I Think Therefore... I Know!

Happy Friday Friends,

Have we ever lived in a time with more experts than we have now? It seems like every piece of content we read is written with such certainty, written by renowned “experts”.

And, if that’s not enough everyone has an opinion. On EVERYTHING!

The world has never been so polarised. It seems like everyone either sits on one side of the fence or another. Is there no opening in the middle of this fence to wander over to the other side? Not even a gate that can at least be opened and closed if we're curious? There are so many strong opinions, everywhere. Our lives are inundated with opinions and the pressure to take a stance on every issue.

What if I told you that not having an opinion can be liberating? In this week’s newsletter, we will explore the rebellious beauty of embracing not knowing. We will celebrate the sheer audacity of not having an opinion on everything.

Opinions are not Facts

“Science doesn’t give a shit about your opinion.” No idea where this comes from but I’ve heard many smart scientists use it. I even think I’ve heard Ricky Gervais use it when discussing religion.

I love it.

We’re all entitled to our own opinions, most of us live in free societies. But, these days we give our opinions on everything as if they’re facts. And, most of the time we’ve heard or read these “facts” somewhere on the internet. Usually, we can’t even remember where, yet we vomit them out like we’re experts.

Just because you have an opinion on something does not make it a fact, let’s be very clear about this. Very few things in this world are complete and utter fact. Mathematics, particular sciences and a few other outliers. And, even then what we once thought were facts often change in years to come when we discover and learn more.

Give your opinion but realise it is YOURS. And, take other peoples’ opinions to be THEIRS.

Embrace Open-Mindedness

In a society that often emphasises the importance of having a strong opinion, it can be refreshing to consider the alternative. Open-mindedness allows us to step back, withhold judgment, and truly absorb the complexities of a topic. By doing so, we open ourselves up to new perspectives, ideas, and possibilities that we may have otherwise missed.

When we let go of the need to have an opinion, we create space for a deeper understanding of the world around us. Instead of approaching discussions with a fixed viewpoint, we can engage in meaningful conversations, listen to others and learn from their experiences. By seeking understanding rather than enforcing our opinions, we foster a sense of empathy and connection with others.

Become Fascinated with Uncertainty

Not knowing where we stand on certain issues can be unsettling at times, but it also opens doors to personal growth and self-discovery. Rather than feeling the pressure to conform to expectations, we can embrace the uncertainty and use it as an opportunity to explore our own values and beliefs.

Next time you feel yourself about to react to a topic stop for a second. Ask yourself, when did I develop an opinion on this? Am I still aligned with that opinion? You may realise you aren’t. What follows is curiosity. You’ll now be curious to look up the topic and bring new information and ideas into your head. Expand your knowledge on a topic and knowledge of yourself.

The journey of self-discovery becomes more exciting when we allow ourselves to be comfortable with not having all the answers.

Become a Lifelong Student

As we dive deeper into the exploration of open-mindedness and the acceptance of not having all the answers, we nurture a future that embraces curiosity, flexibility, and adaptability.

In a rapidly changing world, being open to new ideas and perspectives will be key to personal and social growth. By embracing the unknown, we position ourselves to be lifelong learners. We will continue to evolve by embracing the ever-changing landscape of our lives.

Free Your Mind

Free up some time and brain space by not needing to have an opinion on everything. For those of us that scroll through social media and feel the need to reply and give our opinion on every bit of content. Or, for those of us that seem to pick arguments easily these days because our opinions differ from people around us.

Think about the time you’re wasting arguing with faceless people on the internet. And, even worse think about the brain energy you’re using to give your opinion or, even just to have an opinion.

Conclusion

In a world that often encourages us to form opinions quickly and stand firm on every matter, it's liberating to consider the alternative. Embracing open-mindedness and the beauty of not knowing allows us to challenge the norm. We can then explore the depths of understanding and even find humour in confusion.

So, let’s embrace the uncertainty. Let it settle in, and discover the profound joy that comes from the simplicity of not always having an opinion on everything.

I’ll leave you with one of my favourite quotes (it’s even on my Twitter profile).

Peace, love and muscles.

Jazza