"Between the fear that something would happen and the hope that still it wouldn't, there is much more space than one thinks. On that narrow, hard, bare and dark space a lot of us spend their lives"

Ivo Andric's quote explores the complex psychological landscape between stress and anxiety and optimism, recording a paradoxical world where many people discover themselves living much of their lives. The dichotomy between worry and hope is a universal human experience, rooted in our natural instinct to expect the future while likewise yearning for control over it.

The "fear that something would happen" represents our propensity to harp on worst-case circumstances, often driven by uncertainty and the capacity for unfavorable results. This fear can be incapacitating, keeping people caught in a cycle of concern and anticipation of disasters that may never ever come to pass. In contrast, the "hope that still it wouldn't" embodies the fundamental optimism or wishful thinking that things may end up alright, that calamities might be prevented, which the future holds promise rather than fear.

Andric suggests that the space between these two states-- fear and hope-- is surprisingly vast. This "narrow, tough, bare and dark area" symbolizes the often-overlooked happy medium where truth tends to reside. It is in this area that people navigate their daily lives, faced by the juxtaposition of worry's shadows and hope's light. The space is referred to as narrow and hard, implying the problem of balancing in between these 2 psychological extremes. It is also bare and dark, highlighting the starkness and typically uncomfortable nature of this frame of mind.

Individuals who stay in this space experience a distinct type of existence, constantly oscillating in between what they fear may happen and what they hope won't. This interim zone needs durability, as the battle to maintain balance in such conditions can be taxing. Regardless of its obstacles, this space also uses profound chances for development, self-reflection, and understanding. By acknowledging and grappling with this happy medium, people might find a much deeper understanding of their fears, hopes, and eventually, themselves.