Have you ever found yourself on the receiving end of unsolicited certainty?
You know the type—those people who confidently assert their beliefs, convinced they’ve figured it all out. Politics, safety, lifestyle choices, even your personal decisions—they’ve got an answer for everything. And they’re not shy about telling you.
Recently, I encountered three people in one day who had this “I-know-best” energy. It got me reflecting deeply, not just on how frustrating it is, but how often it disconnects us from one another. It also got me thinking about Albert Camus—a man who didn’t just write about life’s absurdities, but about how to live meaningfully in the midst of them.
💥 Certainty vs. Reality: The Absurd Truth
Camus famously described life as absurd—not in a chaotic, cynical way, but in the sense that we long for meaning in a universe that offers none. That tension, he said, is the human condition.
In The Myth of Sisyphus, Camus describes a man condemned to roll a boulder uphill for eternity, only to watch it roll back down. But instead of despairing, Sisyphus embraces his task. He owns it. No false hope, no grand narrative. Just presence.
That’s our path too—especially when confronted by those who are rigidly sure of themselves.
🌍 Embrace the Uncertainty—Let Go Lightly
Here’s the kicker: those who cling hardest to certainty are often the ones most afraid of the unknown. But it’s the unknown that makes life rich, isn’t it?
When we’re traveling, for example, everything is uncertain. The visa might not be renewed. The ATM might swallow your card. You may not speak the language. Yet it’s in those very moments of discomfort that we grow the most—if we can stay grounded.
Holding on lightly, as Camus might say, is a kind of superpower.
🧘♂️ What To Do When Someone Thinks They Know It All
Here’s what I’ve learned from both philosophy and practice:
- Question Without Confronting
Invite curiosity. Ask questions that encourage reflection. “That’s an interesting view—how did you come to see it that way?” - Recognize the Fear Behind the Certainty
Often, dogmatic people are driven by fear—fear of not knowing, of being out of control, of facing the unknown. - Stay Present in Your Own Body
Feeling triggered? Wiggle your toes. Breathe deeply. Look around. Let your senses anchor you. You don’t have to match their energy. - Choose Compassion Over Correction
It’s not your job to fix them. It’s your invitation to practice empathy and let go of the need to win. - Reframe the Moment as a Teacher
Every confrontation is a chance to return to presence. To practice what you preach. To live mindfully.
✨ Mindfulness Is the Exit Ramp
Mindfulness gives us a way out of these reactive cycles. It lets us hold onto our truths lightly—not discarding them, but not clutching them like weapons either. We see the world more clearly. We travel lighter. We connect more deeply.
So the next time someone comes at you with “I know how it is,” smile gently. Pause. Breathe. Remember: you don’t have to know everything. You just have to be here, now.
🎁 Want More?
I’ve created a free 80-page eBook full of insights like this—drawing on years of experience as a mindfulness practitioner, therapist, and slow traveler.
👉 Download it here
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