A Guide to Fostering An Open Mind & Embracing Different Perspectives

Article written by Denver therapist, Shelby Aronoff

We all have our visions and beliefs about the world around us.

The way in which we perceive things plays a huge role in our emotions, beliefs, relationships, and our identity as a whole.

It is, of course, very beneficial to have a strong idea of our values and strengths.

However, always coloring within the lines of our routine and comfortability may hold us back from transformation and personal growth.

Are you finding it challenging to venture beyond the familiar? If so, you are not alone!

In most cases, the things that we are confident in and familiar with feel the most safe to us and the thought of leaning into unexplored perspectives can feel a bit scary!

Read More: “Resolutions Don’t Work. Trying Something New, With Intention Does.

By challenging our assumptions and stepping outside of ourselves, we can, as individuals become more open minded, discover new information and amazing things about ourselves, learn from others, and learn how to become more adaptable to change.

In this post I will educate you on how to recognize when this form of change is needed in your life, and then we will consider several ways in which you can unlock your potential by embracing different perspectives from your own in a way that allows you to feel more connected to yourself and others.

How are you, Really?

Before embarking on this journey, it is helpful to begin by checking in with yourself to gain a better understanding of how you are feeling.

Here are some useful questions to ask yourself:

• Is it hard for you to get motivated or excited about new things?
• Do you ever find yourself getting easily frustrated, judgmental, or impatient with yourself or those around you?
• Do you tend to spend your time focusing on the negative?
• Do you sometimes find it challenging to feel connected to people or experiences?
• Do you fear change or discomfort?

When strictly confined to a fixed set of beliefs, thoughts, or behaviors, it becomes much harder to live each day with optimism and excitement. Although familiar and safe, your comfort zone can also become a place where you can burn out, believe it or not.

Without new experiences and challenges you can lose your ability to practice coping skills, and as a result, low mood and negative thoughts may step in more easily.

The more you remain in your comfort zone, the more uncomfortable you may feel about change overall.

It’s All About Balance:

It is important to point out that the goal is not to turn your back on yourself. Who you are and what makes you feel safe and seen is the foundation to living well both physically and mentally.

Read More: “Your Brain On Trying New Things: The Benefits and Things To Try In Denver”

This post is about finding influential and intentional ways to step outside of yourself when you are desiring and in need of challenges, excitement, and growth.

In other words, it is about learning when to question how you think about, feel about, or experience things in order to evolve.

And this process can and most likely will look different for each person!

Sometimes we place very high expectations on ourselves when it comes to change. We may wake up one day and say, “I want to do it all differently from now on”.

This is a type of self-talk you want to try to avoid when embracing new perspectives.

Instead, do your best to be kind to yourself as you explore what can add to your growth and expansion.

Recognize that where you currently are was perhaps at one time outside of your comfort zone and remember that this is an opportunity to get curious and not critical.

Look at Things from a Different Angle:

Embracing an open mind means that you at times are challenging your own judgement. Doing this better allows you to approach experiences with more tolerance, flexibility, and empathy.

This may sound difficult, and that is why I have broken it down into 3 basic steps:

1. Ask yourself WHY you might feel how you feel or believe what you believe about a certain thing.
2. Ask yourself HOW this assumption or belief impacts your well-being or the well-being of another.
3. Ask yourself WHAT would change if this feeling or belief were to change.

Expand Your Horizons:

Expanding horizons means that you are actively trying to either do things that you would not usually do, or that you decide to try things that you do often in a different way or coming from an alternative perspective.

This could mean that you try something completely new that may reach beyond your point of comfort, such as traveling to a new place, trying a new experience, or learning something that you are overall unfamiliar with.

Or maybe you are interested in challenging a bias you hold, your existing beliefs, or the way that you engage in something specific.

For example, perhaps you work out on a weekly basis, but you dread hitting the gym and do not enjoy engaging in this activity.

In this instance, you would practice challenging your assumptions and beliefs about exercise and begin to ask yourself how you could change your perspective and what changes are needed to expand your experience.

Expanding your horizon may also involve opening yourself up to new ideas, experiences, people, and cultures.

In addition to challenging your beliefs, it is beneficial to find ways to engage with others who might have other perspectives than your own.

Read books, watch documentaries, or engage with other groups and individuals with an open mind.

When we expand our horizons, we begin to develop a deeper understanding of the world around us and how we live within it. We can learn to build empathy for others and ourselves.

Small Changes Can Make the Largest Impact:

You do not need to make extreme changes in your thinking or behavior to step outside of yourself and foster growth!

It is simply about finding the time and place to challenge yourself, accepting that change is possible, and keeping an open mind.

Notice your routine, your biases, and your beliefs, and begin to determine where you can evolve and enhance your experiences.

Sometimes the smallest shifts in mindset can have the biggest influences on your life.

Why Engage with Different Perspectives at all?

It can be so difficult to intentionally leave our place of comfort and assurance.

So why break away from what we know and engage with perspectives in this way?

What do we gain from this?

Evolve and Grow:

Read More: “Unlocking Your Full Potential: Strategies for Adulting with ADHD”

Embracing an open mindset and questioning our understanding and outlook on things is a great way to personally and mentally develop and grow.

Learning about diverse cultures, alternative viewpoints, new ways of thinking may challenge your existing beliefs or preconceived notions.

And, when embraced leads to new ideas, creative thinking, critical thinking, empathy, deeper understanding of yourself and others, new experiences, creative solutions, and meaningful conversations.

When you seek out new experiences and open yourself up to more expansive ways of thinking you then push yourself to be more prepared for change or transitions when they come your way.

Through this practice you allow yourself to discover new passions and skills, and you can begin to feel a greater fulfillment in your relationships and experiences.

When you approach relationships and experiences with an open mind, you can increase your ability to understand others, building stronger connections.

Learn More:

Stepping outside of yourself promotes learning. Through embracing discomfort and trying things you are not familiar with, you have the opportunity to learn more about your strengths as well as challenges.

This provides you with the opportunity to learn from failures and to feel more capable of handling the difficulties of life.

In other words, when life gets tough, you will not so easily avoid taking care of yourself in the ways you might need, you might be able to think more optimistically about the change, and you may feel more confident in getting through big changes.

The Takeaway:

Stepping outside of ourselves is a subtle yet powerful tool we can use to discover our current potential, promote mental health, and avoid limiting ourselves, our relationships, and our experiences.

Fostering an open mind and altering our perspectives allows us to rediscover meaning and become excited and curious about the future.

Using this practice can broaden your horizons, provide you with valuable insights, and can expand your ability to empathize and connect with others.

Overall, this is a technique that you can implement into anything that feels useful and realistic to yourself and your lifestyle.

Every day is a new opportunity to embrace challenges, recognize what may be holding you back, and intentionally view things with a more open mind!

Curious about other perspectives? Therapy can be helpful for this, too!

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Denver Therapist, Shelby Aronoff

Shelby is a Denver therapist who takes a “one-step-at-a-time” approach to helping people make change in their lives.

Shelby likes to help people break down large, daunting ideas to more simple, doable steps.

When it comes to anxiety, depression, ADHD, and trauma, this approach is especially beneficial as each of these lived experiences can create a sense of overwhelm.

Shelby provides a compassionate, encouraging approach to therapy and takes a trauma-informed approach to working with each of her clients. One size does not fit all, and Shelby gets that.

If you’re curious about working with Shelby, or want to read more from her, reach out.

You can also follow her on Instagram at @shelbytalkstherapy