Facing the Unknown: A Call to Adventure

How to Reframe Uncertainty and Find Growth in the Unknown

In Alice in Wonderland, a lost and hesitant Alice asks the Cheshire Cat which way she should go. His enigmatic reply is often paraphrased as:

"If you don’t know where you’re going, any road will lead you there."

It’s easy to hear these words and feel unsettled. Not knowing where we’re going can feel like being untethered, floating in a space without direction. But what if uncertainty isn’t something to fear? What if it’s an invitation—one that asks us to trust, even when we don’t have all the answers?

Why Do We Fear the Unknown?

Uncertainty can feel like standing on the edge of something vast, not knowing what lies ahead. Our instinct is often to resist—to search for certainty, to try and control the outcome, to fill in the blanks with worst-case scenarios.

• We crave stability. The unknown threatens our sense of control, making us feel vulnerable.

• Our minds predict failure before possibility. It’s easier to imagine what could go wrong than what could go right.

• We fear judgment. What if we make a mistake? What if we don’t take the “right” path?

• We feel behind. Seeing others move forward can make our uncertainty feel like stagnation rather than growth.

But uncertainty is not a sign that something is wrong. It’s simply the space between what was and what could be.

Reframing Uncertainty: A Shift in Perspective

When we can’t control what happens next, we can control how we meet the unknown. Instead of seeing uncertainty as a void, we can reframe it as a space of possibility.

• Self-compassion – It’s okay to feel unsettled. Acknowledge the discomfort without judgment.

• Self-trust – You don’t need to have every step planned. You’ve navigated uncertainty before, and you will again.

• Mindset shifts – Instead of asking What if I fail?, try asking What if I grow?

• Presence over perfection – The path doesn’t need to be clear for you to take the next step.

With each small act of trust, the unknown becomes less of a threat and more of an opening—one where new beginnings take shape.

Getting Lost is Part of the Journey

It’s easy to fear getting lost. But sometimes, getting lost is exactly what allows us to find something new.

Holding on too tightly to certainty can keep us in the same place. But when we soften into uncertainty, we open ourselves to growth in ways we never expected.

So instead of fearing the unknown, consider this:

What if you don’t need all the answers right now?
What if uncertainty isn’t something to fix, but something to experience?
What if, in this very moment of not knowing, you are still becoming?

You don’t have to figure it all out today. You don’t need a perfect plan. You only need to trust that, even here, even in the unknown, you are finding your way.

Consider where in your life you’re resisting uncertainty, and what might happen if you softened into it.

The content of this blog is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice or therapy. If you are struggling with your mental health, support is available. Please reach out to a qualified professional or a trusted service. Click here for a full disclaimer and a list of mental health resources.

© 2025 Estelle Harrison. All rights reserved.