Is it fair to say that VIX index is NOT meant to literally mean volitility in stock movement?

The word Volitility means indecision or no clear direction ahead. However, I feel VIX does not seem to represent that. I am trying to comprehend the intent/purpose of VIX index and what it actually represents.

I have some awareness of what VIX is and if I have to express in my own words, VIX is an index which predicts market uncertainity in the rolling period of next 30 days measured with a complex calculation involving option positions during this period (next 30 days).

However, in my trading period in the past few years, market reaction to increase in VIX has always meant only downward movement of stock and similarly fall in VIX is always upward movement of stock.

Even in the current situtation, VIX has dropped to considerably low level this past week(12-13 range). But in reality, it is hard to comprehend that stocks would continue to make new all-time-highs with sustained high interest rates, unpredictable CPI data, unemployment numbers, etc. Why isn't the VIX representing this unpredictability?

What does VIX actually represent then?