When was the last time you changed your mind about something?

[Eckhart Aurelius Hughes]

This is a discussion forum topic for the November 2022 Philosophy Book of the Month, In It Together: The Beautiful Struggle Uniting Us All

In It Together is a book that celebrates and encourages diversity, freedom, and open-mindedness.

In that vein, I have three questions for you:

1. When was the last time you changed your mind about something very significant or noteworthy?

2. What was it?

3. What caused you to change your mind?


These are not rhetorical questions. I am genuinely curious to know your answers.

[Joanne Humphrey]

Right after Thanksgiving, I chose to schedule an appointment with the neurology department at Texas A&M's small vet hospital for my cat, Pumpkin. He has had seizures since he was little, but they were increasing in intensity since last December when he was taken off his medication due to lethargy and other behaviors. I was advised a year ago to do this. I guess fear was one factor that kept me from doing it. However, I saw a video of a cat with far worse neurological problems than Pumpkin enjoying his best life! I decided I would take him because I couldn't give him his best life if I didn't know how to help him. We found out he is mostly blind and has a normal brain, to put it plainly. He is back on seizure meds. Not for one minute do I regret changing my mind.

[kim farrell 1]

Lately it might be better to ask when didn't you change your mind or when did you not forget what you were doing dmso you endes up changing your mind because you forgot what you wanted to do in the first place. So instead of the last time I would like to speak on a time I change my mind about lending money to a friend who I knew didn't have the best of intentions even though they swore they did and that it was really important to them as they were supposed to pay it and didn't now her cable was goingvto b shut off. I said yes even though I didn't want to becausecsgecus my friend and we all have been there however it also meant I would not be able to pay bill. I do not know how I was able to change my mind and call her to tell her before she got to my house. I think you learn from past mistake or just that you have to put your needs first in done cases. Short end of the story I changed my mind about lending money.

[Diamond Harrell]

I changed my mind about something today! I think it's important to be willing to change your perspective and perception. When we become rigid in our thoughts, we miss out on a lot.

[Sushan]

I think I have always being doing that and I cannot exactly remember any significant mind changes. I think a 'change of mind' becomes significant when we look retrospectively and see that our decision has made a great impact to the following events. But even when we try to do that what we see is nothing are results of single 'change of mind' events, but are often collections of such events.

[Joannasbookshelf]

I recently changed my mind about going back to work after my son was born. I always saw myself as a school teacher and while I do enjoy it, I eventually want to be able to be home with my son. It’s a freeing feeling making that decision!

[Jenna Floyd]

I recently changed my mind about being a good listener. I have ADHD and struggle with active listening. Knowing that about myself has shaped my self-perceptions. Recently, I realized I started integrating that as a component of my personality and, in a way, used it to cop out. I believed I was a lousy listener, so I didn’t become a better one. Ironically, my job involves mentorship and coaching that relies heavily on interpersonal, one-on-one relationships. I recently listened to someone in my office opening up and sharing heavy emotions. I realized at that moment that I must have some qualities of a good listener because that person felt safe sharing with me. I decided after that appointment to reframe the way I think about listening. Listening takes practice and focus, but I am and can be a good listener. It sounds like a small thing, but since then, my whole work experience has changed. People have opened up to me way more, and I see measurable change in their success as a result.

[ilze herholdt]

I really wanted to start dancing and a part of me still do. I have so much pent up energy inside of me that dancing will let out perfectly. But the truth is I don't have the time or money to join a dance studio. Even if I was able to afford it I realized I am too scared to dance in case I injure my knee again. When I was younger, I tore my knee ligaments, which never fully healed. When its cold, my knee has this piercing pain that shots right through it. Although I am sad that I can't dance I know its best for my health.

[Alex Reeves]

I wanted to go to an air force college back in the day, mostly because I wanted to wear a uniform and defend my country against any external attack, and I thought doing it from the sky would be much better. However, I cahnged my mind because my dream was actually to be a civil engineer, and I ended up chasing an admission at a college of technology. I still fathom what could've been had I gone to the airforce college, but I don't regret it because I enjoy engineering.

[meadowsem]

1. When was the last time you changed your mind about something very significant or noteworthy? Yesterday! I struggle with migraines, and modern medicine has not been solving my issues. My brain was fairly closed to alternative treatments like acupuncture.

2. What was it? Out of desperation maybe, or with an acknowledgement that modern medicine ain't cutting it, I made an appointment with a local acupuncturist. Aieee!

3. What caused you to change your mind? A willingness to be open and a need to change/help.

[LateefaStarks]

When was the last time you changed your mind about something very significant or noteworthy?
I had decided very young that I didn't want to have children. I wanted to pour my life into the lives of others. And then one Saturday in September of 2017, I heard about a little baby girl that the state was taking from the mother and if she made it no one in her family would take her. Without a second thought I told the aunt, call the children services worker... I will take her. While I knew that I didn't want to bear children... I always had a feeling that if there was a child who would need a home... I would be available to parent. 4 and half years and adoption and we're a family

[Amy Luman]

I change my mind all of the time. I am forever making snap decisions and regretting them later. Most of the time, fortunately, I do pretty well about thinking things over when it comes to a big decision, though.

[Davey Chijindu]

When I was debating between studying computer engineering or nursing, that was the last time I changed my mind. I didn't enjoy the subjects that were related to nursing, despite my parents' wishes for me to become a nurse. Because I have a passion for technology and programming, I initially agreed to study nursing but subsequently changed my mind and chose to study computer engineering instead.

[Samantha Barnes 3]

The last time I changed my mind about some significant was when I was in college. I was studying to be a nurse but decided that it wasn't for me. The reason I changed my mind was that my father asked me if the money was worth sacrificing my happiness. I decided that it wasn't and dropped out of nursing school overnight. Best decision I've ever made!

[Clara Alston]

This is such an exciting question! I love the power and freedom we have to simply change our minds. Recently, I noticed that I would dread getting up in the morning because I told myself I was tired, did not want to move, and did not want to do anything. I have felt this way for so long that I stopped challenging the thought. Once I noticed this as a thought I could break free from, I decided to give it a try. I told myself, getting up every day is not difficult. It is a task I have no trouble doing. After doing this, I felt immediate freedom.