you don't have to know all the answers

I’m sure you’ve heard a teacher say this before: “It’s okay to not know every answer, that's why you are in school.” But why are we expected to know everything else in life? Shouldn’t we apply this logic to other matters as well?

It’s okay to feel lost and to be lost above all! It doesn't matter if you’ve done that thing 1000 times you can still be nervous and afraid of it. Even if you have asked before you are allowed to hear the answers again and again. Stop being so scared of not knowing and seeming inexperienced. You are inexperienced, we all are. Sometimes we do dumb things and sometimes we don’t know. Who can blame us though? It’s your first time living, your first time being a child, a parent, a sibling and a friend. It’s okay to fail being one of those things, it’s okay to fail all of them. I don’t judge you so why should you?

Maybe before trying to be anyone you should try to just be because you are more than a noun. You are moving, you are changing and you are unknowing. Isn’t that great, to not know? Now you don’t have to prove to anyone that you do. Therefore be okay with not having all the answers. It can feel freeing if you accept that you’re not as smart as you’d like to be. It won’t make you happy or feel fulfilled to already know everything. You can’t outrun yourself, you will never be smarter than you are on your deathbed so why waste your time trying? You’ll get wiser every day anyway, don't worry about that.

So the next time you feel stupid just know it’s a part of life. Without having questions left would life even be interesting? Without feeling nervous once in a while would feeling content even matter? So embrace it! That’s worth more than all the answers you could have. The wisest people know, they know nothing, the kindest are not afraid to ask when they don’t know and the most likeable people admit when they have no idea.

Also don’t be afraid to ask. I know some people are judgy but most aren’t and it will benefit you so much. There is no shame in asking. It doesn’t mean that you are weak or dumb. It’s quite the opposite, it means you are willing to learn and interested. Most of the time people would rather have you ask questions instead of you just assuming something that might be wrong. Therefore don’t be afraid to be the one who is asking the questions, no matter the situation.

Next time you don't know the answer just remember “It’s okay to not know every answer, that's why you are alive.”

Yours Truly,

Dear Youth Global,

Aurélie Lambert