A few years ago a friend of mine and I decided we were going to stop saying "I don't know" when talking about what we wanted to do with our creative passions. After making that declaration I realized that I said it A LOT in conversations about pursuing certain projects and career paths. "I don't know" was so much a part of my narrative that it was difficult to not go to that default statement. It had become a scapegoat. Because as long as I thought I didn't know then I wouldn't have to live up to any expectations that comes with knowing. The illusion was that it seemed worse to know and not do versus claiming to not know and therefore not do. But really, they are one in the same.
Making that statement was just a way of avoiding the fear I had in going after what I really knew I wanted to do.
And that's the thing. We all know what we really want to do. But somewhere down the line something happened or someone told us that we can't do that thing because there's no money, no one cares, it's too risky, or we're not good enough. And we've let that block out the possibility. So much so that what we know gets clouded over and feels like it has disappeared. But it hasn't. It's always there.
There are a lot of ways to get at the core of what you already know. Of course meditation, doing a vision board, seeing a life coach, or writing in your journal — all of which are great and helpful in getting through to that hidden space. But none of that works if we don't start with trusting ourselves. Being open to trusting that deep place in your gut that truly knows who you are and what you really want do, and knowing that no matter what you are going to be alright.
Do you say "I don't know" a lot? In any situation? I still catch myself saying it, especially in conversations where I get a little flustered. How do you use this statement? I try to only use it when I'm asked about something I'm unfamiliar with. What about you?
