Having an open mind helps us grow internally, and there are simple ways to increase it in different ways.
I’ve always found learning new things interesting but it wasn’t until I really opened my mind, that the real learning began.
So, let’s break it down to see how we can increase our open-mindedness in simple, yet effective ways:
Ways to increase open-mindedness
Observe others to understand different ideas & views
A lot of our learning can come from observing others. One way to do this is to be open to what other people say. I like to do this by reading the comments in threads. This helps me see differing points of view that may by opposite to what I think.
Instead of judging (something I used to do), I now read them with an open mind, in a non-judgemental way. Through not judging, I can gain a different perspective and might learn something at the same time. We are all different and have different opinions, and that’s a good thing.
Observing others like this helps us step outside our own perspectives and understand different ways of thinking, living, and experiencing the world. It allows us to see that there isn’t just one “right” way to do things—people have unique backgrounds, cultures, and beliefs that shape their choices. By paying attention without judgment, we can develop empathy, which leads to compassion. It also helps challenge our assumptions, reduces misunderstandings, and helps us grow as individuals. Overall, it helps us be less ‘judgy’ of others.
Key points:
- take time to observe what other people say
- by reading the comments in threads, we can see other points of view
- stand back & observe without passing judgment
- this helps us think about what other people might be thinking
- we don’t have to believe everything we see, but through observing a range of ‘voices’ we can then make up our own mind
Open our minds through researching information
I can’t stress enough how important doing our own research is. It’s especially important when it comes to our bodies and our health that we do our own research. Please don’t take my word for it or anyone else.
We are all different and live in completely different environments so what might work for me may not for you. Yes, it does take more time but at the end of the day, it’s our body and mind that will suffer the consequence of our lack of research. We have all the research we need at the touch of a button these days. Combine this with a critical eye, we can pretty much find out anything we want.
Research opens our minds by exposing us to new ideas, facts, and perspectives we might not have considered before. It challenges what we think we know and pushes us to see things from different angles. Whether it’s reading studies, exploring history which is a must, research helps us move beyond assumptions and make more informed opinions. The more we learn, the more we realise how much there is to discover, keeping us curious, open, and always growing. Ultimately, we want to expand our minds, we just need to be prepared for what we might find. Put it this way, things might not be as we’ve been led to believe so researching helps us explore topics we might have dismissed as ‘crazy’ in the past.
Research also helps us become more self-aware. The two are intertwined. The more self-awareness we have, the more connection we feel to our bodies and our place within the world. We can develop self-awareness through self-reflection.
How self-reflection helps us expand our mind and thinking:
Key points:
- too often these days, we rely on one source of information (or the TV)
- we need to gather our info from multiple sources
- this helps us make informed decisions
- again, we don’t have to believe everything we read or see, but doing our own research is essential especially if it directly affects our own lives
- it takes more time but it’s very important
Question ourselves to expand our world view & open our minds
Questioning ourselves helps us grow by making us think in new ways. When we challenge our own beliefs and assumptions, we open up to different perspectives and ideas we might not have considered before. It keeps us curious, helps us learn, and makes us more open-minded. Instead of just sticking to what we’ve always thought, we give ourselves the chance to evolve and see things from a fresh angle. It’s not about doubting ourselves—it’s about growing and staying open to new possibilities.
Questioning our personal biases challenges our world view. This is not always comfortable because as humans, we love comfort. We all have biases, often without realising it, because of our experiences, culture, or the things we’ve been taught. But when we take a step back and ask ourselves why we think a certain way, we create space for learning and growth. It allows us to challenge stereotypes, understand others better, and make more fair and open-minded decisions. The more we question our biases, the more we open ourselves up to new perspectives and a deeper understanding of the world.
Key points:
- questioning ourselves & our belief systems can help us to understand our personal biases
- are we quick to judge others?
- do we stereotype individuals?
- how do we interpret situations?
- do we learn from our mistakes?
- being more open-minded helps us to judge ourselves less when we stop judging others
- spend some time self-reflecting on our own thinking
Engage in different forms of content to open our minds
I love people! I think we’re fascinating and that for the most part, the majority of people just want to have a good life and are fundamentally good. Exposure to different forms of content and music expands our minds by introducing us to new ideas, cultures, and emotions we might not experience otherwise.
