Fearing the Unknown?
If I were to look back and assess the culprit that held me from living my dreams, from pursuing my true passions, there is just one entity to blame — FEAR. But not the fear of failure, naah. Ending up as a failure doesn’t scare me, for I have been one in every phase of life.
It is not the fear of failing that restrains us but the fear of the unknown. You would be far okay to fail if you knew the consequences of failing. It’s the uncertainty that looms large, for it is scary to venture into uncharted territory, unaware of the paths that lie ahead.
If you are unsure of whether the fear of the unknown controls you or not, here’s a simple way to check — When you envision your near future, does it make you excited or anxious?
If you are thrilled about stepping into the unseen future, it’s a good sign that you engage in less negative thinking and have an optimistic outlook on how your present actions will bear fruits in the future.
However, if you nodded in agreement with the latter option, it’s likely that negative thoughts have a stronghold in your mind. You might be caught in a loop of speculating negative “what-if’s”. What if the current project doesn’t go well? What if nobody likes my content? What if I get fired? What if I can’t attract new clients? What if I lose loved ones?
You need to cut down on these negative projections and silence that critical, villainous inner voice, as it’s what’s holding you back.
The fear of the unknown follows a trajectory governed by three P’s
Predict — Trying to predict the prospective tomorrow. The unforseen with numerous known variables and many unknown question marks. Moreover, there are two types of unknowns, the known unknowns and the unknown unknowns.
Prepare — One can prepare for the known unknowns to a certain extent. If not solve, we can do all in our control to mitigate the effects of such unknowns.
Pray — But when it comes to uncharted unknowns, we have no control, as they can spring out anytime with a scary hello. We can only hope and pray that they stay away.
Trying to predict and prepare for such unfamiliarities is what leads to stress, anxiety and eventually inaction.
Wouldn’t it be easier to start and stay on the journey if we focus on the potential positives rather than the absurd adversities?
Here’s a new trail we can follow to navigate the uncertainties of the course while keeping the three P’s algorithm intact —
Perceive, the present instead of predicting the future. Understand the task, its requirements, detect the needs, and apply your past learnings to comprehend the work.
Plan — Equip yourself with all the skills, tools and resources necessary for the task. Strategize using what you know and what you have. Gear up to the best of your ability with the current knowledge at your disposal.
Physics of the quest — Offer yourself to the journey, and follow what the author, Elizabeth Gilbert, talked about in the memoir called “Eat, Pray, Love” —
“If you are brave enough to leave behind everything familiar and comforting (which can be anything from your house to your bitter old resentments) and set out on a truth-seeking journey (either externally or internally), and if you are truly willing to regard everything that happens to you on that journey as a clue, and if you accept everyone you meet along the way as a teacher, and if you are prepared — most of all — to face (and forgive) some very difficult realities about yourself … then the truth will not be withheld from you.”
I understand, it’s easier said than done, but whenever you’re hesitant to step into the unknown in the pursuit of what you are looking for, remember what Rumi said —
What you are looking for, is also looking for you.
And soon, your paths will cross.
I hope as you return to your pious little corner of creativity, and sit to give the world the best of you, you feel more confident, courageous and brave! Thank you for reading, keep nurturing your creative spirit and continue exploring untouched territories.
Written by: Rashmikiran Pandit
Indeed this is a powerful one. I used to tell myself that fear has restricted me a lot in my life. I probably would have done a lot more in my life removing fear factor, and it is very sad.
But now, rather than wallowing in self pity, I want to prepare better, I want to grow better so as to be ready to do all those stuff my younger me should have done.
Powerful and helpful 🙏