Sometimes when we are given a task that we don’t want to do, we feel like we have to do it anyway. But why? Is it because we’re trying to impress the person, or because we’re expected to do this? It’s not just about how we present ourselves on the outside, but how we feel on the inside.
What does it mean to be open-minded?
One reason why open-mindedness is never fully addressed is that there’s no definite meaning for it. Being open-minded is about the willingness to try new things. It relates to both your interests, activities and the people that you meet. When it comes to this quality, it’s about putting yourself outside of your comfort zone and exploring what’s already there.
Being open-minded is not just about what you say, but how you say it. Seeing someone in person is a lot different to talking to them on the phone. An open mind looks at how the person feels. When you can see and hear them, you can understand how they truly feel on the inside. So, there is the constant misconception that open-mindedness also means that you can’t disagree with people.
Differences in disagreements
The important thing about open-mindedness is not to forget about your own values. When you hear the word ‘argue’, you almost immediately think of the phrase ‘fight’. However, the two are relatively different things. Fights, whether verbal or physical, are usually a lot more intense than an argument. Because these conversations are based on how each person feels in the moment, there’s more emotion. It could be why we avoid disagreements, because we’re afraid of having these fights.
Not every argument has to be bad, as long as you openly express how you feel. We often get the impression that arguments are the only way to prove to ourselves that we’re right. But when we only focus on our own opinions, that’s when it becomes too complicated. There’s the old saying that we have one mouth and two ears. Listening alone is such an important skill. By taking in what the other person is saying, it helps us formulate well-thought-out responses and give us confidence in our opinions. In doing so, it helps us to become open-minded in our opinions.
If you’re into fun facts and deep conversations, I would highly recommend listening to the full episode of this podcast, In Case it Helps!
What to do when it gets hard
Another reason why we may be ‘open-minded’ is because we’re afraid of letting go. In reality, it is never a bad thing to walk away when these arguments continue. It’s not necessarily about someone disagreeing with you, but the negative impact it could have on you as a person. A conflict between two people over a movie is much different from an ongoing argument about your future with this person. If you can’t work through this with communication, it’s difficult to build a foundation or conclusion with this person. When we ignore the signs that this relationship or friendship isn’t healthy for us, we’re almost expecting ourselves to stay. In reality, being open-minded is about understanding who you are on the inside rather than doing what everyone else wants.
In this day and age, social media continues to rise, where people constantly try to compare themselves to others. It’s so important to be surrounded by people who allow you to express yourself the way you want to, including your personal opinions. If someone prevents you from doing this, there may not be the right person to talk to. More often than not, being with someone who helps you turn arguments into something thought-provoking is healthier than accusing each other for 10 minutes. It can not only help now but also in the future. That’s the main difference between long-term and short-term relationships, once you see what’s to come.
Are you really open-minded?
Having an open mind is not just about how you express yourself or what you say. It’s also about how you present yourself and taking in what others say. Our view of open-mindedness has changed significantly, but that doesn’t mean it’s lost its meaning completely. Always enjoy the friendships that help you to reflect and ones where you feel listened to. Be with people who push you towards a better version of yourself. It goes to show that the people you’re with help you to become open-minded.
