How Your Identity Can make your Mind Rigid

Identity. It’s the invisible framework that shapes who we are, guiding our decisions, actions, and beliefs. But here’s the kicker: sometimes, that very identity, built on deeply held convictions, can also box us in.

Let’s break this down. Your identity isn’t just a name tag; it’s a set of stories you tell yourself about who you are. These stories are often based on convictions, ideas or beliefs you hold so tightly they feel like facts. In Atomic Habits, James Clear writes, “Your identity emerges out of your habits. Every action you take is a vote for the type of person you want to become.” But what happens when those habits, those convictions, become so rigid that they limit growth?

This article isn’t about throwing your identity out the window. It’s about loosening the grip on your convictions just enough to let fresh perspectives in. So, let’s explore how mindfulness, awareness, and mental flexibility can free you from the mental blocks you didn’t even know you had.

How to Keep an Open Mind Without Discarding Your Identity

There’s a misconception that staying open-minded means being wishy-washy, abandoning your beliefs at the drop of a hat. Not true. Think of your identity like a sturdy ship, it needs a strong hull (your core values) but also the flexibility of sails to adapt to the winds of change.

1. Acknowledge the Role of Convictions

Your convictions serve a purpose. They give you stability, help you make decisions, and provide a sense of belonging. But when convictions turn into absolutes, they can become blinders, preventing you from seeing new possibilities.

2. Mindfulness: The Art of Pausing

Mindfulness teaches you to pause and observe your thoughts without judgment. When you notice yourself clinging to a belief or shutting down a new idea, ask yourself: “Why do I feel so strongly about this? Is it serving me, or am I just stuck?” This simple act of pausing can be enough to start opening up new mental pathways.

3. Balance Identity and Curiosity

Here’s the trick: hold your convictions lightly. Instead of saying, “This is who I am,” try, “This is who I am right now.” This subtle shift creates space for curiosity and growth without dismantling your sense of self. Curiosity is the antidote to rigidity, and it’s a habit worth cultivating.

Meditation and Mindfulness: Tools for Mental Elasticity

Rigid thinking isn’t just a mental habit, it’s a brain habit. Over time, your neural pathways become like well-worn trails, making it harder to think differently. That’s where mindfulness and meditation come in.

1. Rewiring Your Brain

Meditation helps create new neural pathways by encouraging you to sit with discomfort and observe your thoughts without reacting. It’s like hitting the “refresh” button on your mind. Over time, this builds mental elasticity, making it easier to entertain new ideas or shift perspectives. Imagine giving your brain a mental yoga session, it stretches your thinking.

2. Letting Go of the Need to Be Right

One of the biggest blocks to openness is the need to be right. Meditation helps dissolve the ego’s grip by grounding you in the present moment. When you’re fully present, the urge to defend your beliefs loses its power. Instead of arguing, you find yourself asking, “What can I learn from this?”

3. Practicing Non-Attachment

Non-attachment doesn’t mean apathy. It means recognizing that your thoughts and beliefs are not you they’re just passing clouds in the sky of your mind. Meditation reinforces this perspective, helping you detach from rigid convictions without losing your grounding. By seeing thoughts as temporary, you become free to explore new ideas without fear of losing yourself.

Mental Habits for an Open Mind

If physical habits shape your day-to-day life, mental habits shape your worldview. Here are some daily practices to help you cultivate an open mind:

1. Question Your Assumptions

Before accepting something as true, ask yourself: “What if I’m wrong?” This simple question can open doors to new perspectives and deeper understanding. Doubt isn’t the enemy; it’s a tool for growth.

2. Embrace Contradictions

Life isn’t black and white; it’s a messy palette of grays. Practice holding two opposing ideas in your mind without rushing to resolve them. This builds tolerance for complexity, which is key to staying open-minded. For example, you can believe in personal accountability while also acknowledging systemic challenges, they’re not mutually exclusive.

3. Make “I Don’t Know” Your Mantra

There’s a strange power in admitting you don’t have all the answers. Instead of shutting down a conversation with certainty, leave space for exploration. “I don’t know” isn’t a weakness, it’s an invitation to learn. And isn’t learning what it’s all about?

4. Engage with Different Perspectives

Actively seek out viewpoints that challenge your own. Read books or articles that go against your usual grain, or have conversations with people who think differently. Exposure to diversity expands your mental horizons. It’s not about agreeing with everything, it’s about understanding.

5. Reflect on Your Growth

At the end of each day, take a moment to ask: “Did I learn something new today? Did I challenge a belief or see something differently?” Reflection keeps you accountable to your goal of mental flexibility. This habit, though small, builds over time into a powerful tool for growth.

Final Thoughts

Your convictions are like guardrails, they can keep you steady, but they can also limit where you go. The key to growth is recognizing when those guardrails are holding you back and learning to loosen your grip.

Mindfulness and meditation aren’t about erasing your identity. They’re about creating space within it, a space where curiosity thrives, where the need to be right takes a backseat, and where growth becomes a lifelong adventure.

So, the next time you feel your yourself been blocked, unable to accept a version of something different than your own, pause. Breathe. Ask yourself: “What’s possible if I let this go?” You might just discover a world of possibilities waiting on the other side.