Art by Vivian Hsia
Growing up, adults often tell children: “Make up your mind, and stick to it.” Society paints adulthood as a time where people have it all together — where their lifestyle aligns with the plans they have for the future. This mindset prevents people from living in the moment.
The idea of being reliable and following through with plans or ideas are societally labeled as qualities conditional on not changing your mind.
It is natural to have a change of heart — to live, learn and lean in a different direction. A decision one makes that they will not allow themself to alter is harmful for overall well-being, wrote psychologist James Collard for PsychCentral.
People are not perfect. It is instinctual to change your mind.
Neuroplasticity is the brain’s ability to adapt after a new experience, according to a medically reviewed Very Well Mind article. This function is what enables humans to learn new things and develop new opinions, so why not use it?
Setting goals is a good a way for people to grow, but the path to one goal might lead you to meet a different on, and there is nothing wrong with that. There are endless pathways to reach a finish line.
When someone changes their mind, sometimes it is because they learned a different perspective. All people should be able to admit wrong and see every side to a situation.
The stereotype that changing your mind equates to weakness or unreliability, however, creates a mental roadblock for many people. Trust, strength and reliability are not built through a lack of broken promises, but honesty and transparency during the time when people change their minds.
Consider this: Jeff Bezos changed his mind about his career before he pursued the creation of Amazon — a name he changed his mind about after initially calling it Cadabra. Imagine if he was never brave enough to make those changes.
There is nothing shameful about realizing something new and going in a different direction, and while being stubborn can be beneficial at times, seeing a better option and changing your mind shows strength.
Manfred F. R. Kets de Vries, INSEAD Distinguished Clinical Professor of Leadership Development & Organizational Change, wrote people who are unwilling to change their minds are likely insecure and have a mindset of extremes. These types of people usually see things as good or bad, but lack the skills to understand the gray area in between, Kets de Vries wrote.
Changing your mind is not always about letting someone else down, but a fear of letting go of our own expectations.
Changing your mind is not the same as being indecisive. Indecision stems from the inability to make a quick decision, whereas changing your mind comes with education and newfound understanding.
It is empowering to change your mind. It should bring you joy and confidence. It shows growth and strengthens one’s ability to accept their own imperfections. It should not be looked down upon, but rather celebrated.
It takes courage to change your mind, and everyone should do it more often. So next time you find yourself hesitant to do so, remember that you are a different person than you were yesterday — and that is OK.
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Follow the Graphic on Twitter: @PeppGraphic
Email Liza Esquibias: liza.esquibias@pepperdine.edu
