When Hope & Doubt Coexist
So often, people navigating change find themselves caught in the space between hope and doubt. The tension of holding two opposite emotions at once can feel incredibly raw. One part longs to trust, to lean into the possibility of something good unfolding. Another part feels doubtful, scanning for what could go wrong and preparing for the worst.
Doubt often pushes us to overfunction—planning, problem-solving, and bracing for impact. On some level, doubt is trying to protect us. The skeptical part of the mind isn’t “bad”; it’s a survival mechanism. But when left unchecked, doubt can crowd out the quiet, steady voice of hope.
A New Way to Look at Doubt and Hope
Think of doubt like a storm cloud in the sky. It doesn’t cover the entire sky—it’s just one part of the picture. Hope is the sun that still shines, even when hidden behind the clouds. Sometimes it feels faint, but it never disappears.
Your hope can still manifest beautiful things, even if doubt lingers. You don’t have to banish doubt to move forward—you just have to remember that hope is also part of your sky.
Visualization: Holding Both Doubt and Hope
Take a deep breath in… and out…
Imagine holding two stones in your hands:
- In one hand is doubt—a heavier stone, solid and noticeable.
- In the other hand is hope—a smoother, lighter stone that feels grounding in a different way.
Both exist at the same time. You don’t have to drop the stone of doubt to hold hope. You simply notice the weight of each, and then gently shift your attention toward the smoother, steadier stone—the one that feels like possibility.
Moving Forward
Holding both hope and doubt at once is part of being human. You don’t need to pick just one. You can acknowledge doubt, give it a seat at the table, and still let hope chart your course.
So much of the work I do as a therapist is helping to hold the hope for my clients until they are ready to carry it themselves. If you are struggling to hold hope alone, reach out for support—you don’t have to do it by yourself.
