Another tip I love and was taught growing up was to read books or articles out loud. It makes such a difference, even one news article out loud every morning. I find it helps prevent me from saying “umm” and “like” a lot!
As a 22 year old you are wise beyond your years. This is a very insightful description of the Sisyphean journey to push beyond the limits of our banal understanding, which is a boulder to move for higher thinking.
i used to be much more articulate... in my teens, 20s, early 30s. then the real complexities of life unfolded that only tears, a heaving heart, and heavy-laden silence could ever express. immense grief, loss, even joy have no means of verbal articulation, only what the body can physically express--never words. at 15 i thought adults were so stupid, they couldn't "debate" properly with me and come out on top (or so i thought then). but i was a fool. today i have my own teenaged kids, and sometimes i get so frustrated with their arguments that all i can do is shake my head, bite my tongue, laugh it off, and give them a hug; they think my silence means they've won -- they are so much like i was! they're too young to understand, because some things must be *experienced* for one to KNOW. so i tell them in story form... after the trojan war, the gods, who were meddling with and puppeteering humans, were aghast at their own hand at such devastation that they were compelled to silence. the gods saw the absurdity of their quarrels with one another, which spilled onto the world. they stepped back. let the humans be humans, they decided. let them love and hate, create and destroy, be both light and dark. let them be. and so this is why, after decades of seriousness and dangerously articulating "life-changing" ideas, wise grandmas and grandpas just give hugs and let you be as you are, with soft smiles and no argument.
I find it very tough when I explain something that I learned through experience and is obvious to me, but cannot be understood by the listener because they lack the context to put it into. Experience cannot be told. It can only be taught, step by step.
This is one of those pieces you finish and instantly feel different. More brave. More curious. Less afraid to stumble over your words. It’s like you turned uncertainty into a tool instead of a threat. Beautifully written.
Hey there, I’m a undergrad philosophy student that always struggled with speaking up in-class. Sometimes the professor would mention something, and while the majority of the class agreed, I would silently disagreed. I was always too scared of incorrectly articulating my argument or would prove myself to be completely ignorant for lacking a higher understanding of the point I’m trying to defend. After reading this, I definitely feel a higher courage to provide my truth in the midst of the uncertainty.
Thank you for the invitation into your mind. I’m currently reading a book called pleasure activism and one of the chapters talks about the politics of articulation in regard to the emancipation of black women. Your essay was a love letter from the universe to remind me to continue on this path. So thank you. I’m definitely going to be revisiting it.
Well, I think you have a point. The most profound part for me is to “be Sisyphus”. It seems pointless for
most of people, but it’s happened to me several times in my life that I needed to start over again without a particular goal. Every great idea starts as a fleeting and silly thought one day, but it’s up to you to make it great.
This is quite insightful and very detailed from you. Each word and sentence struck a cord deep in my heart. I'll definitely do this. I'll be Boldly Uncertain and not shy.
Another tip I love and was taught growing up was to read books or articles out loud. It makes such a difference, even one news article out loud every morning. I find it helps prevent me from saying “umm” and “like” a lot!
I like this!
Fantastic idea! Appreciate sharing this stuff👍
I literally read this out loud too
I read about it and I am currently working on getting rid of those filler words 😊
Ohh really? Thanks for the tip. I will try it😊
As a 22 year old you are wise beyond your years. This is a very insightful description of the Sisyphean journey to push beyond the limits of our banal understanding, which is a boulder to move for higher thinking.
All the Best to you on your journey, Craig!
Thank you for reading! I've been dying to talk about Sisyphus in a newsletter for a while now haha
i used to be much more articulate... in my teens, 20s, early 30s. then the real complexities of life unfolded that only tears, a heaving heart, and heavy-laden silence could ever express. immense grief, loss, even joy have no means of verbal articulation, only what the body can physically express--never words. at 15 i thought adults were so stupid, they couldn't "debate" properly with me and come out on top (or so i thought then). but i was a fool. today i have my own teenaged kids, and sometimes i get so frustrated with their arguments that all i can do is shake my head, bite my tongue, laugh it off, and give them a hug; they think my silence means they've won -- they are so much like i was! they're too young to understand, because some things must be *experienced* for one to KNOW. so i tell them in story form... after the trojan war, the gods, who were meddling with and puppeteering humans, were aghast at their own hand at such devastation that they were compelled to silence. the gods saw the absurdity of their quarrels with one another, which spilled onto the world. they stepped back. let the humans be humans, they decided. let them love and hate, create and destroy, be both light and dark. let them be. and so this is why, after decades of seriousness and dangerously articulating "life-changing" ideas, wise grandmas and grandpas just give hugs and let you be as you are, with soft smiles and no argument.
What a response. Thank you for sharing this!
Your reply put into words what I was thinking.
I find it very tough when I explain something that I learned through experience and is obvious to me, but cannot be understood by the listener because they lack the context to put it into. Experience cannot be told. It can only be taught, step by step.
This is one of those pieces you finish and instantly feel different. More brave. More curious. Less afraid to stumble over your words. It’s like you turned uncertainty into a tool instead of a threat. Beautifully written.
Hey there, I’m a undergrad philosophy student that always struggled with speaking up in-class. Sometimes the professor would mention something, and while the majority of the class agreed, I would silently disagreed. I was always too scared of incorrectly articulating my argument or would prove myself to be completely ignorant for lacking a higher understanding of the point I’m trying to defend. After reading this, I definitely feel a higher courage to provide my truth in the midst of the uncertainty.
I loved reading this. Thank you for sharing!
Dear Craig,
Thank you for the invitation into your mind. I’m currently reading a book called pleasure activism and one of the chapters talks about the politics of articulation in regard to the emancipation of black women. Your essay was a love letter from the universe to remind me to continue on this path. So thank you. I’m definitely going to be revisiting it.
Thanks for reading! Glad it helped you in some way :)
Absurdly certain for an article about uncertainty.
Great read!
This is the best substack article I have read today. Thanks a lot for this.
A few things:
I’m new to Substack.
I just stumbled on your post.
I’m 42 and only now understanding the profundity of what you are so fluidly articulating here.
If there are other 22 year olds in the world that hold a a fraction of the depth you reveal here, our human species just might make it.
This contribution is profound — and deeply human. Carry on Craig Perry. Thank you for the 3AM inspiration when I couldn’t sleep.
Ronnie, you are a legend. Keep pushing onwards and upwards❤️
100% agree with “And you have to fake curiosity until you fucking find it.”
Ha! My husband describes me as, "Wrong. But never uncertain."
Enjoyed the article. Good luck to you.
Haha I love this!
Thank you for sharing this Frances!!
just don't go crazy in the process
I guess the only way of becoming a very good writer is by reading and writing.
Well, I think you have a point. The most profound part for me is to “be Sisyphus”. It seems pointless for
most of people, but it’s happened to me several times in my life that I needed to start over again without a particular goal. Every great idea starts as a fleeting and silly thought one day, but it’s up to you to make it great.
"how to become dangerously articulate."
I have eaten my fill🥹💕
This is quite insightful and very detailed from you. Each word and sentence struck a cord deep in my heart. I'll definitely do this. I'll be Boldly Uncertain and not shy.