Do you have a need for certainty

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I'm not fond of "uncertainty"----I've always said: "Tell me anything (good OR bad), just TELL me"----but, as others have said, one has to remain flexible, because so many things change, so often; so, I've become pretty good, at being flexible.

As for plans changing: I'm not TOO bad, with that. What I AM bad with, is when someone doesn't arrive at the specified time. One time one of my sisters arrived THREE hours late----not only was it EXTREMELY bad manners, IMO, I worried so much, it made me have a seizure!!

I love living in the present moment and making the best of it without knowing what will happen next.

"I think it's much more interesting to live not knowing than to have answers which might be wrong. I have approximate answers and possible beliefs and different degrees of uncertainty about different things, but I am not absolutely sure of anything and there are many things I don't know anything about, such as whether it means anything to ask why we're here. I don't have to know an answer. I don't feel frightened not knowing things, by being lost in a mysterious universe without any purpose, which is the way it really is as far as I can tell."

- Richard P. Feynman

I don't necessarily have an extreme desire for certainty, no more than the "average person", but there is an exception for whenever I am in unfamiliar social situations (especially in public) or someone tells me to do something; a lack of rules or structure always leaves me feeling confused or frustrated or embarrassed until I understand it as a system. I suppose it's that which defines my need for certainty: my need to understand everything as a system. One of the few aspects of the modern world that I find helpful is that much of interaction between strangers is, in some way, systematized.

Like a lot of people in this thread, I don't like uncertainty in social situations, and I don't like having to guess people's feelings. I live in a state where passive-aggressive behavior is the norm; so, in addition to having difficulties with understanding facial expressions and tone of voice, I'm often left with guessing if people say what they mean.

YES. I HATE it when unexpected s**t happens!

I can deal with a changing world to some extent, but this is my personal take on the issue.

To cope with things in life, I often make extensive mental plans on how I will do something. When the coming future is uncertain, I have to plan for the projected possibilities. That's a lot more planning and stress. If I could trust my "gut response" to situations to be right, it wouldn't be as much of an issue, but with AS, that's often not the case.

I dislike uncertainty insofar as I dislike not knowing exactly what's expected of me (e.g. if I'm asked to do something at work), and I dislike going into certain social situations when I don't know what's going to happen. I don't like not knowing how to respond to situations.

The need for any human to experience a sense of certainty does NOT translate to 'ocd'.
Please do not associate OCD with this issue.
OCD is a serious mental illness and must not be confused with what you are talking about ie. needing certainty.

I'm not sure there's anyone who likes uncertainty. Most people, even the most flexible NTs dislike it and would grumble about change of plans. I think aspies tend to be more rigid, though. I've gotten a lot better over the years regarding expectations. I was really bothered after becoming a parent, and my schedules all broken up and my plans ruled by the baby. I don't think I sat down to eat through a dinner without interruption for weeks at first. I felt like I could never have a peaceful moment again. But I got used to it and changed my expectations and life went on.

Now when it comes to things like life's mysteries, uncertainty is fine. I'd love to know answers, but I don't have to.