How to be Open-Minded: Steps to a More Flexible and Accepting Mindset
Written by Rebecca Miller.
"The measure of intelligence is the ability to change." — Albert Einstein
People tend to think that anything different from them is dangerous or abnormal. However, we are no longer in the Stone Age, and openness to the world directly affects your happiness.
In today's complex world, where so much is automated, it is important not to lose the ability to explore ourselves, others, and our environment. According to researchers at the University of Pennsylvania, people who demonstrate cognitive flexibility tend to navigate complex situations more effectively and avoid jumping to conclusions.
Understanding something before immediately saying “no” and being negative is a wonderful quality that has helped many people. Social psychologist Adam Grant aptly put it: “The ability to argue well is a sign of respect. It means that you consider the other person's opinion worthy of attention.”
Small daily habits that cultivate open-mindedness
Learning how to be open-minded begins with observing your reactions. When someone expresses a view that challenges yours, notice what happens. Do you shut down or lean in with curiosity?
Take a short pause and breathe deeply before responding to emotionally charged moments. This brief pause can give you a chance to consider whether it is really worth getting emotionally upset about something right now.
Don't just consume familiar content; try something new. Whether it's a podcast about a field you know little about or a news source with a different environmental stance, deliberately exposing yourself to new content is important for avoiding hatred of anything that doesn't fit into your existing framework.
In addition, perceive thoughts as temporary, not permanent. You have the right to have ironclad convictions about something, but you shouldn't apply them to everything. Some of your beliefs are still valid, but others may have long since become irrelevant. Talk to interesting people from radically different worlds and you will understand that there are many truths.
Emotional safety: the silent ally of flexible thinking
Being open-minded is easier when emotional safety is present. Environments where people feel safe to speak, disagree, and revise ideas foster deeper thinking and less defensiveness.
Start by offering that safety to others. Listen actively without jumping in to correct or debate. Questions like “What life experiences led you to think that way?” can shift a conversation from confrontation to connection.
Amy Edmondson, a Harvard professor, defines psychological safety as "a belief that one will not be punished or humiliated for speaking up with ideas, questions, concerns, or mistakes." That principle applies not just in workplaces, but in friendships, families, and even within ourselves.Self-kindness when rethinking a belief makes it easier to stay open instead of shutting down defensively.
Simple, non-judgmental phrases can make a big difference in keeping conversations open and respectful. For example, saying “That’s interesting — I’ve never looked at it that way before” or “Can you tell me more about what led you to that view?” invites curiosity instead of conflict. Even pausing with “I’m still thinking about that” allows space for reflection without shutting the door. These kinds of responses help both people feel safe to explore, not defend, their perspectives.
Turning uncertainty into an ally
It’s natural to seek clarity and avoid confusion. But making peace with not knowing can actually strengthen your thinking.
When you feel rushed to decide, pause and ask, “Am I choosing this view because it’s right, or because it’s comfortable?”
Journaling can help sort this out. It’s a simple practice that gives you distance from your thoughts. For those who like support, the liven app offers reflective prompts that encourage thoughtful self-awareness without pressure.
It’s not about becoming indecisive. It’s about choosing awareness over assumption.
Repetition, reflection, and the long game of open-mindedness
Open-mindedness is a habit, not a switch. Like learning a new language or training a muscle, it builds through steady repetition.
Once a week, set aside time to reflect on your thoughts and beliefs. Ask yourself, “Did something challenge my thinking this week?” or “What did I resist, and why?”
Expose yourself to new perspectives regularly. It doesn’t require travel — read authors from another region, talk with someone outside your field, or attend a local cultural event.
Use moments of disagreement as opportunities. Say “Tell me more” instead of “I disagree.” That simple shift invites understanding instead of argument.
Carol Dweck, known for her work on growth mindset, reminds us that “Becoming is better than being.” The process of remaining open is the goal — not being right.
The link between openness and mental well-being
Mental flexibility can subtly change our perception of life. It reduces the likelihood of getting stuck in rigid thinking, which creates internal tension. People who leave room for different points of view often have a more balanced emotional state and more stable relationships.
A cross-cultural study published in the journal Frontiers in Psychology showed that people with more open minds tend to have greater emotional stability. Their mental flexibility not only helped them think more clearly, but also helped them get through difficult times.
Choosing to see unfamiliar perspectives not as a threat but as an opportunity for learning allows you to give yourself more opportunities in the present and future. For example, some people once viewed electric cars or artificial intelligence with negativity. However, those who discovered these things with genuine interest are satisfied with themselves. When curiosity replaces a defensive reaction, conversations become softer and connections deeper. This subtle change can bring more peace to any conversation.
Conclusion
Openness does not require you to give up who you are. The world simply wants you to continue learning to trust the new and not treat everything “foreign” with hostility.
When you don't think that everyone around you is less intelligent than you, you will feel more emotionally secure in discussions and perhaps even in your soul. Tools such as the liven app and practices such as keeping a reflection journal can help with this.
Start with one change — whether it's listening more actively, pausing before reacting, or exploring new sources of information more often. Over time, these small changes will reshape your vision and thinking in a deeper way. This will allow you to drop ‘anchors’ on various interesting shores of culture, understanding, and empathy.
Being open to the world does not mean succumbing to the influence of others and being led by everything. Awareness still gives you the right to protect your boundaries while respecting others. Surely this path is better than passive aggression or closed-mindedness, right?
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