Propelling yourself into uncertainty is an interesting feeling.

Entering uncertainty is uncomfortable. It puts you in a situation where you just know that something is off. These moments feel like they last an eternity. It’s almost as if each second goes slower than the one before it.

But why do we fear the unknown? Why is it that whenever it comes to putting ourselves out there, our gut instinct is to turtle back into our shells?

I think it’s really just the result of conditioning ourselves to stay within our circles. When we were younger, our circle was just a line made from tracing a stick around ourselves. Often, we’d cross the line to pursue something that made us curious or distracted us. But as we grew older, that line became wood, then concrete, then a well-defined inpenetrable bubble.

Before long, we started sticking within the boundaries of our circles. We got comfortable. But the reality is while that comfort is nice to have, we’re really just stunting our own personal growth. The thing about staying within our circle is that the reason why it’s so cozy is because it just stays the same. Sure, a few things might change over time, but the changes are gradual and predictable.

Entering the unknown is the abrupt change that stimulates and accelerates growth.

Think about it. If a person performs the same routine for years upon years, what happens? The person will achieve a certain level of mastery in that routine; however, the person becomes incredibly one-dimensional since s/he fails to master anything else. But what if that person had entered the unknown?

What if we were taught at a young age that pushing our boundaries was okay? What would then happen would be an incredible amount of self-growth. We would be forced to not just adapt to new situations but to master multiple things. The only thing that would be routine about our lives would be the fact that each day would be a new adventure.

The reality is we are actually naturally adventurous and receptive to these types of challenges. Go to any playground and observe what kids intuitively do. They challenge each other and themselves while trying new things with little to no concern for the outcome. To them, it’s just a new adventure. Yet as children grow older, these expeditions begin to be labeled as childish and naiive. Before long, the Wilderness Explorers disband as kids begin to assume the roles that society has labeled socially acceptable for students their age.

It’s not easy breaking away from the pack and subjecting yourself to an unknown outcome. It’s downright scary. But I think what I’ve realized is that within that fear is one of the strongest and purest forms of strength. When you can overcome the initial shock factor of a new experience and persevere through, you start to gradually master the ability to wield this strength. You empower yourself.

Honestly I think we overthink uncertainty. We like to frame it as a negative thing to avoid at all costs. Yet, if you think about any skill or hobby you’ve ever learned in your life, it started with entering the unknown. Think back at that first time you presented to a class. It was scary, wasn’t it? But over time it got a little better. For some people it got a lot better while others may still struggle with it. But that’s okay. That’s part of the process. What we should take away from these experiences is not the level of mastery we achieve so much as the feeling of empowerment we walk away with.

Unknown experiences are scary. But only at first. Gradually you start to realize that within each unknown experience is an opportunity to begin to recondition yourself to love the unknown. To embrace the unknown. Every day is a new day and a new opportunity. So enter the unknown, learn fast, and grow faster.