The Opposite of Doubting
Doubt: often our reaction is to double-down in defensiveness. Or to rearrange everything, afraid.
Doubt is this buzzing mosquito we want to swat away or squash.
In my reading time last week, I stumbled on the idea that when we doubt the most, it’s a signal that we don’t have enough information. We could go back to research, to listen to new information, to ask questions. All of it got me thinking.
Perhaps the opposite of doubting isn’t confidence. Perhaps the opposite is listening:
- to a child,
- to a new idea,
- to a changed perspective,
- to the nuances that add complexity,
- to the struggle others are having.
In my life, doubt has been a uniting force—bringing me into contact with people whose ideas I had previously rejected or scorned. Doubt lets me imagine solutions outside my safe options or community.
What are you doubting today? Your child’s commitment to hard work? A method of home education? Your beliefs about parenting? The support of a friend?
What would listening more completely look like? Where can you tune in to learn more?
This post is originally from Instagram and @juliebravewriter is my account there so come follow along for more conversations like this one!
