The Paradox of Certainty: How the Need for Answers Keeps You Anxious
Jun 23, 2025
The Paradox of Certainty: Why Chasing Certainty Keeps You Stuck
By Matt Codde – Restored Minds
Are you stuck in the endless loop of trying to be 100% certain about your fears, beliefs, or worries—especially when it comes to OCD and anxiety? You’re not alone. In this post, we’ll explore the “certainty trap” as explained by Matt Codde of Restored Minds, and reveal why the relentless pursuit of certainty is only making you feel more anxious and stuck.
The Certainty Trap: What Is It?
Most people experiencing OCD and anxiety are constantly searching for external certainty. Maybe you’re researching online, watching YouTube videos, talking to friends, or seeking reassurance from spiritual leaders—all in an effort to get some kind of absolute answer to your worries.
But here’s the paradox Matt Codde explains: Chasing certainty only digs the hole deeper. The more you try to become 100% certain, the more you fuel the anxiety loop. Instead of finding freedom, you end up feeling more trapped than ever.
Why Do We Seek Certainty?
According to Matt Codde, the real reason we pursue certainty is because we’re trying to escape an uncomfortable emotion—usually fear. Instead of addressing the emotional discomfort directly, we project our fear onto a theme or idea:
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“What if I get sick?”
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“What if I lose control?”
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“What if I’m not good enough?”
We convince ourselves that if we just become 100% certain that our worst fear won’t happen, the anxiety will disappear.
The Paradox: Certainty Doesn’t Exist
Here’s the truth: You can never be absolutely certain about anything. Fear tends to latch onto ideas and themes that are, by their very nature, uncertain. No one fears impossibilities (“What if I’m attacked by a unicorn?”) because there’s no uncertainty there.
Matt Codde points out that no one is more certain about their deepest fears than anyone else. For example, someone with contamination fears isn’t any more certain they won’t get sick than someone with religious fears is about their salvation. The topic may change, but the chase for certainty and the underlying fear remain the same.
Why Pursuing Certainty Keeps You Stuck
The pursuit of certainty acts as a compulsion—it distracts you from the real issue, which is how to handle uncomfortable feelings. Even if you could become “certain,” as Matt Codde points out, the anxiety would simply attach itself to a new theme or topic. That’s why some people shift through different themes of fear throughout their lives, never truly finding peace.
Trying to become certain is just trying to run from yourself and from fear. The only real path to recovery is learning to confront fear within yourself—without needing to be 100% certain about every thought or feeling.
The Solution: Stop Chasing Certainty
If you want to break free from OCD and anxiety, Matt Codde encourages you to stop projecting your discomfort onto something external and stop trying to make yourself certain. Instead, learn to approach your feelings and fears head-on. There are clear processes to help with this, including those taught at Restored Minds.
“Certainty is a trap. It does not exist. And even if you got certainty, it wouldn’t do what you think it’s going to do.”
— Matt Codde
Take the Next Step
Don’t let the pursuit of certainty keep you stuck in the anxiety loop. If you’re ready for real recovery, start by acknowledging that certainty isn’t the answer—and that freedom comes from learning how to handle fear, not outrun it.
Stay connected and get more free resources by joining the Feel Better Letter newsletter. For deeper support on your journey, check out the resources at Restored Minds or reach out for professional help.
