How do you know this is true?
Challenge what you believe to be true, especially when it matters most.
We rarely stop to ask:
🤔 How do I know this is true?
Yet this question can change the way we think, decide, and act.
It seems unnecessary. Of course we know what’s true… don’t we? But many of our beliefs, assumptions, and even “facts” come from jumping to conclusions, trusting what feels familiar or widely accepted, and overlooking important details, not from careful examination. These biases are part of how our minds make sense of a complex world. That doesn’t mean our beliefs are always wrong, but it does mean they’re often untested.
When the stakes are low, unquestioned beliefs may not matter much. But when facing important decisions, acting on false or shaky assumptions can be costly. Think of someone who assumes moving to a country with a sunnier climate will make them happy. Or someone who avoids a medical checkup based on advice from an online influencer that isn’t well supported. The same goes for deeply held views. A person may defend a divisive political claim because it feels true, not because it’s verified. Or they might hold assumptions about a loved one without checking if they’re accurate. What happens if these assumptions are wrong?
Believing something without checking is like building a house on shaky ground. At first everything seems solid but slowly cracks begin to appear, threatening to bring the whole structure down. It is also like buying shoes without trying them on. You might assume they fit perfectly until blisters form and every step becomes painful.
Questioning how we know something is true encourages us to look closely at the evidence behind our beliefs. It invites curiosity and openness. Is our belief based on direct experience, expert knowledge, scientific research, personal testing, or clear logical reasoning? What evidence is missing? What would truly support the claim? And what might contradict it? Looking for contradictory evidence helps counter our tendency to favor information that confirms what we already believe. The more reliable the supporting evidence and the fewer credible contradictions, the more likely the belief reflects reality.
The next time you feel certain about something important, pause and ask yourself:
🤔 How do I know this is true?
This question can lead us to seek real evidence so we can decide and act with clearer insight.
