Uncertainty

The past is established; however, the future is always uncertain. Around 18% of Indian adults suffer from anxiety-related disorders, a number even higher in developed countries. At the root of this lies uncertainty, driven by our evolution-shaped thought processes.

Humans have evolved by learning patterns and responding to situations; insights are embedded not only in our firsthand experiences but also in those of our ancestors, passed down through our genes. Unlike other powerful predators, our survival depends on thinking, predicting, strategizing, and executing. Although modern life no longer demands daily survival, our minds are still wired the same way. Since uncertainty is all around us, our minds instinctively try to predict outcomes. These may involve wishful thinking around careers, relationships, health, entertainment, and more. But these non-survival uncertainties are often the root of distress and anxiety.

We don’t just suffer from uncertainty; we also unintentionally impose it on others. Many of us have experienced sending a message to a friend or loved one and not receiving a response for a long time, leading us into a spiral of overthinking and speculation. Ironically, we often ignore others’ messages ourselves, perhaps because we’re busy, watching a favorite show, or simply exhausted and in need of rest, unaware that the silence we've created may cause unintended distress.

We also, strangely enough, thrive on uncertainty. Procrastination is a prime example. Even when we know that completing a task will reduce uncertainty, we often delay it, choosing instead to sit with the unease, worry endlessly about the outcome, and yet continue to linger in that state. Our modern minds seem to feed on uncertainty and, at times, deliberately avoid resolving it. In fact, many people report feeling bored when nothing uncertain is happening.

Uncertainty is here to stay. There’s no one-size-fits-all way to deal with it. Each person needs a solution tailored to their unique struggles with uncertainty. Still, from time to time, we can pause and reflect, observe how we respond to uncertainty, identify the problems it creates in our lives, and consider what our personal remedy might be. Stay calm, and happy thinking.