Growing Up in the Age of Certainty

People who grew up before smartphones remember a different way of life. Some parts were harder, but some parts were special too.

Take getting lost, for example. Without GPS, people often found themselves in unfamiliar places. Sometimes this was stressful, especially in bad weather or when running late. But getting lost also led to discovering hidden shops and meeting helpful strangers. People learned to solve problems on their own and deal with uncertainty.

Today’s world is different. Apps and phones make daily life easier and safer. People can avoid most unexpected situations. They can plan ahead and know exactly what to expect. This has made life more comfortable and efficient.

But this change affects how younger generations handle surprises. When every step can be planned and checked in advance, people have fewer chances to practice dealing with the unexpected. Many young people today feel more anxious when things don’t go as planned, simply because they haven’t had as much practice handling uncertain situations.

Today’s younger generation isn’t at fault for having less experience with uncertainty - they grew up with tools that help avoid it. But they can choose to practice handling unexpected situations in safe ways. Taking a new route home, trying things without researching them first, or visiting places without planning ahead can build confidence in dealing with surprises. These small steps can make a big difference in feeling more comfortable when things don’t go as planned.