Doubt: A Friend or Foe?

(Hi friends, so this topic is something I’ve bookmarked to write about some months back. I must say I’ve forgotten the context that spurred me to write this, but nonetheless I think the lessons from this issue is universal enough. Let’s go straight in.)

Doubt. That queasy, sinking feeling in your heart. If you have experienced it (you probably have), you know it sucks.

The Cambridge Dictionary defines doubt as "(a feeling of) not being certain about something, especially about how good or true it is." It’s almost synonymous with skepticism, concern, fear. I rarely doubt people or the events around me, but I’ve ran into this issue in the academic work that I as a history student have to deal with.

You see, we are exposed to a plethora of differing narratives about almost every historical thing that can be contested. Upon studying all these narratives for a few semesters now, it dawned on me that doubt is a key ingredient for new narratives to form and for any robust discussion or debate to take place. Okay maybe not doubt per se, but it definitely takes people brave enough to challenge and question the status quo.

Without doubt, there is no impetus for filling gaps and pursue 'truth'. As we look at tangled, messy web and attempt to make sense of it, it is only natural to ask questions. And I’d say this applies to science as well. How are new discoveries and breakthroughs made? Mostly through scientists and researchers asking 'why'. There has to be a 'problem' which drives us to finding the solution.

Personally, I used to be quite proud of the fact that I rarely doubted anything. I’m rather easy-going, and I trust people quite easily. When it comes to schoolwork though, I find it extremely hard to form arguments for my essays, cos I really don’t see the need to 'disrupt' the status quo.

Thankfully, I’ve seen improvements through the semesters in the way I am more open to participating in discussions and debates about whatever we need to talk about in class. It still takes a lot to put myself out there and even form an opinion, much less voice them out.

But throughout this journey, I’ve seen the beauty of having an inquisitive mind that is not afraid to ask questions. The biggest lesson I’ve learnt is that in some aspects, we have to be 'wrong' in some ways in order to see other perspectives. It’s a learning experience above all else.

Of course, in the midst of questioning and doubting, we have to guard our hearts. We want to be flexible and open to other perspectives/possibilities, but also know when is the right time to stand on our truths.

So yeah, a little doubt here and there will do us more good than we can imagine. It helps to have people to talk through it too. If you’re doubting something right now, know that everything will be alright in the end. You’re strong enough to embrace it and sit with it.

And may you learn that doubt can be your friend too!