If you're constantly seeking 100% certainty before making a decision, it might not be clarity you're chasing — it might be control. Learn how to embrace uncertainty and build emotional resilience.

“I just want to be sure.”
How many times have you said that before making a decision?

Whether it's about relationships, business moves, or therapy itself, many of us delay action while waiting for certainty; the kind that feels absolute, airtight, and risk-free.

But here’s the truth: 100% certainty doesn’t exist.
And the more we chase it, the more stuck we become.

Why We Crave Certainty

From an evolutionary standpoint, the human brain is wired to protect us from the unknown. Uncertainty triggers our threat response; making us anxious, hyper-analytical, or avoidant.

For high achievers and perfectionists, this desire for certainty often gets wrapped up in identity:

• “If I choose wrong, I’ll regret it.”
• “If I don’t know for sure, I’ll fail.”
• “If I’m not 100% confident, I’m not ready.”

But clarity isn’t about being 100% sure.
It’s about being clear enough to move forward.

What’s the Real Cost of Waiting for 100% Certainty?

• Decision paralysis.
  You stay stuck in research mode, looping endlessly through “what if” scenarios.
• Loss of opportunity.
  The invitation passes. The relationship cools. The offer expires. You get the picture.
• Emotional exhaustion.
  All that analyzing burns out your mental energy, leaving little space for intuition or creativity.
• Self-doubt intensifies.
  Ironically, the more you chase certainty, the less confident you feell; because nothing ever feels “sure enough.”

The 80% Clarity Rule

Here’s a reframe I often use in therapy:

You don’t need 100% certainty. You need 80% clarity.

80% clarity is that sweet spot — where logic, intuition, and self-trust intersect.

You’re not blindly leaping. You’re not frozen in fear.
You’re grounded, informed, and willing to hold space for the unknown.

This isn’t recklessness. It’s emotional maturity.

How to Practice Moving With 80% Clarity

1. Notice when you’re looping.
   If you’ve been “thinking about it” for weeks with no movement, you may be in a control spiral.
2. Ask: What do I already know?
   List out what feels true, aligned, or non-negotiable. That’s your internal compass.
3. Practice micro-decisions.
   Start with low-stakes actions. You don’t need to overhaul your life — just take one intentional step.
4. Get support.
   Sometimes clarity comes in conversation. A therapist, coach, or trusted person can reflect what you already sense.

Final Thoughts

You don’t need to have it all figured out.
You just need to trust what you already know.

Chasing 100% certainty keeps you stuck.
But honouring 80% clarity? That’s where transformation begins.

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What would change if you stopped waiting for certainty… and started trusting your inner clarity?

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Thanks for reading.
At Live Inspired Wellness, we believe healing isn’t just about feeling better — it’s about living more aligned, connected, and intentional.

If something in this post resonated, you’re not alone.
Therapy can help you get clear on what matters, rewrite old patterns, and take action from a place of self-trust.

Let’s talk.
Book a free discovery call →‍

Elaine Dickens, MA, RP
Founder | Live Inspired Wellness
#RISEwithLiveInspired

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Photo Credit: Photo by Tamara Malaniy on Unsplash

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