“not knowing”

There’s a curse around “I don’t know” in our culture. Kids in classrooms are rewarded for “knowing” the right answers. If you don’t know, you get Fs or are stupid. Post school, not knowing what role/profession you want to become is looked down upon, and seen as floating and directionless. The same goes for workplaces, people who know and have solutions are rewarded, if you don’t know then you’re not competent.

There is a lot of fear around “not knowing”. Shame. Fear. Tense chest and gut.

When there is a fear of the unknown, we try to overcompensate to “know”. Control. Plan. Constant consumption of information. Seeking out others’ advice.

There isn’t room for “now knowing”. Room for exploration, trial & error, and a chance to discover the “knowing”.

How can we unlearn always “knowing” and give space to the “not knowing”?