on my own and into the unknown. I noticed as I began my meditation how agitated my mind had become, darting here and there, searching for solutions to possible worse case scenarios. I knew that where we focus, energy follows so I gently sat and gathered all the fearful parts of myself into a state of heart and mind coherence. As time passed, I could feel my nervous system change. My frequency shifted and by the end of the meditation I felt peaceful, calm and a positive sense of expectation.
Trap 2 - Emotional Avoidance: when we do everything we can to think our way out of uncertainty without processing our emotions first. Often, we try to handle everything alone instead of connecting with others and asking for support.
Not only did sitting quietly help to calm and restore a balance, I noticed a shift after I had shared my feelings of trepidation with a loved one.
Curiosity is the Key!
Instead of trying to control and know everything, the key to thriving in uncertainty is developing a playful and experimental mindset. Instead of seeing uncertain situations as problems to solve, we can choose to view them more lightly, as opportunities to experiment and explore new things.
The next time you face uncertainty, rather than scrambling to find the answers, ask yourself: "What might I discover from this experience?"
This simple reframe – the willingness to step into the unknown – will help transform anxiety into curiosity.
As we head into September and deeper into eclipse season, life may feel chaotic and confusing in the coming weeks. Trying to anticipate what may or may not happen is exhausting and takes its toll on our well-being and frequency.
Yet science increasingly shows that certainty can be a trap. What we believe is certain, is often just that ‘a belief’ and what we believe isn’t necessarily true. It could be an illusion constructed by the mind to give us the sense of being in control and therefore safe. It can lock us into rigid patterns of thought and behaviour, make us less adaptable and more fearful especially when faced with change or something different to the norm.
So what if not knowing, what if the empty space of uncertainty is actually one of the most powerful mental states we can tap into?
Neuroscience and psychology show that letting go of certainty rewires the brain, lowers stress, and helps us adapt in a fast-changing world. The work of Anne-Laure Le Cunff, the founder of Ness Labs and a neuroscientist at King’s College London demonstrates that far from being empty or passive, not knowing holds the potential to create the conditions for growth, adaptability, creativity, and resilience.
Cognitive research highlights something called cognitive flexibility, which is the brain’s ability to shift perspective and generate new solutions. This flexibility is activated when we admit “I don’t know” and stop clinging to fixed answers.
Instead of defaulting to the fixed perimeters of what we think we know, our neural networks remain open to fresh information, unexpected connections, and surprising outcomes.
Psychology tells us that clinging to certainty comes at a cost. Intolerance of uncertainty, or the inability to sit with not knowing, is strongly linked to anxiety.
Allowing ourselves to rest in uncertainty reduces the stress response and improves emotional regulation, as illustrated - the brain often fills in gaps with worst-case scenarios.
Creativity research adds another layer. Breakthrough ideas often emerge during incubation periods, when the conscious mind takes a step back. This is why insights show up in the shower, on a walk, or while daydreaming. Not knowing gives the brain space to connect the dots.
The snow globe effect is a powerful metaphor for when mental or emotional clarity is obscured by chaotic, swirling thoughts, akin to a shaken snow globe. It's a powerful analogy used in psychology and mindfulness to explain how feelings of anxiety, stress, or being overwhelmed can cloud judgment, making it difficult to see a situation clearly. The solution, much like letting a shaken snow globe settle, involves allowing the mind stillness and time to pause, which naturally brings back clarity and a more peaceful state.
The next time your anxiety takes hold and begins to swirl and spiral, become aware of your current state. Pay attention to your mind and notice what feelings or parts are showing up for you. Talk to a friend or loved one and develop a breathing or meditation practice to strengthen your ability to sit with the uncertainty of the unknown.
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Creativity can also be initiated from not knowing. By not having everything spelled out in advance, the brain is forced into new, flexible ways of thinking that it cannot do when it has a fixed idea of what something is. Think of a child with a cardboard box, who can turn it into a spaceship, a castle, or a time machine.
Here are a few more ways you can practice becoming making friends with the unknown:
1. Pause before solving. When faced with a problem where you are unsure of the solution, resist the urge to take action immediately. Give it space and let it sit overnight.
2. Step away from the situation. If you feel stuck, take a walk or shift tasks. Your brain keeps working in the background, and it may find the way through when you’ve let go of trying to work it out.
3. Acknowledge when “I don’t know.” Instead of rushing to fill the gap, allow and accept the uncertainty. It gives the mind a rest from trying to work it out, and naturally keeps you open to learning and understanding new things.
4. Trust Moment to Moment. Just keep taking one step at a time, no matter how small, trusting that life will support you and meet you, with every step you take.
5. Relax and enjoy a Sound-Well gong bath. Let go of stress and give yourself the space to drop into a safe, meaningful, healing and unknown space
Conclusion:
Approached with self awareness, the unknown can nurture resilience in an uncertain world. Not knowing isn’t emptiness or fear, it’s more like the artist's empty canvas. It’s the quiet moment when the snow globe settles and you finally see clearly, because the space it creates promotes cognitive flexibility, lowers stress, and fosters creativity.
Your brain might prefer certainty, but it’s fully equipped to handle the unknown. The real question isn’t whether you can handle uncertainty – it’s what you’ll discover when you approach it with an experimental mindset.
"God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference." Reinhold Niebuhr
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