I’ve always had a great interest in documentaries and real-life stories of people overcoming adverse situations. It’s a great way to learn about other people and expand my mind.
Watching diverse films, reading various perspectives, or listening to music from different genres and backgrounds helps break down stereotypes and broadens our understanding of the world. My music taste has completely changed over the past 5 years due to listening to music I’d normally not listen to. It challenges our tastes, sparks curiosity, and teaches us to appreciate creativity in all its forms. The more we explore, the more we realise there’s no single way to see or experience life, making us more open-minded and adaptable.
If you want to expand your mind by watching different content, check out the following YouTube channel:
Key points:
- watching, reading, or listening to different kinds of content helps expose us to different perspectives
- it helps us see how other people live & experience their lives
- this can help us become more empathetic & compassionate towards others
- try watching documentaries about various topics to see what other people are doing & how they cope with challenges
- watch content with discernment – we don’t have to believe everything we see or hear
Open our minds by sampling new experiences to help us adapt to change
New experiences help us see the world from fresh perspectives. Whether it’s traveling to a new place, trying a different hobby, or meeting people with unique backgrounds, these experiences challenge our usual way of thinking. They teach us to be more flexible, embrace uncertainty, and see change as an opportunity rather than something to fear. The more we expose ourselves to new situations, the better we become at adapting, learning, and growing with an open mind.
Key points:
- new experiences help us learn about new things, but also about ourselves
- the more we do, the more we have to relate to what we know (& don’t know) about a topic, situation, event, or person
- by trying new things, opens the door to possible new friendships
- new experiences can help us be more confident & resilient
- it can also help us cope with change more easily
Stepping our of our comfort zone helps open our minds
Stepping out of our comfort zone helps us be more open-minded by letting us experience new things. When we try something different, we break out of our usual way of thinking and see the world in fresh ways. It might feel uncomfortable at first, but that’s how we grow. The more we challenge ourselves, the more we learn, adapt, and realise there’s so much more out there than what we’re used to. It keeps us curious, open, and ready for whatever comes next.
Key points:
- sometimes we have to go out of our comfort zone to gain a deeper understanding of the world around us
- it’s not always easy talking to people we might not have much in common with
- but the more we do it, the easier it gets
- try joining a new group & putting ourselves out there
- this exposes us to new things & new experiences, & helps us see things from a different perspective – it also helps us to grow as a person
Check out these ways that can help us shift out of our comfort zone:
Related post
View things from other perspectives to open our minds
Seeing things from other points of view opens our minds by showing us different ways to think, live, and solve problems. It helps us understand other people’s experiences, beliefs, and feelings, even when they differ from our own. Instead of sticking to what we already know, we learn to listen, question, and see things in a new light. This makes us more empathetic, less judgmental, and more open to new ideas and perspectives.
Key points:
- we don’t have to agree with everyone around us but we can listen to what others have to say
- being different is what’s great about us humans
- being able to see things from a different point of view helps us thrive in different & diverse surroundings
- seeing things from a different perspective can help us develop our understanding of our own thoughts & decisions
Learning new things expands our knowledge & opens our minds to new things
I love learning new things and believe that learning should be life long. We need to keep learning to keep our brains active. Learning new things keeps our minds open by exposing us to different ideas, perspectives, and ways of thinking. It challenges what we already know and then pushes us to ask questions. The more we learn, the more we realise how much we don’t know, which is good! If someone tells us they have it all figured out, I’d hazard a guess they probably don’t 😉
Key points:
- learning new things not only increases our knowledge & skills, it helps us develop our curiosity towards other things
- it can also help us be more receptive to new ideas & information
- it broadens our ability to challenge our thinking, & provides us with more opportunities to think critically (something that we desperately need right now)
Summary
Having an open mind helps us grow by allowing us to learn, adapt, and see the world from different perspectives. Simple actions like questioning our beliefs, stepping out of our comfort zone, learning new things, and exposing ourselves to different content, music, and experiences can all expand our thinking. Through observing others, challenging our personal biases, and embracing change, helps us stay open to new ideas. The more we practise openness, the more we grow, connect with others, and navigate life with curiosity and understanding.
