Have you ever been in a conversation where someone shares a view that makes you want to roll your eyes so hard you practically see your own brain?
Yeah, me too.
It’s so easy to dismiss something the second we don’t agree with it. But here’s the thing: when we shut down like that, we’re not just closing the door on the other person—we’re also closing the door on an opportunity to grow, or even to strengthen what we already believe.
Open Doors, Strong Floors
Being open-minded is a lot like opening the windows in your house. A breeze of fresh air feels good—it clears things out and keeps the space from getting stale. But you still need walls and a roof to keep the whole place standing. That’s where conviction comes in. Your values, your beliefs—they’re your anchors. Without them, you’d just be tossed around by every new opinion that blows through.
And here’s something I’ve noticed: even when I end up disagreeing with someone’s perspective, giving it space in my attention makes my own convictions stronger. It’s like testing a fence post. You lean against it, give it a push, and when it holds firm, you walk away even more certain it’s solid. Dismissing an idea too quickly doesn’t give you that clarity. Considering it, even briefly, sharpens what you already know to be true.
Listening Without Losing Yourself
Now, listening doesn’t mean abandoning your beliefs. It doesn’t mean you’re suddenly going to get swept away into agreeing with something that doesn’t sit right with you. What it does mean is that you respect the person enough to let them speak. You’re saying, “I value you enough to hear you out, even if I don’t see it your way.”
That kind of respect matters. It gives dignity to the other person and protects the relationship itself. You’re not cutting them off or dismissing them just because you disagree—you’re allowing them to be heard. And that doesn’t only serve them; it shapes you, too.
This is where compassion comes in. Empathy lets us feel what another person feels, which is good, but compassion goes a step further. It says, “I want to understand why you feel that way.” And that understanding keeps us from reducing people down to just their opinions. It lets us see the bigger picture of who they are.
And here’s the bonus: while you’re giving someone else space to share their view, you’re also giving yourself the chance to check in with your own beliefs. Sometimes you’ll walk away realizing you’ve shifted a little. Other times you’ll walk away more confident than ever that your convictions are worth holding tight. Either way, you’ve grown.
The Real Growth
You don’t have to bend with every breeze, and you don’t have to build a brick wall around yourself either. Real growth happens in the middle—where you can stand steady in your convictions, but still let in enough air to keep them alive.
I’ve found that when I really take the time to hear someone out, one of two things usually happens. Either I pick up something new that shifts how I see the world, or I walk away more certain of what I already believe. Both feel like progress. And even if we never agree, at least the other person knows they were heard—and that counts for something too.
If you’ve made it to the bottom of this post, I’m guessing something here resonated—whether it’s navigating grief and growth, diving into natural wellness, or just trying to live a more intentional life in a fast-paced world.
This space is where I share what I’m learning (and unlearning), the tools that are helping me along the way, and the little things that bring joy, healing, and clarity—even on the hard days.
This space is where I share what I’m learning (and unlearning), the tools that are helping me along the way, and the little things that bring joy, healing, and clarity—even on the hard days.
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This isn’t about perfection or pressure. It’s about finding what supports us, what lights us up, and what brings us back to ourselves—together.
You’re invited to join my newsletter, Finding What Works—a weekly-ish note from me with practical wellness tips, nostalgic nods for GenX souls, and honest reflections from someone who’s still figuring it all out (but loves sharing the good stuff along the way).
This isn’t about perfection or pressure. It’s about finding what supports us, what lights us up, and what brings us back to ourselves—together.
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Have a question or something to share?
✨ My blog exists because I know what it feels like to keep everything jumbled in your head — like a messy pile of clothes you can’t sort through.
Writing it all down brings clarity, calm, and sometimes even healing answers I didn’t know I was looking for.
Honestly, that’s why I keep showing up to write — it helps me make sense of things.
Even if you have no intentions of ever publishing your work, I highly recommend writing stuff down. It doesn't have to be a literary masterpiece or even full, grammatically correct sentences... just dump those random thoughts onto paper... you'll see what I mean.
*This blog centers the GenX experience, simply because that’s the lens I live through—but anyone looking for connection, natural wellness, grief support, or a little real-talk in this messy stage of life is more than welcome.
